Nancy Hauck, 56, understandably never would have thought she’d be able to carry her own son’s baby.
Even when she offered to be a surrogate for Jeff, 32, and his wife, Cambria, 30, after Cambria underwent a hysterectomy, she wasn’t expecting it to actually be achievable.
Nancy, an administrator from St. George, Utah, US, said: ‘I never imagined I would be pregnant at 56 or that this would be possible, but it is the most beautiful thing.’
Jeff and Cambria endured fertility struggles for years before IVF enabled them to have two sets of twins – Vera and Ayva, now three, and, Diseal and Luka, 11 months.
The birth of the boys was a traumatic one, and the many complications were what led to Cambria’s life-saving hysterectomy.
But the couple didn’t want to stop adding to their family.
‘I never planned for it,’ said Nancy, ‘but I had this feeling not long after Cambria’s traumatic birth that I should carry their baby.
‘I told them I was willing but that I thought I would be old.
‘But to my surprise medics said I was healthy and could do it and here I am.
‘The pregnancy has been very similar to carrying my son, but I’ve been a bit more nauseous.
‘My husband and Jeff and Cambria have been amazing throughout the pregnancy.
‘I feel very powerful carrying my son’s daughter.’
Cambria, an owner of a dance studio, said: ‘It is so humbling that Nancy is doing this for us.
‘She is sacrificing so much for us and our family, and we just feel so grateful.
‘It has been so miraculous and beautiful to watch Nancy carry our sweet baby girl.
‘She has been nothing short of amazing and filled with so much light and grace.
‘They say pregnancy comes with a glow, but Nancy’s is a full-on lighthouse.’
Cambria and Jeff’s IVF journey resulted in seven embryos, and the couple decided they want to use them all.
‘Cambria had lots of complications with the birth of her twin boys, so she had to have a hysterectomy, so she can no longer carry her own children,’ Nancy added.
‘I just suddenly had a feeling a few months after that I should offer to do it.
‘I told my son, and he teared up and was shocked – I hadn’t even told my husband at that point.
‘But he was really supportive. None of us thought it would be possible because of my age.’
Jeff said: ‘I felt grateful to have such a selfless and loving mum that was willing to make that kind of sacrifice for my family.
‘Having experienced over four years of infertility treatments, I knew how complicated the process can be and doubted that it was possible for her to carry a baby for us – but I was very moved that she would even offer.
‘The entire journey has left me in awe. I’m in awe of my mum – her kindness, love, strength, attitude, wisdom, and dedication through this experience has been humbling and beautiful to witness.’
Cambria and Jeff raised Nancy’s offer with their doctor, adding that she had previously had five healthy children with no complications.
‘The doctor turned around and said I might be able to be a carrier and asked if I wanted to come in for an exam to see if I was viable,’ Nancy said.
‘I was shocked it might actually be an option but still very willing to do it for my son.’
They checked Nancy out, and it transpired that yes, she was a viable surrogate option, but they’d need to act fast if they wanted to go ahead with it to make sure menopause didn’t scupper their plans.
‘I left the choice up to Jeff and Cambria,’ Nancy said.
‘They’d just had their twins, so it was very quick after to have another baby.
‘But they decided to go for it.’
After 12 weeks of daily hormone injections with the help of her husband and Jeff’s father, Jason, Nancy was physically ready for the embryo to be transferred.
‘It was a bit scary as it had been 26 years since I’d had a baby,’ Nancy said.
‘I had a feeling just before the blood test that it had worked, and I did a test and it was positive.
‘I called Jeff and Cambria first thing in the morning to tell them.
‘They were over the moon when we found out for certain a few days later that I was pregnant.’
Cambria has gone with her mother-in-law to every doctor’s appointment, and they learned they were expecting a baby girl in May.
‘The pregnancy has been similar to my other ones, but I’ve had a bit more sickness,’ Nancy said.
‘Jason has been taking care of me and cooking and Cambria and Jeff have been bringing round dinner once a week.
‘My other children were a bit concerned for my health when I first told them.
‘But they’ve warmed up to it all now.’
Cambria added: ‘We have our text threads where we communicate constantly, sharing funny moments, sacred moments and moments of encouragement.
‘It’s been so special to be able to support her in unique ways that we wouldn’t be able to had we not chosen to do this.
‘I like to give gifts and Nancy is constantly in my thoughts, so when I see something that makes me think of her I get it.
‘I try to make her favourite meals, we beg to give her foot rubs, and just take any opportunity to show our love and gratitude for this miracle she is performing for us.
‘We cannot wait to meet our daughter.’
Nancy’s due to give birth to her granddaughter on 5 November with Jason, Jeff and Cambria all in the room with her.
‘This has all been a big leap of faith,’ Nancy said.
‘It’s remarkable and a beautiful thing to do.
‘I think this is quite a rare thing to do.
‘I never planned for it, but I am so glad I chose to carry my son’s baby.’
Jason said he wasn’t too shocked at his wife’s incredible offer, explaining that she’s ‘by nature a selfless person’.
‘Even so,’ he added, ‘I was moved and amazed by her willingness.
‘I was humbled and amazed when she found out she was pregnant.
‘It felt like a miracle even though I had administered the dozens of shots that had prepared her body for pregnancy.
‘I couldn’t be more thrilled and am excited to meet my new granddaughter.’
Jeff said ‘We’re just grateful and excited for the beautiful new life coming to our family.
‘Being a dad has always been my dream, I adore each of my kids and take my role and responsibility as their dad very seriously. And the opportunity to be the dad to another beautiful baby girl is the greatest gift and blessing I could receive.
‘There is no repayment for something like that – all I can do is follow the example my parents have set and try to give that same level of love and devotion to my own family and to others.’
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
MORE : ‘I gave birth to someone else’s baby’: What it’s really like to be a surrogate in the UK
MORE : German shepherd and baby are best mates: ‘They have the most special of bonds’
MORE : Mum, 50, gives birth to her own grandchild after being surrogate for her daughter
For all the latest Lifestyle News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
