Yahoo Finance 'Today' Star Savannah Guthrie Breaks Down Over Kristen Welker's Emotional Surrogacy Story
On Friday, the Today show got emotional after Weekend Today cohost Kristen Welker revealed the wonderful news that she and her husband, John Hughes, are expecting a baby girl via a surrogate this June.
Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb watched as the 44-year-old NBC News chief White House correspondent opened up in a pre-recorded segment about her and John's journey. As she explained, she and John immediately started trying to have a baby after they got married in 2017. After running tests, her doctor recommended IVF. Though her first round of IVF went "really well," it was soon determined that the lining of her uterus was too thin to carry a child.
Kristen remembers the next few months being especially difficult for her: "I was going into the doctor in between live shots at work and just feeling like you're a failure, frankly."
.@kwelkernbc reveals that she and husband John Hughes are having their first child together with help from a surrogate. pic.twitter.com/ExG3IAQYNz
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 23, 2021
Two years after trying to carry her own baby and consulting with more doctors, it was determined that she wouldn't be able to carry a child herself. The couple then considered adoption and surrogacy and decided that surrogacy was the best option for them.
"Our surrogate has been amazing. I can't explain just how wonderful she's been," John said.
After years of really tough infertility struggles, my husband, John, and I are so thrilled to share that, with the help of a surrogate, we will welcome a baby girl and become a family of three in June. pic.twitter.com/s2eqJ8QaK6
— Kristen Welker (@kwelkernbc) April 23, 2021
Though their first try with the surrogate didn't work, the couple has now finally received some good news — a baby girl is on the way. Reacting to Kristen and John's story, Savannah couldn't help but get emotional on air.
"I think we're all overwhelmed [with] just gratitude for you, Kristen. You are my hero. You are my hero. I can't believe how hard you have worked for this baby," Savannah gushed to Kristen and John in the studio. "When she finds out all that you did for her to bring her into this world. Both of you, you're wonderful. I'm so happy for you."
Kristen went on to explain that what helped keep them going was how open Savannah and Hoda have both been about their own paths to motherhood. Savannah became a first-time mom in her 40s with the birth of her daughter, Vale, and turned to IVF for her second child, Charley. As for Hoda, she and her fiancé, Joel Schiffman, have adopted two daughters together — Haley Joy in 2017 and Hope Catherine in 2019.
"That gave us so much strength," Kristen said before also turning to Craig and commending him for talking about "the role of being a father."
Kristen continued: "I think when you know you're not alone, it helps you to wake up and put one foot in front of the other."
When Savannah asked Kristen what she would tell others right now in a similar situation, the Weekend Today cohost declared, "Do not give up, never give up. Everyone sitting here is a reminder that if you want a family, you can have one, and just to keep the faith."
If you or someone you know is looking for family planning support, you can visit RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.
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