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A BRUCEHILL man and his wife who have been undergoing IVF for almost two decades have finally become the proud parents of twins.

Ruth O’Malley, who was born in Scunthorpe, met Mick on the Golden Wonder factory floor in 1999 and they were married in 2002.

Both were eager to have children, with Mick, 53, coming from a large family where he was one of ten children, but soon after getting married, they were told they would need to use IVF.

Ruth, who will turn 40 later this month, said: “We got told if we go for IVF treatment there was a very slim chance of having children and they couldn’t guarantee anything.”

It took the couple almost two decades to conceive but they never lost hope.

She added: “We never actually believed in a million years that it was going to work. We thought it was going to be another disappointment.

“IVF was absolutely gruelling with all of the injections and hormones, but I would do it a million times to get to this result.”

The new parents finally met their long-awaited sons on Mother’s Day – March 22.

Thomas was the first born at 11.29am, weighing 5lbs, and Brendan followed at 11.31am, weighing 5lbs 3.

Thomas James and Brendan Crawford O’Malley – who had their middle names chosen after Mick’s mother and father – have been spending lots of quality time at home with their parents due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Ruth said: “Mick’s 89-year-old father, James, came down [to Scunthorpe] from Dumbarton to meet his 34th and 35th grandchildren after 27 years since the last grandchild was born.”

Ruth’s initial due date was April 9 but as both boys were growing quickly, it was decided to induce her several weeks early and the twins were born on Sunday, March 22.

The couple has loved being parents to newborns and can’t wait for the boys to spend time with their West Dunbartonshire family.

“It is amazing,” said Ruth. “The only tough thing is not being able to see friends and family to share them.

“When you go through IVF, you don’t go through it alone. Your friends and family go through it with you.

“As soon as the lockdown is over, we’ll be jumping on a train to Scotland and introducing them to Mick’s family.

“He’s the last of his brothers and sisters to have children, so there’s lots of aunts and uncles who can’t wait to meet them.

“We will just have to wait a few more weeks.”