Being a surrogate mother has got to be one of the most selfless acts I can imagine. To give over your body to nurture and grow a baby that will never be yours and go through the birth process for someone you will likely never know is an incredible sacrifice and act of kindness. To do it once is amazing, but to do it 13 times is unbelievable.
That's just what Carole Horlock is preparing to do, however. According to The Sun, the 46-year-old mother is pregnant with the 13th baby that she'll deliver and immediately hand over to another couple as she has with the previous 12. She holds the world's record as "the most prolific surrogate mother," and to date, she has delivered eight girls and four boys, including one set of triplets and one set of twins.
Why would someone do this? I mean pregnancy is no easy gig no matter how you look at it. Thinking of her doing it 13 times for someone else makes me wince ... and feel like a wimp when I think to how much complaining I did throughout my two pregnancies. Harlow, who has two grown daughters of her own, says she loves being pregnant. While she receives some money for expenses, it's not about that. It's about making a difference in people's lives. She told the paper she first heard about surrogacy in 1995 while she was working in a launderette.
I was never going to change anybody’s life working in a launderette but becoming a surrogate has enabled me to look back and think I’ve done that and helped so many couples. Although I was still in my twenties I was divorced with two girls — one just a year old. I had loved carrying my babies and I couldn’t imagine how devastating it would be not to be able to have kids.
She says each baby has been handed over to its parents immediately, and that she doesn't ever bond with the babies while she's pregnant. That seems hard to believe, but seeing as how she continues to do it, she must be able to somehow block or overcome that attachment. She said the only thing she asks for from the parents after the birth is a letter and photograph each year so she knows how the children are doing.
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Unfortunately her acts of kindness haven't been completely without problems. In 2004 she gave a couple a baby that turned out to be one she conceived with her own husband accidentally. They had been using condoms after she was inseminated, but DNA tests showed that didn't work. Can you imagine?!
While she said it was incredibly traumatic, she decided to let the other couple keep the child. She didn't let it stop her either, and after her husband got a vasectomy, she soon she was pregnant with triplets.
She says while people question her motives -- and I agree it's difficult not to -- she really just loves being pregnant and making couples' family dreams come true. So I'm casting my skepticism aside and saying good for her. I can't imagine doing what she does, but I'm sure each family she helped create will be eternally grateful that she did.
Do you think you could ever serve as a surrogate for someone? Can you imagine doing it for 13 babies?
Image via one tiny spark/Flickr
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Comments 143
Someone commented that there are so many children that already exist and need homes. While yes that is obviously true and I am a huge advocate of adoption; with several of my nieces and my mom being adopted, but some people want their own flesh and blood. You can't fault someone for wanting their own children and if they have the money to pay a surrogate then why not! This woman is doing a great thing for people who can't physically have their own kids, where is the harm in this? This is something she chooses to do to help couples and I think it is a beautiful thing and if her body can handle it then why not? I am sure the money has definitely played some factor in the many times she has been a surrogate but I really think that she is just happy making others happy . Too many people criticize because it's not something they would do; well she's not you. This is something that makes her happy by helping others so who cares. she has been prganant 10 times over 17 years so to comment on someone else saying that she has been pregnant her whole adult life and took time away from her family is ridiculous. There is almost a decade in there where she was not pregnant. she could have taken years off in between each one.
I totally believe her motives. I would do that in a heartbeat if my husband would let me. I love being pregnant, and I can't imagine how awesome it would be to give someone a baby...though, the part about her own flesh and blood baby....I couldn't give away my baby. I can't believe she did that. That is crazy. But if everyone is happy, OK.
Karen Regan I have endometriosis and two beautiful children Dont give up hope.
GOD BLESS HER!!! I think I could do it for a close friend or family member. But just random people, IDK. But if she is happy doing this, keep doing it until you can't anymore. She is providing childless couples with children and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
This gives new meaning to the words "baby machine", but her heart is in the right place! My mom had endometriosis, didn't know it till after she had 3 children, very heavy periods, and doctors who didn't know sh*t. She almost died before they caught it and got a hyst. (plus removed a mass from her colon!)
I couldn't do it, but she's a trooper.
What a beautiful story. I know that she has made so many people very happy. This is incredible.
Wow, I can see she is doing a good thing helping women have children that are not able, but how could you give away your own baby? I can't imagine. Doesn't matter 'how bad' I would feel about the mix up, thats my kid.