SHOCK has been expressed in Swindon today at the news that 14-year-old girls are seeking IVF treatment in the town.

The teenagers were so desperate to have babies they asked a Swindon clinic for the treatment.

The requests, all in the past year, were made to Dr Jo Heaton, a fertility specialist who runs a sexual health clinic for under-19s in the town.

Margaret Cremin, 47, who gave birth to her son Mitchell after undergoing fertility treatment, believes motherhood should not be on the minds of children.

Margaret and her husband Fred, of Down Farm, Purton had been trying for a baby for seven years before Mitchell came along three-and-a-half years ago.

She said: "This is quite shocking. I really can't get my head round it.

"Girls aged 14 are still children and they shouldn't be thinking of having a baby at their age.

"They should be concentrating on their schooling and having fun, not worrying about whether they can have children or not. I think it's really inappropriate and it makes you wonder why they are worried they can't have children at their age.

"There is clearly the suggestion that they have been having sex at a very young age."

Dr Heaton, 44, a mother of three including two teenage daughters, said: "I had to explain to them that their bodies are still so immature. And just because they can't get pregnant now doesn't mean it won't still happen when they are a bit older.

"I have to tell them it's highly unlikely they would find a gynaecologist who would be prepared to carry out a fertility investigation for them."

Dr Heaton, co-author of the Fertility and Contraception Book, added: "I think they see it as something they think they can do successfully and that they don't have many opportunities in life.

"When you're 14, there's a lot of hormones flying about. You can fall in love at 14 and think it's forever. Or they want a baby, something they can love, and that will love them back."

Dr Heaton thinks some of the girls feared they may be infertile through contracting chlamydia, as the clinic treats young people with sexually transmitted diseases as well as issuing family planning advice.

Fran Birch, who oversees the town's teenage pregnancy strategy, said she believes it is directly related to class, wealth and aspiration.

Teenagers who are better off with better prospects were less likely to fall pregnant and more likely to have abortions if they do, she said.

Jane Leaman, director of public health at Swindon Primary Health Care Trust, said she was surprised to learn of Dr Heaton's experiences but said the trust was supporting young people in projects across the town and making sure they were given the right information on this and other issues.

Julia Drown, MP for South Swindon, said: "I think this is unusual but it does redefine the need for the work that has been done in Swindon and nationally to tackle teenage pregnancy, particularly in areas where young women who don't have the opportunities can find the idea of becoming a mum attractive.

"We rightly celebrate children in society, but all the evidence suggests that having children in your early teenage years is not good for you. And we need to make sure they have the opportunity to make the right, informed decisions."

Last week the Advertiser reported that more than four in 10 pregnancies in Swindon teenagers between 15 and 17 end in abortion.

According to a study, by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Swindon ranks 250th out of 374 areas of the country in terms of the abortion rate.

Are you are young teenager trying to get pregnant? If so call the Adver on 01793 501799.

Alex Emery