Woman plans eighth surrogate baby

Jill Hawkins lives alone but has given away seven babies

A woman who is planning to become a surrogate mother for the eighth time has said she is happy with her decision to give away all the children.

Jill Hawkins, 43, from Brighton, gave birth for the seventh time in 2006 and gave away the child, called Isobel.

She suffered a miscarriage trying for a brother or sister for Isobel but says she will try again.

"I don't love the baby and I don't want the baby for myself - the baby is conceived for my couple," she said.

"That is how I can do it."

'Reasonable expenses'

Ms Hawkins, who lives alone, is one of the most prolific surrogate mothers in the UK.

She has been put in touch with the parents of the babies through the surrogacy organisation Cots.

Its website explains that surrogacy is legal in the UK, provided no money other than "reasonable expenses" changes hands.

The babies conceived by Ms Hawkins have all been her own genetic children but she says she has never wanted to keep them.

"I am not giving up something I want, which people can't understand," she said.

Her seven children are aged between 15 and one year old

"I am not saying it doesn't hurt - of course it does - and I do feel very emotional about it and I care very deeply about the baby."

Her first child, Lucy, is nearly 16. She was followed by Bertie, Jamie, David, Sam, Alexandra and Isobel.

She said the children all know she gave birth to them.

"That's not an issue for them," she added.

"It's not like suddenly finding you are adopted and not knowing who your mother and father are and what they look like, and what they are like as people."

Ms Hawkins has suffered from depression in the past, and admits her family fear the effect of another pregnancy on her health.

"They are worried for me, which is lovely," she said.

"But I do get a bit frustrated - please understand that I am happy, I am well and I am doing what I want to do."