A surrogate mother, McKenna West from Alaska, who traveled to Texas—a state where abortion is illegal—gave birth on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to a baby boy diagnosed with a severe congenital heart defect. West had claimed she was pressured to terminate the pregnancy following the diagnosis.

The biological parents, Nausheen Gilkar and Omar Ahmed of California, confirmed the birth through their lawyer but denied forcing West to have an abortion, according to a report by the Texas Tribune. Attorney Lee Budner stated, “Our clients’ child was born earlier this morning and he is now receiving medical care provided by a team of pediatric experts.”

In a July filing from an Alaska court, attorneys for Gilkar and Ahmed indicated that both the couple and West initially agreed on an abortion after consultations and research about the suffering and quality of life for babies with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), the diagnosed condition. The filing noted that West herself made the initial appointment for the abortion.

The case drew national attention after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened on behalf of West. Paxton publicized an emergency court order from Dallas County that barred the fetus from being taken out of state and requested local hospitals to provide “life-saving” care. Paxton said in a news release, “My office utilized every tool at our disposal to protect life, and we will not back down in continuing to support baby Gabriel’s well-being. Every child in our state deserves to be cared for and protected, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for.” The name "Gabriel" was not confirmed by the biological parents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infants born with HLHS require multiple surgeries soon after birth, completed in a specific sequence.

West reportedly broke contact with the biological parents after fleeing to Texas. A spokesperson noted that the couple believed termination would not be their first choice if complications arose.

Sources