In April 2005, four couples met at a Midland clinic, nervous and excited about what the future might hold for them.
They had been selected by Midland Fertility Services for funded fertility treatment at their Aldridge clinic as part of The Birmingham Post Funded Fertility Treatment for All initiative.
The campaign, launched in January 2005, urged health trusts to increase fertility treatment provision to bring it in line with Government guidance which stated one funded cycle should be available to all women aged 40 or under on the NHS.
There is still much to do to address inequalities, as single women, lesbians and over-weight couples are still being sidelined by primary care trusts.
But the most tangible evidence as to why an even playing field must be established is the five babies who have been b orn as a result of MFS/Birmingham Post-funded treatment.
Lydia and Will Stark, a retail manager and teacher from Worcester, were the first couple to conceive.
Mrs Stark, aged 30, who had previously been diagnosed with endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes, thought she would never be a mother.
But their non-identical twin daughters Freya and Neve were born on March 30 following a single IVF cycle.
"At that first meeting we just thought this was going to be a chance at becoming parents, one we could still be waiting for if this hadn't happened," said Mr Stark.
As Vicky and Ian Walsh, both chefs from Highters Heath in Birmingham, arrived the baby talk began in earnest.
Like the Starks, they also had a cycle of IVF, which involves months of hormone injections and scans.
Mrs Walsh's first attempt failed but while waiting for a second, using frozen embryos created by the initial treat-ment, she fell pregnant naturally.
Baby George, together with his parents, is beaming when they arrive.
Reflecting on what had happened, Mrs Walsh said: "When I was writing our letter of application I didn't think we'd get the chance of having treatment, let alone be successful and have our own family.
"I can't believe three out of the four couples now have children, and if we hadn't had IVF we wouldn't have George. It just shows that this does work."
A couple, from Tipton in Sandwell, were the first to undergo treatment at MFS and opted for Intra Uterine Insemination, which was unsuccessful. They are still awaiting NHS treatment.
Finally, Claire and Tony Dunn, of Shire Oak, Walsall Woods, arrived with their non-identical twins Roxanne and Kenzie, who were born on April 25.
Mrs Dunn, aged 34, had previously had fertility treat-ment but suffered an ectopic pregnancy.
Experts at MFS used Viagra to thicken her womb lining before transferring two of her frozen embryos.
As the proud parents compared stories of sleep deprivation, scans, and how being a parent is more time-consuming than they had thought, their babies happily took centre stage.
No one dared imagine this day would come, when they could share their joys with couples who had been through the same trials and tribulations.
"I was surprised when we were told I was expecting twins, but I never thought picking up The Birmingham Post would change our lives so much," added Mrs Dunn.
"I remember reading Lydia and Will's story, because it was the first success story, and it encouraged us to keep on going.
"We're still on the waiting list for NHS treatment, that's been three years now, so if we hadn't been given this chance we'd probably still be waiting."
Mr Dunn admitted he was worried whether the treatment would work.
Referring to media reports on the campaign, he added: "Apparently we won Roxie and Kenzie in a raffle, if you believe what you read, but it's just fantastic that they're here."
Dr Gillian Lockwood, MFS's medical director, praised the campaign for breaking down the social stigma surrounding infertility.
"Although there are five babies here today, I believe there are others out there born either as a result of treatment here or parents heeding advice over diet, smoking and their well-being," she said.
"I think more people now see this as a medical condition, rather than a lifestyle issue."
