A first-time mum at 58, woman who was too old for IVF
A WOMAN deemed too old to qualify for IVF in Scotland gave birth to her first child after travelling to India for embryo adoption.
Carolyne Ness paid £4,500 for the procedure after being told in her late thirties that fertility problems would make it difficult for her to conceive.
Miss Ness, who emigrated to Australia from Fife, gave birth to Javed by caesarean section in November.
She said she had no qualms about being an older mother – and has plans in place with family and friends should anything happen to her.
‘My life is now complete. I am so happy I made the choice to go ahead,’ Miss Ness, now 59, said yesterday.
Under NHS guidelines, women under 40 are eligible for three IVF cycles, and woman aged between 40 and 42 are eligible for one cycle.
Women are not able to undergo IVF in Australia past the average age of natural menopause, usually interpreted as age 52.
Finding herself single at 40 after a divorce, Miss Ness learned of embryo adoption, in which donated embryos and sperm are used.
She was given the profiles of ten embryos, choosing a 21year-old Indian woman, and six sperm donors, selecting an American-Caucasian donor.
Three fertilised embryos were then implanted in her womb and she gave birth at 37 weeks.
She said: ‘I chose the ones that felt right for me.’
Speaking via a video link from Sydney, Miss Ness told ITV’s This Morning programme presenters Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes: ‘Even though I am an older mother I am coping very well, he is very loved and wanted.’
Asked how her son would be taken care of if anything were to happen to her, Miss Ness said she didn’t expect to be going anywhere any time soon.
She added: ‘My sister is willing to take him, she is five years younger and my birthing partner is ten years younger.
‘My family is long-lived – my mother passed when she was in her mid-eighties, just before Javed was born.’
The mature mother explained that having children had not bothered her as a young woman, as she filled her time with travelling the world and socialising with friends.
She did not meet her exhusband until she was 30 but after ten years of trying to become pregnant, doctors told Miss Ness she had ‘unexplained infertility.’
After failing to find love again she emigrated to Australia in a last-ditch attempt.
But she was desperate to become a mother and a friend suggested embryo adoption.
Most private clinics in the UK refuse to treat women over 50, prompting older women to travel abroad for treatment.
Realising that she would not meet the criteria she turned to embryo adoption.
Donated embryos and sperm are used and fertilised embryos are implanted into the womb after medication is given to thicken the uterus lining to make sure it is in optimum condition to receive embryos.
Miss Ness said she does not reflect much about the time her son won’t have without her, instead focusing on watching him grow.
She said she enjoys every minute with Javed, explaining: ‘I am enjoying my time with him and making the most of it. I have a lot of spare time that I am giving to him and maybe a younger mother couldn’t.’
She added: ‘He has my full time and we just enjoy every day.’
‘Even though I am older I am coping’