First Test-tube Baby Set to Become a Mother Herself

Louise Brown, 27, the world's first test-tube baby, is expecting a baby of her own.

Louise was born using IVF to her parents, John and Lesley on July 25, 1978, after trying unsuccessfully for nine years to have a child. After Louise's birth hope was restored to many infertile couples. Millions of babies have been born using IVF including Natalie,20, who is Louise's sister.

Louise and her husband of two years, Wesley Mullinder, are expecting their own child, who was conceived naturally.

Louise who is employed as the administrative assistant for a Bristol shipping company is expected to give birth in January. She said: 'This is a dream come true for both of us.'

Mullinder, 36, employed as a security officer said, 'We are overjoyed that Louise is expecting.'

The two had met in March 2002 at the Bristol nightclub where Mullinder was working as a doorman. They made the headlines when they married in September 2004. The couple now lives in the outskirts of Bristol.

Mullinder said 'I knew her only as Louise. It wasn't until later that I had learnt her surname and realized she had been famous. It's just a minor detail to me. First and foremost she is Louise. It just works and it did from the start. It's a good relationship.'

After she got married, Louise said: 'We'd love to have children of our own one day and, hopefully, we won't need to use IVF. We'll just have to wait and see.

'When I was younger I used to want three or four, but now I don't know.'

Louise was born at Oldham General Hospital. Her birth was the result of 12 years of research by a British team, Dr. Robert Edwards and Dr. Patrick Steptoe , the pioneers of IVF.

She said: 'I used to think I was special. I used to think about how I was conceived quite a lot when I was about ten or 11, but I don't think about it at all now that so many other babies have been born in the same way. Now I just get on with my life.'