Earlier than welcoming their first child, Maria Menounos and husband Keven Undergaro shaped an unshakeable bond with their surrogate.
The couple completely opened up about their path to parenthood within the new concern of Us Weekly, detailing the “pure pleasure” they felt upon daughter Athena Alexandra’s arrival in June. “It was probably the most particular second of my life,” Menounos, 45, gushed as Undergaro, 55, likened the delivery to “Christmas morning instances one million.”
After 10 years of fertility challenges, Menounos introduced in February that she and Undergaro — who tied the knot in 2017 — had been anticipating a child. Menounos advised Us she “virtually” gave up on each IVF and surrogacy earlier than being related with Household Match.
“It was a magical expertise,” Menounos stated of discovering a surrogate to hold her child. “All through the being pregnant, I’d ship voice recordings for her to play for Athena.”
Menounos developed a deep reference to the lady — and so they’ve stored in contact after Athena’s delivery. “We love her and her household a lot,” she added. “They gave us the best reward ever. We nonetheless speak on a regular basis and take into account them household.”
The surrogate, already a mom of two, had equally glowing phrases for Menounos and Undergaro, telling Us that she “felt and immediate connection” with the couple. “I used to be thrilled to have the ability to help them and make [their dream] a actuality,” she stated.
After studying of Menounos’ struggles to conceive, the surrogate needed to assist her obtain “the enjoyment of finishing her household.” She advised Us she felt “honored” to be a part of the twosome’s journey.
“Instantly after I gave delivery, the newborn was in Maria’s arms and Keven held Maria, each had a glance of wonderment of their eyes,” the surrogate recalled. “It was an immediate household. All I may assume at that second was ‘I did that! I created a household.’ I felt a bit of superhuman. My husband and I really feel blessed to have performed a job in creating their household.”
Whereas it’s a “widespread false impression” that surrogacy is “an impersonal expertise” for these concerned, the gestational provider emphasised the particular bond she created with Menounos and Undergaro. “For me, this has been lovely and enriching,” she advised Us.
Earlier than Athena’s arrival, the surrogate and her husband visited Menounos and Undergaro in Los Angeles. In flip, the TV personalities traveled to Wisconsin to solidify their reference to their surrogate.
“We frolicked collectively and our households had been in a position to meet and get to know one another as we ready for supply,” the surrogate recalled. “Keven and Maria performed with our children and our children bought to know them as actual folks. We shared meals, dialog, walks and life for these two weeks.”
Menounos beforehand gushed over her surrogacy journey — and friends Zoe Saldaña and Kim Kardashian, who shared recommendation from their very own experiences — on Stay With Kelly and Ryan in February.
“With out them, we wouldn’t have been in a position to do that,” she stated on the time. “I’m so grateful that we’re gonna have this prolonged household our child will likely be a part of, and we’re simply so grateful to all people who’s helped us alongside the best way.”
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For extra on Menounos and Undergaro’s subsequent chapter as mother and father, watch the video above and decide up the most recent concern of Us Weekly — on stands now.
