ONE of Britain's most prolific surrogate mothers has given birth to her 13th baby.
Karla Kirkby, who lives in Brigg and has two children of her own, gave birth to surrogate baby number 11 at Scunthorpe General Hospital.
The little boy has been named Finley by his parents, Mark and Lizzie Smith, who live in London. Karla said the couple had been "waiting for so long for a miracle".
Karla, 38 of East Parade, was due to give birth on May 31, but Finley, who weighed 9lbs 1oz, arrived three weeks early after she was induced.
She now needs to take a break, but said she will have another child.
Karla said: "They have all been straightforward and I have a natural delivery."
Mr Smith, 30, and his wife, 29, started looking at the option of surrogacy a long time ago, after Mrs Smith was told at the age of 15 that she would be unable to have children.
The couple learnt about voluntary organisation Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy (COTS). Founded by Britain's first surrogate mother Kim Cotton, it provides advice, help and support to surrogates and intended parents.
"A year-and-a-half ago we went to see some friends of ours who told us they were expecting and that pushed us forward," said Mr Smith.
"She (Lizzie) said she would like to try again and I agreed because I was keen for us to have our own little one."
After they contacted COTS, the couple were put in touch with Karla who had seen their profile on the website.
The couple agreed to meet up with Karla last May and said they had a lot in common.
Mr Smith said: "We spoke to other surrogates she had worked with.
"We realised just how special Karla was – she gave them all a gift."
The surrogacy process began in September last year and Mr Smith said they were "absolutely beaming" when they learnt that Karla was pregnant.
Finley was born on May 12 and the couple received a call at around 5.30pm to come to Scunthorpe.
Mr Smith said he felt "overwhelmed" when his son was born.
"I cannot really put it into words," he said.
"If we both were honest, there were times when we thought it may never happen.
"Karla is amazing and the gift that we have been given from her is just incredible.
"We had some low moments and when we hold Finley, it just makes everything worth it."
The proud parents, who both work in education, are now back in London with Finley.
"It is still sinking in really and every day, he (Finley) is changing," he said.
"The first time we held him, it was amazing.
"We are one of the lucky ones," he said.
Karla gave birth to her first surrogate child, Ethan, in 2001 and said she will have another child – although this may be one of her own.
"I will need a break and I want to get my life back to normal. It will either be a surrogate or one for myself," she said.
Health permitting, she can continue having surrogate babies until she is 45.
Sources: http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/Surrogate-mum-gives-birth-13th-baby-Scunthorpe/story-26541145-detail/story.html
Karla Kirkby, who lives in Brigg and has two children of her own, gave birth to surrogate baby number 11 at Scunthorpe General Hospital.
The little boy has been named Finley by his parents, Mark and Lizzie Smith, who live in London. Karla said the couple had been "waiting for so long for a miracle".
Karla, 38 of East Parade, was due to give birth on May 31, but Finley, who weighed 9lbs 1oz, arrived three weeks early after she was induced.
She now needs to take a break, but said she will have another child.
Karla said: "They have all been straightforward and I have a natural delivery."
Mr Smith, 30, and his wife, 29, started looking at the option of surrogacy a long time ago, after Mrs Smith was told at the age of 15 that she would be unable to have children.
The couple learnt about voluntary organisation Childlessness Overcome Through Surrogacy (COTS). Founded by Britain's first surrogate mother Kim Cotton, it provides advice, help and support to surrogates and intended parents.
"A year-and-a-half ago we went to see some friends of ours who told us they were expecting and that pushed us forward," said Mr Smith.
"She (Lizzie) said she would like to try again and I agreed because I was keen for us to have our own little one."
After they contacted COTS, the couple were put in touch with Karla who had seen their profile on the website.
The couple agreed to meet up with Karla last May and said they had a lot in common.
Mr Smith said: "We spoke to other surrogates she had worked with.
"We realised just how special Karla was – she gave them all a gift."
The surrogacy process began in September last year and Mr Smith said they were "absolutely beaming" when they learnt that Karla was pregnant.
Finley was born on May 12 and the couple received a call at around 5.30pm to come to Scunthorpe.
Mr Smith said he felt "overwhelmed" when his son was born.
"I cannot really put it into words," he said.
"If we both were honest, there were times when we thought it may never happen.
"Karla is amazing and the gift that we have been given from her is just incredible.
"We had some low moments and when we hold Finley, it just makes everything worth it."
The proud parents, who both work in education, are now back in London with Finley.
"It is still sinking in really and every day, he (Finley) is changing," he said.
"The first time we held him, it was amazing.
"We are one of the lucky ones," he said.
Karla gave birth to her first surrogate child, Ethan, in 2001 and said she will have another child – although this may be one of her own.
"I will need a break and I want to get my life back to normal. It will either be a surrogate or one for myself," she said.
Health permitting, she can continue having surrogate babies until she is 45.
Sources: http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/Surrogate-mum-gives-birth-13th-baby-Scunthorpe/story-26541145-detail/story.html
Mumbai (Bombay) Time
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