The Couple Who Can't Stop Having Babies | Extraordinary Pregnancies

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[00:00:01]On the southern English coast, 39-year-old Mandy loves children.

[00:00:07]>> [music] >> Holding a baby for the first time is magical. Seeing your child that's been kicking you for for the 9 months, putting a face to the kicks, it's I love it.

[00:00:19]She's due to give birth in 2 months, but it's not the first time she's carried a baby. In fact, in total, she's been pregnant for 9 years of her life.

[00:00:30]I have 11 kids.

[00:00:32]Um I'm currently cooking number 12.

[00:00:38]The only thing more extraordinary than giving birth [music] to 11 children is looking after them all.

[00:00:53]There are times when you you'll be here and it'll [music] be absolute bedlam.

[00:00:57]There'll be dogs running around, kids chasing the dogs, adults chasing [music] the kids that are chasing the dogs, you know.

[00:01:06]Not all pregnancies were planned.

[00:01:08][music] Um 12 is us being careful.

[00:01:11]You know, each and every one's been a welcomed addition.

[00:01:16]There's the oldest, Sophie, the youngest, Heidi. There's Katie and Nicole, Nathan Jr., Natasha, Adam, Natalie, [music] Andrew, Tom, and Anthony.

[00:01:28]Crazy is normal in this house.

[00:01:31]Would I trade it in for a quiet life?

[00:01:34]No.

[00:01:41]Every super mom needs a sidekick, and husband Nathan is happy to play his part. Nathan loves having a big family.

[00:01:49]He'd have about 20 if I'd let him.

[00:01:55]Is that your baby in there, Nicole?

[00:01:57]You're going to love her when she's out.

[00:02:01]Three under three.

[00:02:04]And you've done it before, haven't we?

[00:02:05]Four under four.

[00:02:07]After 11 babies, Mandy knows the drill, but it doesn't make her pregnancy any easier. First 12 weeks are hell. I'm so tired. It's really draining. You're not having any, Bo. No, this is human food.

[00:02:23]And with a household to run, it's a massive undertaking. Here we go.

[00:02:28]It's It's busy. You just don't stop. You know, housework will finish 1:00 2:00 in the morning most days.

[00:02:38]To add to the maternity mayhem, another family member is also expecting. I'm not the only pregnant lady in the house at the moment. I have a pug called Bo, and she is expecting.

[00:02:51]Bo, stop it. I know how Bo feels. And when we're having a snuggle at the end of the day, we can feel it, you know, I felt my baby kicking Bo, and her her pups were wriggling against my tummy.

[00:03:03]>> [music] >> You know, we had an understanding.

[00:03:06]We knew each other felt.

[00:03:12]Giving birth 11 times means her 12th will be risky.

[00:03:17]Mandy's obstetrician, Dr. Surajit [music] Dass, has warned of internal bleeding post-birth. It's a risk, obviously. I mean, because what happens is the the main reason why you stop bleeding after giving birth is that the muscles in the womb contract.

[00:03:32]And that mechanism, [music] as the more you have births, sometimes it fails. And therefore, antenatally, what we do is give medications to sort of counteract that excess bleeding that she might develop.

[00:03:47]The onset of birth could [music] catch her by surprise as her cervix dilates quicker than most women's. Most people get the build up. They go from 1 [music] cm to 10. It's gradual. With me now, it's 1 to 10 in >> [music] >> minutes.

[00:04:05]Eldest daughters Sophie and Katie are her first point [music] of contact.

[00:04:10]Just make sure your phone's are topped up, on on loud.

[00:04:14]And you're easy reachable wherever you are.

[00:04:17]Worst case scenario would be if I could my phone dies or the network goes down and I can't get hold of anyone and I'm stuck here with two toddlers and a pug giving birth on the floor.

[00:04:35]In League City, Texas, a mom-to-be has been having contractions throughout [music] the night.

[00:04:43]28-year-old Melissa Wood is almost 30 weeks pregnant. Her husband, Mason, is taking her straight to the hospital.

[00:04:50]And they are praying the baby doesn't [music] arrive today. This morning about 3:00, I was having a lot more than usual for like an hour and a half. Frequent contractions would usually mean birth is imminent. But Melissa's is no ordinary pregnancy and requires a highly specialized treatment [music] led by Dr. Thomas Rowe.

[00:05:11]>> All right. When I put my hand on my stomach, I can almost [music] feel more of the little movements. I don't know if it's cuz my nerves are like stretched out so [music] much.

[00:05:20]This is Melissa's 10th scan, but it was at her first ultrasound [music] that she and Mason learned how incredible her pregnancy is.

[00:05:30]The doctor was very quiet [music] for quite a while um and we were kind of wondering what was going on.

[00:05:37]And then he uh you know, he rolls out with a well, I think I got four heartbeats.

[00:05:42]And it's just shock.

[00:05:45]This mom is having [music] four babies.

[00:05:50]My first initial reaction was almost upset. I was scared and I just was overwhelmed.

[00:06:01]I pictured having like two or maybe three kids at the most. [music] I never imagined having four or five children.

[00:06:09]Melissa and Mason struggled for 2 years to fall pregnant with their first son, Wyatt.

[00:06:14]After his birth, they immediately tried again fearing another heartbreaking [music] wait. I thought twins would be a possibility since we had to do some fertility.

[00:06:24]I never never imagined having quadruplets. That's something you see on TV. That's what That's what everyone says. No one No one believed me at first.

[00:06:34]>> [sighs] >> Now at 30 weeks, Melissa's quadruplet pregnancy is fraught with danger.

[00:06:42]With four babies, there's a lot of things that can go wrong. And, you know, things like high blood pressure, something called toxemia or preeclampsia.

[00:06:53]Every year, 76,000 women die from preeclampsia.

[00:06:57]But the highest risk during [music] this pregnancy is to the babies. You got all four. Yep.

[00:07:03]Okay.

[00:07:05]There's a 25% chance Melissa will lose all four babies at the same time. And carrying fewer babies reduces this risk.

[00:07:14]With this in mind, Melissa was offered a procedure called reduction.

[00:07:20]Well, reduction is kind of something that we don't talk about. It's It's pretty much abortion. Um You can choose to lower the amount of babies. It's hard to make that decision because, you know, keeping them it was in some way, you know, compromising their health. Her four babies are putting massive pressure on her uterus, so Melissa is on medication to suppress her contractions, which would usually trigger an early birth. Quads have a increased risk of a lot of complications of prematurity.

[00:07:56]>> [music] >> And so, the longer they stay inside, the chances of the babies doing better and better significantly improve every day.

[00:08:04]Last night's contractions are worrying because it could be a sign [music] that the drugs aren't working and the babies are on their way earlier than planned.

[00:08:12]Okay.

[00:08:13]No contractions 15 minutes.

[00:08:17]None. How do you like this one? I'm taking a shower. Mhm. A little tired this morning, [music] aren't you? Yeah.

[00:08:23]No reason to deliver you today.

[00:08:25]We went to monitor her for contractions and we basically put belts on the uterus and it monitors for any uterine activity. She had no contractions today.

[00:08:35]So, that's that's a good thing.

[00:08:37]As well as the medical, they also face a huge financial and logistical challenge, but the quads aren't on their way just yet. I'm very happy and relieved to hear that news and he said that it could be any day. This morning's false alarm is a wake-up call. As the days progress, I get more a little bit more anxious. It's just kind of a waiting game and physically exhausting.

[00:09:16]>> [music] >> Three years ago, 44-year-old executive Steven was a single gay man comfortable with the career he had always dreamed of.

[00:09:30]Today, his life is very different after fulfilling his extraordinary pregnancy dream.

[00:09:37]When I decided to have a child, I knew that I had to give a lot up.

[00:09:41]And I wanted it more than anything in the world.

[00:09:46]Adoption agencies quickly proved to be a dead end.

[00:09:50]Every single one responded back [music] to me and said that unfortunately we will not be able to assist a single gay male with adoption.

[00:10:02]His last chance was surrogacy. [music] But two failed IVF attempts by two different women proved costly and unsuccessful. [music] Then he met Monica.

[00:10:14]Just talking to him, I knew whether he was gay, straight, had a partner or not, [music] I I knew from his story that I was going to do it for him.

[00:10:24]Oh my god, you can totally see his face.

[00:10:26]>> chunky.

[00:10:27]Look at those lips.

[00:10:28]Hi, baby. [music] Oh my gosh.

[00:10:31]Hi, Mason. I owe her for the rest of my life, for this beautiful, priceless gift that she has given me. He's so active.

[00:10:45]The contractions [music] are about 2 to 3, 4 minutes apart.

[00:10:49]Okay, Mason.

[00:10:51]Hopefully today is the day. I know dad is really excited to see you.

[00:10:59]We are about to go into the operating room and do a C-section. I am so nervous.

[00:11:05]And Monica and I are going in alone.

[00:11:09]And hopefully I'm going to meet you in an hour.

[00:11:13]An extraordinary pregnancy gave new life.

[00:11:17]And Steven and Mason began their story as father and son.

[00:11:22]Oh my goodness.

[00:11:25]How adorable. Did you see the smile?

[00:11:26]Yes. He smiled. That was Oh my god, that was so perfect.

[00:11:30]>> before.

[00:11:37]A month later, Steven and Mason are still [music] in California, but will soon return to his home in Chicago. So, my little guy, or should I say big guy, has [music] outgrown his clothes already. This particular bassinet was, I believe, supposed [music] to be up until 3 months, but at 3 weeks, he [music] is already almost the entire size of this bassinet.

[00:12:03]Although Mason's been sleeping [music] well, it's not all been plain sailing for the single dad. So, [music] Malika's efforts to provide him with breast milk have not worked out.

[00:12:15]But, he's drinking [music] lots of formula, and he's happy as can be.

[00:12:19]I don't know why all babies get so happy [music] when when you change your diaper.

[00:12:24]Yeah, you just get happy cuz you look at dad.

[00:12:27]You look tired.

[00:12:29]Yeah, take a little nap, huh, bud?

[00:12:33]I probably have changed [music] eight diapers a day.

[00:12:37]Yeah.

[00:12:39]In a few days, father and son will trade sunshine [music] for snow, as life as a single parent in Chicago begins. That's a good smile.

[00:12:49]>> [music] >> Across the Atlantic in Worthing, England, mom of 11 children, Mandy, is dealing with an early birth. Not hers, but the family pug, Boo.

[00:13:01]>> Boo.

[00:13:03]Whose two new pups have been called Bomber and Pandora.

[00:13:07]They're tiring you out, Boo.

[00:13:09]Are they keeping you busy?

[00:13:12]I know you feel.

[00:13:14]As Mandy's own due date approaches, concerns are beginning to surface.

[00:13:20]Yes, I am nervous about the birth. Um you think it'd get easier the more you have, but it's just they're so different and unpredictable each time. It's you just don't know what's going to happen.

[00:13:32]So, that on itself makes me nervous.

[00:13:35]Come here. I'm putting No, no, no. What do you hear up? The family are also running out of space.

[00:13:40]1-year-old Heidi sleeps in mom and dad's room.

[00:13:43]Her parents need to transition her into her sister's room before the baby arrives. This is where Heidi currently sleeps. We need to get her out and in her own [music] sort of sleeping pattern before baby arrives because it Yeah, I'm going to have two up. I'll never get sleep.

[00:14:02]Mandy, what are we going to do then? Oh my goodness. What are we going to do? Let's do this one. I mean, this needs to go really. We need to get Nicole out of that.

[00:14:12]It's a triple going up.

[00:14:14]>> [music] >> Plan is now we're going to try Heidi in the big cot because until we've got at least a triple bunk bed, it's not going to work in here.

[00:14:27]>> [music] >> Enforcing sleep isn't the only regime Mandy must master before the birth.

[00:14:32]>> [music] >> She's also set up a housework system to keep things ticking over when D-Day arrives.

[00:14:39]I've written out lists and chores for everyone to keep on top of while I'm in hospital. I potentially could be in there a few days and the worst thing would be coming [music] home to a complete chaos. The smallest thing can knock a routine, but the effects it can have [music] on you can be it can be quite huge and you can spend days then catching up. So, routine is key.

[00:15:06]In League City, Texas, >> [crying] >> Can I have a kiss?

[00:15:12]>> [screaming] >> Melissa is 30 weeks pregnant with QUADS AND SPENDING QUALITY TIME with her 2-year-old Wyatt. Can you say Captain Hook?

[00:15:26]Whose days as an only child are numbered.

[00:15:30]Pretty nerve-racking like every time my phone rings and Melissa calls, I'm thinking, oh, is this it? Is she she going into labor right now? Or it's a little stressful, but I'd rather them stay in there as long as they can cuz it'll be better for them.

[00:15:47]>> [music] >> Most moms wouldn't give birth for another 10 weeks, but Melissa is doing everything she can to stop [music] hers arriving any day. Not easy when they weigh as much as a sack of potatoes.

[00:15:59]I'm not allowed to be up and moving around and walking and running. Um it's just too much um my body and the babies.

[00:16:07]Um I could start contracting if I do too much.

[00:16:11]On average, the parents of quads will change 30,000 diapers before their children are potty-trained. Something Melissa and Mason are having to come to terms with. And it's going to be about $250 a month on diapers. With the formula, probably at minimum, it's going to be $100 a month.

[00:16:31]That's being generous, you know, it's probably going to be more than that.

[00:16:35]>> Yeah, that's not including any extra baby supplies. We're both pretty shocked. Mason, he got quiet and he I could tell that it was stressing him a little bit. Um because we really didn't put down on paper and and do a number of how much it's going to cost. That's it.

[00:16:55]Financially, you know, I'm the only provider.

[00:16:59]So, just working, you know, I my job, I rotate shifts, odd hours, and then once a month I do National [music] Guard, so I'm sacrificing a weekend.

[00:17:09]Just doing my best to provide for them.

[00:17:13]As well [music] as keeping the money coming in, for Mason, spending it wisely is also a priority. Oh my gosh. So many.

[00:17:23]I mean, they're all in pretty good shape, so need to wash all the covers since they're all second hand. Yeah. Definitely not going to fit in either one of our cars. Yeah. You know what we have to do about that. Yeah. I know you love your truck, but I know. we might have to say goodbye for now, and I know that's going to be hard for you to give up.

[00:17:48]Sacrificing his truck is hard to swallow, but soon he will have a family of [music] seven to support, and they could arrive any day.

[00:18:14]>> [music] >> In Texas, Mason is working all the hours he can before his wife Melissa gives birth to quads at some point in [music] the next 2 weeks. Well, it's 4:11.

[00:18:31]Got to go in to work.

[00:18:34]Work 6:00 to 3:00 this morning.

[00:18:37]Melissa's discomfort is becoming almost unmanageable.

[00:18:42]Uh she can't breathe, constant heartburn, contractions all night.

[00:18:48]For Melissa, carrying quads has become unbearable. I had a really rough night.

[00:18:53]I'm just, you know, trying to take it easy.

[00:18:56]I've been extra tired lately, so trying to rest.

[00:19:02]>> [music] >> But several hours later, Mason's shift is cut short after a worrying call from Melissa.

[00:19:09]Her blood pressure was [music] pretty high, and so sent her over to the hospital to be monitored.

[00:19:17]She's going to the hospital now to see if she has [music] preeclampsia.

[00:19:20]Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication where mom's blood pressure goes up. It can become [music] extremely elevated.

[00:19:29]They usually swell and they have their [music] liver studies, their liver can become swollen.

[00:19:36]Melissa hasn't yet reached her 32-week goal and giving birth today [music] would increase the risk for her babies.

[00:19:44]Unfortunately, the only cure for preeclampsia >> [music] >> is delivery. So we need to make sure a mom with four babies whose blood pressure is high today [music] that she's not developing preeclampsia.

[00:19:57]Dr. Roe wants me to stay overnight and get them to test my liver enzymes again at 6:00 in the morning.

[00:20:06]And then he said that if it's still not good that we could be discussing going ahead and having a C-section, so um I really don't know what to think. I can't really feel I don't really feel any different, so um I can't tell, you know, whether it's going to be good or bad in the morning.

[00:20:29]The next morning, Mason and Melissa are anxiously waiting [music] to find out if today is the day.

[00:20:37]They say [music] she's sat up and her pulse went and then about 15 seconds later just came back.

[00:20:43]Well, then you're not swelling yet.

[00:20:47]Well, fortunately, Melissa's blood pressures overnight have become stable.

[00:20:51]They've actually come back down to within normal limits, so I'm very [music] comfortable with her blood pressures.

[00:20:56]No reason to deliver you today. Okay. No reason to keep you in the hospital today.

[00:21:02]Okay. And I think you're close. Yeah.

[00:21:05]Made it 32 weeks.

[00:21:06]>> Uh-huh.

[00:21:06]So every day is double bonus day. One day last, two days last in the NICU and they're doing great. We don't have to give you hospital food today. So, okay.

[00:21:18]Again, if she's developing evidence that she's getting sick, getting this severe preeclampsia where she's blood pressures are going to get out of control and her body is >> [music] >> pretty much at the end of the pregnancy.

[00:21:31]At that point, we'll have to deliver the babies, but we're not there yet.

[00:21:35]In a few days, Dr. Roe will take Melissa off the medication to stop her contractions.

[00:21:42]And the next time she's back in hospital could be to give birth to her four babies.

[00:21:50]On the West [music] Coast of America, single gay dad Steven is about to travel home to Chicago. Orange scar, we want one.

[00:21:59]But before he leaves, >> [music] >> he's saying goodbye to Monica, Mason's surrogate mom and the woman who made his dream of becoming a dad a reality. How's it going? I'm making a pie. You look so good.

[00:22:12]I made it.

[00:22:13]So sweet.

[00:22:15]Long time no see. Hey, how have you been? Good. Good. So beautiful.

[00:22:22]How's your recovery?

[00:22:24]It's good. It's good. I mean, um I think definitely the breast feed, you know, the pumping helped a lot. So, I lost a lot of the weight.

[00:22:33]Well, you look great. Thanks. I feel better. I feel a lot better this last couple weeks. I think he's doing awesome an awesome job and I think he's going to do awesome when they go back to Chicago.

[00:22:45]Hopefully, we'll see you soon.

[00:22:46]>> Yes, soon. Soon. Definitely soon.

[00:22:48]>> I don't think it's as hard as I thought it was going to be to say goodbye. I think it it's kind of like, "Okay, he's settled. He, you know, Mason's getting big. He's in a great parent." Um I thought it was going to be a little bit emotional, more emotional than I was, but I think I'm okay.

[00:23:07]Steven may have achieved his dream of becoming a dad, but it cost him dearly.

[00:23:12]I think financially the [music] process of surrogacy has cost me about 250,000 dollars so far. When I first started the journey, I had no idea it was going to cost this much. But when I look at him in my arms, [music] when I have him with me, then it makes it all worth it.

[00:23:31]Hi.

[00:23:38]It's winter in the windy city. For Steven, the cold reality of just how broke he is has hit him hard.

[00:23:47]And back at home, housemate Shawn lends a sympathetic ear.

[00:23:52]So, I'm going to put the Hawaii condo on sale, and it's kind of it's a little bit emotional because I was really attached to it. Oh, I thought it was going to be a retirement home.

[00:24:03]You know, it's just a monthly expense, and I'm hoping that if I sell it, maybe if I get some equity out of the condo, I'll be able to use that towards launching my business. And so, I think it's a it's a good move.

[00:24:18]>> [music] >> Steven has decided his experience over the last 3 years could be the answer to his financial woes in the form of an agency for gay single men who want to become parents.

[00:24:30]>> [music] >> I'm pretty excited. I have been able to uh come up with a name for my new business. It's called Baby Mason Surrogacy and Egg Donation. And uh I've spent a little bit of time creating all of the website.

[00:24:47]Getting a business [music] off the ground as a single parent is a tall order.

[00:24:51]But if the past few years have taught Steven anything, it's never to give up.

[00:24:56]>> Hello.

[00:24:59]Across the Atlantic in Worthing, England, before the arrival of Mandy's 12th child, a triple bunk has put the kids' sleep issues to bed.

[00:25:11]Heidi went into the other room, didn't she? And she's been sleeping like a little angel, bless her.

[00:25:16]>> [music] >> Her time routine's never been so good.

[00:25:19]I'm really quite relieved. Um but it was looking like it's possibly me that was disturbing her.

[00:25:26]You know, cuz toilet breaks and I I probably pee every hour through the night anyway.

[00:25:30]>> [laughter] >> At 38 weeks with everything and everyone ready, Mandy's labor begins.

[00:25:43]Been contracting now for an hour or so.

[00:25:45]They've all started um coming fast [music] and frequently now.

[00:25:52]Um yeah, anxious times ahead.

[00:25:57]But something's not right.

[00:26:00]I'm off to hospital.

[00:26:03]Some bleeding. Um I think my waters have gone as well. So, I'm just going to go and get checked over.

[00:26:10]Because this is her 12th baby, Mandy has a greater risk of internal hemorrhaging.

[00:26:16]Doctors are unsure if this is what's causing her bleeding, and she's put under [music] immediate close observation.

[00:26:23]It's excruciating pain.

[00:26:25]So, they've just popped me on the monitor. So, [music] we're in a waiting game at the minute.

[00:26:30]I need to make sure baby's happy. As long as she is, I can deliver normally.

[00:26:34]But it's all kind of scary.

[00:26:45]In Texas, doctors have taken Melissa off the medication which was suppressing her contractions.

[00:26:53]All right. so let's see here.

[00:26:55]And now they're coming thick and fast.

[00:26:58]Ooh, nice kick breathing.

[00:27:00]They've already been asking me today at the hospital, "Is today the day?" I was like, "I don't know yet."

[00:27:07]Melissa's blood pressure is extremely high.

[00:27:11]I think I think today's the day.

[00:27:13]Really? I don't like that pressure at all. Hey, it's me.

[00:27:17]Today's the day.

[00:27:19]Uh you need to come to the hospital.

[00:27:24]>> [music] >> I think I'm most scared of is, you know, something happening to one of the babies or Melissa, you know, health-wise. The babies [music] being premature like they are, there's tons and tons of things that could go wrong.

[00:27:40]Melissa's babies are being born 8 weeks premature, which carries [music] a risk of short and long-term health problems.

[00:27:48]Delivering them will involve a small [music] army of specialists.

[00:27:52]Waiting to go into the operating room with Melissa. [music] Just waiting for them to come get me.

[00:27:59]The babies will have to go the intensive care [music] unit because we have to worry about the babies being able to breathe, and they may be winding up on oxygen or on a ventilator.

[00:28:10]Um we'll have to worry about their nutrition because they're unable to suck on a bottle and breastfeed [music] at this point in time.

[00:28:23]>> [music] [music] >> Here we [music] go. Yeah, that's it.

[00:28:43]This one times one. Ooh, that baby's good size. Hey.

[00:28:48]Stay away from her. Girl. This doubt is a healthy baby girl. [music] They're both my babies.

[00:28:54]Baby boy coming out breech. Cry. He's crying.

[00:29:05]In Texas, Melissa [music] is recuperating after giving birth to four babies through C-section.

[00:29:12]Her quads are in the intensive care unit.

[00:29:16]So, this was our first babies to be born. Her name is Payton Murray.

[00:29:20]And this is Noah Paul Wood.

[00:29:23]And he was born second.

[00:29:25]This is Avery Renee, and she's the [music] little one of the group.

[00:29:30]So, this is Harper Storm Wood.

[00:29:33]Harper was born with an overinflated lung, causing air to leak into her chest.

[00:29:40]Doctors inserted a tube to help her with her breathing.

[00:29:47]Before they can leave the intensive care unit, the quads [music] must meet strict criteria set out by the neonatal team.

[00:29:55]Basically, in order for a baby to go home, they have to be big, they have to be stay warm, they have to breathe well, and they have to be able to get enough formula in order to grow and be showing that they're gaining weight and doing well.

[00:30:11]4 days later, Melissa is being discharged, but her quads must stay in hospital.

[00:30:17]>> [music] >> The wait to take them home will be agonizing, but it will give Melissa and Mason time [music] to prepare for how different their lives are about to become.

[00:30:30]In Worthing, Southern England, Mandy is in extreme pain. It is horrific.

[00:30:36]It's going to be in here.

[00:30:39]It feels like I've been I'm tearing from the inside.

[00:30:43]So, I'm hoping it's all going to go okay.

[00:30:46]Her bleeding may have been caused [music] by an infection, but doctors had given a natural birth the all clear.

[00:30:54]After 11 agonizing hours, >> [music] >> the brave mom gives birth to her 12th baby.

[00:31:01]Yeah, makes sense. Yeah, I know.

[00:31:03]I know.

[00:31:05]Okay. [crying] Congratulations.

[00:31:10]>> [laughter] >> I've just delivered my baby.

[00:31:17]Here she is.

[00:31:20]#babynumber12 [music] A whopping 7 lb 2.

[00:31:26]She's perfect in every way, bless her.

[00:31:27]She's had two feeds.

[00:31:30]She's absolutely [music] beautiful.

[00:31:32]I'm overwhelmed. I'm finally a mom of 12.

[00:31:38]A bit faster now, isn't it?

[00:31:41]Whilst Mandy recuperates from her grueling ordeal, back at home, operation little helper [music] is in full effect.

[00:31:50]And Nathan has added a reward system to incentivize the troops.

[00:31:55]They've all got their name on a chart, and then above it is the little pocket money packets. It's a win-win, [music] isn't it? Because they've had the incentive that knowing that they're going to earn some money. Dad, how much do I get for doing this?

[00:32:07]What he's doing ticks on the board, so you can choose what you're going to get.

[00:32:17]Baby Elizabeth is now 2 days old, but she can't go home yet. Both her and mom are on antibiotics to treat the infection that caused Mandy so much pain during birth.

[00:32:30]Hello. Hello.

[00:32:31]What we suspect is that infections would usually start from inside the womb.

[00:32:36]And then, it has the potential to spread to the rest of the body, and in very severe cases can lead to multiple organ failures. So, we treat any sign of infection very aggressively. And thankfully, Mandy here has done very well.

[00:32:50]And hopefully, if she stays like this, we'll be able to go and let her go home soon.

[00:32:56]In Chicago, it's been a tense month for Steven.

[00:33:00]Having already [music] spent a quarter of a million dollars to become a dad, he sold his investment property and spent all the proceeds on an online venture. I decided to start a business [music] that could help other families go through surrogacy in a way that was easier and uh more comfortable.

[00:33:22]Only time [music] will tell if the business is a success, but the work involved in setting it up and looking after [music] Mason hasn't left much time for anything else.

[00:33:33]I think being a single parent [music] can feel a little bit lonely.

[00:33:38]Not from a [music] sense of being bored, but more from a sense of having adult interaction.

[00:33:45]Most [music] of the infant groups are for moms, and of course, I can contact them, and I'm sure [music] they wouldn't say no to me, but it's a bit awkward.

[00:33:56]Today, Steven is stepping outside his comfort zone by taking baby Mason to a massage group. I'm a single dad, and I had him on my own, and I'm a a stay-at-home dad right now. Just It's just all about him. Yeah. Yeah. Do you really believe that nurturing touch strengthens the bond between caregivers and their babies? Are you ready for a massage?

[00:34:22]>> [music] >> That was such a fun experience, socializing.

[00:34:29]Look, your first friend.

[00:34:31]>> [laughter] >> That's your first friend ever. Hello.

[00:34:35]Can you say hello to baby? Hello.

[00:34:39]I would love to do it again.

[00:34:41]So, I'm going to try to at least do one um event per week.

[00:34:46]Baby massage has been a success and may have oiled the wheels of dad's social life.

[00:34:54]Hey, Scott. Hi. How are you? Good. And there's more good news. A few days later, Steven has been inundated with inquiries about his new surrogacy business. I've had a [music] really strong response from clients online.

[00:35:09]I'm already currently speaking to about six different couples. When you did the process with them in Mexico, how many embryos did you end up with? I ended up with three. Anybody [music] who's using IVF knows that there's a potential that they won't take, right out. There are ways that you can really maximize your chances of pregnancy. In in the US, you just have so many more options.

[00:35:33]Steven's [music] aim is to help others achieve their dream of becoming parents.

[00:35:38]His own may have been a struggle to realize, but for the single gay dad who never lost hope, things are on the up.

[00:35:46]It just takes one look [music] at his face and his eyes and it was all worth it.

[00:35:52]I can't believe you're here.

[00:35:55]My little beautiful man, and I love you so much.

[00:36:00]Yeah.

[00:36:02]>> [crying] >> Across America, today is [music] going home day.

[00:36:09]It's been a month since Melissa gave birth to quads. [music] Today, she's finally taking her babies home.

[00:36:21]And your sisters.

[00:36:24]Now, Melissa, Mason, son Wyatt, and the quads are together [music] for the first time. Wyatt, what do you think?

[00:36:32]You got more sisters.

[00:36:35]2-year-old Wyatt is embracing his new role as big brother to four siblings.

[00:36:41]Do you love her?

[00:36:44]She said, "I love you, Wyatt." I love you.

[00:36:51]Are you getting hungry?

[00:36:55]2 weeks later, and life as a family of seven is becoming a little cramped.

[00:37:01]You going to help me pick out her outfit? Keeping four babies fed and watered is just one of the many challenges for the couple. Oh, wow.

[00:37:10]Indeed.

[00:37:14]Okay, this is NUMBER TWO HERE.

[00:37:18]>> [crying] [screaming] >> OKAY.

[00:37:20]I GO BACK TO WORK IN 3 DAYS, and even with two people here, it's hard.

[00:37:25]I'm tired. And she's going to be here by herself a lot.

[00:37:29]>> I'm tired.

[00:37:30]To combat the cabin fever, Mason and Melissa are about to embark on their biggest challenge yet.

[00:37:37]Leaving the house together. So, we are about to go out on our first trip with all seven of us as an entire family.

[00:37:45]Wyatt, are you ready to go show your brother and sisters the park? They're excited.

[00:37:52]You going to play with your brother and sisters?

[00:37:58]Yeah, it's a little uh little hard. It's not the the easiest thing even with the van.

[00:38:05]Just tell yourself from the get-go, it's going to take at least double or triple the amount of time to do anything.

[00:38:12]Push the babies. They may be a short distance from their house, but the journey marks a small victory for this family. I felt like I was just going to be sick at the house with all five kids and never leave, >> [crying] >> but I'm realizing that, you know, I can take them places and um you know, we we can do things as a family.

[00:38:37]The couple know [music] every day is precious.

[00:38:42]And they're learning to take each [music] one as it comes.

[00:38:46]It is a great feeling to realize that not only are we blessed with all these babies, but >> [music] >> you know, it's gone so smoothly and everything has been turned out so perfectly. Come on, let's get it.

[00:38:59]Okay, climb up there.

[00:39:05]In Wrexham, after 6 days, [music] mom of 12 Mandy and baby Elizabeth are finally released from hospital.

[00:39:20]11 excited siblings welcome home the latest addition [music] to their already enormous family.

[00:39:28]They're really natural with her, aren't they? They've all got the motherly [music] instincts in them, I think.

[00:39:33]They'll get a gooey look in their eyes and they they just love it.

[00:39:37]Am I addicted [music] to having babies?

[00:39:40]Yeah, I think there's an element to it, definitely, but I hope to [music] stop at 12.

[00:39:49]Famous last words, but the last seven have all been the last. Yeah.

[00:39:59]>> [laughter] >> Mhm.