We're back for Season 3 with an incredible story with Jess van Nooten and Donna. It took eight years - and 15 rounds of IVF - before Jess van Nooten and Kevin Middleton considered surrogacy. They found an agency in Ukraine, given their excellent treatment of surrogates and the difficulty of surrogacy in Australia. This would have been stressful regardless, not having constant contact with a surrogate, but imagine getting a phone call to say that their surrogate was in labor early and Jess and Kevin needed to get on a plane. When they were in the air, Russia declared war on Ukraine, and the couple had to rescue their baby Alba from a war zone. They spent weeks in Ukraine before Alba was healthy enough to be transferred.

They started a go-fund-me to help, given the enormous cost and logistical nightmare of safely bringing a baby out of Ukraine. Donna, Jessica's mum, joined Jess in London to help while Alba recovered from surgery and then was an extra set of helping hands to bring Alba home.

This is a story of true determination and love; it has to be heard to be believed. Thanks to Jess and Donna for sharing their story. This is part one; tune in next week for part 2.

If you have a mother/daughter story that you would like to share, send us a DM on Instagram or email mothersanddaughterspod@gmail.com.

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