61-Year-Old Grandmother Gives Birth to Own Grandchild to Help Gay Son

On March 25, 2019, 61-year-old Celine Eledge delivered a baby at the Nebraska Medical Center. What makes this unusual is that the woman served as a gestational surrogate for her gay son and husband.

The baby girl, Uma Louise, was delivered at 6:06 am CT weighing 5 pounds, 13 ounces.

Matthew Eledge and his husband Elliot Dougherty decided they wanted a child. Lea Yribe, Dougherty’s sister, agreed to donate her eggs, and Eledge’s sperm was used.

The couple looked for a surrogate to carry the child, but the process was confusing.

Eledge also said that the couple was hesitant to go to an agency as Nebraska is conservative, it would be more difficult for them since they were a gay couple.

Eledge, a teacher, said several people in college offered to carry the child for him and Dougherty, a hairstylist. Eledge felt it was a huge commitment and was skeptical it would come to fruition.

Cecile then offered to be the surrogate. She said she never had hesitation because she had unconditional love.

Eledge and Dougherty expect some people to have difficulty comprehending the way Uma was born, and to a gay couple. He anticipates having to have some difficult conversations.

When Uma gets older, they will tell her the truth. They will say to her that Her Aunt gave a piece of her, a seed to give her life and her grandmother gave her the garden to plant it in.

Written by Barbara Sobel

Sources:

NBC News: To help gay son, 61-year-old woman gives birth to own grandchild
CNN: This gay married couple wanted to have a child. Their family members stepped in to help.
Women’s Health: A 61-Year-Old Grandmother Just Gave Birth To Her Own Granddaughter to help gay son

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