Sir Elton John has said that he intends to find out who the real father of his son is.
Sir Elton and his husband David Furnish became parents last Christmas when their son Zachary Jackson-Levon was born to a surrogate mother. At the time, the couple said they had no intention of finding out which of them was the real father.
However, the singer has now said he intends to carry out a DNA test incase Zachary ever needs to know who his blood father is for medical reasons.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Sir Elton said: “Zac will have to know for his medical records. If it’s David, I’d be very proud. It wouldn’t matter to me – and vice versa.”
Originally, the couple had said they didn’t want their son to know who his biological father was because they wanted him to see them as equal parents.
Sir Elton reportedly said that although he hoped to discover he was the blood father, he would be equally happy if it turned out to be Furnish.
A friend of the couple told the London Evening Standard that the 64-year-old rock singer did want his bloodline to continue “but also took on board advice that a younger man may be a more appropriate donor.” The friend added: “It is a very complicated arrangement – but one forged by love.”
To read more go to
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Change the rules for IVF and stop the postcode lottery
Sarah Johnson looks on longingly when she sees mums out for a stroll with their babies. For years it’s been her dream to have a precious child of her own.
But the 34-year-old has a host of health problems which means her fertility is low. She’s known for a long time that her chances of conceiving naturally are poor but that doesn’t make it easier to bear.
Starting a family has always been part of the plan for Sarah and husband Levi and they’ve been trying for a baby throughout their six year marriage. Yet as each month has passed, any last hope they’ve had has been slipping away and Sarah now fears she’ll never be able to hold a baby of her own in her arms.
For thousands of desperate couples, the only route left open when fertility problems get in the way is IVF. The Johnsons thought IVF was their only hope of having a child too.
But those hopes now lie in tatters because Sarah doesn’t meet the tough criteria set out on an NHS Portsmouth tick list. ‘I’m devastated,’ says Sarah. ‘I know I can’t have children naturally and IVF was my only option. ‘We had been going for tests and we thought we were going to be put forward for IVF but then the consultant just turned round and said “I’m sorry there’s nothing more I can do for you”. He said we didn’t meet the criteria.’
She adds: ‘They have a tick list you have to meet and if you fall down on any one that’s that. I think it’s completely unfair. ‘There are reasons I don’t meet the criteria. They should base it on the individual person, not a tick list.’
Sarah was told she had polycystic ovaries around 13 years ago and that means cysts on her ovaries stop her from ovulating frequently. That makes conceiving naturally harder and she also has endometriosis, which is a problem affecting the womb lining. For a lot of the time she’s in pain and both conditions also make it hard for her to lose weight. To add to her problems, being overweight also makes it more difficult to conceive.
Toread more go to http://bit.ly/mgIAlI
But the 34-year-old has a host of health problems which means her fertility is low. She’s known for a long time that her chances of conceiving naturally are poor but that doesn’t make it easier to bear.
Starting a family has always been part of the plan for Sarah and husband Levi and they’ve been trying for a baby throughout their six year marriage. Yet as each month has passed, any last hope they’ve had has been slipping away and Sarah now fears she’ll never be able to hold a baby of her own in her arms.
For thousands of desperate couples, the only route left open when fertility problems get in the way is IVF. The Johnsons thought IVF was their only hope of having a child too.
But those hopes now lie in tatters because Sarah doesn’t meet the tough criteria set out on an NHS Portsmouth tick list. ‘I’m devastated,’ says Sarah. ‘I know I can’t have children naturally and IVF was my only option. ‘We had been going for tests and we thought we were going to be put forward for IVF but then the consultant just turned round and said “I’m sorry there’s nothing more I can do for you”. He said we didn’t meet the criteria.’
She adds: ‘They have a tick list you have to meet and if you fall down on any one that’s that. I think it’s completely unfair. ‘There are reasons I don’t meet the criteria. They should base it on the individual person, not a tick list.’
Sarah was told she had polycystic ovaries around 13 years ago and that means cysts on her ovaries stop her from ovulating frequently. That makes conceiving naturally harder and she also has endometriosis, which is a problem affecting the womb lining. For a lot of the time she’s in pain and both conditions also make it hard for her to lose weight. To add to her problems, being overweight also makes it more difficult to conceive.
Toread more go to http://bit.ly/mgIAlI
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Easter fertility and pregnancy tips
We hope that the Easter bunny came to your home today and we wish all of you who are trying for your own little chick much luck and happiness on your journey.
Getting pregnant may be easy for some although for others it may mean a little planning and a little lifestyle change. If you’re planning to get pregnant, or you have been trying to get pregnant for some time now and you are not having any success, you may possibly need some tips about fertility and pregnancy.
If you have been trying and planning to get pregnant, you’ll need to prepare your body and understand your fertility to help you facilitate the process. One important thing to keep in mind when planning to get pregnant is to understand when you ovulate or when you’re most fertile – as this signifies your chances of getting pregnant easily.
For tips and techniques to get pregnant easily, you might find these helpful.
1) Know when to conceive: If you have a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, count fourteen days after your first day of menstruation and mark that as your fertile period. If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, make sure you inseminate on those fertile times. Ovulation tests will help to detect the best days around your ‘fertile window’.
2) Lie still: One additional helpful detail around this issue. – Spend a few minutes lying after insemination or support your buttocks with a pillow to help give time for the sperm to swim to its destination.
3) Check if you’re not killing the sperm: Some artificial lubricants, vaginal sprays and douches may alter the pH level in the vagina that may lead to infection or may wash the mucus that helps transport the sperm, or may kill the sperm before even reaching its destination. Saliva as well can be harmful for the sperm, so make a healthy environment for the sperm as possible if you’re planning to get pregnant.
To read more go to
Getting pregnant may be easy for some although for others it may mean a little planning and a little lifestyle change. If you’re planning to get pregnant, or you have been trying to get pregnant for some time now and you are not having any success, you may possibly need some tips about fertility and pregnancy.
If you have been trying and planning to get pregnant, you’ll need to prepare your body and understand your fertility to help you facilitate the process. One important thing to keep in mind when planning to get pregnant is to understand when you ovulate or when you’re most fertile – as this signifies your chances of getting pregnant easily.
For tips and techniques to get pregnant easily, you might find these helpful.
1) Know when to conceive: If you have a regular 28-day menstrual cycle, count fourteen days after your first day of menstruation and mark that as your fertile period. If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, make sure you inseminate on those fertile times. Ovulation tests will help to detect the best days around your ‘fertile window’.
2) Lie still: One additional helpful detail around this issue. – Spend a few minutes lying after insemination or support your buttocks with a pillow to help give time for the sperm to swim to its destination.
3) Check if you’re not killing the sperm: Some artificial lubricants, vaginal sprays and douches may alter the pH level in the vagina that may lead to infection or may wash the mucus that helps transport the sperm, or may kill the sperm before even reaching its destination. Saliva as well can be harmful for the sperm, so make a healthy environment for the sperm as possible if you’re planning to get pregnant.
To read more go to
Surrogate mother to 6 pregnancies, says this is to be her last
Amanda Broomhall, 39, from Penhill, has two children of her own, but since 1997 has helped couples from all over the UK have babies. Surrogacy UK has recently recorded a surge of interest following high-profile surrogacy stories concerning Elton John and Nicole Kidman. Miss Broomhall said that surrogacy was something she "fell into".
She said: "I can, so I thought why not if it helps somebody else? People give blood and give bone marrow. I'm just using a part of my body that would otherwise lay dormant."
Surrogate arrangements are usually set up through agencies, although private arrangements can be made. As a surrogate in the UK, it is illegal for Miss Broomhall to receive payment, although some couples have offered her large sums of money to carry their child.
"People can be desperate," she said. "People ring me up and say 'can you help me have a baby?' and when I tell them I can't at the moment they say, 'I'll pay you lots of money'. They think if they throw money at me I will help them. They think they can buy a child."
For each birth, Miss Broomhall only takes two weeks off work and has never let the process affect her day-to-day life. She said: "If I sat at home and rested as other new mothers do when they are looking after their new baby, I don't think that would help me. I want to get my life back on track, so that's the way I deal with it."
However, nine weeks into her sixth surrogate pregnancy, Miss Broomhall has decided that this time will be her last. She said her age was the main factor in her decision to give up. "I'm not as young as I used to be," she said.
To read more go to
She said: "I can, so I thought why not if it helps somebody else? People give blood and give bone marrow. I'm just using a part of my body that would otherwise lay dormant."
Surrogate arrangements are usually set up through agencies, although private arrangements can be made. As a surrogate in the UK, it is illegal for Miss Broomhall to receive payment, although some couples have offered her large sums of money to carry their child.
"People can be desperate," she said. "People ring me up and say 'can you help me have a baby?' and when I tell them I can't at the moment they say, 'I'll pay you lots of money'. They think if they throw money at me I will help them. They think they can buy a child."
For each birth, Miss Broomhall only takes two weeks off work and has never let the process affect her day-to-day life. She said: "If I sat at home and rested as other new mothers do when they are looking after their new baby, I don't think that would help me. I want to get my life back on track, so that's the way I deal with it."
However, nine weeks into her sixth surrogate pregnancy, Miss Broomhall has decided that this time will be her last. She said her age was the main factor in her decision to give up. "I'm not as young as I used to be," she said.
To read more go to
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Woman with Turner Syndrome has a baby girl after receiving an ovary transplant from her twin sister
A Frenchwoman suffering from a chromosome disorder has given birth to a healthy daughter thanks to a ovarian transplant from her twin sister.
Doctors said the baby girl, called Victoria, is free of the disorder known as Turner Syndrome which affects both her mother and her aunt. Karine Thiriot, 39, gave birth to her 6lb 3oz daughter on March 8 this year at a private hospital in Le Chesnay, Paris.
'The mother and baby are doing well,' said Dr Guy Kerbrat, who delivered Victoria. The new mother had been trying to conceive, using in vitro fertilisation, for at least 15 years. Thiriot had no ovaries because of Turner Syndrome, which affects one girl in 2,500.
It occurs when one of the two X chromosomes that are found in females is completely or partially missing. It is not an inherited condition and occurs as a random event during the formation of reproductive cells.
Her twin sister Stephanie had a 'mosaic' form of the disorder, which meant it only affected some of her body's cells. She was fertile and managed to have two children.
In August 2009 Stephanie donated an ovary to Karine. Transplants between identical twins do not require anti-rejection treatment which would complicate a future pregnancy.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/fR7Y1P
Doctors said the baby girl, called Victoria, is free of the disorder known as Turner Syndrome which affects both her mother and her aunt. Karine Thiriot, 39, gave birth to her 6lb 3oz daughter on March 8 this year at a private hospital in Le Chesnay, Paris.
'The mother and baby are doing well,' said Dr Guy Kerbrat, who delivered Victoria. The new mother had been trying to conceive, using in vitro fertilisation, for at least 15 years. Thiriot had no ovaries because of Turner Syndrome, which affects one girl in 2,500.
It occurs when one of the two X chromosomes that are found in females is completely or partially missing. It is not an inherited condition and occurs as a random event during the formation of reproductive cells.
Her twin sister Stephanie had a 'mosaic' form of the disorder, which meant it only affected some of her body's cells. She was fertile and managed to have two children.
In August 2009 Stephanie donated an ovary to Karine. Transplants between identical twins do not require anti-rejection treatment which would complicate a future pregnancy.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/fR7Y1P
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Single, gay or lesbian over 40 and wanting to become a parent?
Rhonda is a producer in the development phase of a documentary project on single midlife (40ish-plus) men and women seeking to become first-time parents, whether it be through IVF, donor eggs and sperm, adoption or surrogacy.
She is seeking a diverse pool of midlife singles willing to share their stories of the heartache, trials, social stigma and joys faced in their journeys toward single parenting by choice.
Rhonda is one of the producers for the project and, herself, a single midlife woman with an ever-present desire to become a mother. She is not certain what means will lead her to parenthood, but remains convinced that motherhood is her calling.
The hope is for the documentary to provide discourse on the topic and draw to light the fact that the desire for a child doesn't rest solely with women or fade if a person finds himself or herself in midlife without a partner.
Rhonda is particularly interested in connecting with lesbian and gay midlife singles along with ethnic minorities seeking parenthood. She is looking for those who would bravely side with her in the telling of this thrilling -- albeit angst-ridden - journey and hopes to hear from you regarding this intensely personal project.
If you feel you may be able to help in any way please contact us or email info@prideangel for further information.
Pride Angel
To read more go to
She is seeking a diverse pool of midlife singles willing to share their stories of the heartache, trials, social stigma and joys faced in their journeys toward single parenting by choice.
Rhonda is one of the producers for the project and, herself, a single midlife woman with an ever-present desire to become a mother. She is not certain what means will lead her to parenthood, but remains convinced that motherhood is her calling.
The hope is for the documentary to provide discourse on the topic and draw to light the fact that the desire for a child doesn't rest solely with women or fade if a person finds himself or herself in midlife without a partner.
Rhonda is particularly interested in connecting with lesbian and gay midlife singles along with ethnic minorities seeking parenthood. She is looking for those who would bravely side with her in the telling of this thrilling -- albeit angst-ridden - journey and hopes to hear from you regarding this intensely personal project.
If you feel you may be able to help in any way please contact us or email info@prideangel for further information.
Pride Angel
To read more go to
Friday, 15 April 2011
Fertility World Show, 15th-16th April, Olympia London – FREE TICKETS
<< Couple ordered to pay £568 a month to a surrogate mum for a child they will never get to see |
Fertility World Show, 15th-16th April, Olympia London – FREE TICKETS
April 14, 2011 17:07 by PrideAngelAdmin
If you are planning to start a family and having problems getting pregnant, then a visit to the Fertility World Show will provide you with all the help, information and advice you need to get you on the road to having your baby.
The Fertility World Show will provide you with an excellent opportunity to meet and discuss your requirements with a host of hospitals, clinics and consultants specialising in fertility issues.
Erika Tranfield co-founder of Pride Angel will be talking in two seminars about ‘Co-parenting and using a known donor’ at 3.30pm Friday 15th April and ‘Choosing an egg donor and the surrogacy route’ in conjunction with the British Surrogacy Centre at 2.15pm Saturday 16th April.
The following programme of FREE SEMINARS covers a host of fertility issues and topics that will include:
Friday 15th April
10.30am - 11am - Maximising your chances of getting pregnant
11.30am - 12pm - Third Party Reproduction - It Takes A Village
12.30pm - 1pm - Travelling abroad for fertility treatment
1.30pm - 2pm - Supplements to improve sperm motility
3.30pm - 4pm - Co-parenting and using a known donor
4.30pm - 5pm Boosting your Fertility Naturally
Saturday 16th April
10.15am - 10.45am - Getting Fit for Fertility
11.15am - 11.45pm - PCOS and what effect does your lifestyle have on your fertility?
12.15pm - 12.45pm - IVF/ICSI Failures-Role of Egg donation & Surrogacy-India
1.15pm - 1.45pm - Natural Conception
2.15pm - 2.45pm - Choosing an egg donor and Surrogacy Options
3.15pm - 3.45pm - How can you get the best out of the NHS in IVF?
Book your FREE TICKETS now
Look forward to seeing you there!
Pride Angel www.prideangel.com
Dates and opening times
Friday 15th April 2011 - 10am to 5pm
Saturday 16th April 2011 - 10am to 4.30pm
To read more go to http://bit.ly/e93Tef
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Couple ordered to pay £568 a month to a surrogate mum for a child they will never get to see
A couple who lost custody of their baby daughter to her surrogate mother have been ordered to hand over more than £500 a month maintenance for the child.
Today they spoke of their disgust that they would be forced to pay for someone else to raise the child they will never see. The father, a leading chef, said the decision by the Child Support Agency ‘added insult to injury’ and that he would appeal against it.
He and his wife, who had suffered six late-stage miscarriages including four sets of twins, used a surrogacy website to find a single mother of two on benefits who was willing to carry the baby they longed for. They made an informal agreement to pay her £10,000 in expenses.
But halfway through the pregnancy she decided she wanted to keep the baby and a judge ordered that the woman, who was also the biological mother, could keep the child despite her earlier promise.
The couple, referred to as Mr and Mrs W to protect the child’s identity, later relinquished their contact rights because they said it would be too difficult emotionally and that it was unfair for the baby to be split between two homes.
They allowed the surrogate, known as Miss N, to keep the £4,500 they had already given to her. But now Mr W must also pay £568 in child support every month as the biological father of the eight-month-old girl. ‘She cannot say, “I am keeping your child and now you must pay for it”,’ he said.
‘She has taken away our baby and now she is taking our money. To me, that is completely wrong. The CSA has made the decision as if we were a couple who had broken up, but our situation is unique.
‘We were not having a baby together, we had agreed for her to carry a child for myself and my wife. ‘I have written to Downing Street and my MP to call for a change in the law.’
Mr W said he now suspected it may have been Miss N’s plan all along to have a child with a wealthy man from whom she could claim child support over the next 18 years.
To read more go to
Today they spoke of their disgust that they would be forced to pay for someone else to raise the child they will never see. The father, a leading chef, said the decision by the Child Support Agency ‘added insult to injury’ and that he would appeal against it.
He and his wife, who had suffered six late-stage miscarriages including four sets of twins, used a surrogacy website to find a single mother of two on benefits who was willing to carry the baby they longed for. They made an informal agreement to pay her £10,000 in expenses.
But halfway through the pregnancy she decided she wanted to keep the baby and a judge ordered that the woman, who was also the biological mother, could keep the child despite her earlier promise.
The couple, referred to as Mr and Mrs W to protect the child’s identity, later relinquished their contact rights because they said it would be too difficult emotionally and that it was unfair for the baby to be split between two homes.
They allowed the surrogate, known as Miss N, to keep the £4,500 they had already given to her. But now Mr W must also pay £568 in child support every month as the biological father of the eight-month-old girl. ‘She cannot say, “I am keeping your child and now you must pay for it”,’ he said.
‘She has taken away our baby and now she is taking our money. To me, that is completely wrong. The CSA has made the decision as if we were a couple who had broken up, but our situation is unique.
‘We were not having a baby together, we had agreed for her to carry a child for myself and my wife. ‘I have written to Downing Street and my MP to call for a change in the law.’
Mr W said he now suspected it may have been Miss N’s plan all along to have a child with a wealthy man from whom she could claim child support over the next 18 years.
To read more go to
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
New Television Series on the Journey to Parenthood
Mentorn Television are developing a new television series about people who are striving to become parents.
The programme will feature a broad range of couples and individuals from a diverse cross-section of backgrounds and circumstances who are trying to have a child by various different means.
We are looking for people who are at all stages of the process of becoming parents who might be interested in sharing their story and featuring in the programme.
Perhaps you have just decided you would like to have a child and are investigating the best way to go about it; maybe you have been trying to become a parent for some time and are close to achieving your goal; or if you have recently become pregnant/ become a parent we'd really like to hear from you.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/eGVzcL
The programme will feature a broad range of couples and individuals from a diverse cross-section of backgrounds and circumstances who are trying to have a child by various different means.
We are looking for people who are at all stages of the process of becoming parents who might be interested in sharing their story and featuring in the programme.
Perhaps you have just decided you would like to have a child and are investigating the best way to go about it; maybe you have been trying to become a parent for some time and are close to achieving your goal; or if you have recently become pregnant/ become a parent we'd really like to hear from you.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/eGVzcL
Friday, 8 April 2011
'Donor Unknown' showing at Fringe film festival London 10th April
Fringe Film Festival
The Fringe film festival have programmed a special afternoon of films exploring families and identity on Sunday 10th April. Included in this is a special screening of a new documentary on donor families and post screening discussion.
Showing at 15:30 on 10th April is documentary called 'Donor Unknown', a warm, moving and surprising film about donor families. It tells the story of a network of half siblings, all conceived through the same sperm donor and their desire to meet each other and meet him.
It's a uniquely 21st-century story which raises intriguing questions about identity, family, parenthood – and the power of genetic connections. It was officially selected by Sundance, Tribecca Film Festival and Sheffield DocFest.
After the film there will be a Q&A session with producer Hilary Durman and Al Murrow and guests, where issues explored in the film will be discussed.
Donor Unknown
Donor Unknown follows the story of JoEllen Marsh, 20, as she goes in search of the sperm donor father she only knows as Donor 150.
JoEllen has always known her family ‘wasn't like other families'. She grew up in Pennsylvania with two mothers, and a burning curiosity to know more about her anonymous donor father. When JoEllen discovers a unique online registry that connects donor-conceived children, she manages to track down a half-sister in New York. The New York Times picks up the story, and, over time, 12 more half-siblings emerge across the USA.
The New York Times article also falls into the hands of Jeffrey Harrison, living alone with four dogs and a pigeon in a broken-down RV in a Venice Beach car park. In the 1980s, Jeffrey supplemented his meagre income by becoming a sperm donor at California Cryobank. His number was Donor 150.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/gnuAGN
The Fringe film festival have programmed a special afternoon of films exploring families and identity on Sunday 10th April. Included in this is a special screening of a new documentary on donor families and post screening discussion.
Showing at 15:30 on 10th April is documentary called 'Donor Unknown', a warm, moving and surprising film about donor families. It tells the story of a network of half siblings, all conceived through the same sperm donor and their desire to meet each other and meet him.
It's a uniquely 21st-century story which raises intriguing questions about identity, family, parenthood – and the power of genetic connections. It was officially selected by Sundance, Tribecca Film Festival and Sheffield DocFest.
After the film there will be a Q&A session with producer Hilary Durman and Al Murrow and guests, where issues explored in the film will be discussed.
Donor Unknown
Donor Unknown follows the story of JoEllen Marsh, 20, as she goes in search of the sperm donor father she only knows as Donor 150.
JoEllen has always known her family ‘wasn't like other families'. She grew up in Pennsylvania with two mothers, and a burning curiosity to know more about her anonymous donor father. When JoEllen discovers a unique online registry that connects donor-conceived children, she manages to track down a half-sister in New York. The New York Times picks up the story, and, over time, 12 more half-siblings emerge across the USA.
The New York Times article also falls into the hands of Jeffrey Harrison, living alone with four dogs and a pigeon in a broken-down RV in a Venice Beach car park. In the 1980s, Jeffrey supplemented his meagre income by becoming a sperm donor at California Cryobank. His number was Donor 150.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/gnuAGN
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Neice acts as Surrogate, ending 15 year fertility struggle for her Aunt
A 29-year-old woman has given birth to her own 'cousin' after agreeing to help in her aunt's 15-year fertility fight. Emma Vaughan, 29, donated her eggs to her 42-year-old aunt Sandra Barlow and uncle Chris and acted as a surrogate for the birth. Miss Vaughan has now given birth to a baby girl called Maia, who is her biological daughter but her cousin by law after Mrs Barlow applied for a parental order.
It brings Mr and Mrs Barlow's 15-year battle to conceive to an end. Their hopes of having a baby naturally were dashed early on when doctors told Mrs Barlow that her fallopian tubes had fused shut and had to be removed.
She was sent for a dye test, where dye is injected into the cervix and uterus to check the fallopian tubes. It showed they were completely blocked and she was operated on immediately. After she recovered, she and her husband, 50, decided to try IVF. In total they spent £40,000 on seven cycles over five years, with Mrs Barlow suffering two miscarriages.
Then in 2008 the couple from Maidstone, Kent, made the decision to seek help from someone in their family, namely their niece Emma. Mrs Barlow said: 'Surrogacy seemed like our only hope. I did some research and looked at a surrogacy agency website. 'I was in awe that people did these amazing things for complete strangers but I wanted to do it within the family. I started to think who in the family could help us. I'm not sure what made me think of Emma.' Emma is the daughter of Mrs Barlow's brother Jim but they lost touch when Emma's parents split up and she moved away to live with her mother. They were reunited 11 years ago after meeting at Jim's funeral and have stayed in regular contact since.
Mrs Barlow said she spent months agonising over whether she should ask her niece before mentioning it to her husband. She said: 'I could tell he was shocked but he said: "We've got nothing to lose". When I rang Emma she instantly said yes. I told her to take some time to think about it but she never hesitated.'
Shortly afterwards, Mrs Barlow joined a surrogacy agency for advice about what would be involved. The couple signed a surrogacy agreement with Emma, although these agreements are not legally binding. 'Sandra and Chris never put me under pressure. It was my choice, I knew I could do it'
To read more go to
It brings Mr and Mrs Barlow's 15-year battle to conceive to an end. Their hopes of having a baby naturally were dashed early on when doctors told Mrs Barlow that her fallopian tubes had fused shut and had to be removed.
She was sent for a dye test, where dye is injected into the cervix and uterus to check the fallopian tubes. It showed they were completely blocked and she was operated on immediately. After she recovered, she and her husband, 50, decided to try IVF. In total they spent £40,000 on seven cycles over five years, with Mrs Barlow suffering two miscarriages.
Then in 2008 the couple from Maidstone, Kent, made the decision to seek help from someone in their family, namely their niece Emma. Mrs Barlow said: 'Surrogacy seemed like our only hope. I did some research and looked at a surrogacy agency website. 'I was in awe that people did these amazing things for complete strangers but I wanted to do it within the family. I started to think who in the family could help us. I'm not sure what made me think of Emma.' Emma is the daughter of Mrs Barlow's brother Jim but they lost touch when Emma's parents split up and she moved away to live with her mother. They were reunited 11 years ago after meeting at Jim's funeral and have stayed in regular contact since.
Mrs Barlow said she spent months agonising over whether she should ask her niece before mentioning it to her husband. She said: 'I could tell he was shocked but he said: "We've got nothing to lose". When I rang Emma she instantly said yes. I told her to take some time to think about it but she never hesitated.'
Shortly afterwards, Mrs Barlow joined a surrogacy agency for advice about what would be involved. The couple signed a surrogacy agreement with Emma, although these agreements are not legally binding. 'Sandra and Chris never put me under pressure. It was my choice, I knew I could do it'
To read more go to
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
First baby born from 'flash frozen' eggs, gives hope to older women of having children
The first baby to be born from 'Flash frozen' eggs is set to change the future of fertility treatment for British women.
Olivia Bate’s birth will give hope to hundreds of women who need to freeze their eggs for future fertility treatment. For Olivia is the UK’s first baby to be born from an egg that was flash frozen – frozen in less than 60 seconds. Months later the egg was thawed, fertilised and placed in her mother Karen Bateman’s womb.
Experts say the technique gives women the chance to have a child at 50 with no greater chance of miscarriage or Down’s syndrome than they had at 30. The chances of a successful pregnancy following thawing from ‘vitrified’ – or flash frozen – eggs increase dramatically, they explained. With normal freezing techniques, which takes about two hours, 65 per cent of eggs survive the thawing process. With vitrification this rises to 95 per cent.
Gillian Lockwood, of Midland Fertility Services, who carried out the treatment, said: ‘Her birth gives hope to the many young women who want to preserve their fertility before they have life-saving cancer treatment – and also to those women who know that they want to be mothers one day, but can’t try for a baby now.
‘Because so many more eggs survive this thawing process, it means that women can have just one cycle of treatment and get enough eggs to freeze, instead of having to have several treatment cycles. ‘It means that many more women will be able to have this opportunity, which will change the course of fertility treatment in the UK and the way that women look at their lives.’
Women in their early 30s currently have a narrow window of opportunity to become pregnant before the quality of their eggs decline. But Dr Lockwood added: ‘Vitrification will be as influential for women as the contraceptive pill. They will no longer have to worry about the narrow window.
‘If they freeze their eggs at 30, then those eggs will stay that age for ever, so they can have a baby even at 50 with no greater chance of miscarriage or Down’s syndrome than they had at 30.’ Olivia’s parents, Carl Bate and Miss Bateman, who live in Wolverhampton, started trying for a family in 2002. But Karen, 36, a chemist dispenser, had been diagnosed with endometriosis and doctors warned she may not be able to conceive. But they refused to give up hope and in 2009, the couple began a course of IVF treatment. Karen managed to produce 17 eggs, but only one viable embryo developed and the treatment failed.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/dFA22l
Olivia Bate’s birth will give hope to hundreds of women who need to freeze their eggs for future fertility treatment. For Olivia is the UK’s first baby to be born from an egg that was flash frozen – frozen in less than 60 seconds. Months later the egg was thawed, fertilised and placed in her mother Karen Bateman’s womb.
Experts say the technique gives women the chance to have a child at 50 with no greater chance of miscarriage or Down’s syndrome than they had at 30. The chances of a successful pregnancy following thawing from ‘vitrified’ – or flash frozen – eggs increase dramatically, they explained. With normal freezing techniques, which takes about two hours, 65 per cent of eggs survive the thawing process. With vitrification this rises to 95 per cent.
Gillian Lockwood, of Midland Fertility Services, who carried out the treatment, said: ‘Her birth gives hope to the many young women who want to preserve their fertility before they have life-saving cancer treatment – and also to those women who know that they want to be mothers one day, but can’t try for a baby now.
‘Because so many more eggs survive this thawing process, it means that women can have just one cycle of treatment and get enough eggs to freeze, instead of having to have several treatment cycles. ‘It means that many more women will be able to have this opportunity, which will change the course of fertility treatment in the UK and the way that women look at their lives.’
Women in their early 30s currently have a narrow window of opportunity to become pregnant before the quality of their eggs decline. But Dr Lockwood added: ‘Vitrification will be as influential for women as the contraceptive pill. They will no longer have to worry about the narrow window.
‘If they freeze their eggs at 30, then those eggs will stay that age for ever, so they can have a baby even at 50 with no greater chance of miscarriage or Down’s syndrome than they had at 30.’ Olivia’s parents, Carl Bate and Miss Bateman, who live in Wolverhampton, started trying for a family in 2002. But Karen, 36, a chemist dispenser, had been diagnosed with endometriosis and doctors warned she may not be able to conceive. But they refused to give up hope and in 2009, the couple began a course of IVF treatment. Karen managed to produce 17 eggs, but only one viable embryo developed and the treatment failed.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/dFA22l
Saturday, 2 April 2011
UK ‘Get Lippy’ tour launches new website providing a one-stop solution for the modern gay woman
Pride Angel are pleased to announce the UK 'Get Lippy' tour and launch of Lipstick ladies new website offering a one-stop solution for the modern gay woman.
Think ‘pink pound’ currently valued at £81bn and most businesses will imagine a bunch of affluent, stylish, gay men throwing cash at things like cocktails, holidays and designer furniture.
Gay woman rarely figure in the marketing plan and are often seen as a minority within an already niche demographic, who probably aren’t interested in spending money on anything other their cat or their allotment any way. The gay female market in the UK is small in comparison with the male counterpart; however it is growing at a rapid rate. A recent article in the Independent stated that more than 480,000 consider themselves to be gay or lesbian, and a further 245,000 say they identify as bisexual. This means that the gay female market is fast approaching one million.
This month, expect this tired lesbian stereotype to be quashed once and for all, as three Brighton-based gay women are set to transform the perception of, and services offered to gay woman with their revolutionary new business venture – The Lipstick Ladies, the one stop solution for the modern gay woman.
Launching 31 March and being promoted across the country as part of a UK-wide tour in conjunction with Heather Peace, better know for the recent BBC3 lesbian TV drama Lip Service, thelipstickladies is the first online portal for gay women offering an array of products and services for members across the UK.
Devised by the three founders, who are the kind of glamorous, successful gay women who have for years, like others, felt over-shadowed by their more media-prevalent male equivalent, the revolutionary website is the one-stop solution for the modern gay woman.
Members are gay woman from around the UK who are tired of having to scour the web or magazines for the info they need.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/gda4HM
Think ‘pink pound’ currently valued at £81bn and most businesses will imagine a bunch of affluent, stylish, gay men throwing cash at things like cocktails, holidays and designer furniture.
Gay woman rarely figure in the marketing plan and are often seen as a minority within an already niche demographic, who probably aren’t interested in spending money on anything other their cat or their allotment any way. The gay female market in the UK is small in comparison with the male counterpart; however it is growing at a rapid rate. A recent article in the Independent stated that more than 480,000 consider themselves to be gay or lesbian, and a further 245,000 say they identify as bisexual. This means that the gay female market is fast approaching one million.
This month, expect this tired lesbian stereotype to be quashed once and for all, as three Brighton-based gay women are set to transform the perception of, and services offered to gay woman with their revolutionary new business venture – The Lipstick Ladies, the one stop solution for the modern gay woman.
Launching 31 March and being promoted across the country as part of a UK-wide tour in conjunction with Heather Peace, better know for the recent BBC3 lesbian TV drama Lip Service, thelipstickladies is the first online portal for gay women offering an array of products and services for members across the UK.
Devised by the three founders, who are the kind of glamorous, successful gay women who have for years, like others, felt over-shadowed by their more media-prevalent male equivalent, the revolutionary website is the one-stop solution for the modern gay woman.
Members are gay woman from around the UK who are tired of having to scour the web or magazines for the info they need.
To read more go to http://bit.ly/gda4HM
Friday, 1 April 2011
Latest copy of Fertility Road Magazine
Welcome to the latest copy of Fertility Road. In this issue we have an exclusive interview with Sarah Jessica Parker and her chance for surrogacy. We’ve great ideas for that romantic getaway, a chat with Tony Reid, the creator of Fertility Friends – the biggest on line fertility Forum, plus news and reviews.
Also we have one woman’s story on preserving her fertility with Ovarian Tissue Freezing, Cooking to Conceive and the lowdown on surrogacy in South Africa.
There are some great prizes to be won in this issue, simply drop us and email, with your contact details, and you could be the lucky winner of two tickets on the Eurostar to Paris.
For more information or to order a copy of the magazine visit www.fertilityroad.com
Read more about fertility, sperm donation and gay parenting at www.prideangel.com
To read more go to
Also we have one woman’s story on preserving her fertility with Ovarian Tissue Freezing, Cooking to Conceive and the lowdown on surrogacy in South Africa.
There are some great prizes to be won in this issue, simply drop us and email, with your contact details, and you could be the lucky winner of two tickets on the Eurostar to Paris.
For more information or to order a copy of the magazine visit www.fertilityroad.com
Read more about fertility, sperm donation and gay parenting at www.prideangel.com
To read more go to
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