In an emotional event in Heraklion, Crete, a 55-year-old grandmother acted as a surrogate mother for her daughter, giving birth to a healthy baby boy, according to Protothema.com.
This rare case was announced by the gynecologist-obstetrician, Alexandros Zervakis, through a social media post.
Dr. Zervakis explained, “The grandmother was determined, with a life goal to help her daughter, who was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome type 1, characterized by the congenital absence of the uterus, though the ovaries produce eggs.”
The grandmother lives in Crete, and her daughter resides in Athens. After years of unsuccessful attempts, they approached Dr. Zervakis, who said, “We devised a plan, but the surrogate grandmother required several corrective interventions to carry the pregnancy. Challenges included her age, pre-existing hypertension, and strict legal frameworks. Preparation took two years, with surgeries, tests, and approvals from the National Authority for Infertility.”
The first embryo transfer attempt failed, but Dr. Zervakis noted, “The second attempt was successful. Despite a high-risk pregnancy, the surrogate grandmother’s determination was remarkable. She followed everything to the letter, and in the end, a chubby baby boy weighing 3,500 grams was born.”
After the delivery, the grandmother said, “I waited 30 years and was afraid of this moment.”
Source: protothema.com
