Woman becomes an aunty after giving birth to her brother’s baby girl

A (frankly amazing) woman has just become an aunty after giving birth to her brother’s baby girl.

“Our perfect little bundle”

Chapelle Cooper is the brilliant lass in question, and she delivered teeny Harper Elizabeth Smith last week, on behalf of her brother Scott Stephenson and his partner Michael Smith.

“We are blown away by the strength, heart and courage of Chapelle and will never be able to truly thank her for bringing us our perfect little bundle,” new dad Michael posted on Facebook. “We love you more than you know!”

Michael and Scott had wanted to become parents but had been unsure about using a surrogate, fearing things could go wrong and finding the expense of this process prohibitive. But when Scott’s sister Chapelle threw her hat in the ring they knew they’d found a solution.

Chapelle’s egg and Michael’s sperm were used to conceive the baby and Michael said they formed an even tighter family unit as the pregnancy progressed. 

“We found ourselves really protective of her throughout the pregnancy,” he admitted and it’s not hard to imagine why.

Technically Chapelle’s the mother of this wee bub, but will not take on that role in the wee girl’s life, the family say.

“Chapelle will be a ‘big part of Harper’s life’ but will do so as an auntie and not as a mother,” Yahoo UK reports. “The couple have already decided they will tell Harper the truth when she’s old enough.”

“I don’t think I could’ve done it if I’d never seen her again which made it a lot easier,” Chapelle admitted.

A modern family

Baby Harper arrived two weeks early, but healthy and happy. Not quite as happy as her new parents it would seem!

“Welcoming Harper Elizabeth Smith to the world,” Chapelle posted on Facebook. “15 days early, 5lb 8 and so beautiful!”

Congratulating her brother and his partner, Chapelle could not speak highly enough about her surrogacy experience.

“Can honestly say they were amazing in the delivery room, they gave so much love and so much care to me and to Harper, cannot thank you enough. Enjoy your new family life, I love you all so much.”

Congratulations to this amazing family!