Australian Couple Auctions Home to Have Their Babies

Many couples will go through great lengths to have their own children. Aly and Damien O’Brien would be considered one of those couples. Throughout eleven years of failed IVF treatments and an emergency hysterectomy for Aly, it was finally time to consider her options. While many couples can afford to deal with the financial aspects of having a gestational carrier to carry their baby (ies), Aly and Damien did not. So, in order to be able to have their own children, their circumstances led them to sell their home at auction. In total, the couple spent more than $120,000 to have their daughters - including fertility treatments, compensating the surrogate and the egg donors, medical expenses, agency fees, legal fees and travel costs. But, there was no price too high for the O’Briens to sacrifice their ability to become parents.

Aly and Damien are from Richmond, Australia. Like many other countries, surrogacy in Australia has challenging ramifications. Under Australian law, the surrogate can change her mind after the birth of the baby, and then sue for custody. However, places such as the United States, India and Canada, it is not the case.

The O’Brien’s looked into adoption and fostering, but the legal hurdles were difficult to overcome. With a waiting period of about five years, the couple decided that it was just too long. They searched surrogacy in multiple countries including India and Canada. Aly and Damien first took their embryos to India, where unfortunately both surrogates they attempted with, failed. For their final attempt, the O’Briens went to Canada and with joy, had a successful cycle, and are now enjoying being parents to two beautiful twin daughters, Abigael and Matilda!

 To read more about their case please visit: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/betting-the-house-on-two-little-bundles-of-joy-20120602-1zp1w.html#ixzz1wqtOUVE4

 If you are an intended parent looking to use a surrogate or a surrogate wanting to help a family in need, please visit www.westcoastsurrogacy.com or call 949.362.8200. We would love to hear from you!