Couple proud parents of twins who were born THREE years apart
The twins born THREE years apart: Gay couple welcome their son’s twin sister after their surrogate carried a frozen embryo from the same batch
- Alan Coates and Al Watt, from Brighton, welcomed Otto to the world on June 8
- Thanks to surrogate Annie Peverelle who has now carried a baby for them twice
- The couple’s first born Beatrice, three, and baby Otto are considered twins
- Were conceived at the same time through IVF and from same batch of embryos
A couple have become the proud parents of twins – despite them being born three years apart.
Alan Coates, 50, and Al Watt, 45, from Brighton, Sussex, welcomed Otto to the world on June 8 – thanks to surrogate and friend Annie Peverelle, 41, who has now carried a baby for them twice.
The couple’s first born Beatrice, three, and baby Otto are considered twins as they were conceived at the same time through IVF and from the same batch of embryos, which were frozen after the couple’s first child.
Annie from Rugby, Warwicks, who has no desire to have a family of her own has been a surrogate five times.
Alan Coates, 50, and Al Watt, 45, from Brighton, Sussex, welcomed Otto to the world on June 8 – thanks to surrogate and friend Annie Peverelle, 41, who has now carried a baby for them twice (pictured together)
The couple’s first born Beatrice, three, and baby Otto (pictured together) are considered twins as they were conceived at the same time through IVF and from the same batch of embryos, which were frozen after the couple’s first child
Alan, who is a musician manager, said: ‘We will be celebrating Father’s Day with Annie this year because she has turned our dream into a reality by helping us become a family of four.
‘Our surrogacy journey has come to an end so it will be nice to reflect how far we have come and how our experiences have shaped us along with how much we have grown.
‘Our thoughts turn to the future and the joys of making memories for a lifetime with Beatrice and Otto.
The proud parents (pictured) say being a father is ‘hugely challenging and exhausting but totally worth it’
Alan (pictured with his partner and their newborn), who is a musician manager, said: ‘We will be celebrating Father’s Day with Annie this year as she has turned our dream into a reality by helping us become a family of four!
I always say that having a child is like someone pointing out a secret door that you didn’t know was there, and once you go through the door you can’t go back. It is like going into a different dimension to which I am amazed to discover.’
The proud parents say being a father is ‘hugely challenging and exhausting but totally worth it’.
Alan said: ‘Al and I spoke about children from the moment we met and liked the idea of there being an ongoing relationship and friendship through surrogacy. Not only for us, but for the children too.
‘We first met Annie in 2014 at a social event through Surrogacy UK, a non-profit organisation, and she was already pregnant, which allowed us to relax and ask all sorts of questions about how it all works.
Annie (pictured with the two children) from Rugby, Warwicks, who has no desire to have a family of her own has been a surrogate five times
Annie (pictured after the birth of Otto) offered to expand the couples family whilst pregnant for the fourth time as a surrogate in 2018
‘We stayed in touch and established a friendship so we were delighted when we got “the call” saying she would like to get to know us, and we immediately hit it off before starting our treatment in 2016.
HOW CAN YOU HAVE CHILDREN FROM THE SAME IVF CYCLE?
Siblings can be born from the same IVF cycle years apart using embryo freezing.
Following IVF, many woman have good-quality embryos left over after one has been implanted into their womb.
Rather than discarding these embryos, they can be frozen for future use.
This can help to preserve a woman’s fertility and is more effective than freezing your eggs.
The standard storage window for frozen embryos is ten years, however, women in ‘exceptional circumstances’ can store them for up to 55 years.
The average cost for storing them for a year is between £170 and £400.
When a woman wants to use her frozen embryos, they can be thawed and transferred into her womb.
This will only occur without fertility drugs if she is ovulating regularly.
If her periods are irregular, she may require medication to trigger a ‘false’ menstruation that prepares her uterus lining for an embryo.
Success rates for IVF using frozen embryos are on the rise and are now comparable to fresh embryo rates.
However, not all frozen embryos survive the process.
If the frozen embryos are never needed, they can be discarded, or donated to another woman, research or training.
Source: Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
‘We had an anonymous egg donor and weren’t particularly fussed by the characteristics – as long as the donor was fit and healthy.
‘But unfortunately, it was unsuccessful which was hugely emotional for us all, including Annie, who felt guilty even though it wasn’t her fault.
‘We thought we may end up going our separate ways but Annie was a huge support and wanted to stick around.’
The trio tried again with new eggs from another anonymous donor and it was a success. The couple had two embryos – one of which is Beatrice and the other was frozen until last year.
He adds: ‘It is crazy to think they are technically twins – Beatrice already knows she grew in Auntie Annie’s tummy and Otto will too.’
Annie offered to expand the couples family whilst pregnant for the fourth time as a surrogate in 2018.
Although she ‘adores’ being pregnant – Otto was the fifth and final baby she will carry.
She said: ‘Over the years, I have become so close with Alan and Al – I knew I wanted to help them and complete their family.
‘I will continue volunteering for Surrogacy UK until I am old and grey but I won’t be carrying another baby because I have recently had a career change to a diabetic eye screener and I am due to start a diploma.
‘I love being pregnant and sharing the experience with the parents-to-be but nothing can compare to the high I experience when I see them falling in love with their baby from the second they hold them.
‘I have always had smooth pregnancies without any morning sickness or pains, but Otto wasn’t in the right position so I had my first C-section.
‘When the boys were able to meet their son for the first time, they came straight to me to check I was OK which shows the strength of our friendship.’
The couple praise Annie for her ‘positive attitude’ and ‘extraordinary support’ throughout their journey to fatherhood.
Alan said: ‘Annie has always been super encouraging – it was never “if” and always “when”. Her experience was helpful at appointments as she would always ask questions that we didn’t think of.
‘Our friendship is unbeatable and she’s definitely one of our best friends – she has done such an incredible thing for us.’
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