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Latest Surrogacy News
Jackie's vow to bring couples joy
Sep 17 2004 By Graham
Brough
SHE'S already had 10
babies and now surrogate mum Jackie Smith is hoping to
become pregnant for the 11th time in her quest to help
childless couples find happiness.
The 38-year-old has given
away four children and is ready to do the same again,
despite the emotional pain it causes her handing over
the tots.
Jackie, who has six
youngsters of her own aged between three and 19, said:
"I went to get pregnant for a couple on Monday and I
will know in a couple of weeks time if it worked or not.
"It's for a new couple in
their early 30s who haven't tried surrogacy before. I
have four surrogate babies and six of my own, so 10 so
far.
"For three of them I used
my own eggs, what we call straight surrogacy, and for
one of them I carried as a host which meant an IVF
embryo was placed back in me."
Part-time Tesco worker
Jackie, from Tilbury, Essex - who has been married to
husband Kevin for 21 years - admitted the bond between
mum and child is hard to break after the birth. But she
says the happiness it brings to the recipient couple
makes it worthwhile.
She said: "I cry for weeks
after handing the babies over. But from the minute I
agree to be a surrogate, it's that couple's baby.
"I'm a very maternal
person and it's the hardest thing I've ever done in my
life. But when you see what you give to somebody and the
happiness it brings it's worth it.
"I love my children, they
are everything, so I want other people to know what it
feels like to have kids.
"It does get a little bit
easier each time. It's still hard but you know you are
going to get over it.
"You have to be 110 per
cent sure that you can go through with it. You have to
think it's going to be okay but it's very difficult. I
don't want to make out it's an easy thing to do when
it's not."
Jackie, who is an official
with surrogacy organisation Cots that has already
produced 500 babies for childless couples, wants to
carry on as long a she can but insisted she's not in it
for the money.
She added: "If I was, I
wouldn't still be working at Tesco during the last weeks
of my pregnancies.
"I act as a surrogate
mother to give joy to childless couples."
It is illegal to pay for
surrogacy but expenses are allowed which usually range
from £10,000 to £12,000.
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