Teen Infertility Diagnosis Leaves Young Woman Grappling with Hope and Loss
Laura Fairlie learned at 16 that she could not carry a child due to MRKH, later discovered a tiny uterus, and now pursues surrogacy after freezing eggs.
When Laura Fairlie was sixteen, an ultrasound revealed she had MRKH, a congenital disorder that prevents the development of a uterus, cervix, and upper vagina. The diagnosis left her isolated and grieving throughout her teens, especially as peers began having children. Ten years later, advanced imaging identified a diminutive uterus, but specialists confirmed it could not function, delivering another blow of disappointment.
Determined to build a family, she underwent egg freezing, securing nine viable eggs, and is now considering surrogacy, a route made more accessible by recent reforms to Western Australia’s surrogacy laws. Her partner and mother have provided crucial support, while she notes the scarcity of psychologists specialized in this condition. Laura’s story underscores the complex emotional landscape of infertility diagnosed in adolescence.
Why it matters
It highlights the psychological impact of early infertility diagnoses and the need for better specialist support.
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