Most recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation suffer from secondary infertility owing to gonadal damage from myeloablative conditioning.

Her first child was conceived without any difficulties, but secondary infertility meant having a second child was a long and painful struggle.

Secondary infertility, the specialist explained, an allergic reaction to Trey's sperm that made a second pregnancy almost impossible.

Secondary infertility affects about 20 per cent of new patients presenting to Sims IVF in Dublin, says Dr John Kennedy, medical director at the clinic.