A 55-year-old grandmother in Heraklion, Crete, has made headlines after becoming a surrogate mother for her daughter, giving birth to a healthy baby boy.
The emotional moment was shared by the obstetrician and gynecologist, Alexandros Zervakis, through a social media post, capturing the family’s journey.
“The grandmother was determined, driven by a life goal to help her daughter, who was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome type 1. This condition involves congenital absence of the uterus, while the ovaries are still functional for egg production,” said Dr Zervakis.
The grandmother resides in Crete, while her daughter lives in Athens. Both had visited multiple doctors and faced several unsuccessful attempts in the past.
“When I first met them, they were discouraged and hesitant. We devised a plan since the surrogate grandmother needed several corrective procedures to be able to carry a pregnancy. We faced various challenges, including pre-existing hypertension, age, and strict legal regulations. The preparation took two years, involving surgeries, tests, and approvals from the National Fertility Authority,” explained Dr Zervakis.
The first attempt at embryo transfer, as the well-known obstetrician recounted, was unsuccessful.
“It was very challenging, but in the end, we managed to get back on our feet,” Dr Zervakis said..
“The second embryo transfer was successful. The pregnancy was high-risk, but the determination was even greater, and the patience was remarkable. The surrogate grandmother was a warrior. She followed our instructions to the letter, and eventually, we went to deliver the baby. A robust baby boy weighing 3,500 grams was born, chubby and healthy.”
“I waited 30 years and feared this moment,” the grandmother told the doctor after delivering her daughter’s child.
