‘Adoption Stories’ couple announce happy news

A Dublin couple who struggled to conceive for 12 years before having their first little boy in 2014 have revealed they are expecting their second child. Fred and Orla Rainert from Sandyford, who endured seven failed attempts at IVF and a number of devastating miscarriages before Leo arrived in 2014, also considered fostering for a period and attempted to adopt a child from Russia, when their story was filmed as part of TV3’s Adoption Stories. Unfortunately the country's laws on adoption changed before they had the chance to give a needy child a home. The couple were over the moon when Orla (48) discovered she was pregnant on Mother's Day. Now baby Leo (1) is due to be a big brother, with the family's new arrival due in June.

"Leo came into our lives as such a surprise and we were always keen to give him a sibling." Orla told the Irish Independent. “We didn’t want him to feel on his own and we wanted him to have an emotional support as he grows but because we are older parents,”

Orla encouraged couples who are struggling with fertility issues to talk about them, while reminding parents to be sensitive to other couples who  might be experiencing issues:

“If you do have children you should just be conscious of those around you who might be struggling in secret. Having been through this I do know that you do need an outlet because it is an emotional struggle. Whether that’s speaking to family or friends or seeking the support of a group you have to cope with that before you can move forwards,” Orla said.

The new series of Adoption Stories airs on TV3 at 8.30pm on Wednesdays.