Personal Testimonial for Cape Windhoek Fertility Clinic
Thank you to an Amazing Team
The sense of family has always been essential to me. I grew up in a large and loving family, so my dream has always been to have a large family myself.
As a teenager, I always envisaged three children, a dog, and a beautiful partner by the time I was 30 years old. But life, as we know, doesn’t always work out as planned.
At the age of 40, I was still single. I had been left broken-hearted when my marriage broke-down after we endured three very painful failed IVF cycles. Yet my yearning for a family was still very much at the forefront of my mind.
After the divorce, although I knew I still wanted to have children, I was fearful of where to start and how to achieve my dream of becoming a parent.
- I had already spent a considerable amount of money on IVF.
- I was told it would be difficult for me to have kids because of my age.
- I tried committed relationships, but for whatever reason, these didn’t work.
- I went as far as considering adoption, but, as a single man in his 40’s, even this idea was starting to feel futile.
My consolation was my successful career, my supportive family, and beautiful friends, but something was still missing. I desperately wanted to experience the joy of fatherhood, where I could love and care for my babies and finally find meaning in my life.
I was petrified that as a middle-aged single man, I would be turned away immediately by adoption agencies or fertility clinics. We live in a stereotypical society, with ongoing prejudice and discrimination against single African middle-aged men, not to mention gay or bisexual men.
With the fear never far from my heart, I started reaching out to fertility clinics around the world, researching surrogacy as a single man. I made contact with fertility clinics in the USA, Canada, Indian, and Nepal; however, I was always sceptical because of the excessive costs associated with these clinics. Most of which had poor communication. I felt a lack of trust, and again, the fear of being discriminated against. These options didn’t feel right to me, and I had to listen to my gut.
My journey led me to the Cape Windhoek Fertility clinic (CWF) via their sister clinic, HART Fertility, who are in Cape Town. From the first welcoming email to the warm and empathetic phone call, everything started to slot into place. Feeling that perhaps my dreams could come true, filled me with happiness, I had not felt in what seemed like a lifetime.
The communication was excellent, and even when my anxiety was getting the better of me, I felt supported. Fred took the time to update me and keep me informed, which bridged the “distance” gap for me.
Receiving the news that IFV with my surrogate was successful was the most fantastic news. The night I received the phone call that I was going to be a father changed everything. I cannot describe the emotion and joy I was feeling.
Through my research, I had come across fertility clinics that refer the intended parent and surrogate to an obstetrician at this point, with the fertility clinic stepping away. However, again this was not the case with CWF. I was supported throughout the pregnancy, right up to the day my miracle twins were born. And even today, I still get regular contact from the clinic.
Becoming a parent, mostly through Assisted Reproduction Treatment, can be a daunting and an anxiety-driven experience. Yet, with sufficient support and proper communication from a fertility clinic, the stressful process can be an equally rewarding one.
Not only did the clinic provided me with clinical support, but the team was also helpful with other various parts of the surrogacy journey. The clinical team liaised with other agencies and stakeholders such as external lawyers, the Department of Immigration, and migration agents on my behalf. I was also provided with support in facilitating my travelling plans with my babies to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip home. I cannot thank these guys enough.
Sitting down at my desk writing about my journey, with my twin newborn babies staring at me with their gorgeous big brown eyes, while tears run down my cheeks, makes me feel incredibly grateful. It still feels surreal, and I am entirely indebted to the CWF for their fantastic care and support.
Looking back, not only have I achieved my dream of becoming a father, but I have been welcomed into an extended family in CWF.
I have no reason, whatsoever, not to recommend the CWF to anyone wanting to start their own family.
I was lucky to be treated as a person and not as a number, and I wholeheartedly believe if you choose CWF, you will be treated in the same way.