For 48-year-old Tobias Larsson from Norrköping, the past few months have been a difficult struggle as he tries to bring his premature twin daughters, Allis and Lisa, home to Sweden. Born at week 29, both girls have Pierre Robin’s sequence, causing severe complications, including breathing and eating difficulties. They require 24-hour care, with Lisa also needing to be fed by tube and Allis needing continuous oxygen. For Tobias, the challenge of getting his daughters home is not just a logistical nightmare but also a financial burden.
Tobias has been taking care of his daughters by himself since the hospital in Bogota, where they were born, could not keep them. He has reached out to the Foreign Ministry and the Swedish embassy in Bogota for help organizing their safe return home but to no avail. The restrictions present a significant challenge for Tobias and his daughters.
Surrogacy laws and regulations have brought scrutiny to Tobias’ situation, as such arrangements are prohibited in Sweden. Tobias stated, “I have no other way to do it myself than this way.” He added that using a surrogate mother was the only option and although it was a difficult decision to make, he has to “put up with this” situation. Surrogacy remains unregulated in Sweden, as no legislation exists for these matters.
Tobias voiced his concerns about the lack of solutions and the heavy financial burden for getting his daughters back to Sweden. Eight months after the birth of the twins, he is still unsure about how to bring his daughters home, with the dilemma of finding a feasible and affordable means of transport. He shared his anxieties and uncertainties, stating, “I walk around with a stomach ache and anxiety every day” while waiting for a resolution.
The journey for Tobias and his daughters is a continuing struggle as they navigate surrogacy and the lack of legal regulations in Sweden.