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A couple from London who spent £25,000 in a deal with an Indian surrogate mother are back home in East Ham with their three-month-old twins after a lengthy legal fight.
Chris and Susan Morrison saw their children, Louis and Freya, born seven weeks early on 1 March and spend their first weeks in intensive care while a dispute between Britain and India blew up over their nationality.
The family were forced to sit it out in hotels in the intense summer heat until the Indian government granted them exit visas.
Mr Morrison, 40, a marketing analyst, said: "It is so wonderful to be at home with our children. We have waited years for this."
Mrs Morrison, 37, said: "I sometimes have to pinch myself to believe that I am holding my own children in my arms. We have been to hell and back, but it has been well worth it."
The couple were forced into using surrogacy because Mrs Morrison, a former teacher, suffers from a rare blood disorder which caused her to miscarry. Britain does not allow commercial surrogacy and there is a shortage of volunteers.
Louis and Freya were born to Vimla, a 24-year-old Gujarati housewife who was paid £8,000 by the Morrisons in a deal arranged by a clinic in the city of Anand.
They spent another £17,000 in their efforts, including hospital fees. But the UK regarded the twins as Vimla's children, while India recognised them as the Morrisons'.
The couple had to apply for British passports then Indian exit visas and it took weeks to sort out details while they were stuck in Jaipur and Mumbai.
Mrs Morrison said: "I am just so glad we are home in London as a family. Our prayers have been answered. The twins have caused a great deal of excitement among family and friends."
The Morrisons are advising childless couples on what can be and emotional and legal rollercoaster.
Mr Morrison said: "We are happy to help because we know how terrible it is to not have any real prospects of becoming parents. There are many people desperate for a baby of their own."
Reader views (4)
Finally, they have their own children. But not every couple can effort the huge fees.
- Christine, Malaysia
Am glad they are all home,and well,and congratulations on the twins!
They could have done without the extensive legal costs in bringing the twins home.
As a Mom to international twins l can understand ...
Congrats again
- Janie Foley, Staffordshire
Great to know that you are back to your home with your own two child after a long fight with law.
- Pintolal, Mumbai,India
Marvelous are we going against the nature and called serious disease in coming future. It will not the bad effect on the health of mum and new born baby.
New trend of legal battles???? This is cause of poverty illiteracy in shining India. New business opportunities in India.In such battles that is no love and affection among families. God helps us. AZAMING
- M A Chishty, London
