This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/surrogate-mother-biological-son-rare-medical-incident-mistake-a8023411.html
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Surrogate mother gives birth to own biological son in rare medical incident | Surrogate mother gives birth to own biological son in rare medical incident |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A woman who gave birth to her own child at the same time as she delivered a surrogate baby has been reunited with her son after a long legal battle. | |
"I was heartbroken knowing I carried a baby I didn't know was mine and that he was taken from me without my knowledge and was in the arms of other people where he did not belong," Jessica Allen told The Independent. | |
The 31-year-old had decided to undergo a commercial surrogacy so that she could put the money towards a deposit on a home with her partner Wardell Jasper, 34. | The 31-year-old had decided to undergo a commercial surrogacy so that she could put the money towards a deposit on a home with her partner Wardell Jasper, 34. |
The practice is legal in California where they live and Ms Allen, who already had two children of her own, agreed a fee of $35,000 (£26,600) to give birth to another woman's child. | The practice is legal in California where they live and Ms Allen, who already had two children of her own, agreed a fee of $35,000 (£26,600) to give birth to another woman's child. |
But after undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF), doctors told Ms Allen she was carrying two baby boys. | But after undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF), doctors told Ms Allen she was carrying two baby boys. |
But after giving birth, she said in a separate interview with The New York Post that she was not able to see them. | But after giving birth, she said in a separate interview with The New York Post that she was not able to see them. |
About a month later, she received a picture from the babies from the mother, asking why the newborns looked different. | About a month later, she received a picture from the babies from the mother, asking why the newborns looked different. |
A DNA subsequently revealed that one of the boys was her biological match, while the other matched with a surrogate - an extremely rare medical incident called superfetation. | A DNA subsequently revealed that one of the boys was her biological match, while the other matched with a surrogate - an extremely rare medical incident called superfetation. |
Ms Allen's priority became to get her son back since the couple who hired her service remained legally responsible for the child - since the law did not provide for this rare medical incident known as superfetation. | Ms Allen's priority became to get her son back since the couple who hired her service remained legally responsible for the child - since the law did not provide for this rare medical incident known as superfetation. |
An alleged dispute started between Ms Allen and the couple, who did not want to keep the child that was not theirs and asked Ms Allen for compensation. | An alleged dispute started between Ms Allen and the couple, who did not want to keep the child that was not theirs and asked Ms Allen for compensation. |
Following a lengthy legal battle, Ms Allen and Mr Jasper were given back their son they renamed Malachi and calls for financial compensation were dropped. | Following a lengthy legal battle, Ms Allen and Mr Jasper were given back their son they renamed Malachi and calls for financial compensation were dropped. |
Omega Family Global, the company which arranged the surrogacy, said in a statement published in full by the New York Post that the company "takes great pride in the care, attention and support that is given to all surrogates who choose to embark on a journey with parents in their efforts of family completion". | Omega Family Global, the company which arranged the surrogacy, said in a statement published in full by the New York Post that the company "takes great pride in the care, attention and support that is given to all surrogates who choose to embark on a journey with parents in their efforts of family completion". |
Previous version
1
Next version