April 25, 2024
beginning of life issues

IVF mix-up mum to have twins with a surrogate

Michael Cook

Another adventure in the Wild West of assisted reproduction. Carolyn and Sean Savage, of Ohio, had two boys conceived naturally and an IVF daughter. But they wanted another child and resorted again to IVF. In 2009 Carolyn learned that the IVF baby she was carrying was not hers.

 

Another adventure in the Wild West of assisted reproduction. Carolyn and Sean Savage, of Ohio, had two boys conceived naturally and an IVF daughter. But they wanted another child and resorted again to IVF. In 2009 Carolyn learned that the IVF baby she was carrying was not hers. Because of a mix-up in the clinic, the baby boy was the genetic offspring of Shannon and Paul Morrell. In a stunning act of generosity, Carolyn and her husband Sean immediately decided against abortion and gave the boy to the Morrells without suing for custody or insisting on visiting rights.  “We accept that we have no rights,” Carolyn told the Daily Mail. “Who are we to demand anything? We cannot. Every photo we receive is a gift, and we know that… He is their son. But he will always be my baby.”

However, the decision was wrenching, and during her pregnancy they contacted a surrogate mother so that they could have the child they dreamed of. This woman is now pregnant with twins. Mrs Savage – who has written a book about her experience, Inconceivable – blogged about the impending birth:

“The irony of our situation became absurd. I was, in essence, a de facto gestational carrier and as a result, I needed to find someone to become a gestational carrier for our family. It was an overwhelming thought, but thankfully, with the guidance of our very knowledgeable family law attorney, we were able to navigate our way to Jennifer.”

Michael Cook
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