Why I became a surrogate mum after I lost a baby
Natalie tells of the triple heartache and ultimate joy of six pregnancies
and Jack watched TV drama The Nest, starring Joanne Froggatt and Martin Compston as a couple who use a surrogate to carry their child.
“It detailed the pain and anguish couples experienced not being able to have children,” said Natalie.
“It made me think how wonderful it would be to help make that dream come true for someone else.”
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She and Jack talked things through and decided it was right for the family.
Natalie said: “Jack gave me a massive hug and said he’d fully support me, he understood how this would help me heal after losing Sophie and the other two babies.”
Marketing manager Jack, 34, said: “After getting over the surprise, I really liked the idea. It’s such a lovely thing. Natalie is a very selfless, caring and naturally maternal person.
“She gets personal satisfaction from caring for others and always puts others before herself.” After joining surrogacy group Missing Pieces on Facebook, Natalie met Andy, 39, an embroiderer from London, who had suffered two surrogacy miscarriages with his partner Gareth, 34, a professional dancer.
“Instinct told us they’d make lovely parents. They were full of life and love, and I knew this felt right,” Natalie said.
She formed a firm friendship with Andy and, after several meetings, agreed to be a surrogate. Natalie said: “I told him all about Sophie, how I was doing this for her, and he completely got that.”
The embryo – from Andy’s sperm and an egg from Gareth’s sister Rebecca, a mum of two – was implanted in March last year.
Natalie’s friendship with Andy and
Gareth blossomed. And at five months pregnant – with a healthy baby bump – she, Jack and Alfie attended the couple’s wedding in Bethnal Green, East London. Natalie said: “There were several references in the speeches to me and their baby. To be part of their lives and given so many compliments by friends and family, couldn’t have been more perfect.”
The pregnancy ran smoothly and little Bobby was born last November – after a rapid delivery. Natalie revealed: “My whole labour was 19 minutes, then a couple of pushes and he was out.
“Andy and Gareth had to run to the delivery room – it was like something out of a film. But they got there just as Bobby cried for the first time. I passed him over to Andy, who held him to his chest so they could have that initial skinto-skin bonding. He was still attached to me by the cord, it was such a special moment. To me, it felt like holding a friend’s baby, then passing him back to his parents. He was with who he was always supposed to be with.
“I couldn’t sleep that night because I was on top of the world.
“Now, when Alfie and I go and open Sophie’s memory box, we tell her about Bobby, about what we did.
“I know she’d be so proud. I just feel so incredibly blessed with my own family, but also having helped another couple create their own in her memory. Andy and Gareth send me updates and we have visited Bobby.
We have a very special friendship. It took a lot of people to create Bobby – and there is a lot of love to go around for him.” Overjoyed Andy said: “Natalie is amazing, she gave us the most special thing anyone can give you.
“That moment in the delivery room was overwhelming. Our little baby was there and it was love at first sight.
“Meeting this little person we’d hoped and prayed for. I was expecting it all to be more medical, but with the five of us there, holding Bobby, it was actually very calm and special.
“He is five months old now and full of smiles and giggles. I can barely put it into words, what Natalie has done for us. We will be forever grateful.”
I can barely put into words what Natalie has done...we’re so grateful ANDY KENNY FATHER OF SURROGATE BABY BOBBY