Surrogate who fled to Texas gives birth to boy with severe heart defect amid legal dispute
An Alaska surrogate who traveled to Texas, claiming she was pressured to abort after a severe fetal heart defect was found, gave birth to a boy on Wednesday. The California couple who are the child's biological parents deny forcing an abortion.
McKenna West, a surrogate from Alaska contracted by a California couple, gave birth to a baby boy in Texas on Wednesday. West says she traveled to the state, where abortion is largely illegal, after feeling pressured to terminate the pregnancy following the discovery of a severe congenital heart defect.
The child's biological parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, confirmed the birth through their attorney while denying they forced West into an abortion. Lawyer Lee Budner said the newborn is now receiving care from a team of pediatric specialists.
According to a July filing in an Alaska court, attorneys for the couple said Gilkar, Ahmed and West initially agreed on ending the pregnancy, but West later unilaterally changed her mind, cut off contact and withdrew medical releases that had allowed the couple access to her providers.
Texas attorney general intervenes
The case drew national attention this week after Texas attorney general Ken Paxton intervened on West's behalf, publicizing an emergency Dallas county court order that barred the then-fetus from being taken out of state and required area hospitals to provide life-saving care. Paxton said his office used every tool available to protect the child and pledged continued support for his wellbeing.
The fetus had been diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a condition that impairs the body's ability to circulate oxygen-rich blood and can cause breathing problems. The CDC states that infants with the defect typically need several surgeries performed in a specific sequence after birth, though these procedures are not a cure and lifelong complications can persist.
West, who discussed the case on a podcast last week, said she felt trapped by the surrogacy contract but determined to protect the child. The couple's attorney described West's and Paxton's actions as "political theater," saying the couple's original decision followed difficult consultations with medical providers about the child's likely suffering and quality of life.
Texas law bans abortion in nearly all circumstances, with an exception only when the mother's health is at risk.
