Brit lesbian couple to open first gay-only fertility centre

A lesbian couple in UK are set to open Britain's first gay-only fertility centre, which costs just £9.99 a month.

Natalie Drew, 35, and Ashling Phillips, 32, who have two children by a sperm donor, said they decided to set up a centre exclusively for gay people after their own experiences in trying to start a family.

The couple say that there are not enough resources for same-sex couples because much of the current advice is focused on heterosexual couples.

"One lady we spoke to was having trouble conceiving, but she was told that she wasn't eligible for treatment because she hadn't had sex with a man within the last 10 years," the Daily Mail quoted Drew as saying.

"Most of the GPs will try to be progressive, but they will refer to the person carrying the child and not the partner, which makes them feel excluded.

"We wanted to set up something where we would act as a go-between and where couples could meet potential donors face-to-face to work out how they would work things out.

"We also want to save people from having to explain their situation: that they are gay and using a donor," she added.

The couple started the fertility centre online in 2007, and following a surge in demand they have decided to set up an office, with a nurse to carry out blood tests and other checks, and a counsellor to provide support from conception to childbirth.

The service helped 60 couples last year and costs £9.99 a month, with extra fees for tests and consultations.