Couple of 18 years get engaged as IVF daughter is born

Steve Branson and Jess Mayall had been trying to conceive for six years

(HUTH / SWNS)

A couple who have been together for almost two decades got engaged at the hospital following the birth of their daughter, having tried to conceive for several years.

Steve Branson and Jess Mayall, who have been together for 18 years, have been trying for the past six years to have a baby.

Last year, they suffered the loss of their daughter Ava, who was stillborn.

On Wednesday 9 September 2020, the couple welcomed their daughter Imogen, who was conceived via IVF.

To make the day even more special, Mr Branson decided the arrival of their daughter was the perfect opportunity to ask Ms Mayall for her hand in marriage.

A few minutes after Imogen was born, Mr Branson asked his partner to marry him, with the help of the midwives at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.

The midwives dressed the newborn in a babygrow with a message on the front that read: “Mummy, will you marry Daddy?”

Ms Mayall, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, said yes straight away.

“It was such an amazing surprise. We’ve had many ups and downs together, but we’re thrilled to be able to start the next part of our journey as a family," she said.

(HUTH / SWNS)

“We have been together for almost 18 years and have been trying for a baby for almost six years now."

Ms Mayall described Imogen as their “rainbow baby”, saying it was “so lovely that she could be involved" in the proposal.

“In 2018 we were lucky enough to conceive with the help of the IVF team in Hull but sadly, on 5th July 2019, our daughter Ava was born sleeping at 38 weeks and three days," she stated.

“Imogen is our rainbow baby; she was also conceived via IVF at Hull so it was lovely that she could be involved in this."

(HUTH / SWNS)

Mr Branson said it was the “perfect time” to ask Ms Mayall to marry him, saying that it feels as though a “huge weight has been lifted” now that Imogen has been born.

“We can finally start the next chapter of our lives with Imogen; with Ava in our hearts," he said.

The couple expressed their gratitude to the medical workers on the labour ward who helped Mr Branson organise his proposal, in addition to those who helped them conceive through IVF and individuals on the hospital’s bereavement team, “all of whom have supported us throughout”.

Jade Barker, a midwifery assistant at the hospital said that she and her colleagues were “happy” to assist Mr Branson with his proposal.

“It was so nice to be involved in something so meaningful and positive for this lovely couple after everything they have been through," Ms Barker said.