American spouses gave their 6 frozen embryos to one childless couple

The husband and wife from the USA who became happy parents at once of two couple of twins in the last years don’t plan to have more children for obvious reasons in the nearest future. The remained embryos received after IVF procedure they decided to give away to one childless couple.

Thanks to the  extracorporal fertilization procedure the spouses  Angel and Jeff Watts a few years ago could feel twice the pleasure of paternity and motherhood – now they raise two couple of twins.

At once some embryos received after the IVF procedure remained unused and all this time 6 germs were stored in the liquid nitrogen in one of the reproductive clinics in the state of Tennessee.

It is known, that germs in the age of several days can be stored in the frozen state for many years – however Angel and Jeff , raising already 4 children decided to transfer them to those people who need them much more.

With the help of Facebook network they found the most suitable candidates for such an unusual gift. 27 years old Rayn and Richard Galloway became these happy parents.

“It is the real stroke of luck. I with my husband tried to conceive the child for 4 unsuccessfully years, and recently the doctors informed us that both of us have serious problems with health interfering to do it”, – Rayn Galloway tells.

Two married couples came to the consent on the fact that after the children’s birth their biological parents Angel and Jeff will be able to see kids from time to time. It won’t be difficult  as Ryan and Richard live in only several kilometers from a family Watts – the place of residence played also an important role for their victory in this “competition”

Statistically, 1,5% of American children born by means of IVF procedure

In 2013 more then 1,5% of American children were born with the help of IVF procedure. Such data are contained in the report of Community’s help to reproductive technologies of the USA.

Every year the number of children born after IVF increases constantly in the USA. So, in 2013 already 1,5% of all kids were born after IVF procedure and the number of twins and triplets considerably decreased.  In 2013 approximately 174 962 of IVF attempts were setup , which led to the birth of 63 286 children, as it is informed in the report.  According to forecasts of experts, the percentage of similar children will grow gradually, and will soon compare with the number of traditional conception.

These indicators (realization of IVF and productivity) show insignificant growth in comparison with similar data of 2012. Almost all these children were conceived by means of IVF procedure and less than 1% were born thanks to the technology of transfer of gametes into uterine tube or transfer of zygotes into uterine tube, which are more invasive, than IVF procedure.

The greatest success of in vitro fertilization is observed in young women before 35. In this age group, women use their own eggs, that lead to 40% of successful conceptions. In case when women used their frozen eggs the level of success reached 44%. However with woman’s age increment the coefficient of success has been decreasing. So, in age group from 38 to 40 it fell to 35%, in women from 41 to 42 to 31%, and in women after 43 year’s old to 21%.

The impact of the music on embryo’s development during IVF

Quite unusual concert took place in Barcelona. In the IVF clinic over Institut Marques the singer Antonio Orosko played the guitar for embryos. At the same time approximately 380 listeners in incubators enjoyed the performance of Spanish musician.

Orosko agreed to participate in this unusual project For the researches of the IVF clinic. The doctors here study the impact of the music on the embryo’s development during IVF procedure for already some years.

According to data published 2 years ago, the music influences positively the embryo’s development. The vibrations and sounds reproduced when playing the musical instruments can increase the formation of embryos, received by means of IVF procedure.  In particular, it’s established that the development is accelerated by 5%, herewith heightens its quality that increases the probability of pregnancy after the transfer of embryos into the uterus.

It is known the IVF procedure to be very delicate and less than 50% of women can expect  its success from the first attempt. That’s why any factor which has the minimum positive impact on the embryos received in such a way is taken into consideration by experts. The head of the center reported, that he and his colleagues try to create good conditions and comfort for embryos, the maximum approximate to natural for harmonious formation of new life.

According to statistics of WHO, the number of women suffering from infertility composes nowadays more than 2% of all the female population of the planet. More and more infertile couples consider IVF procedure as the only way to resolve  their problem.

Acupuncture increases the success of IVF

This study analyzed data from more than 4 million patients who undergo the procedure of in vitro fertilization clinics in the US, where as an additional therapy they were assigned to receive acupuncture.

He told reporters the head of a group of scientists, Eric Mangeymer Medical Center of the University of Maryland, USA, “According to our observations, for fertility clinics, where the standard rate of successful pregnancy is above average, and this – 32% or more, that is, literally speaking , one shot of the three, acupuncture as a method of adjunctive therapy will not bring however whatsoever noticeable improvement in the number of successful fertilization. But at the same clinic where artificial insemination is performed less efficiently, acupuncture can be very useful additional measure. Over able to establish a certain connection: the lower basic level of successful fertilization in the hospital, the more it increases the acupuncture. ”

The results show that in the group of patients who underwent acupuncture, pregnancy rate was significantly higher (39%) than among patients, which was not carried out acupuncture (26%). At the same time carried out in 2 days after the transfer procedure not only did not improve pregnancy rates, but also reduce the positive effect of acupuncture carried out on the day of embryo transfer.

However, the researchers did not surprise anyone, because, according to statistics, that acupuncture is most commonly prescribed additional therapy in vitro fertilization in the United States. But scientists have already announced that they will carry out further research to ascertain how useful it can be for the acupuncture clinics less successful in terms of safety and cost.

The scientists recommend to freeze the sperm in the age of 18

The scientists established that men’s sperm with age obtains the properties, because of which increases the probability of appearing of different anomalies in future posterity caused by genetic defects.

It is known that with age increases the risk of development of autism, schizophrenia and other psychological disorders  in successors.  The British scientists from the University Abertay suggested to create a free sperm’s storage where young men who already reached 18 years could hand over the sperm. Today this service is paid in Great Britain: so, the storage of sperm in private institution will cost 200 pounds sterling (about 315 dollars).

“Thanks to various researches, conducted in recent years, became evident the fact that early paternity favorably effects the health of posterity. Thus, if men have an opportunity to freeze the sperm in the age of 18, it will be possible to avoid genetic mutations” – doctor Kevin tells.

However, the idea of Smith and his colleagues from the University of Abertay has not been supported by other scientists who reminded that  the risks of possible diseases in children of fathers at mature age are insignificant small and the spermatozoa being frozen for a long time possess a smaller ability to fertilization.

Woman who went through menopause at 20 has baby 15 years later: And she only found out she was pregnant 12 days before birth!

• Allison Noyce was told she could not have children after early menopause
• The 36-year-old was afraid she had cancer when she felt lump in stomach
• Instead, medics told her she was pregnant and she gave birth 12 days later
• Mrs Noyce and husband were overcome with 'sheer joy' at Sophie's arrival 
• Doctors have no idea why the fitness instructor suddenly conceived
• Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 

After going through the menopause aged 20, Allison Noyce was told she could never have children naturally.

So when she went to the doctor with stomach pains 15 years later, she was astonished to learn that she was pregnant – and the baby was due within days.

The 36-year-old was afraid she had cancer when she felt pain and found a lump in her stomach.

Instead, medics told her she was eight months pregnant, and just 12 days later she gave birth to daughter Sophie, who weighed 6lb 4oz.

Mrs Noyce said: ‘Sophie is truly a miracle. We simply couldn’t believe it when doctors said I was not only pregnant – but so close to delivery.’

The fitness instructor became alarmed when she felt unusually tired after one 40-mile bike ride.

She said: ‘Around the same time I noticed pains in my tummy, and over the past few weeks, I had thought I could feel a lump. Terrified, I booked an appointment with my GP.’ Her doctor believed the lump was ‘probably a large cyst’ and quickly sent Mrs Noyce to hospital for tests.

She was sure pregnancy was not a possibility because at the age of 30, after marrying her husband Richard, she had gone back to the doctor’s to double check that she would never conceive naturally. 

She recalled: ‘Richard and I were worried it was something serious. So we were overcome with emotion when the woman doing an ultrasound said I was eight months pregnant. Relief that it wasn’t cancer and sheer joy that we were having a baby.

‘We were also in shock – when a midwife arrived to discuss birthing arrangements I thought I was dreaming.

‘In hindsight I’d had other signs, but put morning sickness down to a virus and tiredness down to being busy.’

Scientists find possible cause for IVF implantation failure

Researchers have identified a biological process that may cause the failure of embryos to attach to the uterus wall after IVF, raising the possibility of future treatments.

Recent studies have found that microRNA (miRNA) levels are altered in the endometrium of women with repeated implantation failure. But how these molecules might affect the attachment of the embryo was previously unknown.

Scientists at the University of Manchester's Institute of Human Development have found that they may do so by inhibiting another molecule - insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGFR1) - that was not previously known to have a role in the attachment process.

The researchers grew human endometrial cells in the lab and tested how well mouse embryos could attach to this model of the uterus wall. They found that miRNA-145 can modulate the levels of IGF1R in the uterus and that both increasing levels of miRNA-145 and decreasing levels of IGF1R resulted in lower rates of implantation.

'Our study suggests that the presence of IGFR1 is required for the embryo to stick to the uterus,' said lead author Professor John Aplin.

In 2010 around 32 percent of fresh IVF cycles resulted in a live birth for women aged under 35 using their own eggs, and a major cause of failed cycles is implantation failure. The researchers hope that treatments that suppress miRNA-145 could increase the probability of embryos attaching to the uterus wall and developing to a full-term pregnancy.

More research will be needed to confirm that these findings hold true in the human uterus. However, the study authors are optimistic that this research could be translated into treatment for women who have experienced repeated implantation failure.

Professor Alpin said: 'This is one of the hardest groups of women to treat in fertility science and rates are still very low across the board. Repeated IVF cycles are stressful and can be expensive too.'

'Greater understanding of the mechanisms which control success or failure can lead directly to treatments to make IVF cycles more efficient so that infertile couples can start their families.'

The study was published in the Journal of Cell Science.

Woman Becoming Mother Through Surrogacy Entitled To Leave: High Court

MUMBAI:  A woman who has attained motherhood through a surrogacy procedure is entitled to six months maternity leave like any other woman, the Bombay High Court has ruled.
     
"Having considered rules 551(C) and(E) of Child Adoption Leave and Rules, we find that a case is made out for grant of interim relief as there is nothing in these rules which would disentitle maternity leave to a woman who has attained motherhood through surrogacy procedure," a bench of Justices Anoop Mohta and GS Kulkarni said in their order delivered on January 29.
       

Accordingly, the judges, granting interim relief, asked the Central Railway (CR) to grant 180 days maternity leave to its woman employee, who had filed the petition challenging the decision of authorities to reject her leave application.
     
The High Court, while asking the Central Railway to grant petitioner maternity leave, posted the matter for disposal on March 11.
     
The petitioner had approached the High Court after the CR refused to give her maternity leave on the ground that there was no provision in the rules to grant such leave in case of surrogacy mothers.
     
The petitioner got married in 2004 and for a long time she could not conceive a child. Hence, she decided to go in for the surrogacy procedure. Accordingly, an agreement was signed with a surrogate mother.
     
When the surrogate mother completed 33 weeks of pregnancy, the petitioner applied for maternity leave, but her application was rejected by the CR. Being aggrieved, she moved the High Court.
     
Counsels for the petitioner, Sandeep Shinde and Tanya Goswami, argued that if maternity leave was refused to the petitioner, it would violate the right of the child to develop a bond with the mother and would also not be compatible in society.

Is the Secret to a Healthy Pregnancy in Mom’s Egg?

When you make a baby, half of the genetic information comes from the mom and half from the dad, right? Turns out, not exactly. Research from the emerging field of epigenetics, or outside factors that influence genes, shows that info in the mother's egg plays a crucial role in the development of the placenta—and, therefore, in the health of the pregnancy. The findings, published in the journal Developmental Cell, could have implications for the importance of mom's age and health even before conception.

More than just DNA

Using mice, researchers explored how the epigenetic process of turning genes "on" or "off" in the egg affects the development of the placenta's cells after an embryo is formed. "We wanted to understand how epigenetic 'marks' inherited from the egg contributed to placental development," lead author Miguel Branco, Ph.D., a senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, tells Fit Pregnancy. "We used mice where we could 'erase' this epigenetic information from the egg and then analyze the placenta during pregnancy." Scientists already knew that the egg's epigenetic info controlled a small number of specific genes, but this study proved that the scope of the egg's influence is much greater than that.

Because of the egg's ability to mark genes to be turned on or off, it has a lot of control over early pregnancy. "One of the ways by which epigenetics works is through small 'tags' or marks that are placed on the DNA to signal the cell to shut down a gene," Branco says. "If epigenetic marks are not in the right places during the development of the placenta, this could affect its growth and the establishment of the different cell types that perform essential functions, such as attachment to the uterus or the exchange of nutrients between mother and fetus." So, he says, "defects in the egg can have consequences for the development of the placenta and fetus."

The eggs have it

Is there anything you can do to improve how your eggs mark your genes? Scientists don't quite know yet, but it is possible that factors like your diet and age could have an effect. "Environmental factors certainly have the potential to alter a cell's epigenetic information," Branco says. "But more research is needed in this area. I don't think we can yet pinpoint very well specific factors or nutrients that affect egg quality through epigenetics. However, folate [folic acid] is a good candidate, which, if proven, would further strengthen the case for folate supplementation even before pregnancy." Folic acid helps with cell growth, so remember to take prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid if you're trying to get pregnant.

As for age, this study could lead to ways to actually slow down mom's biological clock. "It is still not quite clear how egg quality deteriorates with aging, but we do know that epigenetic information within our cells changes as we age," Branco says. So, he says, it's possible that such changes reduce fertility. But, "the great thing about epigenetic alterations is that they are reversible, so there is a real possibility of an 'epigenetic treatment' being developed in the future," Branco says. More research is needed, but this study holds promise for understanding how healthy pregnancies develop, and how we might be able to improve a woman's chances of becoming a mom at a later age.

'Simple rules' calculate ovarian cancer risk

Scientists have formulated a system that uses ultrasound images to accurately work out the likelihood of an ovarian growth being cancerous.

The team - from international institutions including Imperial College London and the University of Leuven - say the system could allow medics to classify a tumour as cancerous before surgery, and could potentially improve outcomes for patients. In a study looking at the tumours of 4,500 women, the model predicted cancer risk with 98 per cent accuracy.

Ovarian cancer affects approximately 230,000 women globally. Women aged over 50 are most commonly affected, and symptoms include abdominal pain and persistent bloating. The disease is diagnosed through a combination of scans and blood tests.

In the new study, which was conducted with over 4,500 patients from across Europe the researchers used an existing system of ovarian tumour classification called the Simple Rules.

These act like a checklist for healthcare professionals performing an ultrasound scan of the tumor. They highlight ten features - such as size of the growth or whether it has smooth or rough edges - and classify it into one of three categories: cancerous, non-cancerous (benign) or inconclusive. This helps medics decide whether or not to operate.

The team behind the current study wanted to see if the Simple Rules system could be made more detailed - and identify the percentage cancer risk for each individual patient. They also wanted to reduce the number of tumors dubbed inconclusive.

After analyzing the tumors of over 4,500 women over the course of ten years, the team created a mathematical model that weights each of the features in the Simple Rules, and calculates the risk of a tumor being cancerous.

The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found the model predicted cancer risk with 98 per cent accuracy. The system maintained its accuracy even without using results from the blood test currently used to help diagnose the condition, called CA125.

Professor Tom Bourne, one of the senior authors on the study, from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial said: "This system enables us to accurately calculate a cancer risk for each individual patient with ovarian growths, before they undergo surgery. Using this information we can then discuss with patients the best course of treatment.

"Crucially, providing an accurate cancer risk from an ultrasound scan may enable patients with a high cancer risk to see a specialist - and see them sooner. Some estimates suggest less than half of women with ovarian cancer in the UK are operated on by a specialist gynecological cancer surgeon, despite the outcome being significantly better for women when this happens. If we can get the right women to the right surgeon we can improve outcomes for women with this disease. On the other hand we can also avoid women with benign cysts having surgery they may not need."

The authors argue that the Simple Rules system is more accurate than the current system also in use in the UK, called the Risk of Malignancy Index, and hope it will be adopted more widely.

Involuntarily childless couples could be helped with extra sperm analysis

New research findings from Lund University in Sweden show that a simple analysis of chromosomal breaks in sperms can facilitate choice of the most efficient treatment and, thereby, increase chances of successful assisted reproduction in involuntary childless couples.  

Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) is a method for analysing semen quality that shows presence of chromosomal breaks in sperms. The method complements other more well-known analytical methods available for assessing semen quality, such as assessment of sperm number quantity, motility and morphology.

A new study, which is the largest study within this field of research so far, now shows that DFI analysis can be used for selecting the most efficient  treatment to involuntarily childless couples. The study is based on analyses of more than 1 600 such couples referred to the Reproductive Medicine Centre at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö for help. All the men who participated in the study underwent DFI analysis.

Chromosomal  breaksare more frequent in men with a high DFI, which is linked to lower fertility. The couples who participated in the study underwent assisted reproduction, either through the standard method called IVF (in vitro fertilisation) or the more advanced - ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).

In standard IVF the harvested egg is mixed with a large number of sperms in a test tube. The goal is that the fertilisation will succeed without further measures or assistance. ICSI involves selecting a single viable sperm cell that is then injected into the egg through a needle.

"In couples where the man had many chromosomal breaks, their best chance of becoming pregnant was to use ICSI rather than IVF. The DFI analysis thereby makes it possible to personalise treatment and increase the chances of having children", says Krzysztof Oleszczuk, PhD student at Lund University and senior consultant at Skåne University Hospital.

"We hope that the results will result in involuntarily childless couples being offered the most effective treatment right away. Undergoing unsuccessful assisted reproduction can be very stressful - both physically and mentally - especially when doing so on repeated occasions", explains Aleksander Giwercman, professor at Lund University and consultant at Skåne University Hospital.

In order to confirm these results a  follow-up multicentre study is currently underway, in which three hospitals in the greater Copenhagen area participate within the scope of the EU funded research collaboration in the öresund region on fertility - ReproUnion.

However, Aleksander Giwercman is looking forward to immediately transferring this new knowledge into practice at the Reproductive Medicine Centre at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö. For a long time, the clinic has emphasised the importance of conducting a thorough analysis, both in terms of research and treatment, of women and men in couples that are involuntarily childless:

"Traditionally the main focus has been on the woman in cases where couples have difficulties to conceive. But our research and experience show that it is important to thoroughly study both partners", says Aleksander Giwercman.

The study is published in the medical journal Andrology.

Specific genetic pattern in the womb could predict IVF treatment outcome

Fertility experts in Southampton and the Netherlands have identified a specific genetic pattern in the womb that could predict whether or not IVF treatment is likely to be successful.

Study co-lead Professor Nick Macklon, chair in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Southampton, said the discovery would help clinicians understand why IVF fails repeatedly in some women.

He said it could also lead to the development of a new test to help patients understand how likely they are to achieve a pregnancy before they embark on the treatment process - and to guide others on whether or not they should continue even after a number of unsuccessful cycles.

"Many women undergo a number of IVF cycles without success despite having good quality embryos and, up to now, it has been unclear whether or not the lining of the womb may be the cause of that," explained Prof Macklon, medical director of Complete Fertility Centre Southampton, which is based at the city's Princess Anne Hospital and part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre.

"We have now shown that an abnormal gene expression in the lining can be identified in many of these women and that a specific gene 'fingerprint', when present, is always associated with failure, which is very significant in aiding our understanding of IVF failure."

Patients were recruited for the study, published online in the journal Scientific Reports, at the University Medical Center Utrecht between 2006 and 2007 and at both Utrecht and the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam between 2011 and 2013.

Researchers obtained biopsies of the lining of the womb from 43 women with recurrent implantation failure, which occurs when three or more transfers of high quality embryos or the placement of ten or more embryos in multiple transfers fail to result in pregnancy, and 72 women who gave birth after IVF or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

During analysis of the biopsies in Utrecht and Southampton, they found an abnormal gene profile in the lining of the womb in 80 per cent of women with recurrent implantation failure that was not present among women who had given birth after IVF treatment.

Professor Frank Holstege, head of the genomics laboratory at University Medical Center Utrecht, said: "What this tells us is that a large proportion of women who suffer recurrent implantation failure may be infertile due to a problem with the receptivity of their uterus.

"Their chances of achieving successful pregnancy are likely to be very small and this information gives clinicians much more clarity in counselling patients as to the wisdom of investing further time, effort and money in ongoing treatment.

"At the same time, those patients who have undergone a number of unsuccessful cycles of IVF but do not have the genetic pattern could be advised to persist as they have a much better chance of achieving a pregnancy."

Professor Macklon, a consultant gynaecologist at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, added: "While we believe this finding to be a very significant development in international fertility research, the next stage is to trial it as a clinical test to study its effectiveness on a wider scale."

India bans foreigners from hiring surrogate mothers

Move aimed at avoiding exploitation of Indian women for profit, but some call it discriminatory and fear potentially dangerous consequences.

India’s government has said it would ban foreigners from using surrogate mothers in the country, a move likely to hit the booming commercial surrogacy industry.

Ranks of childless foreign couples have flocked to the country in recent years looking for a cheap, legal and simple route to parenthood.

Health industry estimates put the size of India’s surrogacy business at 9bn rupees ($138m) and growing at 20% a year.

But critics have said a lack of legislation encourages “rent-a-womb” exploitation of young, poor Indian women. In an affidavit to the supreme court on Wednesday the government said it “does not support commercial surrogacy”.

“No foreigners can avail surrogacy services in India,” it told the court, which is hearing a petition regarding the industry, adding that surrogacy would be available “only for Indian couples”.

Thousands of infertile couples, many from overseas, hire the wombs of Indian women to carry their embryos through to birth.

India, with cheap technology, skilled doctors and a steady supply of local surrogates, is one of relatively few countries where women can be paid to carry another’s child.

Surrogacy for profit is illegal in many other countries.

The process usually involves in-vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer, leading to a rise in fertility centres offering such services.

A top fertility expert branded the government’s move discriminatory, while a leading women’s activist warned it could push the industry underground and out of reach of regulators.

“Banning commercial surrogacy will send some couples on to the black market and deprive other couples of the chance of children,” Ranjana Kumari, director of the Centre for Social Research, told AFP.

“Our research shows many surrogates do not have health insurance and are paid poorly, among other issues,” she said, adding that stronger regulation rather than an outright ban was needed.

The private petition to the top court seeks a halt to the importation of human embryos for commercial purposes.

Earlier this month the court in Delhi expressed its concern and ordered the government to spell out measures for regulating the industry.

The government’s affidavit, presented to the court by the solicitor general, Ranjit Kumar, said it would “require some time to bring the law in place”.                                                    

 “The government will prohibit and penalise commercial surrogacy services,” it said.          

The government has been consulting women’s groups and the health industry on a draft bill, the Assisted Reproductive Technology, that seeks to regulate the industry. Clinic owners denied ill-treatment of surrogate mothers, saying it is in their interests to treat the women well so they produce healthy babies.

Dr Nayana Patel, one of India’s leading fertility specialists, said the move discriminated against foreigners who were also desperate to have children.

“Yes, there need to be strict checks and counter checks but banning foreigners is not the answer. It’s inhuman,” Patel told AFP.

“There is no exploitation, it’s a voluntary contract between human beings involving an exchange of money. What’s wrong with that?”

“It’s a dignified earning. Instead of women working as maids, they can be surrogates,” said Patel, who runs the Akanksha fertility clinic in the western state of Gujarat.

The latest move comes after India issued new rules in 2012 barring foreign gay couples and single people from using surrogate mothers to become parents, drawing sharp criticism from gay rights advocates and fertility clinics.

The existing rules say foreign couples seeking to enter into a surrogacy arrangement in India must be a “man and woman [who] are duly married and the marriage should be sustained at least two years”.

The cost of surrogacy in India generally ranges from about $18,000 to $30,000, of which around $8,000 goes to the surrogate mother.

Woman gives birth to granddaughter after surrogate pregnancy at Plano hospital

PLANO – For three years, Kelley McKissack and her husband tried to have a baby. Three times, McKissack miscarried.

The 28-year-old from Wylie talked with her fertility specialist about using a surrogate, but she had questions about potential legal issues.

Then she asked her doctor, what about my mother?

On Wednesday, 54-year-old Tracey Thompson, McKissack’s mom, gave birth to a healthy baby girl at The Medical Center of Plano.

And on Thursday, McKissack showed off her rosy-cheeked daughter, all 6 pounds and 9 ounces, with Thompson beaming by her side.

The pregnancy inevitably had its unusual moments, Thompson said.

Sometimes, strangers would stare. First at Thompson’s face, then at her belly.

Her husband would jokingly tell people the baby wasn’t his and walk off, leaving Thompson to explain it was their daughter’s.

“The looks we got were quite funny,” Thompson said.

The baby’s name is Kelcey — a combination of Kelley and Tracey.

“Say hi to the world!” McKissack told Kelcey, tucking her tiny arms in a mint-colored blanket as a camera shuttered in their hospital room.

Thompson, who lives in the rural community of Nevada, was already seven years past menopause when she began the pregnancy, but her health was excellent, doctors said at a press conference. She was implanted with an embryo remaining from her daughter’s final round of in vitro fertilization.

Though noteworthy, Thompson’s pregnancy was no medical breakthrough. Surrogates as old as 61 have given birth to children in Chicago and Japan in recent years, each time on behalf of their daughters.

Overall, Thompson had “a great pregnancy,” said Dr. Joseph Leveno, an OBGYN at The Medical Center of Plano. However, a complication toward the end led to a C-section.

“It was a beating,” Thompson told reporters about her surrogacy. “It really was…It’s been many years since I’ve been pregnant.”

Thompson has two adult children. McKissack’s brother is 30.

Doctors said Thursday that Thompson first went through a comprehensive medical evaluation. Her family also had to sit down with a counselor to check for any emotional problems. Once it was determined that Thompson’s uterine cavity was normal, she started taking hormones to prepare for the implantation of a 5-day-old embryo.

“Pregnancy is a heavy load on a woman,” said Dr. Ali Guerami, McKissack’s fertility specialist, who has an office in Frisco. “We have to make sure that their heart can accept it, and then we have to make sure the patient understands that when they’re older there’s much more chance you’ll have an operative procedure like a C-section.”

With older women, there’s also a higher possibility of complications, Guerami said.

Surrogacy is not a path one should pursue based on feelings alone, the doctor added. He pointed to legal and emotional challenges on top of the physical ones.

“Just because the patient wants it, or there is a surrogate available, doesn’t mean they should go ahead and do it,” Guerami said.

Surrogacy was not a decision Thompson and her husband came to lightly. They talked to their church pastor, among other trusted friends, seeking advice.

Whether the surrogacy was part of God’s plan wasn’t a discussion, said John Spencer, pastor of Lone Star Cowboy Church in Nevada. He knew about the difficulty of the couple’s daughter and son-in-law to have a baby.

“God uses medical channels to heal, or in this case, bring new life,” Spencer said.

Tracey Thompson’s close friend Trisha Sheffield visited the hospital Thursday on her lunch break as staff was setting up for the press conference.

“When I walked in, her papa [Ben Thompson] was holding the baby, and he couldn’t be more proud,” she said.

McKissack and Thompson, wearing black leggings and matching winter boots, held hands as they replied to a volley of questions from reporters.

Mom and daughter said they have always been close. They recalled a conversation they had when McKissack was 13. The teen asked her mom, “If I can’t carry my own baby, would you carry it for me?” Thompson said yes, never dreaming she would be in that position.

Barely a year after her last miscarriage on Christmas day, McKissack held Kelcey close to her chest, studying her face and rocking her gently.

“No one could give someone a greater gift,” McKissack said. “Ever.”