'I almost died after a miscarriage but have two miracle babies - after my colleague offered to carry them'
18.11.2023 - 08:19
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A woman who nearly died after a miscarriage now has two babies - after her colleague made the incredible offer to carry them.
Sharanya Sekhri, 36, was told she may never be able to have children of her own after one miscarriage and a second pregnancy left her on the verge of death. But when Sharanya and husband Rajeev Sekhri began exploring surrogacy, they were left 'stunned' by the generosity of one person already in their lives.
Katie Mandalia, an ex-colleague and friend of Sharanya's reached out and offered to carry the couple's child. They now have two daughters – Karisha, two, and six-month-old Kiara –both carried by surrogate Katie.
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Sharanya and husband, Rajeev Sekhri, in corporate development, 36, first suffered a miscarriage in 2018 and turned to IVF for help. Although Sharanya fell pregnant again, she was rushed into hospital at 18 weeks and nearly died after suffering from HELLP syndrome, a liver and blood clotting disorder that can be fatal, and kidney failure.
Doctors warned she could never carry a child and the couple emailed family and friends asking for advice on surrogacy. To their shock, Sharanya received a reply from Katie, who offered to carry the couple’s baby for them. They transferred one of their last viable embryos - made up of Sharanya’s egg and Rajeev’s sperm - into Katie who fell pregnant in September 2020.
Sharanya, a speech pathologist and professional dancer, from Orange County, California, USA, said: “I cannot thank Katie enough for everything she’s done. She was