World’s First Baby Ever Born With Revolutionary IVF Treatment Using Time-Lapse Photography to pick Best Embryo

Most mothers get their first glimpse of their baby at their initial scan weeks into their pregnancy, but Ruth Carter was able to see her newborn when she was little more than a growing collection of cells. The 42-year-old gave birth to a 'miracle' baby girl by caesarian section today at Liverpool Women's Hospital after becoming the world's first mother to give birth after conceiving with the help of pioneering new technology.

Using Eeva - Early Embryo Viability Assessment - scientists were able to use timelapse technology to monitor growth of embryos to predict which was most likely to lead to a successful pregnancy. By capturing images at one minute intervals scientists were able to see for the first time how different embryos were growing and choose which would be most suitable for IVF. Continues after Cut:

Eeva allows embryos to be observed without removing them from an incubator so similar conditions felt by a baby developing inside the womb can be maintained.

Mrs Carter, a clinical psychologist, and her husband John Traverse, 54, had been trying for a family for eight years but sadly suffered several miscarriages.

In 2008 they went to the Hewitt Fertility Clinic at the Liverpool Women's Hospital and had their first son Jamie, now two, after a course of IVF treatment.

But it wasn't long before the couple, from Warrington, began to feel broody again, so they sought the help of leading fertility expert Professor Charles Kingsland and his team again.

The healthy baby girl, who has not yet been given a name, was born weighing 5lb 5oz today. Her father said: 'We are delighted to be the proud parents of a beautiful, healthy baby girl.

'We'd like to thank the staff at Liverpool Women's for helping to make this miracle to come true.'

Professor Kingsland, clinical director at the fertility centre, said: 'As a unit, we have never been prouder to be at the forefront of such pioneering technology.

'By investing into research and technology, we have been able to debut Eeva in Europe and lead the way in time-lapse imaging technology.

'We're aware of how devastating infertility can be for couples but with our implantation rates already at over 44 per cent for couples under the age of 35 - we're going to increase this percentage further.'

Dr Leanne Bricker, consultant in Fetal and Maternal Medicine at Liverpool Women's Hospital, said: 'To watch our hard work in research and innovation result in a real life healthy baby is the main reason we do what we do.

'It is why we work so hard to make people's dreams of a family become a reality.'

The Liverpool clinic was the first in Europe to be licensed to use the Eeva technology. It has not yet been given clearance for use in the US.

Daily Mail UK.