It’s the kind of story you only ever hear about in books or movies. But for Kristen Tripson, the bittersweet experience of being pregnant with her late husband’s baby is her reality.
Tripson, who lives in the US, lost her husband Sam in September 2015. He died of cancer, after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2011 while she was heavily pregnant with their oldest son, Jack. The couple also have a two-year-old daughter, Alice.
In a recent Instagram post, Tripson wrote, “Well. I’m pregnant. And, yes. It’s Sam’s.” She then explained the “long story” that led to her pregnancy.
Also on her Instagram, Tripson shared a photo of herself alongside her mother and mother-in-law, praising their unwavering support through her husband’s sickness and death. Both women were by Tripson’s side the day she had the final two embryos transferred. In a tribute to Sam’s Mum Hildie on Mother’s Day, Tripson wrote,
A look through Kristen Tripson’s Instagram account is at once heartbreaking and heartwarming. It chronicles an impossibly difficult journey, but also serves as a testament to the strength of one family, who have learnt to be immeasurably grateful.
Tripson’s Instagram bio reads, “Two sweet souls call me mama. Getting used to this whole widow thing. Thankful. It could always be worse.”
Sam and Kristen’s baby is due in late October, and while she’s incredibly excited, Tripson knows it won’t be easy. In an interview with US Weekly, she said, “I’m so excited to meet this little person. It’s hard to process, but just having a chance to meet another one of Sam’s children, it just blows my mind.
“He was so funny and so silly … and I love it when I see that in my children now, because I worry, oh my goodness, I don’t want these kids to be exactly like me. But it’s amazing how his qualities are in them.… I get little reminders of Sam every day.”
The soon-to-be new addition to Kristen’s family is nothing short of a miracle – and one they profoundly deserve.
Top Comments
Wow, way to make me cry first thing on a Tuesday morning MM! Hope this family's future is filled only with happiness.
I understand her decision. Like her my partner and I have 4 frozen embryos (due to a low monthly antral follicle count, meaning fewer eggs for the average for my age). Going through the compulsory counselling and consent processes, we've agreed either party has permission to use the embryos in the unlikely event of one of us passing, and if that's a decision the remaining partner comes to. We talked and thought a lot about it before coming to this agreement. For me, they may be my only shot at motherhood potentially. Personally, I am pleased to see that from 4 good frozen embryos came two babies :)