Surrogate babies born via their grandmother and aunt | Australian Story

It's not every day a mother volunteers to give birth to her daughter's child.
But that's the gift 52-year-old Jasmina offered to her daughter Michelle and husband Jono. Incredibly, Jono's sister Sophie, a mother of three, also stepped up to be a surrogate for the couple, who've battled with infertility for years.
Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia meaning it's only possible if somebody volunteers. Michelle and Jono, both 31, are now the proud parents of two baby boys, who were born within six weeks of each other.
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[@ABCNewsIndepth]

Stream more Australian Story episodes over on our playlist ---->> kzbin.info/aero/PLDTPrMoGHssDzqF7spxT_VH3Zd266tSEp

[@britttreu721]

My sister did The same for me. Made us even closer. Biggest gift ever 💕

[@dellachen3991]

I work with Michelle’s dad. He told me his family’s journey few months before the babies were born. I remembered he said: for his wife, it’s like donating a kidney, if your daughter needs it, you will give it to her. I burst into tears hearing that. The document is so well made, made me believing in humanity again.

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Polite Chef Baby Food

[@candilease938]

This is absolutely beautiful…you can tell the aunt was a bit heart broken to have to hand him over at first because it’s impossible not to get attached to a child you have carried in your womb! But she knew why she’s done it! Bless both of them!

[@zechariahcameron3645]

It's nor right to have the mom do it.

[@patriciak6300]

Two generous souls Thank you Granny Thank you Sophie❤❤

[@lululand1653]

What a lot of love this family shares, wonderful to see two healthy babies truly wanted.

[@graceaxisa4213]

I cried throughout the entire episode. I am so happy for this beautiful, tight-knit family. Thank goodness for modern technology and generous hearts.

[@azulbernal1051]

It is so sad that some people recognize this IS a baby, while other kills them calling them fetus, though not recognizing them as developing babies!

[@oakdeneemporium6014]

Such a wonderful story! I’m so happy for all of you. Rest well little Ralphie!

[@happycook6737]

I'm so glad this lady survived and they both were blessed with children thanks to the generosity of grandma and auntie. What a beautiful gift! I know Ralph is in God's house and someday they will all meet again.

[@joannevans8278]

Thank God she was allowed to hold Ralph her angel. Glad things have changed.

[@purplepeopleeater6880]

I would do the same for my family. I send my love to this family ❤❤❤

[@s.e.e455]

I generally frown on surrogacy, just because the baby can be emotionally/mentally affected when separated from their surrogate mother. But I think this is different, it helps that the surrogate mothers will constantly stay in the children’s lives and build an emotional connection, they seem like a close knit family. It may take time for the kids to fully comprehend their birth, but at least they will grow up knowing that they were loved and treasured. All women can be mothers by loving and caring for children, even if they didn’t give birth to them. Motherhood simply means striving to raise, teach, and love children ❤

[@eddiebeato5546]

Greetings from New York! This is an incredible story! Your love for each other is very inspiring and moving: what a beautiful couple!

[@christiangibbs391]

Say hi to Rick for me 😊👋

[@eddiebeato5546]

@@christiangibbs391 you mean Rick Beato, the musician, KZbinr?

[@christiangibbs391]

I just noticed your last name isn't very common... He grew up in Ithaca, thought he might be a distant cousin 😁 lol

[@dwj8620]

@@christiangibbs391 woah he even looks like Rick aha

[@christiangibbs391]

@@eddiebeato5546 I will definitely check out Eddie 👌 Even though you might not be as famous, I'm sure you're still a killer musician in your own right 😎✌️👏 What you say about recognition is so true, although my hope for society moving forward, is we come to know & love our own identity, so we can learn to recognise & appreciate the gifts & talents in the people around, not only those that are famous 🙏❤️ Keep on jamming brother 🎹 God Bless 😇🙏

[@CatsJP]

I can understand the desire to have children together that is both of and for you, I had a child who only lived for 11 days and the loss was immeasurable, then we struggled for 3 more years, I ended up having another baby who was born with severe club feet, this lead to stress and ultimately I was blamed by my husband for her condition partly because of my health and type 2 diabetes. This lead to the complete breakdown of my marriage. I was never game to have another child ever with a new partner because I just couldn’t stand the pain of lose. I admire the courage this couple have for trying again, they are braver than me. I’m also in favour of adopting but that it just not for me.

[@pragawa]

❤

[@jaxbraidwood6696]

Thanks for sharing ,there is so much heartache and pain we go through .Did your child survive .I hope you can heal ,it’s incredible how we can’t forgive ourselves let alone each other .I think we would need many more years to get ourselves sorted out .🙏

[@gjluv01]

Know it is not your fault.

[@dollytan1729]

Thank u for sharing this amazing story with us.I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around this voluntary surrogacy not from one family member but two!My daughter had her second child,a girl in February,she also bled much in this one,ended up in ICU for a day and had blood transfusion also.I,myself also lost my first baby and had a C-section when I had my son.All in all,I empathise with all the difficulties encountered by these 2 sacrificing ladies especially the gestational diabetes bit😅Thankfully it turned out well in the end.

[@cathy1944]

Such a beautiful display of family love. ❤

[@WILMA_]

This is the kind of mom that should be blessed eternally. May those boys be a blessing to their parents as they were TRULY DESIRED.

[@lindastewart1794]

Such a lucky couple, and wonderful family. Those babies are SO gorgeous. Hope they all have happy lives.

[@JosieJo2000]

What a story of pure love. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@annemariepratt4480]

Wow what a true story of love . Glad both lady are safe. And rip little Ralph. So much love .

[@JenniB123]

I love Australian Story! How do they manage to find such amazing stories like this one.

[@Motivational3.0713]

Sophia, thanks for helping your family 👪, you're so strong 💪

[@harrietking8768]

Huge congratulations! Beautiful babies. So much love. Amazing story. Thank you for sharing.

[@cindycreateforlife]

Such a beautiful, loving thing to do for your own flesh and blood. A blessing to have two children of your own, carried by loved ones with all of the support possible. So happy that all concerned are well as pregnancy always has some risk, the boys look like they could be twins, so cute! Little Ralph will be in Heaven surrounded by love as well!💕🇨🇦

[@helenlogan6481]

What a wonderful story

[@bigcity2995]

Beautiful story of love, family and loss. ❤What an amazing gift ! Congratulations, praying they will grow up to a kind and loving humans.

[@leanneadams2549]

Wow just wow. You can tell the Auntie misses the baby but really genuinely it’s their baby- their egg made it ! How hard and wonderful at the same time ! And I’d like to see Australia changing their laws on surrogacy!

[@3orion33]

What a beautiful awesome story of a very amazing family.❤❤❤

[@janhorton5197]

What an incredible story. And, what a wonderful pair of women.

[@trishamaeibanez-fg6fy]

This family has a very touching story ❤

[@teresabazan3780]

So awesome! What a gift of a Blessing!

[@monikastak]

What a beautiful caring family 👪

[@maureencameron4120]

What a lovely family, and a beautiful story. So happy that it all worked out for them. 💜💜

[@FFact483]

Thanks 🙏 beautiful story - Go Granny - although there’s a whole lot of funny in this story. i see Grandma’s pushing for grandkids might be shocked when the kids say - yes and you’ll be carrying them - let us know when you’re ready. I can imagine young mom’s thinking that’s a very grand Hollywood gesture. Suddenly Gramma’s everywhere are being over fed and exercised into their best body ever.

[@gayeinggs5179]

That is the nicest most loving thing I have ever seen such nice people

[@susanvanzyl5636]

Most beautiful story.

[@cocoramazani.7938]

Michelle and Jono I’m very happy for you guys, you both have very loving families. Beautiful story. The power of love and medical science bring a solution. God bless your mom and sister for the best gift ever they gave you for life , the family you both always wanted. Good ending.

[@janesmith9024]

Wow - that is so lovely and the babies utterly gorgeous - so sweet. I feel particularly grateful to the sister as it in a sense felt like a bigger task as she has 3 at home already, but so much nicer there are 2 babies not just one so best to get it done. What amazing people they all our. Our 4th children was non identical twins who still all these years on share a special bond. Unusually the first was born at home and the second 7 hours later in hospital (both natural births, both the same day but first time birth registrar had had twins born in 2 different boroughs)....The two babies here may not legally be twins (twins i the UK even have their time of birth on birth cert because eg if you inherit the throne or a title being oldest is very important etc). and these babies will not but they are just about twins, genetically as close as my non identical twin boys are. As in Australia surrogacy is banned here in the UK too if you pay. I think that is a pity.

[@Vicky-jv9us]

Oh my gosh how beautiful history I’m so proud of this wonderful woman for do chest amazing job for bringing in this world two angel’s to make those couple happy best wishes for this family🥲🙏🏾🤍🤍

[@lindad1195]

What a beautiful story!

[@jaxbraidwood6696]

How wonderful ,I think that their were two of a family that went trough the same processes was incredible ❤ awesome job all of you ,I think the ladies who gave birth should get counselling as a back up .some things just are so wonderful,bless ralphie 😇

[@DivyaJoan]

Such a beautiful story and beautiful family! 🥺

[@marenawhite3322]

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous 🙏🦋🥰🥰🥰

[@njerij1511]

❤❤ wow my eyes are teary, sweetest thing av heard today.

[@vtnzisyournamesaketina2029]

So sweet and congratulations 😊

[@je10022]

So sweet!❤

[@ninakoch1799]

Amazing family, congrats❤

[@samdarnell7151]

So lovely…a beautiful family

[@joisissyumeh-enike8725]

Such a beautiful story❤

[@Freepotter4]

Such a beautiful story

[@lenoreweston4193]

Three happy family. Love it ❤❤

[@isnoo1]

WOW!! LOVE IT!!!

[@rindarossouw1725]

This is so amazing.

[@carolpetherick1037]

Adoption is not right for everyone and we have no right to cast judgment .Try walking in their shoes before you are unpleasant.

[@juliamccoey7496]

We don't even really have adoption in Australia anyway, with a few specific exceptions. (and for good reason). If we do have cases where children can't be cared for by their bio parents, we have foster care, and that sometimes means permanent care orders, which is the closest thing to adoption. But generally, we try to support bio parents to be able to care for their children, or remain in their lives, and we don't change birth certificates to the foster parents.

[@claudiamandini]

Great!!! Awesome!!! God bless these wonderful families!!!!🎉❤🎉🎉🎉

[@amanda7263]

Beautiful! 🎉❤

[@Queen-fluffyroblox]

So incredible, Beautiful story!!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😊

[@Raylzway]

This was fabulous.. beautiful boys ❤

[@haydeelevid1586]

Congratulations!!And happy life for the all family

[@MOJORAPSCALLION]

What an amazing selfless thing to do beautiful ♥️♥️

[@user-on6kt6bk2u]

Nan is not the biological mom to baby its her daughter egg

[@pretty5793]

You have to be open minded to understand the biology and the love their family feels. She carried her child and her grandchild for her child. That ovary was created in her. Biology is so epic and I am glad our science is at a point we can do this!

[@corvettesbme]

Wonderful!

[@puertadoor8738]

Selfless ....they are wonderful human beings!

[@krystallaviolette6402]

Congratulations what a beautiful family 💕

[@dawnevans128]

How lovely.

[@anEyePhil]

Wollongong has produced some remarkable people, Auntie Jack, Thin Arthur and Norman Gunston, for example. These guys are also remarkable. Love to Ralphie.

[@MsDawggysLuckyLife]

Gods blessings to you all 🙏🙏♥️♥️♥️🙏🙏

[@jesimarsantiago7782]

I love love this. God bless yall

[@pragawa]

How wonderful!

[@jodiwienkes6115]

Heartwarming

[@Vale-kg3vd]

Incredible.

[@voulathomacos-lagonas8445]

BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO

[@traceystehbens1267]

Congratulations 🎊 well done to the 2 surrogates

[@littlexgalaxy]

Beautiful ❤

[@SEXYINBLACK33]

I love this family 😍

[@tieaeaharvey5530]

Just so so so so so nice

[@aussiesumatrangirlcooks7528]

Emotions story so Greatfull

[@michelegrice4938]

Congratulations on becoming parents.

[@anni1773]

What a awesome, lovely family. I wish this was possible in Germany. I also cannot carry a baby to the end. I lost our baby Luna quite early and she is and will be my only child.

[@SherryBaby2003]

They look like twins 🥰

[@jahnavakarunamayidd237]

Extremely cute babies

[@JosyO-jv6fl]

Beautiful love💞

[@tieaeaharvey5530]

I would have got me a fake stomach and enjoy outings with them looking pregnant too😂❤😂❤ but this is so wonderful

[@clairepapadatos1116]

How are her mother and sister feeling, now having to suppress the 'after birth' homones, producing milk, etc?

[@kevwills858]

Should be titled: Grandma has a Secret ...

[@SN-hg6bx]

Grandma is …well that s just one more of my kids….. Big sis is……hurting

[@zechariahcameron3645]

What's the point of having the older mom do it then?

[@juliamccoey7496]

Because the couple wanted more than one child. Like a lot of couples do.

[@NourKLI]

This is beautiful but I wouldn’t do it. Not because I’m selfish or don’t love my kids, its just to much. I also don’t think my children would ever want this even ngl.

[@gubjorggisladottir3525]

15:08 in the case of the mother/surrogate/grandmother her Mitochondria is identical to the babies (being the DNA contributor to her daughter who is the Mitochondria DNA contributor to the babies)... There is more "question" about the surrogate who carried her brother´s child... Though the siblings carry the same identical Mitochondria it is most likley not a match to the child as this child carries the same Mitochonria as the mother and grandmother. The father of the children has the same Mitochondria as his sister... his children will only (are suppoised to) have Mitochondria from their mothers. That said... I just have to wish them all the best and hope the DNA parents stay together and never need to get a divorce. They speak of the children be in the same class... but I think that will not happen... Hugo is a 2022 baby while Spencer is a 2023 baby.

[@charlesallen8901]

They are weird in natural

[@tashaax1993xanimalloverx]

Why have two in such quick succesion?

[@juliamccoey7496]

because the grandmother was getting on in years, and the aunty wanted to do it then because of timing with her career.

[@resolecca]

This comment section is sn example of why abc always has the comments turned off

[@rohj4825]

We need protection of all humans life from moment of conception.

[@alesiyawa1301]

What's the meaning of " MARRIAGE" 🙏

[@ZuShin]

I wonder if the couple and the family ever looked into the option of adoption. It seems strange that this possible viable option wasn't included in the story 🤔

[@BlackStump172]

There are very few babies available for adoption .

[@juliamccoey7496]

It's not an option in Australia. We don't really do adoption, except in very unusual circumstances. We always try to support biological parents to be able to keep their children, and if they can't, there is foster care. That is usually temporary. Sometimes, there are permanent care orders, which is the closest thing to adoption. But the birth certificate is not changed. The bio parents are always the parents. Basically, guardianship for children is child-centred. It's always (supposed to be) about what is in the best interests of the child. There's no trundling down to the orphanage and picking yourself up a baby. Australia has a dark past of forced adoptions of indigenous children, literally a stolen generation, so we're very, very careful not to repeat history.

[@vtnzisyournamesaketina2029]

I want one to please?😊😮

[@babeyygirl4446]

Cute bubbas 😘💗

[@mindymorgan8479]

I love this story. But also the mother in the story needs some counseling. She has had a baby die so thought that neither of them expected the children to live. Take some parenting classes so you know how to care for the baby. With all of the other family planning, it's strange how they know nothing at all about parenting honestly. They need counseling to re learn their rolls as parents. To learn how to feed and soothe and everything. I know family will help but it's as if the mom doesn't accept them yet. They are genetically their own children. Why isn't she accepting of their babies? They try to make it look great but it seems she isn't bonding. And that concerns me for her.