56-YO Grandma Says She Feels 'More Loved' by Her Husband After Giving Birth to Son and Daughter-In-Law’s Baby

It had been over two decades since 56-year-old Nancy Hauck gave birth to a baby when she volunteered to serve as a surrogate for her son and his wife. Although her husband, Jason Hauck, had some fears in the back of his mind about the prospect of her going through another pregnancy at her age, he was moved by her selflessness. He put aside his misgivings to be supportive of his wife's decision and was present by her side throughout the nine months and the moment she gave birth to their granddaughter.

Nancy made headlines by giving birth to her son Jeff and his wife Cambria's daughter, Hannah, on November 2. "The past year has forever changed me," 59-year-old Jason told PEOPLE. "The love I have for my beautiful wife has never been stronger."

Nancy revealed to the outlet that "this experience has truly changed and sealed" the relationship with her husband. "I have never felt more close, more loved, or more understood by Jason. It has brought out the best and most noble traits in each of us," she added.

According to TODAY, the Utah resident offered to become a gestational carrier for Jeff and Cambria's baby when Cambria couldn't carry another pregnancy. After the birth of her twin sons Diesel and Luca in 2021, Nancy’s daughter-in-law had to undergo a hysterectomy as she'd developed placenta increta, a condition where the placenta remains in the uterus.

Cambria shared that deciding to undergo the procedure "was a hard choice." She and her husband had managed to welcome their twin girls, Vera and Ayva, through IVF after four years of fertility treatment. They were able to fertilize seven embryos in one round, so Jeff and Cambria knew that going through with the hysterectomy would mean they might not be able to "use all of our embryos." That's when Nancy stepped in. 

"I could just feel this calling to offer to carry for them," said the mother-of-five, who is an associate provost at Utah Tech University. "I knew I was too old. I knew it wasn’t going to be possible, even though that’s exactly what's happened. I just felt I needed to tell them I would be willing to do it." Fertility specialists confirmed to the young couple that as long as Nancy was healthy and willing to do it, surrogacy wasn't off the table.

Dr. Russell Foulk, who supervised and implanted the embryos in Nancy, revealed that while it might be "unusual for a mother to carry her grandchild... age is really not the limiting factor." Nancy got a health clearance from her OB-GYN and the embryo transfer took place on February 17 which resulted in a positive pregnancy test in just 6 days. Nancy revealed that her "greatest fear was that she would lose the baby and feel that she had taken the chance for that baby's life because of her age."

"But as we began our journey, my worries calmed and I marveled at her determination, grit, and love," Jason said. During this whole process, Jason and Nancy's relationship deepened as well. "Our connection grew, and our love expanded. Even a simple touch was filled with love and acceptance," he added. Along with their stronger relationship, Jason said, his "appreciation for the miracle of life, something he had taken for granted, has never been greater."

"When you're young," Jason explained further, "you don't really appreciate it. I held Nancy's hand as she gave birth to each of our five beautiful children. This time she had a team of support with Jeff and Cambria holding and helping her through the contractions. Love and tenderness filled that delivery room."

It took Nancy three pushes to give birth to Hannah and although the couple had welcomed five children together, the pregnancy experience felt completely different this time around for them. Meanwhile, Cambria feels that "there is no way that we can really repay Nancy and Jason for this miracle." 

References:

https://people.com/human-interest/grandmother-gave-birth-son-daughter-in-law-baby-never-felt-more-loved-by-husband/

https://www.today.com/parents/babies/utah-grandmother-gestational-carrier-gives-birth-rcna55781

Cover Image Source: Instagram/Nancy Hauck