A COUPLE are celebrating after their baby was born safely following eight previous failed pregnancies. Nicola and John Bowler got what they described as a 'miracle baby' having almost given up hope. Bradley John Bowler, the result of Nicola and John Bowler's ninth attempt at having a child, was born at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, just before 12am on Saturday, February 3. 'We are still in shock,' admitted 27-year-old Nicola. 'We have had a bit of history of miscarriages so it is not just special for us, it is special for the whole family.' The baby is said to be healthy but Nicola admits she was apprehensive about the pregnancy. 'The family and I were anxious all the way through the pregnancy right up until the birth,' she said. 'We did not want to get our hopes up too much because if anything had gone wrong it might have been the final straw. 'There is only so much stress and strain you can put your body through.' Nicola had previously suffered several miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies and her last baby was diagnosed with spina bifida during pregnancy and subsequently did not survive. The couple, who live in Liskeard, had started to see a fertility expert about their troubles. However, on the day the doctor came back with their fertility test results he was told that Nicola was three months pregnant. 'The doctors found nothing wrong with the test results so they were not surprised,' Nicola said. 'Me and my husband have been through a hell of a lot but it has made us stronger. We kept trying and now we have got our little miracle Bradley.' Following the birth Nicola and John's family rushed from Cornwall, Nottingham and Manchester to see baby Bradley.