A PROUD mother to two young boys, Roselle Moss could not bear the thought of never carrying a child again.
Although she and husband Ken were not looking for a sibling to brothers Rowan and Dylan, Roselle found herself saddened by the thought of not being pregnant any more – an experience she had loved.
So when she stumbled across the British Surrogacy centre, based in Maldon, it seemed the perfect opportunity to give another couple a family they so desperately wanted.
And on Friday, that "amazing journey" came to an end as twins Max and Lena were delivered by caesarean section at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. Parents Harneeta and Omar Hilal were delighted and Roselle, their surrogate mum for the past nine months was equally happy.
"It's been the most incredible and difficult experience of my entire life," said Roselle, 33.
"Friday was simply an amazing day and so emotional. The operation was quite violent, there was a lot of pushing and pulling around and then suddenly there was a baby crying.
"Both twins were born healthy and gorgeous, at six pounds each.
"Of course normally when you give birth you're the first to hold them, but this time around I asked for the babies to be taken straight to their parents.
"They were so happy."
Roselle, who lives in Bocking, took the daunting decision to carry a child for the couple in June last year.
"I couldn't stand the thought of not being pregnant again so when I saw a Facebook post from the surrogacy centre saying there was a couple desperate for a baby who were unable to carry their own, I got in touch as I just wanted to help them," she said.
"The first meeting was a little intimidating but Barrie [who set up the British Surrogacy Centre with husband Tony Drewitt-Barlow] wanted to check I could handle some pressure.
"Harneeta and Omar were the most amazing couple and we quickly built up a really great relationship.
"Following the [IVF] treatment we heard that two embryos had attached and from then on it was just like a countdown to Christmas."
Roselle, who believes she is the first surrogate mother to give birth at the hospital, thinks the experience has set a good example to her sons.
"I think it's really important for them to see someone so close to them do something selfless for another person," said Roselle, who is recovering from the operation at home.
"Dylan, who is just four years old, was so gentle during the pregnancy and avoided the bump – I think they can both understand.
"They've already met the babies and we're hoping for a big reunion this Bank Holiday Monday, the boys will be like cousins to the twins."
The emotional and physical intensity of the experience has left Roselle reluctant to consider a second surrogacy, but she is passionate about raising awareness.
"I wouldn't do it again as it's been hard work for my whole family," she said. "But it's been the most amazing journey and I've been so surprised at how little surrogacy is talked about.
"It's been life-changing, and I know that the twins and their parents will be a part of our lives forever."
