Second time for surrogate mother
By Holly Neumann
Mandy Kriesel, of Iola, became a surrogate mother, not just once, but twice, to allow others to feel the joy of becoming parents.
“My husband Lucas and I talked about surrogacy long before we were married,” she said. “We liked the idea of helping another family, after our family was complete.”
Over the years, she saw friends and family members struggling with fertility issues.
“I wanted to help someone who could not naturally have a baby,” she said. “Whether that was someone who had ovarian cancer, or a single dad. I knew if I could give the gift of parenthood it would be a dream come true for me and the intended parents.”
Her first surrogacy journey began in 2015.
Kriesel gave birth to a healthy baby boy in March 2016 for a family from St. Maarten. She knew she wanted to do it a second time.
“I had thought about carrying a second child for the first family I worked with,” she said. “But due to the covid pandemic it didn’t work out.”
With the help of Shirley Zager, from Parenting Partners, Kriesel was able to select the families she worked with.
“I had a lot of guilt, about not being able to help other families in need,” she said. “Shirley recommended a single dad from Chicago. She felt like we would be a good match, which we were, and become quick friends.”
Expetant father Vlad Sreckovic agrees that Zager was a great resource.
“When she introduced me to Mandy, the choice was obvious and one of the best ones I ever made,” he said.
Through the use of an anonymous egg donor their surrogacy journey began.
After an unsuccessful single-embryo transfer in the fall of 2021, it was decided to transfer two embryos the second time, hoping at least one would take, and if two did it would be a bonus.
Both embryos germinated and began to develop.
“Vlad was thrilled and probably a little shocked,” Kriesel said.
Twins’ birth day
With a cesarean section planned for November 16, 2022, the families got together for dinner the night before.
“It was an amazing day,” Kriesel said. “We had dinner with Vlad and his mother. They were giddy with joy. We ate and talked for several hours. It truly felt like dinner with our family, or friends we had known forever, knowing the next day we really would be connecting our families forever after the birth of the twins.”
Both Sreckovic and Lucas were in the delivery room.
“Lucas was there to support me and Vlad to watch the birth of his children,” Kriesel said. “Watching Lucas support Vlad, and explain what was happening was lovely and comforting to the new dad to be. I was looking at them when I could feel the first baby being taken out. I knew it was pure love, joy and maybe a little shock on Vlad’s face as the doctor held up the first baby and told him he had a healthy baby girl. Then next she introduced a healthy baby boy. You could see the immediate and unconditional love a parent feels for their children radiate through his body.”
“It was incredible and I will never forget the day,” Sreckovic said. “We heard a baby’s cry and there was my daughter up in the air, taking her very first breaths. Soon after, my son came as well. I was allowed to cut their umbilical cords and they landed in my arms as soon as they were cleaned up. I can say that my children and I were together from the very instant of their arrival to this world.”
Sreckovic was excited about the opportunity to present the babies to his mother as they were her first grandchildren.
“She cried before even entering the room,” said Kriesel. “She was so overjoyed and in love.
Vlad’s family, previously living in Serbia, experienced numerous hardships. These babies were not only meant to grow Vlad’s family, but also to bring love and joy to them all. He and the twins have a great supportive team, between his parents and sister, who all reside in Chicago.”
Both Kriesel and Sreckovic feel that ThedaCare Children’s Hospital in Neenah did an amazing job.
“The staff was wonderful,” Sreckovic said.
“While I had my own recovery room, Vlad and the babies were given their own room for observation, and we would go back and forth between rooms,” Kriesel added. “Vlad, and his mother, would come check on me frequently.”
Kriesel’s sons, Mason and Landon, also visited the hospital to see their mom and the babies.
“Our boys are old enough to understand why we did what we did,” Kriesel said. “I never wanted them to be sad that they weren’t getting a brother or sister, but I wanted them to realize the gift in giving and being selfless. I hope they know how much we love them which is why we wanted to help others become parents.”
On November 18, 2022, they were all discharged from the hospital.
“Lucas and I were able to go say goodbye to Vlad, his mother and the twins before heading home to Iola,” Kriesel said. “And they went home to Chicago.”
Kriesel continues to pump breast milk for the babies.
“She goes above and beyond every day,” Sreckovic said. “She is instrumental in helping me collect more breast milk from the women in the area who are gracious to donate to our family. I only hope that there will be opportunities in the future when I’ll get to reciprocate and make a difference in her family’s life too.”
“This was an amazing experience,” added Kriesel. “This process has connected two families for life. The outpouring support from the community has been amazing.