Couple 'overwhelmed' after surrogacy post on TikTok

A woman who underwent a failed womb transplant said she and her husband were "overwhelmed" that posting their story online had raised enough for initial surrogacy tests.

Georgia Morley, 29, from Norwich, was one of a handful of women given a transplant as part of pioneering surgery in the UK, but the donor uterus did not take.

She and Josh, 31, shared their story on TikTok and Instagram and set up an online fundraising page, which has already received more than £7,800.

"I never imagined to start the process so quickly, it has been such a positive turn on what has been such a tough six weeks - it has changed our lives," said Georgia.

She has Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a condition where women are either born without a vagina and uterus, or the vagina and uterus fail to develop fully. It affects one in every 5,000 women, according to the NHS.

It meant Georgia faced the prospect of never carrying her own baby. In hope, she signed up for a womb transplant and earlier this year received a call to say there had been a match.

She underwent the 12-hour surgery in Oxford but the following day was told it had not been successful.

"It was devastating, but I knew it was a possibility," she said.

"I wouldn't change going through that; it's hopefully helped in the research and it was such an amazing opportunity.

"Even if it did succeed, it didn't mean we would automatically have children - we could've had other problems further down the line."

The couple, who have been together since their teens, started to explore surrogacy and the possibility of another woman carrying one of Georgia's frozen embryos.

"The thought of having to find someone we trust to carry the most precious thing in the world is quite overwhelming and scary," said Georgia.

Josh added: "It's strange, but it's the cards we've been dealt and the journey we're on; I found it difficult because the decision has been taken away from us."

In the UK, it is illegal to advertise for or as a surrogate, or to take part for financial gain.

Government guidance recommends using one of four surrogacy organisations.

These groups link-up intended parents with altruistic surrogates and guide both parties through the process, including transferring legal parenthood.

According to Surrogacy UK, costs can be in the region of £30,000 to £40,000 and include surrogate expenses, treatment and legal fees.

Josh signed up for an ultra marathon to fundraise and the couple discussed the possibility of a loan and remortgaging to help pay the £15,000 required for initial tests and one embryo transfer.

On Sunday, they decided to tell their story on TikTok and set up an online fundraising page "to just see what happens, and raise a bit of awareness", Josh said.

"The response has been overwhelming and amazing - we've been really taken aback by it and shows how it can be used for something really positive."

Georgia added: "We've got enough to get the ball rolling, to have screening tests to see if the embryos are viable.

"It gives us something to look forward to, when we thought we were looking at another long journey."

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