Same Sex Couple Give Birth to Baby Boy They Both Carried

• Image Credit: Google

• Nov 20, 2023 | Dhupali Das

A same-sex couple has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first in Europe and the second in the world to jointly...

Digital Desk: In a groundbreaking stride for reproductive science, a same-sex couple has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first in Europe and the second in the world to jointly carry and give birth to their baby. According to a report by Metro, the baby boy, named Derek Eloy, was born on October 30 in Palma, Majorca, to parents Estefania, 30, and Azahara, 27.

The revolutionary journey to parenthood began in March, when the couple sought assistance at a fertility clinic. Opting for the innovative INVOcell fertility treatment, the process involved placing a capsule containing eggs and sperm into Estefania's vagina. The capsule remained in place for five days, allowing for natural in vivo fertilization. After inspecting and selecting the embryos, they were transferred into Azahara's uterus for further development.

Remarkably, Azahara carried the baby for the full nine-month term, despite the fact that the fertilized egg was initially placed in Estefania's womb. The groundbreaking fertility treatment came at a cost of over £4,400 (Rs 4,57,909), covering the procedure and required medication.

A member of the medical team behind Derek's birth highlighted the uniqueness of the process, stating, "The novelty in this process is that both could carry the embryo and share it for as long as needed."

Estefania expressed her joy, saying, "Now, I look at him, my partner and I look at each other, and we feel that it's something that has been within both of us, something we've done together." She added, "It was a way for both of us to be able to carry him. The idea that I could participate in this way and carry him in my womb was much more exciting."

This groundbreaking achievement follows a similar case in 2018 when a married couple in Texas became the first in the world to carry the same baby using reciprocal effortless in vitro fertilization. The cost of INVOcell, which offers an alternative and more affordable approach compared to traditional IVF, is approximately half the price, making this groundbreaking reproductive technology more accessible to diverse couples seeking to start a family.