But before the nurse placed the newborn in my arms, one of the doctors stepped closer.
His expression was gentle but unusually serious.
“Before you hold your baby,” he said, “there’s something you need to know.”
My heart stopped.
For one terrifying second, I thought something was wrong.
Then he continued.
“The donor’s mother is here.”
I stared at him.
I didn’t understand.
He explained that the donor’s family had respected the privacy rules throughout the entire process.
They had never asked to meet me.
They had never asked for updates.
But the donor’s mother had recently learned that the transplant had led to a successful pregnancy.
And today, she had come to the hospital.
She wasn’t asking for anything.
She only wanted one thing.
To see the baby once.
I couldn’t speak.
A few minutes later, the door opened.
An older woman stepped slowly into the room.
