May 1, 2008, ST. LOUIS – Some friends come and go, but that doesn''t seem to be the case for Kristen Feig and Sandy Basinger. That''s because Sandy is helping Kristen realize her dream of having a family – as the surrogate mother to Kristen''s babies.
Kristen, 28, is a hairstylist at Salon M in Belleville and Sandy, 33, is a licensed practical nurse in the OB/GYN clinic at Scott Air Force Base. They became acquainted in 2004 through their husbands who served on the same squadron at Scott. “We''ve been best friends ever since,” says Kristen.
In 2006, Kristen was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Washington University oncologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Janet Rader, MD, told her the cancer could only be removed through a hysterectomy.
Kristen and her husband had been trying to start a family for several years, so the news broke their hearts. Dr. Rader performed a partial hysterectomy but saved Kristen''s ovaries upon her request.
Six months later, the Feigs began exploring other ways to start a family. They looked at several adoption and surrogate agencies but could not decide which route was best for them. In July, Sandy approached the Feigs and offered to become a gestational surrogate mother for them.
Sandy and her husband already had four children of their own but they wanted to help the Feigs start their family. “The four of us sat down and explained to our kids the process and what to expect,” says Sandy. “Our eight and 12-year-old were a little upset but in the end they approved.”
The couples then turned to Sarah Keller, MD, a Washington University reproductive endocrinologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, to begin the surrogacy process. After going through medical and psychological screening, Sandy received a series of medications to help her body accept the pregnancy. Both couples were in the procedure room during the transfer of the embryos.
Today, Sandy is 15 weeks pregnant with twins. Sandy says it doesn''t feel different than her previous pregnancies, except now it is an event both families can celebrate. “We''re very excited to be included in the decision making for baby stuff,” says Sandy. “Even our daughter keeps asking when her ''cousins'' are coming.”
Kristen is grateful for the opportunity to become a mother and start a family of her own. “It''s kind of bittersweet because I wanted to experience all of it,” she says. “It takes a big person to carry someone else''s children. We''re very lucky to have friends like them.”