My Mother-in-Law Agreed to Be Our Surrogate—But When the Baby Was Born, She Said, ‘You’re Not Taking Him’

I married Arthur, a thoughtful man who won me over at a wedding by draping his jacket over my wine-stained dress. His mother, Linda, was warm and kind—calling me “sweetheart,” doing dishes after dinner. I thought I’d joined the perfect family.

After two years of failed conception and three heartbreaking IVF rounds, Linda (52, healthy) offered to be our gestational surrogate. “I carried Arthur; I can carry your baby.” Desperate, we agreed after counseling, contracts, and clearances. She insisted on no payment—it was her gift.

The embryo implanted first try. Linda sent joyful updates, bump photos, and “Grandma” love. But by month seven, she called it “my baby” and said he’d stay with her often. Arthur dismissed it as hormones.

The baby—Neil—arrived early. In the hospital, Linda clutched him and snapped, “He’s not ready to go with you. He knows his real mother.” She demanded we leave. Stunned, we were ushered out.

Hours later, a nurse returned Neil, citing our paperwork. Linda, asleep, had postpartum attachment. We thought it ended—until she called at 2 a.m., screaming we stole “her” child.

She sued for custody, claiming manipulation and trauma. Her family backed her. Court was swift: DNA proved Neil ours; contract held. We won full custody.

But harassment continued. Exhausted, we paid her professional surrogate fees to end it. Then cut contact, changed numbers, moved states.

Now, with Neil safe, we keep family at arm’s length. Some gifts—like surrogacy—should come from strangers.