Ireland's Eye: What's going on in the old sod this week

A Newcaste West couple who suffered four miscarriages miraculously conceived a baby girl after they underwent revolutionary fertility treatment in the U.K.

Michael and Sharon Noonan welcomed baby Hannah Rose into the world on Mother’s Day of this year after Sharon was treated for elevated natural killer (NK) cells in London.

The couple, who tragically suffered four miscarriages between 2006 and 2009, decided to try out the treatment after hearing the testimony on RTE of a woman who overcame a similar problem.

“A friend of mine heard a radio interview between Marian Finucane and a woman who had a number of miscarriages and who went to London for a test which identified that she had elevated NK cells,” Sharon Noonan said.

She travelled to the Lister Fertility Clinic in London and consulted with Dr. Yau Thum, a specialist in reproductive immunology who carried out a simple blood test.

The results found that Sharon had an elevated level of NK cells which were killing off her fetus each time she became pregnant.

Following her consultation with Thum, after Noonan became pregnant for a fifth time she received an intravenous blood product known as Intralipid, which is based on the first fat emulsion deemed safe for human use.

The treatment helped her maintain her pregnancy and, despite some kidney and liver problems, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl at the Mid West Regional Maternity Hospital on May of this year.
Sharon said that she and her husband want to share their story with other couples who may be enduring similar problems conceiving.

“The message I want to get out is, you can go and get this simple NK test done very easily. It’s inexpensive in the scheme of things,” she said.

“You hear about a lot of people who are being encouraged to go for IVF and want to try IVF, but sometimes it can be identified and treated thanks to this very inexpensive test.

“The test changed our lives. We’re so happy.”

Sharon said that she and her husband were enjoying every second of parenthood with Hannah, who is now almost six months old.

Reproductive immunology treatment is offered by a small number of clinics in Britain.
- Limerick Leader

Follow Rule 42

THE landmark GAA complex at Carrigoon, Mallow has issued a red card to both Mallow rugby and soccer clubs as it "must adhere to the national Rule 42.”

It's a blow just as much for Mallow GAA club as it is for the “foreign games” clubs who used the "invaluable facility,” especially during winter.

The GAA's Rule 42 prohibits the playing of field games which are not sanctioned by the GAA, and soccer and rugby fall into this.

Bartley Galvin, chairman of Mallow GAA club, confirmed that neither Mallow rugby club or soccer club are now using the facility at Carrigoon.

"The club is bound by the rule and the consequences of allowing rugby or soccer clubs would result in us incurring a big fine. We cannot allow that to happen," he said.

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Nster.com