After more than 12 years struggling to conceive, a Clynderwen couple’s family is complete, following the birth of their longed-for first child.

Kara and Luke Ellard have spent more than £10,000 on IVF treatment, remortgaging their house and relying on family, because only one treatment cycle is available on the NHS in Wales.

Following their seventh embryo implantation and fourth cycle of treatment the Ellards were delighted to welcome Tyler May into the family on May 5th.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s very strange, it doesn’t quite feel real. When we came home it felt very surreal, it felt like we were in a bubble and it’s not really changed now,” said Kara.

Luke added: “It’s great, she’s here and gorgeous, it’s only been 12 days and it feels like she’s been here forever. She’s better than the TV, can just sit and watch her, she pulls funny facial expressions. I knew it was always going to happen, it was what we both wanted.”

Although Kara and Luke now have the family they always wanted, Kara is still encouraging other women to continue fighting for their dream.

“Keep trying, keep going if you can, you’ve got to really,” she added.

“Listen to your consultants, if they’re hopeful you have to be hopeful.

“To end up with this, the result of all the hard work and all the money is amazing.

“It’s amazing how she was made in a dish, as complicated as IVF is, the fact she was put together by an embryologist and now she’s here, it’s amazing.

“Everything is great, even waking up all hours, I don’t mind, everything is complete.”

Kara has been battling the Welsh Assembly, calling for full implementation of National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines published in 2004, which state that three full IVF cycles should be funded by the NHS.

She will continue to push for change in an attempt to stop other women in Wales going through the same experience she has had, once she has got used to her new role as mum.

Along with friend Julia Eynon, Kara launched a petition which was signed by more than 4,000 people before being handed to the Welsh Assembly, backed by AM Angela Burns.