A mother from Norfolk has spoken out about her struggles to conceive after being diagnosed with a condition that affects one in ten women. 

Danielle James from Necton, near Swaffham, first discovered she had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) following an ultrasound at a fertility clinic. 

The diagnosis came after she and her husband, Craig, had been unable to conceive despite trying for more than a year. 

She said: “I’d always had problems with my periods since they began. 

“I was 17 when I had my first one, and they were horrendous, I didn’t even want to leave the house.

“The doctors had given me some tablets to stop them being so heavy and then I went on contraceptive injections which stopped them.  

“It was helpful at the time but I think also messed up my body a bit.”   

Watton & Swaffham Times: Danielle James and her baby boy, Harlan

Aged 23, she came off contraception to try for a family, but her periods did not return. 

Eventually, the couple visited their GP, who referred them directly to fertility specialists at Bourn Hall, King’s Lynn. 

"I’d put off seeking help at first as I assumed there would be no point," Mrs James added. 

“Craig already had a son from a previous relationship, so I thought I wouldn’t get any help from the NHS. 

“That didn’t turn out to be the case at all.” 

Bourn Hall provides NHS fertility testing and diagnosis, as well as a treatment called ovulation induction, which can help some couples conceive naturally. 

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To maximise their chances of success, Mrs James lost two stone in four months before undergoing treatment. 

Unfortunately, despite initial success, Mrs James miscarried within the first two weeks of her first pregnancy. 

But on a further try, treatment was successful and she is now mum to Harlan. 

She added: “Harlan was born in hospital in January this year. 

“It was amazing when he arrived, just to know that he was there at long last.  

“I would say to anyone struggling to get pregnant to get advice from the doctor, because you’d be surprised at the options there are.”