Associate Professor Lionel Reyftmann, fertility specialist at Genea Wollongong, was featured in an ABC News story about Michelle and Jono Harley's extraordinary surrogacy journey, which saw both Michelle's mother and sister-in-law carry their babies.
The emotional story follows Michelle and Jono's four-year struggle to start a family. Michelle has a unicornuate uterus, what she calls a "unicorn uterus"—an extremely rare condition where only half the uterus has formed. Lionel explained the implications: "People having a unicornuate uterus can carry a pregnancy up to term but all the studies show there is an increased risk of obstetrical complication like pre-term delivery."
After beginning IVF in 2020, Michelle became pregnant but tragically lost their son Ralph at 18 weeks, nearly losing her own life in the process due to severe haemorrhaging. Doctors advised Michelle could not safely attempt another pregnancy, leaving the couple devastated.
What followed was remarkable: Michelle's 52-year-old mother Jasmina and her sister-in-law Sophie both offered to be surrogates. Both women underwent extensive medical testing and psychological counselling through Lionel's care to ensure they could safely carry pregnancies.
Lionel had to work quickly with Michelle's mother due to age considerations. "As a 52-year-old woman, my mum was quite close to doctors saying no, she's too old," Michelle explained. Lionel carefully assessed the risks: "The surrogate is going to expose herself to all sorts of potential medical problems related to the pregnancy. For example, pregnant women after the age of 38 or 40 have a higher risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension."
Both surrogates fell pregnant on their first attempt, Jasmina first, then Sophie seven weeks later. Hugo was born in December 2022, carried by Jasmina, and Spencer was born in January 2023, carried by Sophie. The boys were named with middle names honouring their carriers: Hugo Jay for Jasmina and Spencer Louis after Sophie's middle name Louise.
A/Prof Lionel Reyftmann
Assoc Prof. Lionel Reyftmann has an integrated vision of fertility practice. The treatment options he offers patients are gradual steps beginning with simple medical and lifestyle management, up to advanced laparoscopic surgery or assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, ICSI) depending on the individual case and the patient’s wishes. Lionel also provides hysteroscopic surgery including the management of the Asherman syndrome as well as fertiloscopy surgery.
