A lesbian couple who gave birth to each other’s sons have said looking for a sperm donor was like ‘using Tinder’ and revealed they wanted the biological father of their babies to ‘look like them’.
Emily Patrick, 38, a creative producer, and Kerry Osborn, 35, a school teacher, from Hampshire, had two sons named Elvis and Ezra, who were born to the couple via IVF.
It’s the first time the procedure, known as simultaneous reciprocal IVF, has been attempted in the UK.
Elvis was created from Kerry’s egg which was fertilised and implanted in Emily’s womb, 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 fertilised and implanted in Emily and Ezra was created from Emily’s egg and implanted in Kerry
Meet Elvis, 10 weeks, and his 11-day old brother Ezra, who have made British history along with their mums 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 weighing 8lbs. Ezra arrived by emergency Caesarean section on February 28th weighing 7lbs 1 ozs.
The procedure cost the pair £25,000 and is currently not available on the NHS.
The duo also opened up about their experiences of the sperm donor process, adding that it was like ‘Tinder.’
‘You get minimal information about them and there’s lots of donors but you’ve got different traits for each one of them,’ Emily said.
‘We wanted a donor that looked very similar to us.’
Kerry added that the most important thing for the couple was to find a healthy donor who had a good background.
‘It’s important that you know your biology and [our children] are going to have questions and we’re more than happy to answer them but we hope to get in there a bit before they’ve got to ask.
Elvis was born naturally on New Year’s Day weighing 8lbs. Ezra arrived by emergency Caesarean section on February 28th weighing 7lbs 1 ozs
Elvis with his big eyes and button nose looks like his biological mother Kerry. Ezra, with his tuft of ginger hair, resembles his biological mother Emily (above)
It’s the first time the procedure, known as simultaneous reciprocal IVF, has been attempted in the UK. Emily pictured on 6 March, 2024
Ezra (left) and Elvis (right) baby scans. The two new mums plan to spend their first ever Mothers’ Day on the beach near their home
‘One of the things that the donor said on their profile was that he was happy to discuss their biology with them.’
Emily added: ‘We’ll always support them on whatever path they want to take to find where they came from
Kerry also revealed that things were not all smooth sailing, as Emily had a few issues with endometrial polyps, a uterine cavity abnormality that can interfere with embryo implantation.
‘We assumed we were healthy [but] Emily had a few problems with polyps and other things as well and that took a little bit longer,’ she said.
When asked whether they were planning on having any more children, the couple said they one each is enough for them, adding that their family is now complete.
Kerry and Emily are also hoping to travel back to New Zealand later this year with their two sons, which where the couple first met.
Kerry advised others who may be in their position: ‘Just don’t hesitate. The process is long but you can pause it in all different parts. You don’t know what’s going to crop up.
‘Get the ball rolling, there’s plenty of time to freeze it and pause it at any stage.’
