Most mothers would do anything for their children, and most grandmothers would do anything for their grandchildren. How many, though, would agree to give birth to their grandchild to help their daughter have a baby? That is exactly what one woman did when she became a 51 year old surrogate.
A 51 Year Old Surrogate
Breanna Lockwood wanted to have a baby, but her body wasn’t letting her. She underwent several rounds of IVF and suffered multiple miscarriages, and her dream of becoming a mother was slipping away.
That was when her doctor suggested surrogacy as an option for having a baby. Her mother, Julie Loving, was very enthusiastic about the idea. So much so, that she even offered to be the surrogate.
Breana, however, didn’t think it was a possibility. After all, who had ever heard of a 51 year old surrogate?
“I just kept telling her no and kept turning her down pretty frequently, only because I didn’t think it was a possibility with my mom’s age, and my mom was actually menopausal,” Lockwood said. “So, as far as I knew about reproductive science, that didn’t add up, that wouldn’t work.” [1]
The doctors, however, ran several tests and determined that Loving was fit to be her surrogate. Having carried two children of her own, Loving was confident she could carry a third for her daughter.
Read More: Woman Gave Birth To Her Own Biological Granddaughter So Her Son Could Have a Child
How Does Surrogacy Work?
So how does a woman become a 51 year old surrogate? In this case, it was through the IVF process. This means that the child Loving was carrying was genetically Lockwood’s and her husband’s. The only biological connection Loving has to the baby is being her grandma [1].
This type of surrogacy is called a gestational surrogate. This technique uses in vitro fertilization (IVF), which gathers eggs from the mother and fertilizes them with sperm from the father. Doctors then place the embryo into the uterus of a gestational surrogate.
This type of surrogacy allows both intended parents to have genetic ties to the baby. Because of this, it has become a more common type of surrogacy.
A traditional surrogate is when a woman is artificially inseminated with a father’s sperm. That woman carries the baby for the intended parents to raise. In this case, the surrogate is the biological mother of the child.
Surrogacy can be legally complicated. That being said, it is a good option for women who cannot become pregnant through traditional means. Some reasons for this could include:
- Medical problems with the uterus
- The woman had a hysterectomy that removed her uterus
- Conditions that make pregnancy impossible or risky, such as severe heart disease [2]
Surrogacy may also be a good option for gay or lesbian couples who wish to have a child.
A Healthy Baby is Born
Throughout the pregnancy, Lockwood used Instagram to update her followers on her mother’s progress. She also used the platform to educate people about surrogacy and to offer support to other women going through it.
Finally, on November 2, 2020, her mother gave birth to her baby girl. Briar Juliette Lockwood entered into the world a healthy seven pounds, one ounce.
“My mom was an absolute rockstar through a difficult delivery,” Lockwood wrote on Instagram, along with three photos of Briar. “The sacrifices she took to bring this little slice of heaven into our world takes my breath away.” [1]
While a 51 year old surrogate does come with more risks, Lockwood said that both her mother and her baby are healthy. She and her husband are enjoying all of the moments that come along with a newborn baby.
“Holding my daughter in my arms my heart is bursting,” Lockwood said. “Every move and decision I make for my daughter, I’m finding the answers through how my mom raised me. The way she loves and the selflessness she exudes is pure, genuine and kind.” [1]
Keep Reading: Surrogate Mom Becomes Pregnant With Own Child While Carrying Couple’s Baby