CHRISTMAS has come early for Emma and Laura Flanagan. The lesbian couple have already got the best present they could wish for – a baby daughter.
Little Olivia arrived on November 18 weighing 8lbs 5oz.
Although Emma, 32, gave birth to her, both are sharing the role of mum.
And the same will be true when Laura, 28, gives birth to a baby girl next April.
Both were made pregnant by a straight male friend, using a syringe to inseminate themselves with his sperm.
Had it not been for him, they said, they would never have been able to have a family.
This time last year, they never imagined they would be mums.
Emma said: "We knew we wanted to but we couldn't afford IVF."
They were also surprised how quickly both managed to conceive.
"We presumed it would take ages," said Laura.
Christmas Day will be spent at their two-bedroomed Nottingham home with their parents.
"We usually go to either one of them but this year we decided to do dinner for both sets of parents," said Emma.
Laura adds: "They have all been so good to us we felt they deserved treating."
Five-week-old Olivia – or Livi as they affectionately call her – will be wearing the cute Christmas pudding romper suit and hat she's modelling today.
Emma said: "Laura's mum bought it for her. It's really sweet. We haven't told her it's going in the paper so it will be a nice surprise."
The man who made it all possible – a single father with two teenage children whose identity is a closely guarded secret – has seen Olivia.
"He's seen her a couple of times. He says she's lovely... he would do, wouldn't he?" said Emma.
He is signing over his rights to allow the women to bring up the babies by themselves and Emma and Laura plan to take out parental responsibility for each other's child.
A change in the law in April has allowed both Emma and Laura's names to appear on Olivia's birth certificate under two parent sections rather than mother and father.
The couple, both part-time cleaners, have no intention of asking him for financial help but their daughters will be brought up knowing who their father is.
Emma was delighted that she managed to have the home birth she was hoping for.
During her ten-hour labour – with no pain relief – she was encouraged by her mum Kate and Laura, who promptly burst into tears when Olivia arrived.
Laura is also planning a home birth when her baby – who will be called Amelia – arrives.
When the couple's story appeared on the Post's website last month it prompted a mixed reaction.
Emma said: "It is unusual and people are going to have an opinion. We don't expect everyone to agree with it.
"We have had lots of positive comments although there are a couple of members of my family that have failed to acknowledge Olivia's existence."
Since Livi's birth, her proud parents have taken more than 400 photos.
Last week the couple, who married in a civil ceremony at Nottingham register office in 2006, visited their first Bumps and Babies group where mums learn about weaning and baby massage.
What about having more children in the future?
Emma said: "We are happy with two. We have enough love to go round 20 kids but we don't want them to go without.
"I can't remember life without her now. She's adorable."
0 Comments Posted Leave a comment