A surrogate mother in Texas is involved in ongoing legal disputes after defying the biological parents' wishes to terminate a pregnancy due to a serious but treatable heart condition. McKenna West, a cardiac nurse from Alaska, stated she refused to abort the child after a 20-week ultrasound revealed the baby had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).
West explained that HLHS can be treated with a series of surgeries, beginning with the Norwood procedure shortly after birth, offering a high chance of a full life. When the contracting couple learned of the diagnosis, they instructed West to terminate the pregnancy. Following her refusal, the couple allegedly cut off her payments and sent letters threatening legal action, demanding at least $100,000 for her non-compliance.
Undeterred, West pursued her own plan to ensure the baby received care. After researching hospitals, she chose one in Texas known for its successful surgical outcomes for HLHS, including a 100% survival rate for the Norwood procedure. She also arranged for support from friends in the area. The contracting couple had preferred a hospital in California, which West believed did not have the same success rate and where she would lack support.
West agreed to relinquish all claims to the child if the biological parents would commit to the life-saving surgery. After months of legal proceedings, they reportedly refused this agreement. West then relocated to Texas with her two children and gave birth to the baby boy on August 12. She reported that the infant received his first surgery shortly after birth.
The Texas family court and the Texas Attorney General's office supported the order for the baby's continued treatment. However, West noted that the case is not settled, and the biological parents are reportedly seeking to overturn the court order mandating the infant's care. West emphasized that her fight is not to claim another's child but to advocate for the infant's necessary ongoing treatment. She has stated that her sole request from the beginning has been a commitment to the baby's life-saving treatment, which she believes would resolve the dispute. West has not been permitted extensive contact with the baby, seeing him only briefly after birth before he was taken for medical attention.