Mum's joy as change raises hope for second child

Auckland solo mum Teresa dreams of giving her daughter a sibling. Photo / Jason Dorday

"I'm estatic" says an Auckland mum who will soon be lawfully able to use donor sperm and eggs to create a sibling for her daughter.

Teresa, a single 42-year-old who works in the Government sector, had a daughter three years ago using her own egg and donor sperm from a clinic.

She has been trying unsuccessfully for two years for another child, undergoing three IVF cycles costing $30,000, with the left-over sperm used to create her daughter. A specialist said her age and having a low egg reserve was against her.

So the new regulations mean she has a better chance of getting pregnant.

Using the left-over sperm means a second child will be genetically linked and could have similar traits.

Teresa says she has been advertising for three months for an egg donor in anticipation of the Government making donor eggs and sperm lawful.

But she is realistic it could still be a tough road ahead: "When my daughter is old enough, at least I can tell her I tried as hard as I could to give her a sibling," said Teresa.

"It's about the family my daughter will have when I'm not here; a brother or sister will always be there".

Teresa has been told the donor eggs and sperm procedure could cost about $13,000 $3000 more than the usual amount required for IVF.