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Kristi Schmidt, 52, became a surrogate for her daughter Heidi, who struggled to conceive. In March 2022, baby Ekko Joy was born, bringing immense joy to Heidi and the whole family
As the embryo transfer took place, Kristi made a promise to Heidi that she would be holding her baby in her arms in nine months. (News18)
Taking a pregnancy test can be nerve-wracking, but for 52-year-old Kristi Schmidt, it was a moment that would change her life forever. She was about to discover if she was pregnant with her son-in-law’s child. This is a heart-warming story of a mother’s extraordinary love and sacrifice for her daughter, who made an exceptional decision to help her daughter achieve her dream.
Kristi and her daughter, Heidi, have always shared a close bond. Heidi had dreamt of becoming a mother since she was a little girl. However, when she married her husband John in 2015 and they began trying for a family, it proved to be a difficult journey. Despite their efforts, Heidi struggled to conceive.
A Glimmer Of Hope, Followed By Heartbreak
In 2020, Heidi, who lives in California, finally became pregnant. Sadly, their joy was short-lived. Doctors discovered that Heidi had a condition called uterine didelphys (two uteruses) and was pregnant with twins.
Tragically, one of the babies’ heartbeats stopped at 10 weeks, and at 24 weeks, they lost their other baby, whom they had fondly named Malakai. Heidi was devastated. The doctor warned her that while she could conceive again, it would be very risky.
Witnessing her daughter’s heartache left Kristi feeling helpless. Heidi then shared that she was considering IVF (in vitro fertilisation) and surrogacy. Upon hearing this, Kristi immediately offered to be Heidi’s surrogate. Essentially, Kristi would carry her son-in-law’s child and give birth to her grandchild.
A Normal Pregnancy, An Unusual Situation
Heidi was taken aback, but Kristi reassured her that she was in good health. Kristi’s husband, Ray, was also supportive of the plan. After undergoing and passing all the necessary medical tests, Kristi was given the green light to proceed. She received hormone injections to prepare her body for pregnancy. As the embryo transfer took place, Kristi made a promise to Heidi that she would be holding her baby in her arms in nine months. Nine days later, the pregnancy test came back positive.
Kristi’s pregnancy progressed without any complications. Although some people criticised her decision, suggesting she was taking away from Heidi’s experience, Kristi chose to ignore them. Kristi’s husband, Ray, would often joke, “This is not my baby, this is our son-in-law’s baby and my grandson!”
The Dream Comes True
In March 2022, baby Ekko Joy was born via a planned caesarean section. Heidi shared, “When I held Ekko in my arms, it felt like I had come alive. She was finally here, and it was all thanks to my mum.”
Today, Ekko is a happy and playful three-year-old girl who shares a deep bond with Kristi. “I don’t need any thanks,” says Kristi. “It was an honour to do all of this for Heidi’s happiness.”
- Location :
California, USA
