amena
12-11-05, 11:05 AM
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40941000/jpg/_40941666_threesister2ok.jpg Alex holds baby Charlie alongside her two sisters
A woman left infertile by cancer has been legally recognised as the mother of a baby born with her sisters' help.
Alex Patrick's twin Charlotte agreed to donate an egg, while elder sister Helen carried baby Charlie, born in June.
By law Helen was seen as the mother, because she gave birth to the baby, but the courts have agreed to recognise the sisters' unique surrogacy arrangement.
Alex, 32, from south-east London, was delighted to be legally recognised as Charlie's mother.
"They listened to the report and said OK and that was it. It feels really great, really nice.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifhttp://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif I always knew I was his mum http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif
Alex Patrick
"I always knew I was his mum but it is just to have it confirmed so that the legal side is all done. Now if he ever has any problems, they will come to me."
The environmental consultant was diagnosed with cervical cancer four years ago and although she successfully fought the illness, the treatment left her infertile.
As her twin, Charlotte provided the best genetic match and agreed to donate an egg to be fertilised by sperm from Alex's husband, Sean.
But she did not want to carry the baby, so elder sister Helen, 35, offered to help and fell pregnant after just one round of IVF treatment.
New birth certificate
She gave birth to Charlie in June, and because she carried the child, she was seen officially as his mother. Thursday's ruling at the Inner London and City Family Proceedings Court means Alex is legally Charlie's mother, and a new birth certificate for Charlie will be issued. Alex said later she would consider going through the whole process again so Charlie could have a brother or sister, if her sisters agreed.
A woman left infertile by cancer has been legally recognised as the mother of a baby born with her sisters' help.
Alex Patrick's twin Charlotte agreed to donate an egg, while elder sister Helen carried baby Charlie, born in June.
By law Helen was seen as the mother, because she gave birth to the baby, but the courts have agreed to recognise the sisters' unique surrogacy arrangement.
Alex, 32, from south-east London, was delighted to be legally recognised as Charlie's mother.
"They listened to the report and said OK and that was it. It feels really great, really nice.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifhttp://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif I always knew I was his mum http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif
Alex Patrick
"I always knew I was his mum but it is just to have it confirmed so that the legal side is all done. Now if he ever has any problems, they will come to me."
The environmental consultant was diagnosed with cervical cancer four years ago and although she successfully fought the illness, the treatment left her infertile.
As her twin, Charlotte provided the best genetic match and agreed to donate an egg to be fertilised by sperm from Alex's husband, Sean.
But she did not want to carry the baby, so elder sister Helen, 35, offered to help and fell pregnant after just one round of IVF treatment.
New birth certificate
She gave birth to Charlie in June, and because she carried the child, she was seen officially as his mother. Thursday's ruling at the Inner London and City Family Proceedings Court means Alex is legally Charlie's mother, and a new birth certificate for Charlie will be issued. Alex said later she would consider going through the whole process again so Charlie could have a brother or sister, if her sisters agreed.