One mother’s difficult journey to complete her family ended with the gift of surrogacy and touching photos captured the exact moment she met her new son.
Kim Overton was diagnosed with fibroids earlier in life, but she underwent surgery that allowed her to give birth to a son in 2012.
However, when she tried to have a second child, doctors told her that her fibroids were making it nearly impossible for her to get pregnant.
It was then her thoughts turned to surrogacy. “Obviously, I had so many questions,” said Overton. “Who would be a surrogate for me? How would everything operate? What was surrogacy in reality? And perhaps more crucially, when might we begin?
However, a conversation with her cousin led her to her surrogate – her cousin’s daughter, Cydnee.
Both Kim and her husband were incredibly touched. “We see Cydnee as an angel,” Kim said. “Without her we wouldn’t have been able to have another child. What she did was incredibly selfless and loving.”
Cydnee, meanwhile, wanted to become a surrogate because of the struggle Kim encountered trying to have another child.
“Having children of my own opened my eyes to how blessed I am, because there are women out there who can’t — or are having difficulties — carrying their own children,” Cydnee said.
Leilani Rogers’ amazing photos perfectly reflect the day’s intense emotions for Kim’s personal and extended families.
The baby — a healthy boy — was named Oliver. Kim says it was surreal meeting Oliver for the first time.
“My three-year journey to conceive was a very emotional roller coaster, but finally there he was, this sweet little baby after such a long struggle.”
The moment was emotional for Cydnee too. “I felt I’d accomplished my goal of making a wondrous change in someone’s life.”
Both Kim and Cydnee hope that by sharing their story, people may have a better understanding of surrogacy.
“Surrogacy can be a very special and amazing experience for couples who may have challenges with having a baby on their own,” Kim said.
