Lesbian couple give birth to each other’s baby in UK first: ‘Never set out to be pioneers’
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Lesbian couple Emily Patrick and Kerry Osborn have made UK history by being the first to give birth to each other’s babies via IVF, but they say they “never set out to be pioneers”. The couple, who have been together for seven years, were able to conceive their sons, 11-day-old Ezra and 10-week-old Elvis, through a process known as simultaneous reciprocal IVF – a procedure which set them back around £25,000. Their success marks the first time the procedure – which allows lesbian parents to simultaneously share in the pregnancy process, with one supplying eggs and the other carrying the baby – has been carried out in the UK. Ezra, who was conceived using Emily’s fertilised egg, was carried by Kerry, while Elvis was carried by Emily using Kerry’s egg. Their eggs were fertilised by a Dutch-German sperm donor.
In an interview with the Metro, the couple, who document their motherhood on Instagram at TwoMumsTwoBuns, say they feel greater maternal responsibility to the baby which they each carried, although they love them equally. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Patrick, 38, said: “I was always the less maternal one but I’ve found a whole different level of love, like a new chamber in my heart, for our babies.” Osborn, 35, said: “We never set out to be pioneers but we hope we’ve shown other people in the LGBTQ+ community that this is achievable.”
Meanwhile, a lesbian couple who live in Gloucestershire recently claimed they were refused an NHS IVF referral unless they could “prove” they “were trying” for two years. Maz and Steph Davis-Hyde didn’t give up on their dream of a family and instead opted to undergo private treatment. Despite being unable to go through with IVF via the NHS, the couple credited the organisation for its “amazing” care during both pregnancies and labors adding that they were “very well looked after”.
The historic achievement of Emily Patrick and Kerry Osborn in giving birth to each other’s babies via IVF highlights the changing landscape of parenthood in the LGBTQ+ community. The procedure of simultaneous reciprocal IVF not only allows for shared biological parenthood but also challenges traditional notions of maternity and paternity. By sharing in both the genetic and gestational aspects of their sons’ births, Emily and Kerry have paved the way for other LGBTQ+ couples to explore alternative paths to parenthood.
The emotional journey of these two couples underscores the resilience and determination of individuals in the LGBTQ+ community to create families despite challenges and obstacles. While one couple celebrated their groundbreaking achievement, another navigated the complexities of fertility treatment in a system that still has barriers for same-sex couples. Both stories highlight the importance of access to inclusive and supportive healthcare services for all individuals seeking to start a family.
In a society that is increasingly recognizing and affirming diverse family structures, it is essential that policies and practices reflect the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. The experiences of these couples shed light on both the progress that has been made in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and the work that still needs to be done to ensure equal access to reproductive healthcare for all.
As more LGBTQ+ individuals and couples embark on their journey to parenthood, it is crucial that they are met with understanding, respect, and support throughout the process. The stories of Emily and Kerry, as well as Maz and Steph, serve as reminders of the power of love, determination, and resilience in overcoming obstacles and realizing the dream of building a family. By sharing their experiences and breaking new ground in reproductive technology, these couples are not only shaping their own narratives but also contributing to a more inclusive and accepting society for all families.
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