Woman Carries Baby For Her Friend, Then Unexpected News Changes Everything
The Struggle to Start a Family
After getting married, Kevin and Nicole Beretini had their sights set on starting a family. They dreamed of having children together and were excited at the idea of getting pregnant, but like many couples, it didn’t happen right away. They kept trying and hoping to get good news, but it never came for them. Still, the Beretinis didn’t want to give up their dream. When considering other options, a friend offered to do something amazing. Everything seemed like it was meant to be, until things took a turn that no one expected.
Kevin and Nicole had been married for a few years, during which they tried to get pregnant. They never gave up, even though the road to starting a family ended up being rougher than they could have imagined. They were friends with Lyanna and Sean, who lived in East Marches, New York. Just as Kevin and Nicole were trying to get pregnant, Lyanna and Sean wanted to start their family right away. Together, they had five children and loved having a big family. After five pregnancies, Lyanna considered having more children, little knowing she would end up being pregnant sooner than planned—and this time, the child wouldn’t biologically be hers.
A Path to Surrogacy
Having no luck conceiving, Nicole and Kevin considered a surrogate. Although unsure of what the relationship would be like, they knew they had to trust someone to keep them in the loop. Lyanna shocked everyone when she announced she would be willing to help by becoming their surrogate. For Nicole and Kevin, this was the best-case scenario since they were close friends. Surrogacy is a unique experience. Dr. Richard Klein, the obstetrician who implanted the embryos, said it was a joy having both couples at appointments, contributing so much love and hope.
It was July 2016, and the embryos had been implanted. Both couples arrived at the doctor to hear whether Lyanna was pregnant. In the days leading up, both couples were nervous. Lyanna had done everything correctly, and now all they had to do was wait. Finally, the big day arrived, and emotions were running high. The Beretinis had been hoping for a baby since their wedding in 2010. They wanted to raise their children in Smithton, New York, but time after time, Nicole wasn’t pregnant. When she finally went to the doctor for answers, the news was not what she hoped for.
Nicole’s Diagnosis: TTP
Back when she was 16, Nicole began noticing small bumps appearing on her skin. A few turned into bumps covering her entire body. Suffering from fever and fatigue, she discovered her eyes had turned jaundiced. The doctor took blood samples and found her platelet level was dangerously low; while the average adult has 140,000 to 150,000, Nicole only had 8,000. She was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP). Still just a teenager, Nicole was shocked at the diagnosis, which could be fatal. TTP causes blood clots to form around the body, and Nicole was in imminent danger.
Thankfully, the doctors found suitable medications to manage the TTP, allowing her to live a normal life. However, when she sought reasons for her infertility, Nicole learned that her TTP medication would likely harm a baby, and going off the medication would be unsafe. She went home devastated. When Kevin came home, he instantly knew something was off. “I got home from work and Nicole had that look on her face,” he recalls. “I said what’s wrong, and she said the doctor doesn’t think we can have children.” The difficult part for Nicole was knowing she could conceive, but it would result in the death of herself or the baby.
Seeking Alternatives
Nicole was heartbroken. She told Kevin she was willing to risk everything, but he refused. They grieved and eventually decided to face the facts. Nicole froze her eggs, considering surrogacy as a safe method. They also looked into adoption. For Nicole and Kevin, the children didn’t have to be biologically theirs, but they quickly found out that adoption is incredibly expensive. According to Adoptive Families, international adoptions finalize at an average of $42,000, while domestic newborn adoptions average $37,000. Their bank account wasn’t ready for the cost.
Surrogacy proved even more expensive—more than $75,000. Still hoping to make it work, Nicole contemplated who would be willing to carry their child for free. New York State law made it illegal to pay someone to act as a surrogate, which came as a surprise. To work around the law, they would need someone out of state, which was also problematic and expensive. Yet, they decided to go with surrogacy. They shared their dream, and many friends offered to help, but initial testing showed those women weren’t fit to carry.
The Selfless Offer
Lyanna and Sean had known the Beretinis for 20 years. Lyanna loved being a mother and, hearing of the situation, she was empathetic. She contemplated offering to carry, but she had just given birth and wasn’t sure if her body was ready. To qualify as a surrogate, a woman must be entirely healthy, as the process is costly.
In December 2015, the two couples met for dinner. Nicole was visibly upset, and Lyanna wanted to help. Kevin recalls, “Lyanna goes, ‘You know, I have five children… Sean and I want to have maybe one or two more.'” Kevin and Nicole looked at each other, puzzled. What she said next caused everyone to tear up: “No, not for me. For you guys. I’d like to carry a child.” They were in complete shock.
Lyanna felt blessed to have five kids and couldn’t picture life without them; seeing a family so deserving broke her heart. After discussing it with Sean, they agreed. Lyanna passed the medical tests, and everyone was on board.
The Miracle Twins
Lyanna went to the doctor to have the embryo implanted. The first attempt failed, but they didn’t quit. The doctor suggested implanting more embryos to increase the chances. Both couples returned to the doctor, and this time, there was good news: Lyanna was pregnant. Even better, they were pregnant with twins!
Labor Day weekend, they shared the news with 60 friends and family. On February 10, 2017, the twins arrived. Kevin and Nicole welcomed a boy and a girl, Dominic and Luciana. Everything went fine, and the couple was overjoyed, thankful to Lyanna. Kevin said, “You think it’s the end of the road, now here we are with two beautiful children.” Lyanna and Sean became the twins’ godparents. Nicole said of Lyanna, “I don’t have a sister, but I consider her like that.” Everything worked out; Nicole stayed on her medication, and they welcomed two kids. They now advocate for surrogacy laws in New York, happy that their story helps others in need.
Katie Page’s New Beginning
In her early 30s, Katie Page was living in Alabama, feeling unfulfilled after a marriage ended. She decided to start over, taking a job in Colorado Springs. She bought a four-bedroom home that required extensive renovations, which she took on herself to keep busy. She was looking for a purpose. Soon, she received a letter from her church about a seminar for becoming a foster parent.
She attended, felt inspired, and on Mother’s Day 2015, submitted her application. After training, she became a full-time foster mom. She cared for four children, but she started to feel she wanted to be a mother herself. Then, she received a call about a four-day-old baby boy abandoned at a hospital.
Grayson and Zoe
The baby had been exposed to drugs, but tests showed no long-term effects. Katie named him Grayson. She fell in love instantly. After 11 months of searching for his biological parents with no luck, Katie made the decision to adopt him on May 25, 2017.
Two weeks later, the agency called about a baby girl with similar issues, also dropped off at the same hospital. Katie knew she had to help. She noticed uncanny coincidences: the girl was four days old, her mother used drugs, and she looked like Grayson. Katie dug deeper into hospital records and discovered the birth mother’s birthday was only one day off.
After months of research, she convinced the birth mother to speak to a caseworker. It was confirmed: they were siblings. Katie adopted Zoe on December 28, 2018. She eventually learned the biological mother was pregnant again and intends to adopt the third child as well. Katie is now the mother of two—soon to be three—siblings, proving that stepping out of your comfort zone can change your life forever.
