Jasmina, a grandmother who became a surrogate for her daughter at 52, shares her incredible journey. Alongside her daughter Sophie, who also served as a surrogate, they discuss the emotional intricacies of surrogacy and navigating high-risk pregnancies. Jasmina reflects on the love and challenges intertwined in bringing Hugo and Spencer into the world, while Sophie shares her unique perspective as both mother and surrogate. Their heartfelt stories highlight the resilience of family ties, the joy of grandparenting, and the sacrifices made for love.
Jasmina and Sophie became surrogates out of deep familial love and resilience, addressing Michelle's challenging health circumstances to realize her dream of motherhood.
The emotional journey of pregnancy and the births of Hugo and Spencer redefined family dynamics, showcasing how unconditional love can reshape traditional notions of family.
Deep dives
A Unique Journey to Parenthood
Michelle and Johnno's desire to start a family faced significant challenges due to Michelle's health issues. From the onset of her periods, Michelle experienced excruciating pain, leading to the diagnosis of endometriosis and a unique condition known as a unicornuate uterus. Despite their best efforts, including multiple rounds of IVF, the couple struggled with pregnancy complications that resulted in the heartbreaking stillbirth of their son, Ralph, at 19 weeks. This tragic experience showcased the resilience of their family bond but also left Michelle and Johnno questioning their future as parents.
The Sacrifice of Family
In the wake of loss, Michelle's mother, Jasmina, and sister-in-law, Sophie, made the altruistic decision to become surrogates for Michelle's next pregnancies. Jasmina, at the age of 52, had long been protective of her daughter's well-being, and after witnessing Michelle's suffering, felt compelled to help. The process included rigorous counseling and legal agreements, cementing the family's commitment to ensuring Michelle's dream of motherhood was fulfilled. This act of selflessness was a testament to the strong family bonds and the lengths they would go to support one another.
Navigating the Surrogacy Experience
The two surrogates carried Michelle and Johnno's embryos, resulting in the births of Hugo and Spencer, who were born just weeks apart. Both pregnancies provided emotional and physical challenges, but ultimately they forged new relationships within the family. The distinct experiences of labor and delivery brought relief and joy, contrasting with the sorrow felt during Ralph's birth. As both surrogates navigated their pregnancies, they exhibited immense strength and resilience while fulfilling their roles as caregivers and family members.
Creating a New Normal
Hugo and Spencer's arrival transformed Michelle and Johnno's lives, marking a new chapter filled with joy and gratitude. Michelle grappled with mixed emotions, balancing feelings of appreciation towards her mother and sister-in-law while also longing for the ability to carry her own children. The dynamic within the extended family shifted, cultivating a supportive environment where every member played a role in nurturing the twins. As they continue to grow, these unique family stories remind everyone that love transcends conventional definitions of family and that each connection is invaluable.
Hugo and Spencer live with their loving parents, Michelle and Jono, and are surrounded by extended family, including their grandmother Jasmina and their Auntie Sophie.
But how Hugo and Spencer came to be in the world is a very unique and unusual story: their grandmother Jasmina and their aunt Sophie were actually - also - their surrogate mothers.
Why did Jasmina decide to be a surrogate for her daughter…at 52 years old? And how did her pregnancy go? How did she feel about the baby? How does it work now? What will they tell the boys when they're older? And - how did this decision come about to begin with?
This is a story about the great love that can emerge from great loss, and of great sacrifice and generosity, of motherhood and grandmotherhood - really, this is a love story like no other we’ve heard before.
You can find Michelle on Instagram here & Jasmina on Instagram here.
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Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures