A specialised frozen embryo programme, whereby embryos can be frozen and later transferred into the woman, was established at the hospital’s Centre for Assisted Reproduction and Endocrinology last year.

“Even before I saw my daughter, she was already having her photograph taken,” the baby’s delighted mother said after the birth by Caesarean section on Tuesday.

“I was conscious throughout the birth and was completely aware of what was going on,” said the 30-year-old woman, who is successfully breast-feeding her still unnamed baby.

“When I saw her, I couldn’t believe how perfect she was. She’s as good as gold and well worth all the years of waiting.”

The couple, whose infertilty stemmed from sperm factor problems, had undergone three failed fertility treatments using the husband’s treated sperm, which had been frozen.

The process, known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), involves removing eggs from the woman, injecting sperm into them and allowing them to fertilise before implanting the embryos in the woman.

Said specialist gynaecologist Dr Anil Ramdeo, who runs the centre and delivered the baby: “Because of our new freezing facility, we were able to freeze surplus embryos from the last unsuccessful treatment and use them for this fourth attempt. It saved the couple from having to start the treatment from scratch.”

At least two more embryos remain frozen at the centre, meaning the couple can attempt another child using the same procedure.

“We look forward to a second miracle in the next year or so,” said the proud mother.

In the past 10 years, the centre has assisted more than 900 couples to conceive.

It’s overall success rate with assisted reproduction is between 35% and 42%.

“Most couples with infertility problems who seek medical help eventually succeed in having children,” said Ramdeo.