Surrogacy baby joy as Victorian mother gives birth to grandchild, helping her daughter become a mum

A Victorian woman has given birth to her first grandson, helping her daughter finally realise her dream of becoming a mum.

The arrival of tiny Thomas John Macartney may have been sudden and a big surprise, but the joy he has brought to his family is something special.

His besotted parents Cassidy Sharp and Corey Macartney can’t take their eyes off him. His grandmother Lisa Sharp, 55, the surrogate who carefully carried him for almost nine months, is simply in awe: of her first grandson, and of his biological parents Ms Sharp, 27, and her fiance Mr Macartney, 26.

“They are amazing parents,” she said with pride.

Thomas was born on Thursday morning at the Epworth Freemasons in East Melbourne, several weeks early but healthy and sporting a fine mop of dark hair.

As revealed exclusively in the Sunday Herald Sun, Mrs Sharp was the surrogate for her only daughter who was born without a uterus and unable to carry a baby.

“I can’t believe he is here,” Ms Sharp said. ‘It is surreal.”

And while so much careful planning had gone into creating baby Thomas, in the end Mother Nature had the final say.

Surrogate Lisa Sharp with her daughter Cassidy Sharp, grandson Thomas and new dad Corey Macartney at the Epworth Freemasons in East Melbourne. Picture: Aaron Francis

“I wasn’t due for a couple of weeks, but my waters broke at 5am on Thursday,” Mrs Sharp said. “We were at home and contacted Steve (Dr Stephen Cole, the family’s obstetrician) and he told us to get down here quick.”

Easier said than done, as the family live several hours from Melbourne.

Dr Cole said he was “a little nervous” about the long drive to the hospital, especially as this was Mrs Sharp’s fourth birth (she has two sons as well as Cassidy).

“I was crossing my fingers and a little nervous until she actually arrived,” Dr Cole said. “As a fourth baby they can sometimes come quickly.”

Mrs Sharp wasn’t nervous, more uncomfortable on the long drive.

“I wasn’t having any contractions, so I was very lucky. I was just a bit uncomfortable over the bumps and things, but otherwise fine.”

A special arrival: Lisa Sharp with her daughter Cassidy Sharp, grandson Thomas Macartney and his dad Corey with Dr Stephen Cole who cared for the family. Picture: Aaron Francis

Dr Cole is a specialist obstetrician who has delivered well over 8000 babies, but says this birth will always remain special.

“I think it’s one you really remember because of the emotions. You remember the emotions,” he said.

It was the first time Dr Cole had cared for a mother acting as a surrogate for her daughter and future son-in-law and says their bond was incredible to see.

By 10am last Thursday the trio had arrived safely at the hospital where, through its special surrogacy support service, Ms Sharp and Mr Macartney were able to be with Mrs Sharp as Thomas was delivered by caesarean.

Dr Cole said he showed Thomas to his parents straight away. “After we cut his cord we handed him to them and they didn’t let go after that,” he said.

“Little Tommy was born in excellent condition and able to go straight to mum and dad for cuddles.”

Only last week everyone was eagerly awaiting baby Thomas’ arrival. Picture: David Caird

The family said it was a lovely gift that they could all be there when he was born.

“That doesn’t happen a lot in theatres and so the hospital was really accommodating in terms of making it happen,” Dr Cole said. “Everyone felt really comfortable.”

Mrs Sharp said she was in shock for about an hour after the birth.

“I was like, well, he’s here, it’s done,” she smiled. “There weren’t any tears, we weren’t emotional; I just looked over and saw Cassidy and Corey with him, and thought I am a very proud grandmother.”

For new mum Ms Sharp she said it still hasn’t sunk in yet that their much-longed for baby is here.

“We are looking forward to taking him home and introducing him to all the family, they are so excited and can’t wait to meet Thomas,” she said.

Mr Macartney said it still doesn’t feel real that he is a dad. “After he was born, it just took a moment to realise I have a son,” he said. “That’s special.”