When her daughter couldn't get pregnant, a 51-year-old mom volunteered to be her surrogate

Anneta KonstantinidesJul 21, 2020, 23:55 IST

Julie Loving, 51, is carrying her daughter Breanna Lockwood's child after years of fertility struggles. They spoke to Insider about their surrogacy journey.Breanna Lockwood

Breanna Lockwood, 29, went through hundreds of IVF injections, seven surgical procedures, and two miscarriages as she struggled with fertility issues.
After Lockwood's second miscarriage, her mother Julie Loving, 51, offered to be her surrogate.
Loving found out she was pregnant in March, just before the country went into lockdown.
Insider spoke with Loving and Lockwood about their "unique and special" surrogacy journey together.

1,311 days. 476 injections. 19 frozen embryos. Seven surgical procedures. Two miscarriages. One ectopic pregnancy. Countless tears.

This has been Breanna Lockwood's world for the last four years.

Lockwood, 29, has always dreamed of becoming a mother. But she never thought that the person who would help that dream come true would be her own mom.

Julie Loving, 51, is carrying her daughter's first child after Lockwood's years of fertility struggles. Now, the pair are sharing their incredible surrogacy story with Insider, hoping to inspire others.

Breanna Lockwood and her husband Aaron began trying for a baby shortly after they tied the knot in 2016.

Breanna and Adam Lockwood on their wedding day. Breanna Lockwood

After a year of trying to conceive on their own, the couple had a consultation with Dr. Brian Kaplan, a fertility specialist at Fertility Centers of Illinois.

Lockwood and her husband saw a fertility specialist after a year of trying to conceive on their own. Breanna Lockwood

As the years went by, Lockwood began skipping social gatherings. She wanted to avoid the inevitable question: "When are you going to have kids already?"

Lockwood found it hard to deal with people's questions about children as she went through IVF. Breanna Lockwood

It was after Lockwood's first miscarriage that her mom Julie Loving began to think about becoming her daughter's surrogate.

Loving thought she could be a good candidate for her daughter's surrogate. Breanna Lockwood

After the miscarriage, it was recommended that Lockwood undergo a dilation and curettage (D&C). But the procedure led to rare complications that left her with permanent infertility.

Lockwood is pictured here during an IVF procedure. Breanna Lockwood

After the miscarriage, it was recommended that Lockwood undergo a dilation and curettage (D&C). But the procedure led to rare complications that left her with permanent infertility.

As Lockwood and her husband began looking into other options, Loving decided to send her daughter a text: "I really want to be your surrogate."

At first, Lockwood was not on board with her mother's idea. Breanna Lockwood

Lockwood didn't even entertain the idea, though, until she stumbled across an article about a 61-year-old mother who served as a surrogate for her son and his husband.

Loving is an avid marathon runner. Breanna Lockwood

After three months, the tests were finally done and Loving had passed with flying colors. Kaplan approved the surrogacy.

Loving and Lockwood during an appointment. Breanna Lockwood

Kaplan performed the embryo transfer in February. Two weeks later, Loving discovered she was pregnant.

Loving discovered she was pregnant shortly before the pandemic hit. Breanna Lockwood

Loving said that carrying her grandchild has been a "pretty similar" experience to her past pregnancies — with the addition of a pandemic.

Loving said she has had a smooth pregnancy. Breanna Lockwood

And Lockwood is finally letting herself get excited after Loving had a successful 20-week anatomy scan.

Lockwood and her husband pose with Loving during their pregnancy announcement. Breanna Lockwood

As the November due date nears, Lockwood said it has been "really unique and special" to go through this experience with her mother.

Lockwood and Loving are counting down until the November due date. Breanna Lockwood

Now Lockwood and Loving are sharing their journey with more than 52,000 Instagram followers.

Lockwood has been sharing her journey on Instagram. Breanna Lockwood

Lockwood said she has since received an outpouring of support, and has been touched by the dozens of women who have shared their own stories with her.

Lockwood recently found out she's expecting a baby girl. Breanna Lockwood

Lockwood recently found out she's expecting a baby girl. Now, she and Loving are counting down the days until they can welcome her into the world.

Lockwood said it has been "unique and special" to go through this experience with her mother. Breanna Lockwood

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When her daughter couldn't get pregnant, a 51-year-old mom volunteered to be her surrogate

Breanna Lockwood and her husband Aaron began trying for a baby shortly after they tied the knot in 2016.

After a year of trying to conceive on their own, the couple had a consultation with Dr. Brian Kaplan, a fertility specialist at Fertility Centers of Illinois.

As the years went by, Lockwood began skipping social gatherings. She wanted to avoid the inevitable question: "When are you going to have kids already?"

It was after Lockwood's first miscarriage that her mom Julie Loving began to think about becoming her daughter's surrogate.

After the miscarriage, it was recommended that Lockwood undergo a dilation and curettage (D&C). But the procedure led to rare complications that left her with permanent infertility.

As Lockwood and her husband began looking into other options, Loving decided to send her daughter a text: "I really want to be your surrogate."

Lockwood didn't even entertain the idea, though, until she stumbled across an article about a 61-year-old mother who served as a surrogate for her son and his husband.

After three months, the tests were finally done and Loving had passed with flying colors. Kaplan approved the surrogacy.

Kaplan performed the embryo transfer in February. Two weeks later, Loving discovered she was pregnant.

Loving said that carrying her grandchild has been a "pretty similar" experience to her past pregnancies — with the addition of a pandemic.

And Lockwood is finally letting herself get excited after Loving had a successful 20-week anatomy scan.

As the November due date nears, Lockwood said it has been "really unique and special" to go through this experience with her mother.

Now Lockwood and Loving are sharing their journey with more than 52,000 Instagram followers.

Lockwood said she has since received an outpouring of support, and has been touched by the dozens of women who have shared their own stories with her.

Lockwood recently found out she's expecting a baby girl. Now, she and Loving are counting down the days until they can welcome her into the world.