Eagerly waiting to become a parent is something that a lot of people can relate to - but for some, it isn't the easiest journey.
But now there are many ways to become parents - like artificial insemination, which is a treatment which can allow couples the ability to become parents through the use of donor sperm.
But for one woman, however, it was the start of her nightmare ordeal after it was revealed in High court that her wife had sex with the sperm donor father, leading to the conception of a child which she'd believed was a result of artificial insemination.
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It was during this court case where she learned that she would no longer be listed on the child’s birth certificate.
The ruling came after a judge told the woman that she had no biological connection with the child, and therefore no right to be listed as a parent.
According to The Sun, in her ruling, Mrs Justice Gwynneth Knowles added: “The fallout from this couple’s separation has been devastating for each of them and for their named sperm donor.
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“In due course, the child concerned will need an age-appropriate explanation of what happened when she was conceived and why it is that she now has a different birth certificate.”
It all began in 2016 when the couple initially placed an advert for help to start their own family and after finding a suitable sperm donor, they met the man in a pub to agree the terms and conditions.
But after two failed attempts at artificial insemination, the mum-to-be, known as P, turned to the sperm donor to comfort her.
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That’s when they pair snuck off to her parents’ house and had sex for the first time, according to the judge.
Then they slept together two more times, which led to P’s pregnancy.
The other woman, known as Q, believed this to be the result of their legitimate attempts of medical help.
So, when the baby was born in 2017, there were no questions that both women would be listed on the birth certificate, with P being labeled as the biological mum and Q as a parent.
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However, after the breakdown of their marriage led the couple to fight over childcare, P then revealed that she had cheated on Q with the donor.
Now, the judge believes this to be a cautionary tale for those planning to use informal arrangements when conducting artificial insemination.
She said: “Q has no biological connection with X and must come to terms with her lack of legal recognition as a parent by reason of my decision.”
Topics: LGBTQ, Sex and Relationships, Parenting