McKenna West, a surrogate mom, has welcomed a baby named Gabriel after the child’s biological parents demanded an abortion upon learning the child would immediately be been with a heart defect.
Gabriel was diagnosed in utero (at around 20 weeks) with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (“HLHS”), a serious congenital heart condition.
However, it is treatable, which is why the surrogate is trying to save the life of the fetus she was carrying — biologically hers or not. On Wednesday (August 12), West, who is a single mom from Alaska, gave birth after fleeing to Texas.
The birth parents — identified in court documents as Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed of California — requested West undergo an abortion after they learned about the then-unborn child’s diagnosis. They refused to agree to consent to the life-saving surgery upon birth. They are also threatened to sue West for over $250,000.
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Surrogate Mom Flees To Texas To Save Baby With Heart Defect, Despite Biological Parents Demanding Abortion
However, West repeatedly refused to abort the baby boy. So, she traveled to Dallas County, Texas “for protection,” and to ensure that Gabriel, “could be near doctors experienced in treating his condition.” In an interview with Live Action, an anti-abortion rights organization, West said:
“It was scary to think that something might be wrong, and that I may be the one that’s not able to make a decision about the treatment.”
Prior to giving birth, a Texas court ruled that the child must receive lifesaving treatment upon delivery. The court order also issued a restraining order pertaining to the child’s biological parents. Ahmed and Gilkar are now responsible for the medical decisions within the requirements of the court order.
Subsequently, West is now not allowed to have any contact with the child after giving birth. Despite this ruling, the surrogate mother is still planning to fight for custody of the child.
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