With thousands of couples across the UK desperate for a baby, SARAH JONES meets one young woman who is determined to make a difference - by becoming a surrogate WHEN Kayleigh Williamson was first told that she might never be able to have children, she tried to shove it to the back of her mind.

At the tender age of 16, she was more interested in being a teenager than dwelling on her doctor's diagnosis.

But when she did fall pregnant a year later, Kayleigh was devastated to lose her baby at 20 weeks.

While no one could tell her whether the miscarriage was linked to her condition - she has polycystic ovaries, which can harm fertility - she was terrified that she may never conceive naturally.

Fortunately for Kayleigh she did go on to have two healthy little girls, but she never stopped thinking about all the couples who are not so lucky.

"It's hard to put it into words, I can't imagine not having children now," the 22-year-old says, as she sits on her comfy sofa with a cushion on her lap.

The pretty young mum, whose home is full of children's toys and family photos, adds poignantly: "It must be awful for people that can't have them."

Out of the blue one day - she's not quite sure how - the idea of surrogacy popped into her head, and it didn't go away.

For many, the idea of carrying a child for nine months for someone else is inconceivable.

But for others, like Kayleigh, it is one of the most amazing things you can ever do.

Moving slightly, the cushion slips away and her protruding belly is revealed - Kayleigh is due to give birth to a surrogate baby in October.

"It's the best gift that anyone can give to another person," says the part-time hairdresser. "Surrogacy is still a bit taboo and there are so many people out there who are desperate for children and need help. I don't think it's spoken about enough and when it is, it's only the cases that go wrong."

She may be young but Kayleigh seems wise beyond her years and is keen to stress that she did not rush into becoming a surrogate mum.

After thinking it over for a long time, she went to see her doctor who referred her to COTS (Childness Overcome Through Surrogacy).

Founded in 1988, the organisation is run without financial gain to help surrogates and would-be parents understand the implications of surrogacy and deal with any problems that may arise. After discussing it face-to-face with a COTS representative Kayleigh decided to go for it.

Supported by her family and her partner of three years, Paul Willis, she was soon sent the details of a number of couples looking for a surrogate.

"I knew I didn't want to do it for a couple that already had kids, but it was still really hard to choose. I didn't want to read too much about them because I knew I would end up feeling sorry for them all. I I couldn't do it for everyone, so I randomly picked."

Meeting the chosen couple - who are both in their 30s and live in Kent - was a nerve-racking experience, but they got on incredibly well.

"We clicked straight away and it wasn't awkward which was really nice," smiles Kayleigh, who lives in north Hampshire. I felt really sorry for them. I don't want to sound patronising, like I continued on page 20 sound patronising, like I pity them, but it's a sad situation to be in."

While potential surrogates are supposed to spend at least three months getting to know the intended parents' before taking any action, Kayleigh couldn't wait.

"I had been on the coil so I thought it would take time before it worked. I thought we should start trying and it happened on the first attempt."

Opting for the straight' surrogate route because of her fertility problems, Kayleigh's egg was fertilised with the intended father's sperm.

The couple brought his sample to her home and the young mum inseminated herself with a syringe.

Twelve pregnancy tests later, she finally felt sure enough to happily break the news to the delighted couple.

They accompany Kayleigh to all of her scans and appointments, and will join her and Paul in the delivery room when the baby arrives.

On the wishes of the intended parents, they already know it is going to be a girl.

While Kayleigh, a former pupil of Winchester's Kings School, has signed an agreement with the couple, it is not legally binding.

"They have to trust you so much. To pull out would be really hurtful and so wrong. It must be devastating if someone turns round after the birth and changes their mind."

Surrogacy is legal in the UK but no money other than reasonable expenses' can be paid to the surrogate.

Clearly a devoted mum to her daughters Leonie, three, and Erin, 18-months, Kayleigh knows how special it feels to give birth.

"It's the best feeling in the world. You can't put it into words, nothing else matters when you are handed your baby."

But without a moment's hesitation, the mum-of-two declares confidently that she has not bonded with the unborn child.

"It doesn't bother me at all that I'm pregnant and won't keep the baby. When you are pregnant for yourself you get an emotional attachment but I already know it's not my baby."

Under no illusions though, Kayleigh - who will hand the baby over as soon as it is born - knows tough times may lay ahead.

"I am just going to keep an open mind. It will be such a nice feeling to be helping someone else but everyone gets the baby blues a couple of days after the birth. It will feel really weird after carrying the baby for nine months.

"I will want to leave the hospital as soon as I can. I will have gone through all that pain and will probably be feeling sorry for myself. There is not even a small part of me that thinks I might want to keep it though."

Her partner Paul, a plumbing student and part-time cleaner, tried to get a vasectomy earlier this year but was refused on the grounds that he was too young at 25.

"She wanted to do it and I have been backing her up all the way," he says. "A lot of people have said, how can you do that?' but they haven't been in her position and had a miscarriage. I'm really proud of her."

Adamant that their family is complete, Kayleigh has declined contact with the unborn child as it grows up, but admits she will never be far from her thoughts.

"I will probably be thinking all the time, I wonder what she's doing? I wonder what she looks like?" says Kayleigh who has not ruled out being a surrogate again in the future. "I wouldn't say she will be out of my thoughts at all, but I'm a strong person so I think I will be able to deal with it."

When she's at work, Kayleigh's bump is a popular topic of conversation over shampoo and cuts.

"I openly discuss it. Some people say I'm kind, someone people probably think I'm a bit selfish because it's giving a baby away. I know surrogacy isn't for everyone.

"One person said, you're only 22, I'm surprised you're old enough to have your own mind' but I'm old enough to have my own kids!

"Most are really supportive and say it's such a great thing, well done'. But there are some who say haven't you heard of adoption? Or how do you think the baby will feel later in life?' Hopefully it will feel really loved and wanted."

BLOB For more information on COTS, phone 0844 414 0181 or visit surrogacy.org.uk