After years of suffering from several miscarriages, a woman from Peacehaven near Brighton, UK, successfully gave birth to her first miracle baby. Angie Baker, 33, was already thinking of adopting a child when her 18th miscarriage happened. But with the help of a friend she was referred to a doctor in Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust in Surrey. Baker’s case is exceptional since the incidence of miscarriage is so high. According to experts, women usually suffer 3 to 5 miscarriage but experiencing it 18 times is something to look at.

The DailyMail reported that the case of Baker was referred to Dr. Hassan Shehata of Epsom Hospital by a friend who read in the newspaper about the new treatment pioneered by the doctor. She was treated with the help of steroids. During the tests conducted on Baker, the doctors found out that she had a high level of a subtype of white blood cell, known as Natural Killer (NK) cells. These NK cells are responsible for protection from viruses. However, the NK cells which acts as her first line of defense against viruses and diseases also attacks the fetus. Because of aggressiveness of the NK cells they mistook the fetus as a foreign body which causes the miscarriage.

The first treatment administered by Dr. Shehata was not successful since they found out that Baker was also a diabetic. The high dosages of steroids given to Baker caused the elevation of her blood sugar thus causing another miscarriage. In an interview, Baker said that it was giving her too much emotional burden. “Emotionally it was a roller-coaster. Every time I got pregnant I was hoping this was the one and it wasn’t going to end in a miscarriage. I never gave up. I was desperate for a baby so I persevered,” she said.

Her case, according to her doctor, could happen to about 15 per cent of women. Baker’s case is special because of her other health condition. “Eighteen miscarriages is a huge number. This is the most unusual case I’ve come across. You’re more likely to win the lottery than have 18 miscarriages through bad luck. Therefore there must be an underlying cause,” Dr. Shehata said.

Dr. Shehata adjusted his dosage of steroids during the second treatment. The steroids were given before the start of conception. The doctor also adjusted her levels of insulin which help the next conception a succesful one. According to the Telegraph, Baker took one 25mg tablet of steroids a day for two weeks before conception and 12 weeks after. It costs just £20 per tablet but the lab equipment used to carry out the treatment costs around £150,000 to £200,000 and the each test costs an additional £200.

The success rate of the treatment for high NK cells is around 80%. Dr. Shehata and his fellow doctors have already treated more than 1,000 patients with a similar condition with Baker. They have conducted this procedure at their private practice and at the NHS.

After 18 miscarriages, Baker is so happy with the result. Her baby, Raiya, is now 10 weeks old. “She’s my little miracle. I can’t explain how I feel. I’m overwhelmed. It seems like a dream and I still have to pinch myself. She’s perfect in every way,” said Baker.

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