A 61-year-old woman from Nebraska recently gave birth to her own grandchild. Cecile Eledge started this special journey so that her son and his husband could have a baby of their own.
Eledge served as a gestational surrogate for her son, Matthew Eledge, and his husband, Elliot Dougherty, who carried their baby for nine months, according to a press release from Nebraska Medical Center. “There wasn’t a moment of hesitation. It was natural instinct.” Cecile Eledge said.
The family went through a long process to determine if Eledge was a good candidate to serve as a gestational surrogate. Her age was a consideration, and she underwent several tests before doctors said she could carry the embryo. Dougherty’s sister donated the egg and Matthew Eledge donated this sperm.
On March 25, Eledge gave birth to Uma Louise Dougherty-Eledge at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The healthy baby girl weighed 5 pounds, 13-ounces.
“We’re grateful for how the whole process worked,” said Matthew Eledge. “We are really thankful that both Uma and her grandmother are here, happy and healthy. For now, we will just relax and enjoy this moment.”
Cecile Eledge gave birth to her granddaughter, Uma, on March 25. Her son and his husband, who are Uma’s fathers, were in the delivery room during the birth.
Ramzy Nakad, M.D. delivered Uma, and several doctors on Nebraska Medicine’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Team watched as Eledge was led to the birth. Dr. Nakad said while his team of high-risk specialists sees many elderly patients, this birth was “definitely a very exceptional case.”
“The entire team from doctors to nurses to lab techs showed a wonderful balance of professionalism and compassion,” said Matthew Eledge.
The couple was in the room when Eledge was born, and a photographer captured their emotional reactions. The new dads were brought to tears and beamed with joy when they met Uma for the first time next to Eledge’s hospital bed.
Thanks to a mother who dreamed of becoming a grandmother, and two steadfast fathers, Uma will grow up knowing that her entire family did everything they could to bring her into this world.
Well, holy smokes, you guys. Little Uma Louise has ventured into this world and let me tell you, she is just…