ITV Share By Carena Crawford Jul 16 2025 By Carena Crawford Jul 16 2025 EXCLUSIVE: Charity carrying Sarah's baby 'carries significant medical risks' reproductive expert reveals Has Charity really thought this through? Charity Dingle Sarah Sugden Sarah wants a baby in Emmerdale Share By Carena Crawford Jul 16 2025 By Carena Crawford Jul 16 2025 Charity Dingle has offered to be Sarah Sugden’s surrogate in Emmerdale. It was an impulsive decision that Charity may live to regret. This is especially given the impact it’s likely to have on her marriage to Mackenzie Boyd. But it’s not just her marriage that could be affected, there are huge risks involved in her being a surrogate at her age. We talked to a reproductive specialist to understand exactly what this proposition means for Charity and Sarah. Charity offered to carry Sarah’s baby for her (Credit: ITV) Charity offers to be Sarah’s surrogate in Emmerdale After an emergency hysterectomy left her infertile, Sarah was devastated she would never become a mum. Distraught and desperate she broke down on Cain, who suggested she find a surrogate to carry the baby for her. Sarah was keen on the idea, but official surrogacy agencies were not. They would not help Sarah given her life-limiting condition, which would mean she may not live to see the baby grow up. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Undeterred, Charity and Cain pressed ahead to try and find a suitable person. Charity tried to railroad Sarah’s aunty, Victoria, into doing it, but after her experience of getting pregnant when raped, Vic couldn’t go through with it. Cain found someone online who agreed to help, but after he paid them £500 up front in expenses, she failed to show up to their meeting. Ryan told him he had been scammed. Just as it seemed all was lost for Sarah, Charity announced she would do it. Cain was not impressed given Charity’s age for one thing. And the fact Charity hasn’t even told Mackenzie suggests she realises it’s not the best idea either. But what would it actually mean for Charity to be a surrogate? Cain is unsure Charity has thought through the risks (Credit: ITV) How old is Charity Dingle in Emmerdale? Charity is 49 years old. This “carries significant medical risks” when considering a pregnancy, Dr Tomasz Lukaszewski, senior consultant in reproductive medicine at London Gynaecology and IVI London told Emmerdale Insider. “While the intention behind surrogacy in this particular case is touching, the reality is that carrying a pregnancy at the age of 49, carries significant medical risks and would be considered highly unusual in standard fertility practice,” he shared. “In the UK and most international guidance, including recommendations from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, women over the age of 45 are generally not considered suitable candidates for gestational surrogacy. This is due to the increased health risks associated with pregnancy at that age.” Mack is not on board with Charity’s baby plan (Credit: ITV) Huge risks for Charity to carry a baby So what are the risks? “These include a higher likelihood of pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, placental complications, and cardiovascular strain. This may pose risks to both the surrogate and the baby,” Dr Lukaszewski explained. “While it is technically possible for a 49-year-old woman to carry a pregnancy using a donor embryo or an embryo created by a family member, this would require very careful assessment not only by a fertility but also by feto-maternal medicine specialist. “A thorough evaluation of cardiovascular, metabolic, and uterine health would be essential. Most clinics would approach this with considerable caution.” He continued: “Although UK law does not impose a strict upper age limit for surrogates, clinics follow rigorous screening protocols in line with guidance from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis with a strong focus on the welfare of both the child and the surrogate. “So, while this case is possible, it would be medically and ethically complex. It is not a likely or routine proposition in clinical practice.” Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Good to Know Share By Carena Crawford Jul 16 2025 By Carena Crawford Jul 16 2025
