A HAMPSHIRE beautician will celebrate her first Mother's Day today after choosing to become a single mum.

Gemma Hill, the 39-year-old founder of the Potters Beauty Barn at the Potters Heron Hotel in Ampfield, welcomed Archie in October 2020.

Gemma, who lives in Eastleigh, had undergone IVF treatment at Wessex Fertility in Shirley.

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She told the Daily Echo: “I’d always wanted to have children, I’d just not met the right man to start a family with. Out of curiosity I decided to book a fertility MOT privately to check that I could actually have children. The results were good, but it had flicked a switch in me that made me think about what my next steps should be so I didn’t miss out on my dream.

“In March 2019, with a lot of thought I decided to take the leap and take things into my hands and become a single mum by choice."

Daily Echo:

Gemma started the process following an operation to have fibroids removed from her womb and chose an American sperm bank which provided information on the donor's genetics, family, hobbies, and personality.

"It was really important to me to have as much information as possible as I wanted to choose someone I felt I’d connect with," said Gemma.

"It was both exciting and nerve-racking. During the two week wait I tried to stay really positive, keeping everything crossed! When the time came I did a digital test, I was so nervous but it spelled out PREGNANT!! I felt over the moon! I then had my scan at the clinic and they showed me the little round beating blueberry which was my baby. I was so elated!

“My pregnancy was lovely, I enjoyed it and due to lockdown I wasn’t working and could focus on myself. Sadly, not many people got to see me and my bump, but we were staying safe which was the important thing."

Archie arrived weighing 7lbs 12oz, but Gemma had to be rushed to surgery for a serious pregnancy condition.

Daily Echo:

“When I finally got to hold him it was just amazing. It had been a long journey and to finally get to meet him, was unbelievable. I had to keep pinching myself. Archie is gorgeous and I feel very, very lucky to have him.

“For anyone else in my position, I’d advise them to give the clinic a call. I was really nervous and wasn’t sure what to ask for but once I’d spoken with them, I wished I’d done it sooner. From the initial consultation I had a good feeling. I wouldn’t change a thing."