A woman in the US underwent two years of IVF treatment and gave birth to a healthy baby — only to realise the child wasn't biologically hers.
The birth of a child should be the most joyful moment in an expectant parent's life, however for 38-year-old Krystena Murray it's when her entire world came crashing down.
Murray had delivered the baby boy back in December 2023 and instantly realised something was wrong after noticing the child did not resemble her.
Murray, who is white, had opted for a white sperm donor with similar physical features as her, however the baby she gave birth to was black.
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She would later learn that a mix-up at the fertility clinic she was treated at meant an embryo from another couple was mistakenly placed inside her rather than her own, according to a lawsuit.
This was later confirmed by a DNA test after reaching out to the clinic.
Murray had then decided to raise the child regardless of her biological connection after bonding during pregnancy; however she was dealt a further blow after the clinic informed the boy's biological parents, who sued for custody in May 2024.
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She has since handed the child over to his biological parents and is now suing Georgia clinic Coastal Fertility Specialists over the heartbreaking mix-up, accusing them of implanting the wrong embryo.
She is reportedly seeking damages of $75,000 (£59,000) for the mental anguish and emotional distress, stating the mix-up turned her into an 'unwitting surrogate, against her will, for another couple'.
"I have never felt so violated and the situation has left me emotionally and physically broken," she said (via AP).
"I spent my entire life wanting to be a mum. I loved, nurtured and grew my child and I would have done literally anything to keep him."
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Despite the harrowing experience, Murray has also added that she still hopes to one day become a mother, telling reporters that she is currently undergoing treatment at a different fertility clinic.
Coastal Fertility Specialists has since issued a statement calling the case 'an unprecedented error that resulted in an embryo transfer mix-up'.
"This was an isolated event with no further patients affected," the statement to AP read.
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"We are doing everything we can to make things right for those affected by this incident."
"Fertility clinics engage in vitally important work," Murray's attorney Adam Wolf added.
"With that amazing work comes a real responsibility. And when fertility clinics make mistakes like this, the consequences are life-altering."
Brenna Cooper