Little miracle of lockdown

Mum’s joy after 10 years of trying to have a baby

- Jenny Morrison

A businesswoman celebrating her first Mother’s Day after trying to have a baby for a decade said she owes it all to lockdown.

Victoria Halliday and husband Mark dreamed of starting a family after tying the knot in August 2010 but tests revealed Victoria was suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome and may never have been able to have a child.

But the Fake Bake boss said lockdown restrictions last year, which made her slow down, lose weight and exercise, helped her conceive.

And against the odds the couple last month welcomed the safe arrival of miracle baby daughter Afton Ember.

Victoria said: “We have been on quite a journey but the important thing was to never give up hope.

“Whenever I hear myself moaning about lockdown, I have to stop myself because I really do believe it played a role in Afton being here.

“Normally I’m travelling all over the world doing a job I really love but lockdown gave me more time to think about my health and exercise.

“Mark and I started doing hour-long walks every day and I started juicing. I lost 2st, felt fitter and now we have Afton.”

Victoria, who is head of business development at the tanning company, was just 18 years old when she first met Mark outside a bar in Glasgow.