A woman from Gomel became a surrogate mother to provide for her child, and her ex-husband sued for most of the fee
A woman decided to become a surrogate mother to provide for her own child after her husband left her. But first, the infant she was carrying for another couple died from sudden infant death syndrome, and then her ex-husband sued for half of the fee.
Tatyana (name changed) contacted the editorial office of "Mocnyja Naviny" (Strong News). Her story is not an ordinary one: the woman decided on surrogacy to earn money to support her child. Many people don't know, but in Belarus, it is permitted, regulated by the law "On Assisted Reproductive Technologies," and considered one of its types, alongside IVF.
Tatyana says that the lack of financial support for her child from her husband, who left for another woman, pushed her to this decision. Unfortunately, the pregnancy story ended tragically, but even after that, the surrogate mother's misfortunes did not end. According to her, she wants to warn all women who plan to enter a surrogacy program: if there are problems in family relations, they must be resolved "on the shore."
"Became pregnant via IVF in 2023"
Tatyana officially divorced her husband Kirill (name also changed) only a year ago, but the marriage actually fell apart in 2023 when she found out that her husband had another woman. For some time, the couple still lived under the same roof, but her husband gradually moved his belongings to his new girlfriend's place.
Money was scarce, and this is what encouraged the woman to earn money through surrogacy.
— I joined a surrogacy program at a Minsk company, underwent all examinations, and became pregnant via IVF in 2023. At that time, my husband had not yet definitively left our home, but he didn't know about the surrogate pregnancy. However, we no longer lived as husband and wife; there were no intimate relations between us.
Tatyana underwent examinations and met the biological parents, who turned out to be a couple from Russia. Two embryos were transferred to the surrogate mother. One took, and Tatyana began to carry the child.
According to the notarized agreement, she was entitled to a remuneration of 14,300 dollars for this.
Doctors confirmed sudden death
The birth occurred at the 37th week of pregnancy, but, unfortunately, the infant died. The cause was named as sudden infant death syndrome: as medics explained, this happens when a child is too young and their muscles are not developed — they "forget" to breathe.
Tatyana says she became friends with the biological parents and still communicates with them. She carried the child to term — so she was paid part of the sum — 9,000 dollars.
Meanwhile, Tatyana's relationship with Kirill grew worse.
Kirill filed a lawsuit — he decided to take half of the fee received for the surrogate pregnancy. At the time Tatyana's surrogacy services were paid for, she was still married to Kirill, which meant the money was considered jointly acquired property.
Kirill won the case — according to the court's decision, Tatyana must give him 7,500 dollars.
How did it happen that the ex-husband took most of the fee? The fact is that the notarized agreement specified those very 14,300 thousand dollars — and the man sued for half of it. However, Tatyana says that after a year and a half of stressful court hearings, she herself gave up and agreed to give the money. The former couple concluded a settlement agreement.
— I work and pay them off little by little. I want to use my example to warn women who are considering becoming a surrogate mother: this is how ex-husbands can take part of the money. Don't repeat my mistake and think through your steps if your relationship with your partner is bad, — Tatyana concludes.
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