{"id":41809,"date":"2026-08-12T23:03:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T18:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=41809"},"modified":"2026-08-12T23:03:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T18:03:11","slug":"major-update-in-case-of-surrogate-trying-to-save-baby-after-biological-parents-demand-pregnancy-be-terminated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=41809","title":{"rendered":"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><b>McKenna West<\/b>, 28, a <b>surrogate<\/b> mother carrying the offspring of a Californian couple, has traveled across America to <b>save the life<\/b> of her unborn child.<\/p>\n<p>West, a nurse from Alaska, is currently <b>35 weeks pregnant<\/b> with a baby boy she has named <b>Gabriel<\/b> and is set to give birth on September 2.<\/p>\n<p>Halfway through the pregnancy, an ultrasound diagnosed the fetus with a severe but treatable <b>cardiac condition<\/b>, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-highlights\"><span class=\"h2\">Highlights<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"bullet-wrapper\"><i class=\"bullet\"\/><\/span><span>McKenna West, a surrogate mother, was told to terminate her pregnancy by the intended parents when the unborn baby was diagnosed with a heart condition.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"bullet-wrapper\"><i class=\"bullet\"\/><\/span><span>A court recently issued an order on the matter after she refused to abort and traveled to Texas to seek legal protection and post-birth medical care for the child.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"bullet-wrapper\"><i class=\"bullet\"\/><\/span><span>West had previously signed a legally binding contract with the intended parents that included a termination clause in case of any anomalies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The baby\u2019s intended parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, urged West to <b>terminate the pregnancy<\/b>, but she fought back.<\/p>\n<p>Now, she has gained the support of a politician as well as the court in <b>keeping Gabriel alive<\/b> and providing him with necessary medical care after he is born.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was just a horrible feeling,\u201d West said in an interview.<\/p>\n<h3>A Texas court ordered Gabriel to be given life-saving medical care upon birth<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"23656159bd82e5edf39891eda38da8e0-6a7c790e5cc8c__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=23656159bd82e5edf39891eda38da8e0-6a7c790e5cc8c__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=23656159bd82e5edf39891eda38da8e0-6a7c790e5cc8c__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/23656159bd82e5edf39891eda38da8e0-6a7c790e5cc8c__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/23656159bd82e5edf39891eda38da8e0-6a7c790e5cc8c__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"616\" alt=\"A pregnant surrogate mother trying to save her baby after biological parents demand pregnancy be terminated.\" title=\"A pregnant surrogate mother trying to save her baby after biological parents demand pregnancy be terminated.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.givesendgo.com\/help-mckenna-fight-for-baby-gabriels-lif?utm_source=share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">GiveSendGo<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>After being asked to undergo an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/pro-lifers-changed-mind-about-abortion\/\" class=\" staff-link\">abortion<\/a>, McKenna West traveled to Texas and asked a family district court in Dallas County to allow the child to remain in the state and get treatment.<\/p>\n<p>West said in a court document that she was horrified by the idea of the baby being injected with \u201ca solution that will stop his heart and then he\u2019ll be literally ripped apart and dismembered as he\u2019s taken from her uterus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Texas family law recognizes anyone who gives birth in the state as the legal mother of the child, Rachel Rebouch\u00e9, a professor specializing in reproductive law at the University of Texas School of Law, told <i>The Texas Tribune<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"Untitled-1-6a7c7915a8185__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=Untitled-1-6a7c7915a8185__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=Untitled-1-6a7c7915a8185__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-1-6a7c7915a8185__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-1-6a7c7915a8185__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"574\" alt=\"A surrogate mother speaking out about trying to save her baby and her decision not to terminate the pregnancy.\" title=\"A surrogate mother speaking out about trying to save her baby and her decision not to terminate the pregnancy.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1075604471592107\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Live Action<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, August 11, the court<a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasattorneygeneral.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/press\/G%20Relief.pdf\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\"> ordered<\/a> that life-saving medical care be provided for Gabriel upon birth without delay and for as long as necessary.<\/p>\n<p>But West\u2019s legal victory comes with a twist, as the ruling forbade her from making any medical decisions for the child once he is born, and entrusted the intended parents with the responsibility.<\/p>\n<p>However, neither West nor the intended parents are allowed to intervene if a doctor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or Children\u2019s Medical Center of Dallas \u2014 two institutions equipped to treat HLHS \u2014 determines that a certain treatment is necessary to save the infant\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"2087342582196240394-png__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=2087342582196240394-png__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=2087342582196240394-png__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2087342582196240394-png__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2087342582196240394-png__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"929\" alt=\"An official document from Attorney General Ken Paxton about securing an emergency court order to save baby Gabriel.\" title=\"An official document from Attorney General Ken Paxton about securing an emergency court order to save baby Gabriel.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><span data-aa-adunit=\"\/46481815\/bp.com_desktop_singlepost_bottom_728x90\" id=\"adverge-div-gpt-ad-1491844427478-6\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KenPaxtonTX\/status\/2087342582196240394?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">KenPaxtonTX<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The lawsuit is still pending, but the court appointed an individual named Susan Duesler, who is not named among the defendants or plaintiffs in the suit, as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/guardian-dad-stepchild-autism\/\" class=\" staff-link\">legal guardian<\/a> of the child.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Gilkar and Ahmed have filed a lawsuit in California, seeking to establish parental rights, and West has filed a counter-suit in Alaska seeking sole custody of Gabriel for the administration of life-saving care.<\/p>\n<p>Neither party is allowed to take the child out of Texas after he is born. They will be back in court on August 25.<\/p>\n<h3>McKenna West\u2019s brother stepped up after conflict started with the intended parents<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"pexels-tomfisk-11517553-6a7c791b6414b__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=pexels-tomfisk-11517553-6a7c791b6414b__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=pexels-tomfisk-11517553-6a7c791b6414b__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels-tomfisk-11517553-6a7c791b6414b__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/pexels-tomfisk-11517553-6a7c791b6414b__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"533\" alt=\"A newborn baby, saved by a surrogate mother, wrapped in a white towel, looking towards a person.\" title=\"A newborn baby, saved by a surrogate mother, wrapped in a white towel, looking towards a person.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/baby-wrapped-in-white-blanket-11517553\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tom Fisk\/Pexels<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>HLHS is a rare congenital disability where the left side of the baby\u2019s heart is too small and underdeveloped to pump blood properly to the body. Without immediate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/things-everyone-should-know-emergency-situations\/\" class=\" staff-link\">emergency<\/a> medical care and surgeries, it is fatal within the first few days of life.<\/p>\n<p>According to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, with surgical treatment, the survival rate to age 5 is 72%, after which the survival rate for people reaching the age of 18 is approximately 90%. The oldest person to survive HLHS is in their 30s, the hospital says.<\/p>\n<p>When West learned about the intended parents\u2019 wish to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/women-who-had-abortions\/\" class=\" staff-link\">abort<\/a> the child from their liaison, Worldwide Surrogacy Specialist LLC, she was about 24 weeks pregnant. It devastated her.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was really scared of how I would view myself as a woman and a mother, how I\u2019d be able to come home to my kids after participating in something like that,\u201d West, who has two kids of her own, told <i>Live Action News<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"Screenshot-2026-08-12-163908-6a7c792dd3fe5__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=Screenshot-2026-08-12-163908-6a7c792dd3fe5__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=Screenshot-2026-08-12-163908-6a7c792dd3fe5__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-12-163908-6a7c792dd3fe5__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-12-163908-6a7c792dd3fe5__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"337\" alt=\"A pregnant surrogate woman cradling her belly, fighting to save the baby after biological parents demand pregnancy termination.\" title=\"A pregnant surrogate woman cradling her belly, fighting to save the baby after biological parents demand pregnancy termination.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.givesendgo.com\/help-mckenna-fight-for-baby-gabriels-lif?utm_source=share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">GiveSendGo<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI felt I had no other option, no way out. It was just a horrible feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It was West\u2019s brother who came to her rescue. He called her and said he had spoken to his wife and wanted to take Gabriel in, which made West feel like she was not alone.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"><span class=\"dfp-ad\"><span><span class=\"pg-ad-label\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/span><span data-aa-adunit=\"\/46481815\/bp.com_desktop_singleimage_bottom_728x90\" id=\"adverge-div-gpt-ad-1491844427478-3\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/adopted-kids-parents-things\/\" class=\" staff-link\">adopt<\/a> this baby if it means you don\u2019t have to go through this procedure. We\u2019re here for you. We love you either way,\u201d he had told West.<\/p>\n<p>Soon, she also had the support of eminent public figures such as Live Action founder Lila Rose, podcaster Ellen Fisher, and Texas Attorney General and Senate candidate Ken Paxton.<\/p>\n<h3>Texas politician backed McKenna West in her mission to get Gabriel medical care<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"485039791_705456931835751_2818866988007309279_n-6a7c79324764a__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=485039791_705456931835751_2818866988007309279_n-6a7c79324764a__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=485039791_705456931835751_2818866988007309279_n-6a7c79324764a__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/485039791_705456931835751_2818866988007309279_n-6a7c79324764a__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/485039791_705456931835751_2818866988007309279_n-6a7c79324764a__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"696\" alt=\"A surrogate woman, McKenna, smiling outdoors, a key figure in the case to save baby after biological parents demand pregnancy termination.\" title=\"A surrogate woman, McKenna, smiling outdoors, a key figure in the case to save baby after biological parents demand pregnancy termination.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=551102140604565&amp;set=pb.100071143511984.-2207520000&amp;type=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">McKenna West<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The HLHS diagnosis was \u201ccompletely unexpected,\u201d with all the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/racist-family-blames-woman-genetic-testing\/\" class=\" staff-link\">genetic testing<\/a> and blood work coming up normal up until the 20th week, West told <i>Live Action News<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>Once she found out about the diagnosis, she feared that the intended parents would want an abortion, which went against her values.<\/p>\n<p>Intended parents cannot legally force a surrogate to abort, but refusing to do so would be considered a breach of a legal contract. That, in turn, could put the birth mother at risk of a costly lawsuit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"2087519121873199253-png__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=2087519121873199253-png__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=2087519121873199253-png__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2087519121873199253-png__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2087519121873199253-png__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"348\" alt=\"A tweet discussing the baby's heart defect and surgery costs, related to the surrogate's efforts to save the baby.\" title=\"A tweet discussing the baby's heart defect and surgery costs, related to the surrogate's efforts to save the baby.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/_King_Beast_\/status\/2087519121873199253?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">_King_Beast_<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Rachel Rebouch\u00e9 told <i>The Texas Tribune<\/i> that if the Dallas judge upholds the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-acts-like-wife\/\" class=\" staff-link\">gestational agreement<\/a> signed between the intended parents and West in Alaska, then Gilkar and Ahmed could gain the right to make the medical calls.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf the intended parents decided that they didn\u2019t want their child to have surgery at birth, for whatever reason, like, painful disability, you know\u2026 they have that right. They have the right to deny treatment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>West was backed in her efforts to avoid the aforementioned circumstance by Ken Paxton, who submitted a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasattorneygeneral.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/press\/G%20Letter.pdf\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">brief<\/a> a day before the court order was issued.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"nathan-dumlao-EytWx3BOrwI-unsplash-6a7c7936980f4__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=nathan-dumlao-EytWx3BOrwI-unsplash-6a7c7936980f4__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=nathan-dumlao-EytWx3BOrwI-unsplash-6a7c7936980f4__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nathan-dumlao-EytWx3BOrwI-unsplash-6a7c7936980f4__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nathan-dumlao-EytWx3BOrwI-unsplash-6a7c7936980f4__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"648\" alt=\"A close-up of a tiny baby's hand grasping an adult's finger, symbolizing the surrogate's fight to save the baby.\" title=\"A close-up of a tiny baby's hand grasping an adult's finger, symbolizing the surrogate's fight to save the baby.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/adult-hand-holding-tiny-baby-hand-EytWx3BOrwI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Nathan Dumlao\/Unsplash<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cBaby Gabriel deserves a chance at life, and I will not allow anyone to unlawfully deny him medically necessary care,\u201d he said in his press release.<\/p>\n<p>His office also sent a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.texasattorneygeneral.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/press\/G%20Letter.pdf\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\"> letter<\/a> to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or Children\u2019s Medical Center of Dallas to remind them they have a legal obligation to provide medical care to the to-be-born child irrespective of the outcome of the parental disputes.<\/p>\n<p>HLHS is treated with three open-heart surgeries performed over the first few years of life, starting with the Norwood Procedure within days of birth, followed by the Glenn and Fontan procedures.<\/p>\n<h3>West\u2019s surrogacy contract included a clause about pregnancy termination in case of an \u201canomaly\u201d<\/h3>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"495374668_738303398551104_369021331542130853_n-6a7c793f5db53__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=495374668_738303398551104_369021331542130853_n-6a7c793f5db53__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=495374668_738303398551104_369021331542130853_n-6a7c793f5db53__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/495374668_738303398551104_369021331542130853_n-6a7c793f5db53__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/495374668_738303398551104_369021331542130853_n-6a7c793f5db53__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"701\" alt=\"A surrogate trying to save her baby after biological parents demand pregnancy termination.\" title=\"A surrogate trying to save her baby after biological parents demand pregnancy termination.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=738303395217771&amp;set=pb.100071143511984.-2207520000&amp;type=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">McKenna West<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The gestational contract West signed with Gilkar and Ahmed in Alaska included a clause that would require her to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/angry-wife-abortion\/\" class=\" staff-link\">terminate<\/a> the pregnancy in the event of an \u201canomaly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>West had expressed her concern with the clause at the time, but the surrogacy agency told her it was a rare situation.<\/p>\n<p>She opened up about her decision to dismiss her qualms about the clause in an August 7 interview with Megyn Kelly.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"700\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">McKenna is a surrogate carrying a baby boy for a couple in California.<\/p>\n<p>They demanded she abort when they found out he would need surgery when he is born, but she refused.<\/p>\n<p>Now, she\u2019s speaking out on the <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MegynKellyShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">@MegynKellyShow<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/megynkelly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">@MegynKelly<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LilaGraceRose?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">@LilaGraceRose<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/58QKZW0IiD\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/58QKZW0IiD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Live Action (@LiveAction) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LiveAction\/status\/2085477561870799287?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\" staff-link\" rel=\"nofollow\">August 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cGoing into this, we had talked about it when we first met, and I asked them their views on termination, and it was a reassuring conversation that they really wanted a baby,\u201d West said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey weren\u2019t exactly sure what decision they would make if something came up, but they ultimately just wanted to be parents, so I felt confident moving forward with them that termination would not be their first choice.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She added that she felt \u201ctrapped\u201d due to this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/fake-abortion-money-therapy\/\" class=\" staff-link\">contract<\/a> and felt she \u201chad no voice,\u201d but she knew in her heart that she wanted to protect the baby.<\/p>\n<p class=\"attachment-link-container shareable-image-block\" id=\"760555061_1093051009743006_2177369649255321118_n-6a7c7940ee09b__700\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?image_id=760555061_1093051009743006_2177369649255321118_n-6a7c7940ee09b__700.jpg\"><a class=\"web-share-button list-item-share new-share-experiment\" data-location=\"single-post-image\" data-title=\"Major Update In Case Of Surrogate Trying To Save Baby After Biological Parents Demand Pregnancy Be Terminated\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/surrogate-mckenna-west-trying-save-baby-parents-demand-pregnancy-termination-major-update\/?media_id=760555061_1093051009743006_2177369649255321118_n-6a7c7940ee09b__700\" data-image=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/760555061_1093051009743006_2177369649255321118_n-6a7c7940ee09b__700.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i><svg class=\"svg-icon icon-share-icon\" role=\"img\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M0 15C0 10.8824 5.22292 10.0588 8.79817 10.0588V14.1765L15.7006 8.23061C15.7941 8.15345 15.8695 8.05559 15.9213 7.94441C15.9731 7.83323 16 7.71155 16 7.58824C16 7.46492 15.9731 7.34314 15.9213 7.23196C15.8695 7.12078 15.7941 7.02302 15.7006 6.94586L8.79817 1V5.11765C2.3995 5.11765 0 9.76235 0 15Z\"\/><\/svg><\/i><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/760555061_1093051009743006_2177369649255321118_n-6a7c7940ee09b__700.jpg\" width=\"700\" height=\"658\" alt=\"A woman smiles, representing a surrogate trying to save her baby.\" title=\"A woman smiles, representing a surrogate trying to save her baby.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"post-bottom-meta-links clearfix bp-image-meta\"><span class=\"sources\"><a class=\"open-list-submission-source staff-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=1093051006409673&amp;set=pb.100071143511984.-2207520000&amp;type=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">McKenna West<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>West\u2019s lawyer, Lincoln Wilson, also spoke on the show and accused the intended parents of running a \u201cpressure campaign\u201d against the surrogate mother, forcing her to abort the baby.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey even enlisted her own prior counsel to serve her with a demand of $250,000 with a process server in the middle of the night,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n<h3>\u201cHer body, her choice.\u201d Netizens reacted to surrogate mom McKenna West\u2019s fight to not terminate pregnancy<\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/><span class=\"post-desktop-ad-within-content post-ads margin-left\"\/> <\/p>\n<div id=\"postPoll-11061562\" class=\"post-poll poll-wrapper single-post\" data-poll-viewed=\"false\" data-post-id=\"11061562\" data-main-post-id=\"\" data-poll-id=\"29489\"> <input class=\"post-11061562-poll-value\" type=\"hidden\" value=\"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\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-bind=\"if: 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Check out the results:<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"answered-content-question\" data-bind=\"text: currentQuestionText()\"\/>\n<p> <span class=\"text\">Total votes \u00b7 <\/span> <span data-bind=\"text: totalVotesFormatted\"\/> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- Newsletter --> <\/p>\n<div class=\"subscribe-to-newsletter-block-wrapper\">\n<p>Newsletter<\/p>\n<div class=\"subscribe-to-newsletter-block\">\n<p><h3 class=\"title\">Subscribe to Access <br \/>Exclusive Polls<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"right\"> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.boredpanda.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/boredpanda\/images\/icons\/subscription-panda.svg\" alt=\"Subscribe to Access &lt;br\/&gt; Exclusive Polls\"\/> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\">\n<p>By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you&#8217;re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boredpanda.com\/privacy-policy\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-bind=\"if: newsletterSubscribed\" class=\"thank-you\">\n<div class=\"wrapper\">\n<p class=\"right\">Thank you! You&#8217;ve successfully subscribed to newsletters!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <!-- Newsletter --> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script type=\"didomi\/javascript\">\nwindow._fbSDKPromise = window._fbSDKPromise || new Promise((resolve, reject) => {\nwindow.fbAsyncInit = function () {\nFB.init({\nappId  : '887842622821495',\nversion: 'v17.0',\nstatus : true,\ncookie : true,\nxfbml  : false\n});\nresolve(FB);\n};\n\/\/ Load SDK only once\nif (!document.getElementById('facebook-jssdk')) {\nconst script = document.createElement('script');\nscript.id = 'facebook-jssdk';\nscript.async = true;\nscript.src = `https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/${BoredPanda.Config.wp_lang}\/sdk.js`;\nscript.onerror = reject;\ndocument.head.appendChild(script);\n}\n});\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>McKenna West, 28, a surrogate mother carrying the offspring of a Californian couple, has traveled across America to save the life of her unborn child. West, a nurse from Alaska, is currently 35 weeks pregnant with a baby boy she has named Gabriel and is set to give birth on September 2. 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