TWO men have beaten incredible odds to become the first Scottish same-sex couple to be expectant dads by groundbreaking IVF treatment and they are having twins.
Ryan Walker and Chris Watson are expecting the patter of tiny feet within the next six weeks after a Scots surrogate mother stepped in to help them realise their dream of becoming fathers.
Incredibly, the surrogate mum is also in a same-sex relationship and decided to help after she had a child using a donor.
We are absolutely thrilled to have not just one baby coming but two, Ryan, 32, told The Sunday Post last night. It feels like we have won the Lottery.
The engaged couple, from Falkirk, were turned down by several IVF clinics in Scotland for the cutting-edge fertility treatment because they are in a gay relationship.
They were eventually taken on by the GCRM clinic in Glasgow and, after two heart-breaking failed attempts at becoming dads, they were given the happy news in January that the surrogate mother was having a boy and a girl.
It was disappointing that in this day and age some clinics declined us for treatment because we are a same-sex couple, Chris, 28, said. But we have always wanted to have a family and it has all come good in the end. It is a bonus we are now expecting a boy and a girl.
The surrogate mum, who asked to remain anonymous, said: I am forever grateful to the sperm donor who helped me make a family, so I wanted to give something back.
When I met Ryan and Chris we all clicked straight away.
I quickly realised they were the couple I really wanted to help.
They will be fantastic daddies. I know that well all have a special family friendship for life. Ryan and Chris faced a daunting uphill battle in their bid to start a family:
Five years ago, Ryan was diagnosed with cancer and had sperm frozen because the chemotherapy treatment would leave him infertile.
His mother, Veronica, battled cancer at the same time but sadly passed away.
A female friend who first agreed to be a surrogate decided not to go ahead two months into the IVF process, while a second surrogate also took cold feet and pulled out.
But their luck changed. And no money is changing hands their current surrogate is doing it out of the goodness of her own heart, because she thinks theyll make great dads.
The procedure was carried out by leading fertility expert Dr Marco Gaudoin, medical director at GCRM.
Frozen eggs from an anonymous Scottish donor were fertilised with frozen sperm from one of the dads.
The eggs were then transferred to the surrogate. I believe this is the first time a same-sex male couple in Scotland will be having not just one but two babies using this technique, Dr Gaudoin said.
It was a legally complex situation as well as being medically challenging.
For Ryan, a finance associate, it has been a particularly emotional journey.
In 2012 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and was advised to have sperm frozen if he was ever thinking of starting a family.
At the same time, his mother was fighting ovarian cancer.
Mum may have died but I know she has still been with me every step of the way, said Ryan.
She knew I wanted a family some day and we wanted her to be with us when we tried for a child.
When the eggs were being transferred to our surrogate mum at the end of January she held my mothers wedding ring in her hand and pressed it to her tummy.
Now we are having twins so I feel my mum is still very much with us.
Chris proposed to Ryan, whom he met in 2013 after his recovery from chemotherapy, in December 2014 during a helicopter trip in New York.
We were flying over the Statue of Liberty when he suddenly produced an engagement ring, said Ryan.
I could hardly say no. The couple fostered a toddler two years ago and the excited youngster cant wait to meet the new arrivals.
After discovering twins were on their way the couple moved to a bigger house, where a nursery has already been completed.
As soon as we heard there were two heartbeats we knew we would need a place with a few more rooms, Chris said. And when we found out we are having a boy and a girl we decided against traditional blue and pink and have decorated their room in neutral colours.
We already have twin buggies and Moses baskets and the babies have been kitted out with wardrobes full of clothes. We have also had these amazing crocheted blankets made by friends. Our friends and family are buzzing about it.
We have become good friends with the surrogate mum. She wanted to help us out because we are in a same-sex relationship and Ryan and I will both be at the birth. We cant wait.
Riikka Kirk, surrogacy coordinator at GCRM, said: Chris and Ryan are a lovely couple and it is fantastic they are expecting twins after the tears when two previous attempts didnt work out. We try to do the very best for people, regardless of their sexual orientation.
They are well grounded guys who will make very good parents. It is nice to be able to share their joy.
Read more:
It's twins! Third time lucky for cancer survivor Ryan and fiance Chris ... - The Sunday Post
- 27-year-old's shock as IVF treatment reveals golf ball-sized cancer [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- Ontario Liberals announce partial funding for IVF fertility treatments [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- IVF Treatment - Procedure, Pregnancy Success Rates, Embryo ... [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- Understanding IVF Treatment Step By Step [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- ivf treatment at sofat centre - Video [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- Ivf treatment in india - Video [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- Successful IVF Treatment at Medpark International Hospital - Video [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- Italian woman set to keep 'wrong' twins after IVF mix-up [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2014]
- Pregnant Italian woman to keep twins after IVF 'mix-up' [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2014]
- Women Infertility:IVF Treatment-Good Health - Video [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2014]
- Fertility Treatment Abroad IVF, IUI, Surrogacy, ICSI ... [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- Infertility Treatments - Infertility Medications and ... [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- 'Our two little miracles' - Cambridge mum tells how IVF has given her the family she'd always dreamed of [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- Ban on free infertility treatment to be lifted [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- Couples seeking IVF 'face unfair postcode lottery' [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Why go for IVF Treatment - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Rise In Women Taking On Motherhood Alone [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Mumbai has 42% of state's IVF centres: Study [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Dunya IVF Announced That Baby Gender Selection Is Becoming Hugely Popular for Couples Willing to Travel to Cyprus for It [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Fertility guru's IVF warning: Rich could pay to have brighter babies, says Lord Winston [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- IVF Treatment | In Vitro Fertilization | Costs & Timeline [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) | Infertility Treatment [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- Couple looking to province for help funding fertility treatment [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2014]
- Fertile territory as new IVF clinic is born [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2014]
- Ivf Treatment by top surgeon of india at very affordable cost - Video [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2014]
- Know About Procedure of IVF, IUI, IMSI Treatment in india -- Dr. Rita Bakshi - Video [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2014]
- NHS watchdog: [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2014]
- NHS trusts told to end postcode lottery of IVF treatment [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- Sweden could legalize IVF for single mothers [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- Angelina Jolie 'considering IVF' [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- New IVF Treatment Promises Tripled Success Rate - Video [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2014]
- Global IVF Market Will Grow at 11.6 % CAGR Till 2020 [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- IVF Spain THE BEST CHOICE For IVF Treatment Abroad - Video [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- A family at last thanks to pioneering fertility treatment [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- Disappointment over changes to IVF rules in Norfolk [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2014]
- Disappointment over changes to NHS funding rules for IVF treatment in Norfolk [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2014]
- IVF hope for Ryedale women [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2014]
- Nicola Starr who failed to conceive naturally after IVF treatment died of overdose [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2014]
- Dr Neeraj Pahlajani Best IVF Treatment - Video [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2014]
- Fertility bosses say 'three-parent IVF' is "not unsafe" [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2014]
- IVF funding to be reinstated [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2014]
- IVF looks set to be offered in York [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2014]
- IVF Treatment Procedure And Cost - Video [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2014]
- Surrogacy in india | Best IVF treatment | Cost of surrogacy - Video [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2014]
- Dutch researchers develop urine test for test tube baby success [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2014]
- Letchworth dad celebrates Fathers Day with son born after IVF treatment [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2014]
- A father's gift [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2014]
- Wide Bay Burnett Affordable IVF Services Now Available [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2014]
- IVF treatment to be offered to York couples on NHS [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2014]
- IVFAdvantage : Smart Savings on IVF Treatment - Video [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2014]
- IVF Treatment Clinic In Delhi - www.ivftreatmentclinicindia.com - Video [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2014]
- IVF Treatment Clinic In India | IVF Treatment Clinic India - Video [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2014]
- Affordable IVF Sunshine Coast Clinic Set To Move Into New Offices [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2014]
- The secret life of an embryo [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2014]
- Couple who had pioneering IVF treatment expecting 2nd child after conceiving naturally [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2014]
- Could aspirin help prevent miscarriage? New research finds blood-thinning drugs like the painkiller could reduce risk ... [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2014]
- Grade A mistakes made during IVF treatment [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2014]
- Kim 'plans IVF to give Kanye a boy' [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2014]
- One in 100 women [Last Updated On: July 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2014]
- In Vitro Fertilization & IVF Treatment in New York, NY :: CHR [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2014]
- Woman's 20-year dream realised after she was left infertile by menopause in her teens [Last Updated On: July 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 11th, 2014]
- New York City IVF - Individualization of IVF Treatment - Video [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2014]
- Mother who lost her fiance to cancer before their newborn twins died just months later finally becomes a mother after ... [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2014]
- IVF Treatment Success Testimonial in Surat Gujarat - Video [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2014]
- Dr Tozer Drugs used in IVF - Video [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2014]
- Dr Tozer IVF Treatment explained - Video [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2014]
- 07/18/2014 THAILAND - CHINA - HONG KONG Chinese couples flock to Bangkok to choose unborn childs sex: a multi-million ... [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2014]
- New method for stimulating ovulation may make IVF safer, study says [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2014]
- Researchers make IVF safer for women [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2014]
- First babies born from safe new IVF technique [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2014]
- New trigger for ovulation could make IVF safer [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2014]
- Kisspeptin triggers egg maturation in women undergoing IVF treatment - Video [Last Updated On: July 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 20th, 2014]
- Growing numbers of British parents going to US for IVF to choose sex of child [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2014]
- New IVF treatment offers safer, less complicated pregnancies to women [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2014]
- IVF Success Statistics Can Be Misleading [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2014]
- Free cycle of IVF offered to couples [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2014]
- Mum told she can't have IVF treatment - with her DEAD HUSBAND [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2014]
- Heartbroken widow refused IVF treatment using dead husband's sperm [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2014]
- IVF treatment - Video [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2014]
- NHS chiefs to review ban on IVF for couples who already have a child [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2014]