A lesbian couple who gave birth to their children opened up about the process, adding that they wanted to share the special journey of starting a family together.
Emily Patrick and Kerry Osborn, from Hampshire, had two sons named Elvis and Ezra, who were born to the couple via IVF.
It is the first time the procedure, known as simultaneous reciprocal IVF, has been attempted in the UK.
Elvis was created from Kerry’s egg that was fertilized and implanted in Emily’s uterus, and Ezra was created from Emily’s egg and implanted in Kerry.
Speaking on Lorraine this morning, the couple said they decided to do it this way so they could feel a special bond with each other’s children.
Speaking on Lorraine this morning, the couple said they decided to do it this way so they could feel a special bond with each other’s children. Pictured: Emily (right) and Kerry (left) holding their children.
Elvis was created from Kerry’s egg which was fertilized and implanted into Emily and Ezra was created from Emily’s egg and implanted into Kerry.
Meet 10-week-old Elvis and his 11-day-old brother Ezra, who have made British history alongside their mothers Emily Patrick (right) and Kerry Osborn (left).
Emily said: “We decided to do it this way, we’d never heard of anyone doing it this way, we just thought it would be really lovely to share each other’s journey, being pregnant at the same time.”
“And even though we are not genetically connected to the other child, we still share that bond.”
Elvis was born naturally on New Year’s Day and weighed 8 pounds. Ezra arrived via emergency C-section on February 28 weighing 7 lbs 1 oz.
The procedure cost the couple £25,000 and is currently not available on the NHS.
The duo also spoke about their experiences in the sperm donation process, adding that it was like ‘Tinder’.
“You get minimal information about them and there are a lot of donors, but you have different characteristics for each of them,” Emily said.
“We wanted a donor who looked a lot like us.”
Kerry added that the most important thing for the couple was to find a healthy donor who had a good history.
‘It’s important that you know your biology and they will have questions and we will be more than happy to answer them, but we hope to get there a little before they have to ask.
Elvis was born naturally on New Year’s Day and weighed 8 pounds. Ezra arrived via emergency C-section on February 28 weighing 7 lbs 1 oz.
Elvis, with his big eyes and button nose, resembles his biological mother, Kerry. Ezra, with his shock of red hair, looks like his biological mother Emily (above)
It is the first time the procedure, known as simultaneous reciprocal IVF, has been attempted in the UK. Emily photographed on March 6, 2024
Ezra (left) and Elvis (right) baby scans. The two new moms plan to spend their first Mother’s Day at the beach near their home.
“One of the things the donor said in his profile was that he was happy to talk to them about his biology.”
Emily added: “We will always support them on whatever path they want to take to find out where they come from.”
Kerry also revealed that not everything was easy, as Emily had some problems with endometrial polyps, an abnormality of the uterine cavity that can interfere with embryo implantation.
“We assumed we were healthy (but) Emily had some issues with polyps and other things as well and that took a little longer,” he said.
When asked if they planned to have more children, the couple said one is enough for each, adding that their family is now complete.
Kerry and Emily also hope to travel back to New Zealand later this year with their two children, where the couple met.
Kerry advised others who might be in his position: ‘Just don’t hesitate. The process is long but you can pause it in all the different parts. You don’t know what’s going to come up.
“Get things going, there’s plenty of time to freeze and pause them at any time.”