Sister steps up to make sibling's dream of motherhood come true

Motherhood always felt like an uphill battle for Britt Sipe. Diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder that affects the heart and other organs, she knew early on that pregnancy could pose life-threatening risks. It was a reality she had accepted, even as she dreamed of someday becoming a mom.

Britt and her husband, Greg, embraced the idea of building a family in other ways. They became foster parents, opening their home and their hearts to children in need. “Fostering has been such a rewarding experience for us,” she says. “But we still held onto the hope that one day, we’d find a way to have a biological child.”

The turning point came during a conversation with Britt’s father. He encouraged her to keep exploring all options, even if the road seemed daunting. His words reignited a determination in her, and soon, she and Greg began looking more seriously into other possibilities.

At the same time, Britt’s older sister, Lacey Hummel, had been quietly thinking about ways she could help. A mother of three, Lacey had always been close with Britt, and when she saw the struggles her sister and brother-in-law were facing, she knew she could step in.“

I had thought about surrogacy for a while, and when Britt and Greg were talking about their options, it just felt right,” Lacey says. “I wanted to do this for them. I wanted to help my sister become a mom. ”Britt was overwhelmed by the selflessness of her sister’s offer. “I had never even considered asking her. It felt like too much to ask anyone,” she says. “But she offered so freely, so generously. It was like she was giving us this incredible gift.”

In 2021, the surrogacy process began. The sisters faced numerous challenges along the way. In vitro fertilization (IVF) required hormone treatments, careful monitoring, and an emotional toll as each embryo transfer brought hope and uncertainty. The first transfer ended in a miscarriage, while the next two attempts were unsuccessful.

"We were so optimistic at the start, but each failed transfer was devastating,” Britt says. “It was hard to keep going, but Lacey was our rock through all of it. She just kept saying, ‘We’ll try again.’”

Finally, in late 2023, the fourth embryo transfer brought the news they had been waiting for: Lacey was pregnant. “We were cautiously optimistic,” Britt says. “After so many ups and downs, it was hard to believe it was really happening. But with each milestone, we started to let ourselves feel hope again.”

Lacey carried the pregnancy with strength and grace, supported by the maternal-fetal medicine specialists at IU Health Ball. The care team ensured that both sisters felt included and supported throughout the journey.

"The team treated me like Levi’s mom from the very beginning, even though I wasn’t carrying him,” says Britt. “They went above and beyond to make me feel like a part of every step.”

In February 2024, after months of careful planning, baby Levi Patrick was born. The delivery was an emotional moment for everyone in the room. Britt and Greg were there, ready to meet their son the moment he arrived.

"It’s hard to describe what that moment felt like,” she says. “Holding Levi in my arms for the first time—it was everything I had dreamed of and more. All the waiting, all the challenges—it all led to him.”

For Lacey, handing Levi to her sister was the culmination of years of effort and love. “Seeing Britt hold Levi for the first time, knowing I helped make that possible—it’s something I’ll carry with me forever,” she says. “Seeing everything come together and watching Britt as a mom—it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. ”The experience has also deepened Britt’s her understanding of what family means. “Family isn’t just about biology—it’s about the people who show up for you, who love you unconditionally,” she says. “Lacey didn’t just help us have a baby. She helped make our family whole.”

Levi’s name carries special significance for Britt and Greg. Levi means “united in harmony,” and she says that’s exactly what this experience has been for their family. It’s a reflection of the love, determination, and connection that brought him into the world.

Now thriving at home, ten-month-old Levi is a daily reminder of the power of love, resilience, and the extraordinary sacrifices families make for one another. Britt hopes their story inspires others who may be facing challenges on the path to parenthood.

“The journey isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t always look the way you expect it to,” she says. “But there is hope. There is a way forward.”

Looking ahead, she is eager to share the story of Levi’s arrival as he grows. “He’ll grow up knowing how loved he is and the incredible sacrifice his aunt made to bring him into the world,” she says. “And I hope that inspires him to approach life with the same love and selflessness that brought him to us.”