- Josephine Lang was born in March this year
- Couple agreed to radical medical treatment
- Baby soon followed after first round of IVF
Footy legend Martin Lang and his wife Dominique Loudon remain on cloud nine following the birth of their daughter Josephine in March – and given the remarkable circumstances of her arrival, they have every reason to be.
Six agonising years of infertility, numerous failed IVF cycles and a miscarriage left Loudon – a Channel 9 sports presenter in Queensland – wondering if she would ever fall pregnant.
Determined to be a mother, Loudon, 39, and Lang, 49, met with obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Drew Moffrey at Pindara Private Hospital on the Gold Coast in 2023.
Moffrey suggested the couple be tested for a rare genetic condition known as the DQ Alpha gene.
Next was a visit to their fertility doctor, Dr Ong, who organised further investigations and a blood test, which later confirmed both Loudon and Lang were a partial match.
In medical terms, elevated NK cells meant Loudon’s body was effectively rejecting any chance of pregnancy.
Footy legend Martin Lang and his wife Dominique Loudon remain on cloud nine following the birth of their daughter Josephine in March – and given the circumstances of her arrival, they have every reason to be
Six agonising years of infertility, failed IVF cycles and a miscarriage left Loudon – a Channel 9 sports presenter in Queensland – wondering if she would ever fall pregnant (pictured, with baby Josephine)
A revolutionary treatment involving a complex combination of immune protocols, LMIT (Lymphocyte Membrane Immunotherapy) and blood transfusions resulted in the couple’s ‘miracle baby’
Panthers coach John Lang and his son Martin after winning the 2003 NRL Grand Final
But Loudon and the NRL premiership winner with the Panthers – who has three children from a previous marriage – wouldn’t give up.
They agreed to take part in a treatment which sees a complex combination of immune protocols, LMIT (Lymphocyte Membrane Immunotherapy) and blood transfusions.
According to News Corp, the process involves a serum using Lang’s blood which is then injected into Loudon’s body.
Once the LMIT is completed, couples have six months to utilise IVF attempts.
In their first round of IVF, Loudon fell pregnant.
‘It was a fairytale, I’ve never felt anything like it,’ Loudon said, when reflecting on Josie’s arrival.
‘I had that full-on love…it just hit me like this big love bomb when she was put on my chest. ‘It does feel like a little miracle baby.
‘She is so loved, and we are so grateful we have her. We feel really lucky.’
But despite the success the Lang’s experienced, Dr Ong warned the DQ Alpha gene is still ‘very much an evolving science’, with no guarantees.
Lang – who these days is a neuroscientist – made his first grade debut in 1996 with Cronulla before moving to Penrith in 2002, winning a Grand Final with his father John as head coach the next year.
He also made eight Origin appearances for Queensland between 1998 and 2000.
