American Couple in a Race Against Time to Get Preemie Twins Born via Surrogate Out of Ukraine

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By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Mar 08, 06:24 am

Photo: (Photo : Omar Marques/Getty Images)

An American couple is in a race against time to get their premature newborn babies out of the war-torn Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. Alex Spektor, 46, and Irma Nuñez, 48, have issued desperate pleas to get their preemie twins safely home in Georgia and away from the fighting between Ukraine and Russia.

Spektor and Nuñez waited a long time for their twin boys, and they finally arrived via a surrogate at Adonis maternity hospital in Kyiv. Moishe and Lenny Spektor were born two months prematurely, however, following a "complicated" pregnancy by the surrogate mother.

The Spektor twins, who were born at 32 and a half weeks, weighed around four pounds each, with both of them facing health complications, including having difficulty in breathing. That is concerning for the new parents as medical supplies are slowly running out at the hospital where their babies are being treated following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Spektor concerned about his preemie twins

With the war showing no signs of stopping, the couple is looking for ways to get their twin boys to a safer place. Spektor spoke to the American morning show TODAY about their plight, saying that what is happening to them is unimaginable and impossible to wrap your mind around.

Because of Russia's conflict with Ukraine, Spektor and Nunez could not be with their surrogate when she gave birth to their twin boys. The main priority now for the parents is to get their newborn babies in a hospital with a basement bomb shelter.

The twins must get the necessary treatment for their breathing difficulties. Spektor said they are in a bind as the twins need to stay in Ukraine because of their health and their being premature, but they need to take them out of the country because of the worsening conflict.

Nearly 100 clients of surrogacy providers feeling effects of war

Aside from Moishe having problems with his breathing, Spektor and Nuñez have been trying to find special preemie milk for their twins, but that has proven difficult with Russia's ongoing military operation inside Ukraine. Spektor said he talked to one pharmacy in the morning about getting the necessary supplies, but when one of his contacts arrived there in the afternoon, the store was already closed after being shelled by Russian forces.

There was some good news, though, with Spektor locating and acquiring the necessary milk. He also said that a pediatrician and the surrogate mother are looking after the twin boys. According to surrogacy provider Adonis Fertility International, nearly 100 clients in the United States and Canada feel the effects of Russia's military offensive in Ukraine.

Some of their surrogates have yet to give birth and are under severe stress because of the war, while some parents are stuck in Ukraine with their newborn children. Spektor ended his interview by making a plea to President Biden to help get their preemie twins out of Ukraine.