Couple struggling to get pregnant was diagnosed with ‘unexplained infertility’ – until wife’s intuition proved she was ‘allergic’ to her husband
Being compatible with your partner is important to any individual. However, when the couple Alex and Paul tried to conceive, the last thing they expected to face was a biological issue. After several attempts to conceive and being suspected of "unexplained infertility," Alex learned the shocking truth that prevented pregnancy; she was "allergic" to her husband. Shedding light on the bizarre and rare medical occurrence on This Morning, the couple spoke at length about their challenging journey and the unconventional treatment they are currently undergoing on January 5, 2025.
"Dancing on Ice" star Alex Murphy Klein and her husband, Paul, married in 2023 and have always wanted to become parents. They began trying for a baby, assuming they wouldn't face any trouble. Unfortunately, all of their attempts failed when they found that they were unable to conceive as "quickly and easily" as they expected. Suspecting infertility issues, the couple decided to get tested, but the results revealed that they were medically fit and had no fertility problems. After several failed attempts, Alex chose to do IVF, but when they failed the first round, she knew something was wrong. "I just had to put the brakes on," she told ITV’s This Morning.
To find the answers to the mystery, Alex ordered at-home blood tests from Fertilysis, and the results shook the couple. According to the lab reports, Alex was found to be immunologically incompatible with Paul’s DNA. On the show, Alex explained, "So I have this called KIR AA, and Paul has a gene called HLA-C2, and when they come together, they repel. So my genes kind of put the brakes on and said, 'Let's attack this.'" The discovery triggered a rollercoaster of emotions for Paul, who shared that the journey left him feeling "helpless." He also explained the existence of shame and pride that silences men, and wanted to spread the story so that other couples could feel less alone if they are in the same boat.
Now, the couple is undergoing an unusual treatment which involves Paul's blood samples being injected into Alex to make her immune system "tolerant" to his DNA. According to Dr. Nighat, the immune system plays a huge part in one's fertility journey. "It constantly makes sure that the embryo implants as much as possible, but the cells are trying [sic] to work out, 'Is it sus? Can I let it happen?' That's why, by giving Alex a little bit of Paul's DNA centrifuged to go to her immune system, make 'Calm down, mate. It's alright,'" she explained. The doctor shared that it was not about incompatibility, but the process could be complex.
Alex revealed that she had undergone four shots in six months as part of the treatment. A 2021 report published in the Journal of Human Reproduction stated that genetic compatibility often had a huge impact on reproductive success. The study also noted that understanding the mechanisms can pave the way to better diagnoses and treatments. By choosing to find the underlying cause behind the failed pregnancies, Alex and Paul were able to discover the issue before it was permanently labeled as "unexplained infertility."
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