London, January 13
Louise Brown, the world’s first test tube baby, has given birth to a child of her own - a boy.
28-year-old Louise, an administrative assistant, and her husband Wesley Mullinder (37) were delighted at the safe arrival of the baby.
“She and Wesley are over the moon. It’s what they’ve always wanted,” The Sun newspaper quoted a family friend.
The birth of Louise on July 25, 1978 made headlines around the world. It was the culmination of 12 years’ research by a British team headed by Dr Robert Edwards and Dr Patrick Steptoe.
The success paved the way for infertile couples all over the world to have children through IVF techniques. Unlike her parents, Louise was able to conceive naturally and did not need IVF treatment.
When she and Mullinder married in 2004, Louise made no secret of the fact she wanted a baby. She had feared she would have trouble becoming pregnant as problems with infertility can often be inherited. But two years later, the couple, who live on the outskirts of Bristol, announced that they were expecting their first baby.
“This is a dream come true for both of us,” Louise said at the time.
Mullinder told the Sun: “We are so excited about becoming parents, and I know that Louise will make a fantastic mother.
— PTI
