Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Jill Atwood ReportingThe idea seems a little strange to some, but for some couples surrogacy is the only to have their own baby. In last week's "Smart Woman" we introduced you to a woman carrying a baby for her in-laws. This week she takes us through her experience both physically and emotionally. J
It's still hard to tell, but Piper Wise is 18 weeks pregnant with another child, but it won't be a little brother or sister for 20-month old Canon, it will be his cousin. Piper is carrying a baby for her brother and sister-in-law.
Piper Wise, Surrogate Mother for her Sister In Law: "They've had trouble for years and they've had so many miscarriages they've lost count. And then they did artificial insemination and that didn't work."
Finally, Aaron and Kim did get pregnant, but at 26 weeks the baby stopped growing and Kim got really sick so doctors made the decision to take him early. He lived just 18 days.
Piper Wise: "I thought I have to do something about it and my husband and I talked about, and we can do it and so we decided to offer, and so we did."
"What was their reaction? They cried, and they cried and we all cried and. That got the ball rolling."
After weeks of poking, prodding and lots of paperwork, Piper was finally ready for the procedure. One of three embryos took two weeks later.
Piper Wise: "I feel emotional about it, but not like I did when I was carrying my own baby. It's just like I'm babysitting that part. I'm really separate. The physical part is a lot more than I thought it would be. It's a giant life decision. And of course when you look back on nine months that's nothing in a lifetime, but when you're in it, it's hard, and it's not the easiest thing to be pregnant, but you cant deny somebody the joy of having a baby."
Piper, Aaron and Kim are due February 1st. Aaron and Kim plan on telling their baby what Aunt Piper did for their family when he or she is old enough. They will also explain to little Canon why he doesn't have a little brother or little sister.