EastEnders Christmas spoilers: Emotions runs high as Sonia faces a big step in her IVF journey

Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) and Reiss Colwell (Jonny Freeman) face so many ups and downs in their battle to have a baby via IVF – and now the next stage beckons in EastEnders.

As viewers know, it was back in the summer when Reiss stunned Sonia with his proposal that they have a baby together.

The couple had previously been on the rocks after Reiss found a pregnancy test in Sonia’s bag – and knowing he was infertile, thought she’d been unfaithful.

He even accused her of sleeping with Zack Hudson (James Farrar).

But within a day, Reiss had asked Sonia to try for a baby with him via IVF, producing leaflets to show what could be done.

It’s been a rollercoaster ever since, with a row breaking out even before they’d left Albert Square for their first appointment, as Sonia grew tired of Reiss’ overbearing behaviour.

The couple soon got back on track and after Sonia was given her ‘trigger shot’,had to wait just 36 hours before her eggs could be retrieved.

But Sonia’s plans for a romantic night, complete with rose petals, were scuppered when a phone call from the hospital revealed Reiss’s wife Debbie – who needs full-time care of suffering a severe stroke – was very ill with pnenmonia.

The events even led Sonia to confess to Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) that sometimes she felt it might be better for everyone if Debbie just slipped away.

Sonia admitted it felt like Debbie was always there, haunting them.

Kathy was quick to comfort her, as Sonia said she felt if Debbie did pass, Reiss wouldn’t want to continue trying for a baby.

This Christmas, though, the pair are feeling positive about their IVF journey.

They talk excitedly about the next stage of treatment – embryo transfer.

As they prepare to take this huge next step, with IVF work for Sonia and Reiss?

Will they ever have the baby that both long for so desperately?