Woman gives birth to own grandson in surrogate pregnancy

A 53-year-old woman has given birth to her own grandson, in a surrogate pregnancy for her daughter.

Antonietta Di Maggio gave birth to Luciano Luca, the son of her 29-year-old daughter, Claudia, who was born without a uterus – a condition known as MRKH.

"How do you thank the person who has fulfilled my lifelong dream? And it was my mum of all people," Claudia told 60 Minutes reporter Karl Stefanovic through tears.

"I still can’t thank her enough. And I’ll never be able to. Without her, he wouldn’t be here, really he wouldn’t be," she said.

Claudia was told from a young age that she would never be able to conceive, however she and husband Sunny were determined to follow through with their dream of a family.

After an offer of surrogacy from Claudia’s sister Tanya fell through due to health reasons, her mother Antoinetta, then aged 51, volunteered.

"I just said, Claudia, I’ll carry a baby for you. I’ll do it," Antonietta said.

"I just took it, took the risk, that’s it."

Sydney gynaecologist Dr Kim Matthews, who has known Claudia since she was young, said she always believed Claudia could have her own family.

"I just said, come back when you’re ready," she said.

Dr Matthews was able to extract viable eggs from Claudia, which were fertilised with Sunny’s sperm before being placed in Antoinetta’s uterus.

After four attempts, Antoinetta finally fell pregnant – 27 years after she last gave birth.

"It was beautiful. The whole experience was just totally beautiful, especially the moment that he came out, it was just priceless," she said.

Claudia’s husband Sunny said it was an emotional experience for the whole family.

"I just kept thinking about what Claudia said right from the word go – it was something that she looked forward to for so long," Sunny said.

"I just still get choked up about it."

Antoinetta said it was strange at first after she gave birth, but soon felt like she’d just looked after her grandson for a while.

"All I was, I was looking after him for nine months - just until he was ready to be with his mummy and daddy.”