Surrogate joy at last for couple

Jun 7 2004 David Williamson, The Western Mail

A WELSH couple's search for a surrogate mother who can make their dream of a family a reality has come to a happy end.

Emmanuel and Amanda Blaevoet, from Aberbargoed, told The Western Mail in April that they hoped to find a woman who would be willing to conceive and carry a child for them. Now they are about to sign an agreement with Angela Wass, 32, from Cornwall who has volunteered to be a surrogate mother.

The process is supervised by Cots, an agency dedicated to matching childless couples with potential surrogate mothers. The Blaevoets contacted the agency as they wanted a child who would be theirs from birth.

Mrs Blaevoet, 47, said, "A sense of family is very strong in both of us - continuing the line and passing things on.

"Maybe 12 months down the line we'll be mummy and daddy?"

Emmanuel will today begin a sponsored 263-mile bicycle ride from Holyhead to Newport to support the agency's work.

The couple have been getting to know Mrs Wass and her family. Mrs Blaevoet said, "We are absolutely thrilled to bits. We were feeling so desperate. Then - bang! - it all happens.

"We liked the sound of each other on the phone and we liked her even more when we met her. We went down and met them a couple of weeks ago and it was absolutely fabulous. She has an amazing sense of humour."

They are delighted that Mrs Wass wants to involve them throughout the pregnancy.

Mrs Wass said, "When I'm woken up at two in the morning with the baby kicking, they'll be awake, too. Amanda's not capable of carrying her own child so I want her to feel everything I do, down to the morning sickness. They need to become part of my life."

Mr Blaevoet, 35, said many surrogates choose to have nothing to do with the future parents. He said, "You have to consider, the pregnancy is the only thing which belongs fully to the surrogate mother. If some mothers want to keep the pregnancy to themselves, that's their right, but sharing is very, very fine by us."

Mrs Wass's two primary school-age daughters are aware of what their mother is about to do. She explained, "I told them, from the day I filled in the Cots application form.

"I'm letting them know exactly what's going on; so much so I've let the teachers know so when the kids come in and say, 'Mum's got a baby that's not dad's' they'll know what's going on. My husband Nigel supports me fully."

The Blaevoets admitted that meeting the Wass family was initially nerve-wracking. "Of course, we were a bit nervous because you don't know where you are going to land," Mr Blaevoet said. "You turn up in someone's private house; of course it's a bit embarrassing. If you are someone who's not prepared it's a bit awkward but she's been prepared for three years and us for two-and-a-half. It was a family get-together and a very nice day."

Mrs Wass said, "They were a lot more nervous than I was.

"It's something that I have always wanted to do. I've been married for nine years and my husband's always known this is what I want to do.

"I was aware that you could adopt children but it wasn't until 15 years ago that surrogacy was mentioned and I thought maybe I could help people that way. To give them the gift of life is the ultimate."

Yesterday, Emmanuel prepared for his epic bike ride which will end at Cycles & Accessories Direct in Newport on Saturday.

"I've got psychosomatic cramps in my legs," he said. "I think I'm ready."