Viewers in floods of tears over Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian’s doc

Kat O'Connor

It was so moving!

Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian’s moving surrogacy documentary aired last night and it’s safe to say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

The dads opened up about their journey to parenthood in the emotional RTÉ documentary ‘Brian & Arthur’s Very Modern Family’.

The documentary followed Brian, Arthur, and Brian’s sister Aoife, who was the couple’s surrogate.

Viewers were fighting back the tears as they watched the dads struggle with Ireland’s surrogacy laws. But the documentary was also full of joyous moments, including the moment they saw their baby’s face on an ultrasound.

"We are moments away"
Brian and Arthur: A Very Modern Family, tonight!

Monday 9.35pm | #VeryModernFamily | @rteplayer | pic.twitter.com/nQUmVT06Bf

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) March 13, 2023

The public has praised both Brian and Arthur, as well as Aoife for being so honest about this journey.

One wrote, “Just watched, A Very Modern Family, congrats to you both on the birth of baby Blake. Your sister has given you this amazing gift by facilitating the dream and now you have this gorgeous amazing baby.”

Another said, “Gorgeous! What lovely dads they are. And Aoife is such a beautiful aunt. There may be something in my eye.”

“All a child needs is love. Anyone watching this documentary can see how much Blake was wanted & how loved she is,” another said.

Arthur & Blake so alike! My spirits are lifted after seeing this gorgeous baby arrive into the world! Memories of NMH & Dr Declan Keane also! Emotional viewing! #verymodernfamily

— SusanHennessy (@kaliasmum) March 13, 2023

“Blake deserves to have both her parents’ names on the birth [cert]”

Both Brian and Arthur have spoken out about Ireland’s surrogacy laws following the birth of baby Blake. The dads have called on the government to do more to support families like theirs.

Brian said, “it’s a constant battle”.

His sister Aoife did not donate the egg, but she is still legally named as Blake’s birth mother on official documents.

“Blake deserves to have both her parents’ names on the birth [cert]. Aoife is not the biological mother, but her name is on the birth cert. Why can’t both our names go on our daughter’s birth cert?” Arthur said.

“Basically, in Ireland surrogacy is not regulated at all. So you’re kind of caught in the middle of a grey area.”

The couple became dads for the first time last September.

Blake was born on Thursday, September 1st at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin.

Alongside a photo of the dads and their newborn daughter, Brian wrote;

“Please be upstanding for the arrival of our BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER Blake Maria Rose Dowling Gourounlian. Yes, people another BDG.

“Blake was delivered safely on Thursday, September 1st at 14:52 pm weighing 7lb 4ozs. We are ABSOLUTELY TOTALLY IN LOVE with her & can’t believe she’s here & is ours.”