A 51-year-old woman has given birth to her own grandchild, after carrying her daughter’s baby as a surrogate.
Julie Loving gave birth to baby Briar last week, with her daughter Breanna Lockwood by her side. The little girl is Breanna and her husband Aaron’s biological daughter and was carried by Julie after the couple struggled with infertility.
“It was definitely a surreal process,” Breanna told Good Morning America. “All the feelings came at once, just watching my mum go through everything and all she’s done for me and is continuing to do.
“My mum was an absolute rockstar through a difficult delivery,” Breanna wrote on Instagram. “The sacrifices she took to bring this little slice of heaven into our world takes my breath away. Holding my daughter in my arms my heart is bursting. The feeling of how I would do absolutely anything needed for this child is radiating through me when I look at her, and reflects back on what my mom did for me.”
Earlier this year Breanna revealed her mum Julie was carrying their baby, explaining that her daughter was in the safest place she could imagine.
“My mum is 51 years old and went through the wringer of heath tests to see if she could qualify to be my surrogate. Starting this venture I was told ‘no’ by multiple REs as the standard age cut off is 45. Once my doctor met my mum at one of my appointments I could see his wheels start turning.
“My mum is a double Boston marathon runner, and triathlete, and looks more like my sister. She is in tip-top shape, better health than she was in her 20s when she gave birth to me! We transferred Feb 25th, one healthy PGS tested embryo. My mama, my best friend, is carrying her own grandchild, my baby.
“Sharing this adventure with my mum has been the most unique and amazing experience. Surrogacy is truly the most selfless gift. She is the pure example of ‘you would do anything for your kids’, and if I can even be half of the mother she is, I know I’m doing something right.”⠀
Breanna and Aaron had been through several rounds of IVF, surgery and had suffered miscarriages before they turned to Julie, who had been by her daughter’s side throughout her struggles.
“Losing my pregnancies sent me down a very dark path mentally,” Breanna explained on Instagram. “Talking about the events and aftermath instantly trigger a lump in my throat. And to this day sitting in my OBGYN waiting room makes me anxious and palms sweat. The day we lost the twins my earth shattered. How could this happen? We just had made it to the ‘safe zone’. I collapsed, knees weak on that cold floor. Sobs and an ache I’ve never experienced before. My mum in the room with me, arms out to hold me, I screamed ‘don’t touch me’. Not that I didn’t want her, I felt like being consoled would mean it’s real. She sobbed with me, watching her child in despair.”
Breanna says she hopes her journey to motherhood inspires other struggling women. “It’s really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you’re going through infertility. But as long as you can keep telling yourself there are so many ways to become a mother, it’s not just pregnancy. There are so many ways to become a parent, whatever option you choose.”
More birth stories from the Grapeviner community…
- Birth story: Mum gives birth in her sleep
- Birth Story: Mum feels no pain during ‘silent labour’
- Birth Story: ‘I had a 10% chance of falling pregnant’
About to (or just had) a baby?
We know that the wait to meet your baby can be nerve-wracking, but we’re here to remind you that you’re not alone. Our private Pregnancy & Baby Groups are a great way to connect with other Aussie mums who are due or had their babies around the same time as you.
