This week we are six days away from the baby’s due date and everything and everyone is still in utter chaos. Jeff heads to the therapist. Jeff feels like he is ready. When Jeff references voices in his head, the therapist has a strong reaction. Jeff notices and immediately says he means he talks to himself all day. This reminds me of a story. My undergraduate degree is in psychology and my graduate minor was psychology. I focused a bit on psychometrics and in one class we had to do some mental health testing on whoever we could get to volunteer. One of my volunteers was a younger male family member. When we got to the question about hearing voices in your head, he answered yes. This is how I learned how not to say, “You’re kidding right?” when assessing someone’s mental status. Eventually he sort of back down his description to, “you know, when you’re thinking.” I still think he hears voices in his head.
Back to Jeff’s therapy, it seems to be the most genuine of the TV therapy sessions we see. Jeff knows he is an asshole in business, but now that he is about to be a dad, he realizes that he has carried that attitude over into his personal life. He wants to bring Monroe home to a more tranquil environment. Look at Jeff Lewis thinking about someone other than himself!
Five days before the due date, Jeff, Vanina and Meghan Weaver with the big beaver take a train to San Diego to meet with a client. I just looked it up and the train ride is only three hours. It looks like it would be a fun trip. Well, they didn’t look like they were having fun. But it would be fun for me. Anyway the client is Krista and Jeff has to put the final touches on the landscape around her pool. I really don’t get the pool boy jobs that Jeff does these days.
I really kinda wanna fast forward through to the baby. Instead I watch a Chaz Dean meeting and yet another pool design at the final stages.
Jeff and Gage come up with the really awful idea of asking the surrogate to induce the baby when they come up if she doesn’t go into labor. Who does that? The baby will come when it is time for that baby to come. Gage seems miffed he can’t legally force her to induce.
Jeff takes Vanina out to beg her not to quit over a few bloody marys. I could use a bloody mary and some chowder right about now. Jeff offers her anything she wants to stay. She says she really thinks it is time for her to start her own business. Jeff tells her how valuable she has been to him. He apologizes for not telling her that enough. He does everything possible to get her to stay.
But in the end Vanina is going to leave for real. She needs to push her self more and takes risks. Vanina has a tearful interview about how much working there has meant to her and how much she hopes that she will still be friends with Jeff and Gage.
The two dads, Jenni, and Jeff’s Parents are all together in Sacramento waiting for the surrogate to go into labor. There are no hotels good enough for Jeff Lewis in Chico. The baby is already two days late and has been taking her sweet time to make her grand debut on national television.
When they get to Chico, the surrogate is still only three 3.5 cm. The doctor says it could take another week. The surrogate says she will induce if nothing is happening in a week. Again, Gage and Jeff are not particularly concerned about the well-being of the surrogate. They go for a stress test with her hoping that something shows up that causes her to have to be induced. I find this quite ….well I am not sure there is a word for it.
They did convince her to agree to induce on Wednesday instead of Friday. That would be eight days late. I think around that time the doctor would be talking about it. The Tuesday a week after the due date after everyone sitting up there for five days in a common folks hotel room, she agrees to induce. Jeff sat down with her and begged her to do it. He told her he was terrified that the baby had not come yet. I should point out the mucus plug came out five or six days prior and the cervix was dilating and then stopped. So I sort of get it. Is it weird that I keep thinking about being a week late changes her zodiac sign?
We get a montage of the three year journey to this point and then finally, contractions. Then we see Gage and Jeff staring at this woman’s vagina. Jeff says if he were a surrogate and he knew there was going to be an audience, he would have waxed. Also we learned early in the episode that Gage can barely say the word vagina. Yet here they are. Jenni is literally holding up one of the surrogates legs. Jeff says he doesn’t think Gage has ever seen a vagina, “let alone one that big.” They seem sort of angry with the surrogate for going past the due date.
When Monroe finally made her appearance, Gage’s mouth is open farther than it has ever opened in his life. Jeff covers his mouth and his eyes are open wider than they have ever been open in his life. Then we actually see her come out and Jeff cuts the cord. Everyone is crying. Gage holds her first. She is drop dead gorgeous for her first close up. No weird smushy headed baby. She is perfect.
As Gage is hold her against his bare chest he looks up at the surrogate and chokes out, “thank you.” She smiles back at him. Monroe is happy as a lark in Gage’s arms. When he finally lets Jeff hold her, she screams bloody murder. Then she settles down and even sucked her thumb.
That was an amazing episode.
Next week: They take the baby home and things are utter chaos.
Why do I get the feeling that they think they own her since they are paying her to do this? Ugh it disgusts me they are all about inducing because it’s interfering in their life. HELLO you’re about to have a baby, your whole life in gonna be interference from now on. I also used to hear laughing in my head when I would have panic attacks. I dunno if it counts as voices but I hated it more than anything.
OK. I know I don’t have a LOT of room to talk since I’ve never birthed a kid.
But I have a friend that was so Gage and Jeff with her kids – only difference was that she physically carried her kids.
She finally convinced her doc to induce – sure there wasn’t a strong medical reason not to induce, but there really wasn’t a strong medical reason NOT to. Now I’ve had some friends who have had the total natural and then induced – and to her, the induced was hella more painful.
but this friend? The NOT KNOWING and not being able to PLAN, gave her major anxiety and ultimately, slightly elevated blood pressure. Her hubster was so for waiting for nature, and I quietly agreed – but when the doc agreed to schedule the date, the relief and relaxation for her was palpable – we all recognized it.
So, I totally get G and J. being so far away from the surrogate must have SUCKED and added worries to guys that are already kind of type As. But ultimately, it is still the surrogate’s body. I don’t fault them for asking.
Pitocin makes labor more painful and is linked to higher emergency C-Section rates. The decision should be the surrogate’s.
Doctors will schedule inductions to suit their schedules. Mine wanted to schedule one for my son. I said I wanted to wait until Thursday so he could be a Leo!! The doc about fell off his chair. But I got my Leo!
At first I was thinking, WTF, what are you doing asking her to induce? Then they started talking about how they were worried about the baby, and I can see that, they were incredible stressed. This cannot be rushed, however, and I kept thinking, if this is becoming inconvenient and unexpected and stressful now, wait until the baby comes! No amount of preparation…….
I wondered if anybody in that group knew a damn thing about birth when they were thinking there was maybe a 2 day window on when she’d give birth. The due date can be WEEKS off. And Jeff must be there, unless he has to stay in a hotel he doesn’t like? Where’s that priority? I’ve had both – induced and not induced. When induced, instead of labor pains started out subtly and building labor comes on like a kick to the gut. I remember one OB telling me that whatever the mom goes through the baby goes through more. It seems to me it was selfish and ignorant to push for induction (no pun intended).
Honestly, I’d rather wait out the birth two hours away at the Ritz-Carlton than the Motel 6 Chico.
Great episode. I just kept wondering if there was anyone to comfort the surrogate. I know she was paid to carry the baby but it has to be gut wrenching to just let a baby go that u carried for over 9 months.
Monroe is beautiful. She cried for 3 months – LOL. Karma for Jeff and Gage trying to control things and treating Alexandra like a brood mare employee.
Gage and Jeff sound ungrateful and I know that they aren’t. They could have watched a video on YouTube or something so they wouldn’t make stupid comments about childbirth and female anatomy.
IMO Gage and Jeff were just being worried anxious daddies. I don’t think they meant to come off as being thoughtless.
Betty the night nurse is a hoot! Loved her!
Monroe is a beautiful baby.
All in all a great episode other than the Chaz Dean segment (borrrrring).
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I thought gays using babies as accessories was over in 2011. Sigh.
ps. Posted the above from my mobile to test it. Was slow as shit, but worked. Did get briefly redirected to some ad, which was annoying.
Yes using a mobile device in this site can be rough at times.
Thank you for your comment. Felt something was off, wanted to ask if anyone else felt it. Maybe Jeff needs time. I did not want to start something if anyone took offense.
You can see, almost feel the connection between Nate Berkus, Jeriemiah Brent and their daughter Poppy. Love on steroids. Those two guys need a houseful of babies.
I loved this episode, except for Vanina leaving. I will miss her but it was a bittersweet end.
I had sympathy anxiety waiting for this sweet angel. Jeff and Gage made me cry. I was glad Jeff’s family and Jenny were there.
The surrogate seemed very in control and kind when dealing with Monroe’s two Dads. Beautiful for them and us all to see some happiness.
I agree wholeheartedly… I teared up when Vanina was crying and when Monroe was born. Gage really seemed very appreciative when he told Alex Thank you. Jeff is a brat, will always be a brat, but I just gotta love him.
This episode made me fear for the little girl Monroe. But then Gage said thank you. I think Gage will be this little girl’s parent until she doesn’t meet deadlines. I wouldn’t wish Jeff on my worst enemy.
I gotta admit, the whole inducing-labor thing made me itchy. Regardless of their (selfish) reasons for wanting to induce labor, they should have been cognizant of how the audience would have perceived it. Such totally tone-deaf behavoir and not a good look for a public figure like Jeff Lewis. Icky poo!
Having said that, I think Monroe will have a loving and privileged upbringing. Gage’s innate dseire to bond with the baby was palpable. And his weak “thank you” to the surrogate* seemed heartfelt.
* Everyone seems so concerned about the surrogate’s well-being. But it strange that none of us seem to remember her name despite being boldly shown on the screen several times. Lol.
Well this episode was a rollercoaster of emotion! I was (and still am) pissed at Jeff and Gage wanting Alex to be induced just for their convenience. And Jenny agreed with them! I thought she had mores sense than to think inducing for no good reason is OK. If I were Alex I would told them both to fuck off!
I was also pissed at Jeff for making the waxing comment about the woman who gave him a daughter! Rude AF!!
But then seeing Gage and Jeff holding Monroe and seeing the joy and love from them was so beautiful melted my cold, black heart.
Monroe (“They’ll call her Mo!!!” Lol) is just gorgeous. Perfect skin! I am sure they will make great parents as long as she does everything those whacked out control freaks say, she should be just fine! Lol ?
When I was a couple of days before my due date for my first baby at age 40 and 9 months, I was getting a pedicure and happened to be seated next to a NICU nurse. I told her how miserable I was feeling and that I was seriously considering induction. She begged me not to do so and told me how many babies she had seen that were induced as a matter of convenience who were born with lung issues and had to spend time in the NICU. She said let nature take its course; my dr had already told me that he would not let me go longer than one week past my due date for safety reasons. I wound up being induced at 40 weeks and 4 days, and it was not a bad experience. I had two doses of Stadol and an epidural and literally no pain; however when I arrived at the hospital I was almost 4 cm, so I think I was in labor but was just not in pain– just felt very queasy.
I was so upset with Jeff for saying she could have shaved for the birth. How horrifying for that woman to have her down south housekeeping broadcast on television! Shame on Jeff.
Shaving your nether regions when 9 months pregnant would be dicey at best, I hope those two try to learn some things since they are raising a girl. When I heard their comments, I couldn’t believe how ignorant they are lol
I keep imagining putting Jeff in one of those pregnancy suits and handing him a razor and telling him to shave his balls. That would be hilarious.
I’ll be the devil’s advocate here-having birthed two babies, both induced-I support Jeff and Gage’s concerns. If it is 40 weeks (and it is accurate, not “weeks” off) and the doctor agrees it would be ok to induce I understand why I think they wanted to. Letting the due date go past 40 weeks enhances the chances of the baby inhaling meconium and that can have fatal consequences. They never cited that particular circumstance, but that happened to a friend of mine is why I guess that. Other surrogates in comments on the episode, people who have said they were actual surrogates were surprised that Alexandra was able to do that, that usually it is up to the parents.
My own personal experience-I was sick of being pregnant, the doctor said the baby was ready if I was and I was induced the day after her due date. Wonderful labor and delivery, and was induced with my second baby as well. My doctor gave me the option of inducing a week early, with my second, in fact.
I know it initially seemed that Jeff and Gage wanted the surrogate to be induced for their convenience, I do think that they quickly became concerned for the baby’s welfare. And as noted above, it can be dangerous for the pregnancy to go too long.
Jeff and Gage, two selfish guys thar rub along well enough, I guess. Both of them treated Alexandria terribly. Both of them take others for granted who are valuable business associates. Things have to get to a crisis level before they react in any kind way. Who does this? The cruelty of Jeff is not entertaining or endearing. Did either of these guys not catch up on Labour and birth before they tried to malign their surrogate about her decision regarding induction of labour, and that comment about waxing was beyond stupid. God bless this little girl, being raised by the Jeff and Gage team. Sorry, checked out of this mess.
My son’s due date was supposed to be the 27th of October. I am terrified of Scorpios and was and cried for 6 months that this kid was going to eat me for breakfast (I am a timid Libra) but he was premature and I got my little Libra after all. Phew!
What?!!! You’re glad he was premature?!!
Yes. I am a terrible person.
Sometimes the body doesn’t respond well to induction. Labor stalls and a c-section is necessary. But knowing Jeff and Gage, they would just be excited that the baby looked perfect from skipping the birth canal part. Surrogate well-being be damned.
Disgusting…I am INCENSED and sickened with what I watched. I also can’t help myself but I suddenly feel differently about male gay parents and whether they deserve to have the privilege of having a woman surrogate a child for them and risk her health and life to give them this precious gift. What disrespectful and shameful discourse…
“lets induce her” …. seriously, … is she your cow? “She should have waxed knowing she has an audience.” Really sick. No wonder everyone that spends time with these guys eventually RUNS for their life. Good job Vanina….how did you stand to work with such pigs. I will NEVER watch another episode or use any products with Jeffs name on it. Feel sorry for this child.
Please, I urge you to reconsider your judgment of all gay parents and surrogacy based on an episode of a Television show. That would be very sad indeed. Stop watching the show but think about assuming ALL gay men act like this.
Almost ALL first babies are late. A due date is most often an estimate of when the baby will arrive. Mine was 10 days late, my daughters was a week late. Just because it take a couple of extra days does not mean there is a problem. I was extremely annoyed with Jeff’s housekeeping comment or Alexandra’s nether regions. I hope she got paid well!