By

Erica Schwiegershausen,

a senior writer at The Cut covering parenting and health.

Previously, she spent four years as senior news editor for The Cut.

This spring, surrogate McKenna West learned that the fetus she was carrying for a California couple had a rare and life-threatening heart condition. After consulting with doctors, the biological parents decided to terminate the pregnancy. But West, a nurse who lives in Alaska, refused to get an abortion. Instead, she decided to travel to Texas, where she gave birth to the infant this week. Now, she’s fighting for custody. Here’s what to know about the case.