Surrogate McKenna West has called out the biological parents of the baby she gave birth to, for being upset at her for naming the newborn baby 'Gabriel'.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleSurrogacy and abortion rights have long been a major issue in American politics, and the matter has once again caught attention over a recent incident. It began after a surrogate mother gave birth to a baby despite the biological parent's urge to terminate the baby. While both parties are embroiled in a legal battle, the surrogate mother, McKenna West, opened up about the dispute over the baby's name.
The case involving surrogate mother, McKenna West, has gained momentum after she called out the claims that she has violated the surrogacy agreement by naming the baby. For those unaware, she has been addressing the baby as "Gabriel" after his birth. According to the recent filings in court, the baby' s biological parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed, argued that the child must be called by the name selected by their biological parents.
However, McKenna has maintained that she merely gave the child a nickname. It was in no way an interference with the parents' right to place their chosen name on the birth certificate. She also argued that calling the baby "Gabriel" helped to protect his privacy amid a highly publicised battle for his custody.
The naming dispute has become a new point in the ongoing conflict between McKenna and the baby's biological parents. She noted that the California judge did not ask her to refrain from using specific names. Instead, the court frequently asked everyone involved in the case to avoid emotionally triggering language during the proceedings.
Amid the legal battle, McKenna has also turned to public support to help finance her legal fight. She has started a fundraiser on GiveSendGo. It has already raised over USD 66,000.
According to the campaign page, the 28-year-old nurse from Alaska has asked for financial help to cover her legal fees, travel expenses, and living costs. In fact, the fundraiser states that she left her work, relocated temporarily, and faced increasing financial issues for the baby's birth.
McKenna's attorney, Lincoln Wilson, has argued that she has taken on more personal and financial burdens throughout the pregnancy and during the child's birth. According to her supporters, the money will help her to continue pursuing what she believes is best for the baby's interests during the legal battle.
The conflict initially started over McKenna's surrogacy agreement with Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed. Initially, the arrangement was simple: McKenna would carry the baby for the California couple. However, the situation changed when the unborn baby was diagnosed with Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a serious congenital heart defect.
The condition needs multiple surgeries and long-term medical care. As per McKenna, after finding out about the baby's condition, the intended parents asked her to terminate the pregnancy.
McKenna ultimately refused and continued the pregnancy. Moreover, she went to Texas and gave birth. Incidentally, Texas's law recognises the woman who gives birth as the legal mother unless there are other legal arrangements. But Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed have denied that they forced McKenna for abortion.
The biological parents claim that their actions were in line with the terms of the surrogacy agreement. They also argued that they are the child's legal parents. In fact, a California court has already given them temporary custody and decision-making authority for the newborn. Meanwhile, the conflict has expanded across multiple states.
McKenna West is a 28-year-old nurse from Alaska. She previously said that she had to decide to become a surrogate to get extra income and help another family to have a kid. But initially, what began as a routine surrogacy has become one of the major surrogacy disputes in recent years.
She has repeatedly stated that she thinks every child must get a chance at life. Mckenna has also publicly defended her decision to continue the pregnancy despite the baby's medical diagnosis. Although the biological parents got temporary custody, McKenna has hinted that she will continue to challenge the decision and fight for custody.
What do you think about McKenna West's decision to call the baby "Gabriel"?
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