Meredith Olafson, Surrogate, Has Given Birth To 15 Babies

Forty-seven-year-old Meredith Olafson, of North Dakota, gave birth to her 15th baby on March 29th. But don't chalk her up to Duggar status just yet -- she only has four kids of her own and has been a surrogate six times. The so-called "super surrogate" has delivered two sets of triplets, a set of twins, and three single babies for other families, Jezebel reports.

Olafson announced on the "Today" show yesterday that she is officially "retiring" her uterus.

According to the CDC and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, surrogacy is a rapidly growing industry. The most recent statistics show that the number of babies born to gestational surrogates about doubled from 2004 to 2008, to 1,400 infants born in the U.S. from 738. MSNBC reports that surrogate mothers can earn up to $250,000 for one pregnancy, but Olafson has collected only a fraction of that -- she isn't in it for the money, she says.

"When you see those parent's faces, when they see that ultrasound for the first time... that's priceless right there," she said on "Today".

She admits that her pregnancies have been fairly easy: She’s doesn't experience morning sickness and can work up until the day she delivers. And though research shows that labor takes an average of two hours longer than it did 50 years ago, Olafson doesn't fit that mold -- the longest it's taken her to deliver was an hour and fifteen minutes, and the rest of her labors have been under half an hour.

One of the couples, Dan and Jody Wegge, who used Olafson as a surrogate 12 years ago also appeared on the "Today" show to express their never-ending gratitude. "I love her... there's not words to express how I feel about her,” Jody said.

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Comments

[randinoel]

08:29 PM on 04/15/2012

This is incredibly amazing. The fact that this woman sacrificed her body with hardly the money she was due owed is just amazing. She derives joy from seeing the pleasure of a new parent to be. This is just too great.

[jktejas]

08:16 PM on 04/15/2012

My niece was carried by a surrogate. What cannot be stressed enough is that a surrogate mother should not ever be selected by an attorney or anyone else other than a licensed psychologist who has interviewed litterly hundreds of women to determine who is a good candidate......in good health, emotionally stable with a support system. My close friend, who is a psychologist, places surrogates with childless couples, told me that most surrogate applicants are turned down. All of her pairings have proven successful with happy surrogates who did not wish to hang on to the infant.....and happy parents who had a dream come true.

[padil45]

05:25 PM on 04/15/2012

She sounds like the perfect woman for that job. And as much as the parents love her, I think it's obvious that she loves them equally well. (I am so envious of her brief deliveries and I'll bet I'm not the only one!) Stars in your crown dear.

[giagul]

09:14 PM on 04/13/2012

amazing woman. hope she didnt use her own eggs. lol i know im mean

[Summer77]

08:43 PM on 04/13/2012

Wow she is incredible I don't know how she did it 15 babies!!! Ouch tucks made a fortune on her ;) Women know what I mean, LOL

[dbrett480]

02:01 PM on 04/13/2012

Yikes! The person I most feel for is her husband.

[giagul]

12:33 PM on 04/13/2012

i would love to help a family out there. one day i will try to be a surrogate. not for the money

[Andy Tonya Wales]

12:02 PM on 04/13/2012

I THINK SHE HAS DONE A WONDERFUL THING FOR THESE PARENTS AND STAND BEHIND SOMEONE THAT WANTS TO DO IT!!!!! SHE IS A VERY STRONG WOMAN AND CARING TO THE END. I WOULD GLADLY DO THE SAME JUST TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFT A PERSON COULD EVER HAVE.

[MadMan Writer]

10:23 AM on 04/13/2012

The idea of thing becoming a industry is a bit odd to me. Though I get a lot of women wouldn't want to go through the pains of being pregnant, the idea of some possibly dedicating their lives to being baby factories.

Then again, considering you would surely get medical coverage, get to set your own hours and be handsomely compensated, I guess this is something that maybe covered on insurance plans eventually for those who just can't have kids. As for those who can, a costly expenditure.

[Suzanne Darley]

06:59 PM on 04/13/2012

Most people I know who use surrogates do so because our bodies are no longer able to carry. After 7 miscarriages, 9 IVFs, 4 IUIs and one child I now have two genetically normal embryos who are of high quality. A normal lining needs to grow to an 8. Mine won't grow because of all the horrible D&Cs from the miscarriages of abnormal fetuses (natural miscarriages, not abortions). Now I have a chance. What would you do? I am lucky to have a woman who would do it for free but I refuse that - she will be paid and she deserves it. All she asks is to be send updates, be an Auntie if you will. I am over the moon. This is her last one. It isn't an "industry" - it is a medical necessity. Please don't tell people (anyone) to just adopt. It isn't that easy and often costs more...besides both parties have to agree and my husband won't. I have two chances left and thankfully an angel like this woman to help me.

[pageleft]

07:17 PM on 04/13/2012

I feel kind of bad for the child you already have, perhaps growing up feeling inadequate because of your continued desperation to produce another one as if the first somehow just wasn't good enough. Why not be grateful and happy to have a biological child and lavish some of that attention heretofore spent trying to conceive on him/her?

[Suzanne Darley]

07:01 PM on 04/13/2012

And insurance is now on to it - putting waivers that they will not pay for surrogacy pregnancies. Which is another huge problem. The whole thing is not for the faint of heart and I think most surrogates do it because they love to be pregnant and they love to help people. The money is never the reason why - if you ever read surroonline.com you will see how much these women care. It is amazing.

[Winston Fopalan]

06:46 AM on 04/13/2012

MSNBC should hire better researchers. A surrogate earns closer to a tenth of that amount.

[giagul]

12:34 PM on 04/13/2012

yeah, i never hear dof $250,000 or everyone would be doing it.

[Suzanne Darley]

07:02 PM on 04/13/2012

The most I've heard is 30K...with 2,500 to 5,000 extra for twins. That was so inaccurate. Never believe the media....rolling my eyes.

[jonny dipstick]

01:28 PM on 04/12/2012

Yikes. Why don't people just adopt? I bet there are tons of great kids that need adoption.

[ElTan]

07:42 PM on 04/12/2012

Because they want kids that look like them, i.e. children that carry their genetic information.

[jonny dipstick]

08:01 PM on 04/12/2012

messed up

[Winston Fopalan]

06:41 AM on 04/13/2012

Different people, different preferences. Some people are alright with adopting, some people want biological children.

[jonny dipstick]

09:10 AM on 04/13/2012

you don't know that. do a survey and then we will see if you are right or not.

[hharrison22]

12:47 PM on 04/12/2012

Surrogates are such a blessing for women who have difficulty conceiving or men who want to have a child with their partner. I just have to mention that I did smirk when I read she "doesn't do it for the money." Mmm...that is doubtful. It's alright to say that you do. You are providing a service and should get paid for it. You don't need to pretend that its simply because your heart is so big.

"The child psychologist who thought she had all the answers to parenting until she became one herself." www.themommypsychologist.com

[padil45]

05:33 PM on 04/15/2012

I'm afraid my friend that you have none of the answers. I'm sure you did smirk - and probably do so just as inappropriately at many other things.

[coffeeamust]

12:28 PM on 04/12/2012

At least a child chosen will be a child loved. Far better this than taking away birth control for women who don't want (more) children. If Ms. Olafson chooses to do this that is her choice, and she is making many people happy. Who are these posters making such hateful remarks? Just like everything else, if you don't like what someone is or does you decide they have no right to be or do it. We really are a country rife with small minds and big mouths.

[Brianna Cole]

03:56 AM on 04/12/2012

Surrogate mothers are a blessing to those that cannot find the time, or physically cannot have a baby themselves. Ask any mother that has yearned for a baby, but for one reason or another is unable to have one. Surrogates are a blessing!

[Paula Bryder]

07:52 AM on 04/12/2012

If someone doesn't have the time to be pregnant, how on earth will she find the time to parent?

[Brianna Cole]

08:14 AM on 04/12/2012

So, stay at home dads don't exist? Dual parenting doesn't exist? Only one parent gets pregnant and (must) go to Dr.'s appt.'s etc. Both parents are around to raise the child (in most cases). My mother worked days, I spent most of my time with my dad who did shift work. I didn't falter from bad parenting.....

[Suzanne Darley]

07:05 PM on 04/13/2012

What? I'm medically incapable of carrying my boy/girl embryos of highest quality so they sit in a freezer waiting for someone (my surrogate - my angel) to help me bring them home to me. Most women would love to carry. Ever been through a couple of miscarriages? 7 here and you know what? It really sucks. Think about it.

[StevenRussell1]

02:46 AM on 04/12/2012

Dumb.

[padil45]

05:37 PM on 04/15/2012

Sorry that you are Steven. It's not necessary for you to point it out to us, as it's quite obvious to everyone.