Chapter summaries The Surrogate Mother Freida McFadden

The Surrogate Mother: Chapter 13 Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

At Monica’s ten‑week OB/GYN appointment, Abby accompanies her. She feels insecure about Monica’s youthful body and the earlier front‑seat incident. Dr. Selena Wong mistakenly assumes Abby is Monica’s mother, which stings. The pregnancy uses Monica’s eggs and Sam’s sperm. The Doppler reveals a strong fetal heartbeat at 180 bpm, and Monica insists on recording it for a full minute, unsettling Abby. The doctor recommends a First Trimester Screen. Monica agrees without consulting Abby, who internally resents the lack of deference but outwardly stays silent. Abby also admits she chose not to tell Sam about the appointment, wanting to keep this moment for herself.

Key Events

  • Abby and Monica arrive for the first OB/GYN appointment; Abby reflects on her jealousy of Monica’s body.
  • Dr. Wong enters and mistakenly asks if Abby is Monica’s mother.
  • Monica clarifies the surrogacy arrangement: Abby will adopt the baby, using Monica’s eggs and Sam’s sperm.
  • Dr. Wong performs a pelvic exam (Abby steps out), then uses a Doppler to find the heartbeat.
  • All three hear the rapid 180‑bpm beat; Abby feels moved but notices Monica’s emotional reaction.
  • Monica records the heartbeat on her phone for an extended time, making Abby uncomfortable.
  • Dr. Wong suggests a First Trimester Screen; Monica agrees eagerly, without consulting Abby.
  • Abby reveals she deliberately did not invite Sam to the appointment.

Character Development

  • Abby: Her pettiness over Monica’s body and the front seat evolves into deeper unease. She recognizes her own controlling behavior (not inviting Sam) but does not change it. Her maternal hope is real, yet her insecurity about Monica’s attachment grows.
  • Monica: Appears sweet and cooperative, but her reaction to the heartbeat—recording it, tearing up—suggests a stronger emotional bond than a typical surrogate might display. She also takes initiative about the screening test without deferring to Abby.
  • Sam: He does not appear, but Abby’s decision to exclude him highlights a fissure in their partnership. Sam remains an off‑page figure whose wishes are represented only by Abby’s narration.
  • Dr. Selena Wong: Professional and competent, but her assumption about Abby’s age underscores Abby’s sensitivity about her older status.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Surrogate vs. Intended Mother: The heartbeat scene dramatizes the tension between Monica’s biological connection and Abby’s intended role. Monica’s tears and recording suggest a maternal claim that unsettles Abby.
  • Control and Exclusion: Abby deliberately keeps Sam in the dark about the appointment, mirroring her desire to control the pregnancy narrative. Her omission foreshadows further secrecy.
  • Aging and Insecurity: Dr. Wong’s “mother” comment reinforces Abby’s fear that she is too old and infertile, while Monica’s flat belly and young body underline the physical contrast.
  • Medical Milestones as Emotional Thresholds: Hearing the heartbeat transforms the abstract “baby” into a tangible reality for both women, deepening their competing attachments.

Why This Chapter Matters

This is the first medical confirmation of a healthy pregnancy, a moment Abby has long yearned for. Yet instead of pure joy, the chapter sows doubt: Monica’s over‑involvement and Abby’s secretive behavior signal that the surrogacy arrangement may be emotionally unstable. The chapter also exposes Abby’s unreliability as a narrator—her selective omissions from Sam and her rising jealousy suggest future conflict. It sets up the First Trimester Screen as a pivotal upcoming event where tensions could escalate.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Abby choose not to invite Sam to the appointment, and what does this reveal about her?
    Abby tells herself Sam would not want to come and that it would be awkward, but her real motive is possessiveness. She wants this experience for herself, fearing that Sam’s presence might shift Monica’s attention or that Sam might bond too closely with the surrogate. This act of exclusion shows Abby’s need for control and hints at a growing rift in her marriage.

  2. How does Monica’s reaction to the heartbeat differ from what a detached surrogate might show?
    Monica records the sound for a full minute, her eyes water, and she seems emotionally transported. A purely transactional surrogate would likely feel satisfaction but not such intense personal joy. Her behavior alarms Abby because it suggests Monica is forming an emotional bond with the baby she carries, contrary to the clinical agreement.

  3. What is the significance of Dr. Wong’s mistaken assumption that Abby is Monica’s mother?
    The mistake hits Abby’s raw nerve about age and fertility. It publicly underscores the age gap (thirteen years) and Abby’s inability to become a biological mother. The comment also foreshadows Abby’s fear that Monica will be seen as the “real” mother while Abby is relegated to a secondary role.