Case study: Couple still ‘walking on air’ with first baby due in three weeks

IT WAS first time lucky for Esther Paterson when she and wife Bev tried for a baby. The couple, together for four years, are due to have their first baby in three weeks time. Esther had IUI treatment at IVF Scotland and says she is “still walking on air”.

Youth worker Esther, 31, said: “I have always wanted my own baby, to carry it and give birth and for it to be mine. After our civil partnership last year we looked at our options; they were limited. My GP was great and supportive, but without sperm said he could not help,

“We asked male friends, but, in the end, we knew we would not want to share our baby. It was then we heard about IVF Scotland. We decided I’d carry our baby as I am two years older than Bev. She can have the next one.

“The clinic has been fantastic. We got lots of information and advice. Then my twin sister fell pregnant and that was it – we signed up after that.

“We were sceptical going private, because of the money involved and when we heard it could take three attempts it was daunting.

The couple, from Edinburgh, found out on Boxing Day that Esther was pregnant after just one treatment.

“We got some say in the which donor was used. We were given profiles to choose from. We knew eye, hair colour, height, blood type. The donor also wrote a small note about himself. We chose someone who we felt had donated to help other couples.”

Both Esther and project worker Bev, 30, will speak about their experience at events designed to encourage more lesbians to have IVF babies.

Esther added: “I think it is irrelevant what sexual orientation a parent is. All that matters is a baby is looked after and above all loved.”