CHILDLESS couples in Suffolk will have more chances of having a longed-for child thanks to a new fertility policy, it emerged today.Couples struggling to conceive in the county who meet eligibility criteria will be given the possibility of up to three NHS-funded In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment cycles - currently only one or two are offered throughout the East of England.

CHILDLESS couples in Suffolk will have more chances of having a longed-for child thanks to a new fertility policy, it emerged today.

Couples struggling to conceive in the county who meet eligibility criteria will be given the possibility of up to three NHS-funded In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment cycles - currently only one or two are offered throughout the East of England.

The news comes as the East of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA) pledged to fully implement national guidelines designed to offer more fertility treatment cycles and make the process fair to couples across the region from April 2009.

Peter Greenwood, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and lead clinician for the fertility services project steering group, said: “Around one in seven couples could be affected by infertility. The implications can be devastating for some, sometimes with unseen consequences for mental health and wellbeing.

“We are potentially offering a big improvement in the lives of many couples in the region, where IVF is clinically the right solution and has the potential to succeed.”

Suffolk mum, Amanda Rayner said she felt like she had won the lottery after she got pregnant through fertility treatment after eight years of trying for a baby.

Mrs Rayner, 35, of Lowestoft had an appointment with consultant Mr Greenwood who placed them on a waiting list for IVF which went ahead during August 2006.

She said: “I am really pleased at this change in the rules. It is such a stressful time in your life and to have three attempts eases the pressure slightly - you know you have another chance.”

Are you struggling to have a baby? Should more be done to help people conceive? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.