Disclaimer: This post contains information about pregnancy and infant loss.
In the realm of surrogacy, there are stories that inspire, stories that touch the heart, and then there is the story of Kristin McQuaid. It’s a narrative that transcends the usual, a tale of remarkable strength, resilience, and an indomitable spirit that turned personal tragedy into a source of hope for many. Kristin’s journey, marked by courage, determination, and an unwavering commitment to helping others, stands as a testament to the power of the human spirit and the transformative potential of compassion.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Kristin now calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. She shares this home with her husband, a dedicated cardiologist, and their two beautiful children. The journey to this point, however, has been anything but straightforward. It’s a journey that began with the heartbreaking loss of their first child, London Quinn, and led to the blessing of two more children, Bexley and Ford, who are only seven months apart. “After losing London, we were blessed with the opportunity to raise these two beautiful children and I can’t complain,” Kristin shares, her voice filled with gratitude and resilience.
Kristin’s journey to motherhood was fraught with challenges. After years of trying to conceive naturally and experiencing the heartbreak of early miscarriages, she was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis. This diagnosis led to multiple surgeries and, eventually, a hysterectomy. It was a difficult time, marked by physical pain and emotional turmoil. But it was also during this time that Kristin and her husband made the decision to pursue surrogacy, a decision that would open a new chapter in their lives.
Surrogacy: A Journey Filled with Hopes and Challenges
“Surrogacy to me was the route that I knew I definitely wanted to choose as a mother,” Kristin explains. “You talk to the surrogate, and you get to hear, you know, the kicks are coming, or the baby has hiccups… my surrogate allowed me to feel so close to that and feel like I was part of the journey.” This connection, this bond that Kristin was able to form with her surrogate, was an integral part of her surrogacy experience. It allowed her to feel involved, to feel connected, and to share in the joy and anticipation of the impending arrival of her child.
Kristin’s surrogacy journey was, in many ways, a picture of perfection. From the moment she and her husband decided to pursue surrogacy, they were committed to being as involved as possible. Despite their surrogate living in a different state, they made every effort to be present for appointments, either virtually or in person. They were eager to hear every update, from the baby’s first kicks to her hiccups. Their surrogate made them feel incredibly close to the process, allowing them to feel a part of the journey despite the physical distance.
The bond between Kristin and her surrogate was strong. They both embarked on this journey for the first time together, creating a unique connection between them. They spent a significant amount of time bonding even before the transfer, building a relationship based on trust, respect, and shared anticipation.
“Surrogacy to me was the route that I knew I definitely wanted to choose as a mother. You talk to the surrogate, and you get to hear, you know, the kicks are coming, or the baby has hiccups… my surrogate allowed me to feel so close to that and feel like I was part of the journey.” – Kristin McQuaid
The pregnancy itself was textbook perfect. Every doctor’s appointment brought good news. The baby, whom they named London, was healthy and growing as expected. They even had a 3D scan, a moment that brought immense joy and excitement. The anticipation was palpable, and their home was filled with baby items, ready to welcome their little one.
They had a scheduled C-section, which allowed them to plan and prepare for the big day. The day before the delivery, they met their surrogate for a wonderful dinner, exchanged gifts, and shared their eagerness for the next day. It was a day filled with joy and anticipation, a day that was supposed to be the culmination of their surrogacy journey.
However, the journey that had been so perfect took a tragic turn. Kristin and her husband’s first child, London, tragically lost her heartbeat just before birth. The loss was devastating, a blow that seemed almost impossible to recover from. “I was in a coma for weeks. I couldn’t get out of my bed. I couldn’t eat,” she recalls. But even in the face of such overwhelming grief, Kristin found the strength to cope and move forward. “But where I am today is not where I was after the tragedy. I’m very strong because I know now what London’s purpose was.” This strength, this resilience, is a testament to Kristin’s character and her unwavering determination to honor London’s memory.
In the wake of their loss, Kristin and her husband found a purpose in helping others who have experienced similar losses.
Turning Tragedy into Hope: The Birth of “London is the Reason”
Kristin’s organization, “London is the Reason,” is not just about providing immediate support to grieving families. It’s about creating a community of understanding, empathy, and shared experiences. The organization aims to break the silence around the loss of a child and to provide a safe space for families to share their stories, their grief, and their journey toward healing.
One of the key initiatives of “London is the Reason” is the distribution of healing boxes. These boxes are filled with items that are meant to provide comfort and solace during a time of immense grief. Each box is filled with care and love, mirroring Kristin’s own journey of healing and resilience. But the organization’s vision goes beyond these boxes.
Kristin hopes to expand the reach of her organization and to touch more lives. She envisions a future where no parent has to grieve alone, where every loss is acknowledged, and every story is heard. She wants to create a world where the loss of a child is not a taboo subject but a shared experience that brings people together in their journey toward healing.
“London is the Reason” also aims to educate people about the realities of surrogacy and the challenges that come with it. By sharing her own journey, Kristin hopes to shed light on the complexities of surrogacy and to provide a realistic picture of what the process entails.
In the end, “London is the Reason” is about transforming personal tragedy into a source of strength and inspiration. It’s about turning the pain of loss into a force for change and a beacon of hope for others. It’s about honoring the memory of lost children and providing a platform for their stories to be heard.
The Arrival of Bexley and Ford: A New Wave of Joy
After the heartbreaking loss of London, Kristin and her husband were not ready to give up on their dream of becoming parents. Their journey took another turn when they decided to pursue both surrogacy and adoption simultaneously. As fate would have it, they were blessed with two beautiful children, Bexley and Ford, who are only seven months apart.
Kristin shares, “All of our children are actually seven months apart. Which it feels like I have twins and it also feels like I have an army. But I can’t complain. After losing London, we were blessed with the opportunity to raise these two beautiful children and, I can’t complain.”
The arrival of Bexley and Ford brought a new wave of joy and hope into Kristin’s life. The journey to parenthood may have been fraught with challenges and heartbreak, but in the end, it led them to their two beautiful children and a renewed sense of purpose.
“Although I know that it’s a tragic story, I know that it’s bound to help others,” Kristin says. “I’m so happy to be here. So thank you.” Her words, filled with gratitude and hope, echo her unwavering commitment to helping others and her belief in the power of sharing her story.
How You Can Support “London is the Reason”
If you are touched by Kristin’s story, and the mission of “London is the Reason,” there are several ways you can reach out and support the organization. You can visit their website at https://www.londonisthereason.org to learn more about their mission and the work they do. The website also provides resources for those who have experienced a loss, including links to local and online support groups.
To help the organization continue its mission, consider making a donation. Your contribution will go towards providing healing boxes to grieving families and expanding the reach of their support services. You can also volunteer your time and skills to help the organization in its various initiatives.
For inquiries, you can reach out to Kristin directly through the organization’s website. Your involvement, no matter how big or small, can make a significant difference in the lives of those who have experienced the loss of a child. By supporting “London is the Reason,” you are helping to bring light and hope to families navigating through their darkest times.
About Kristin McQuaid
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Kristin McQuaid now resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband and their two beautiful children, Bexley and Ford. After a personal journey marked by heartbreak and loss, Kristin turned her pain into purpose, founding the organization “London is the Reason” in honor of her first child, London Quinn, who was tragically lost just before birth through surrogacy.
Kristin’s organization, London is the Reason, provides healing boxes to parents who have experienced similar losses, offering comfort and support during their darkest times. Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of compassion. Despite her tragedy, Kristin has become a source of inspiration and hope for many, demonstrating the power of resilience and the transformative impact of turning personal pain into a mission to help others.
