A WOMAN is set to become the most prolific surrogate mother in Britain by carrying another couple’s baby for the eighth time.

The record-breaking surrogacy is controversial because the woman suffers from clinical depression and has previously attempted suicide. Even her family believe the psychological strain of carrying so many babies for other couples has damaged her mental health.

Jill Hawkins, 43, who has no children of her own, has been paid to have babies for the past 16 years. She had said her days as a surrogate mother were over after she gave birth to her last baby, Isobel, in 2006. But Hawkins said she later felt “broody” and missed being pregnant so decided to have another baby, even though she would not keep the infant.

She wants to provide the child as a sister or brother for a family for whom she has already carried a baby. Twins that Hawkins was having for the couple died recently, nine weeks into the pregnancy, but she intends to try again.

Hawkins insisted her depression had been caused by low self-esteem over her weight and not the emotional roller-coaster of her multiple surrogate pregnancies.

She said: “I was feeling particularly broody at the time and so offered to complete their family. I just wish I was 10 years younger so that I could fit more in. I really love being pregnant.”

This weekend the case caused alarm among politicians, who said the government had to act to control the unregulated trade, in which an estimated 100 surrogate babies are born each year. When the practice started in 1985 there were no more than a handful.

Phil Willis, chairman of the committee that scrutinised the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, said: “We have to make sure women are not psychologically damaged as a result of surrogacy and that the practice is not open to profiteering.”

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