Kerry Katona has revealed that she and partner Ryan Mahoney have taken a huge step in their journey to having a baby, sharing a series of photos with fans.
"Last week we started the process of embryo freezing," she wrote.
"Happy to report I’ve got lots of eggs in my basket! Now @ryanmahoney_7 has a date with a cup and we go from there... Exciting times."
Speaking to Closer last year, Kerry revealed that was considering surrogacy as a route to a sixth child as, following a traumatic birth with her youngest, she won’t risk carrying a baby naturally again.
She told us, “It’s a difficult one, I don’t want to rob Ryan of having his own biological children, but at the same time I really don’t want any more kids. I’m 41 –I have five children! I can’t think of anything worse [than being pregnant] but surrogacy I would consider, I’m definitely going to get my eggs frozen so the option is there. DJ wasn’t breathing when she was born and spent time in special care, it was traumatising so I won’t carry again.”
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The former Atomic Kitten singer shares daughters Molly and Lilly-Sue with Westlife star ex-husband Brian McFadden. She is also mum to Heidi and Maxwell with ex-husband Mark Croft, as well as Dylan-Jorge with late ex-husband George Kay.
During her difficult labour with Dylan-Jorge, Kerry had to be placed on life support shortly after birth, when her placenta got stuck and caused a life-threatening bleed.
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In April 2021, the star – who suffers from bipolar disorder and admitted the Coronavirus pandemic had spurred a spate of panic attacks – revealed her kids had “begged” her and personal trainer Ryan to have a baby.
“The kids – Heidi especially – really want to have another,” she said, before adding how she was worried her body “won’t be able to cope” with another pregnancy, and joked, “I would medically be a geriatric mother!”
And when revealing how it was Heidi’s idea to hire a surrogate to carry her and Ryan’s baby – which would be his first – Kerry revealed she had light-heartedly replied, “Have you got the surrogacy money?”
While surrogacy costs in the UK can vary, it’s estimated the entire journey from embryo creation and fertility clinic fees, to surrogate expenses, agency fees and legal fees can cost between £50,000 and £60,000.
Speaking of the couple's surrogacy plans in 2020, a source told Closer, “When Kerry and Ryan started seriously looking into surrogacy, they were shocked at how quickly the costs stack up, but it’s still her dream to increase her family.”
Following their engagement, Kerry revealed how Ryan – who she met on dating app Tinder – got her kids’ blessing before popping the question.
The source adds, “While Kerry was initially scared about having another baby, Ryan’s changed her entire perspective. His constant support and love have made her want to start a family with him more than ever and give him a biological child of his own."