How many buns are in the oven?

So sorry for the lack of updates, I sorta wasn't sure if I wanted everyone in the 'know' right around transfer day because then all of you would be so anxious to hear the results.  So let me catch you all up a bit.

We did have the transfer on December 6th at 1pm, although I think it was closer to 2 before I had the procedure done. Our transfer date was moved up a couple of days because 2 embryos were 8-cell and 'ready' so it changed to what is termed a 3-day transfer.

Our oldest 2 kids were at school and my best friend took our youngest daughter for the day. My friend actually gave me the most thoughtful 'sticky box' of all these things that are sticky like gum, tape, silly putty, syrup, honey, etc.  All sooooo perfect for the embryos that we needed to stick! I was so nervous in the car that it made me laugh as I looked through the box of stickies and I felt much lighter as we continued our drive to Ft. Worth.

First, Jon, the IP's and I met for a yummy lunch at a local cafe before the actual transfer. I was really glad we did because by the time we finished our lunch I was less nervous about the 'big' day ahead of all of us. 

After we arrived at the clinic they put me in a room and handed me a yellow gown with ties in the back to change into. I could have one person in the surgery room with me which I knew would be E, the IM so she had to get in her fancy white zip-up outfit to accompany me.  Once we were all suited up including our blue hats and bootie shoes we were ready.

The procedure itself didn't last long, probably around 10 minutes. E did such a great job keeping me calm and the Dr. let me pick what music I wanted to listen to, so we had country music playing in the background. It really is such an amazing process to be a part of and watch on the screen above. After all was done, they rolled me back to the room where I had to stay laying down, snuggled under a thick blanket for 30+ minutes before I could get up and get dressed. Once we headed back home, I was put on bedrest for 3 days. The IP's gave us a big basket of goodies to help keep me occupied as well as the kids during my bedrest, they really are so wonderful. 

Then we waited... and on day 7 I took my first pregnancy test and a very very faint line appeared. I tested again on day 8 which was a wee bit darker and by day 9 the double line came up quick and dark. I also took a digital test on December 14th so the IP's could see the word 'pregnant' which is when I told them they were in fact pregnant.  I just kept thinking YAY we did it! The shock factor for them lasted a few days but now that we have 3 good beta tests behind us I think they are getting more comfortable with the + pregnancy news. 

Now we wonder who hung in? Do the IP's have one or two babies growing inside me? That is the big question which we should have an answer to Friday, January 4th when we go for an ultrasound to hear the babies heartbeat(s). 

I definitely had signs of pregnancy a few days after the transfer. I had and still have fatigue, food aversions and increased appetite.  I am still taking 3 estrogen pills a day in addition to my progesterone shot each night. The progesterone shots are getting a little rough as I now have a lot of soreness and knots on each side of my hips making me more and more uncomfortable as time goes on. I will have to continue on these medications until 10 weeks into pregnancy, I am 5 weeks 5 days pregnant today. Hey we surros gotta do what we gotta do along the journey and it will all be WELL worth it in the end. 

Bulls-eyes and Kokopelli the fertility god

Yesterday was my last monitoring appointment at the clinic before our December 8th transfer. They did the usual lab work and an ultrasound to make sure the medications were working as they should. The Dr. said they needed the uterine lining to be at least a 7 and mine was at 14 so that was "really good". 

They also reviewed all necessary paperwork, drew a couple bulls-eye marks on my upper buttocks for the Progesterone shots that I will start this Sunday and gave me a big bag of prenatal vitamins. 

I was given this beautiful pendant from a fellow 'surrogate sister', which is how we all refer to each other. I wore it to my appointment yesterday and will keep wearing it for all of its good-luck. My SS (surrogate sister) recently gave birth to twins for her IP's so if Kokopelli worked for her and her IP's I hope it aids in a + pregnancy for me for my IP's.

"Kokopelli is known as the fertility god. He is considered a healer and women seek him as an aid to pregnancy. Legend has it, everyone in the village would sing and dance throughout the night when they heard Kokopelli play his flute. The next morning, every maiden in the village would be with child.

Moonstone can help your you welcome a new soul into her body and is said to have powers that aid in balancing of your emotions, very important in trying to conceive! Calms emotions, opens up ones feminine side. Heightens intuition and receptivity. Assists with hormone equilibrium during menstrual cycle. Moonstone also encourages love, hope, and fertility."

I hope you live a life you're proud of....

I really connected to this when I read it tonight. I have always tried to challenge myself...push beyond the 'norm'. I never doubted what I am capable of doing (natural birth for all 3 of our children when everyone doubted me) if I set my mind to it. I am always looking for inspiration and each day I strive to live my very best life. My hope is that these are some of the things my children can learn from me. 

Surrogacy is just one thing I knew I was going to do and I am so thankful for all of the new friends I have made along my journey and the wonderful IP's, whom I hope, that with my help can start their family. So here we are counting down until our December 8th transfer date.

Each day, each medication is one step closer...

I had an appointment at the clinic yesterday for labs and an ultrasound. The ultrasound looked great so the medications are all working as they should.  They now started me on daily Estrogen pills in addition to my Lupron injections. Estrogen helps stimulate and maintain the endometrial lining of the uterus, so that it grows and can sustain a pregnancy. As we get closer to the transfer date the Estrogen pills increase to 2x a day and then 3x a day. 

E the IM has been so great checking-in on me to make sure everything is going good; I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful team to support me throughout this process. E and I are meeting for sushi lunch this Saturday, I am looking forward to seeing her and am I am excited that I can get in another meal of sushi before transfer.

They did change our transfer date to December 8th. I prefer a weekend transfer day anyways because it should be easier to find a sitter for the kids the day of transfer and less days off of work for Jon while I am on bedrest. I think the hardest part about this process will be the bedrest, I am definitely 'active' with our kids and all of the activities they have going on so hopefully my husband will be 'ready' to take over the big job of 'mom' here for a few days. I have already started checking out Pinterest for some easy felt ornament crafts that I can do from the couch and I suppose I should start recording some Lifetime movies to watch. 

My First Injection...

Today I started my Lupron (10 units) injections. I have never administered an injection to anyone nor have I ever done one on myself. It took me about 20 minutes this morning to mentally 'prep' myself before I actually administered the Lupron injection into my lower abdomen. It wasn't so bad once I was mentally ready and only stung a little afterwards.

This is just one medication to prepare me for transfer, in a couple weeks we add another medication to the mix and then another on to that and so on. I am relieved to be past the first day and I am sure tomorrow will be that much easier.

What does Lupron do? In short, Lupron acts by suppressing the pituitary gland (the gland which is normally responsible for triggering ovulation). By using this medication it will stop my ovulation. As I mentioned earlier in my blog, I am a gestational carrier so Dr.K will be transferring embryos from the Intended Parent's....the miracles of science!

My favorite quote about surrogacy is from the show, 'The New Normal' “She's just like an easy-bake oven except with no legal rights to the cupcake.” So funny and true!

 *not my picture (although this is exactly the same that I used), borrowed from the Internet

Just a few more days until...

...I start my medications. Jon and I went to the IVF clinic today for my medication training session, although it was a little overwhelming to see all of the medications together in a big box it did help to review each one and why it is used so I could better understand its part in the IVF transfer process. I will go over each one as I start them.

I am not all that worried about it, once I set my mind to doing something I stay optimistic and just do it. 

I received some of my medications today. PSA: If at any time I start to act a little 'crazy' it could be for any of the below reasons. 

I saw our unicorn...our calendar

Yes today was the day that E, the IM texted me to say she had a copy of our calendar. I was so excited that it had finally made its way to us and suddenly it all felt really really real. It was such an exciting day, the day we saw our plan on paper.

Our unicorn...the calendar

Well I promised I would update this week and although I don't have our calendar (my IM and I have been calling it our 'unicorn' since we know it exists but have yet to see it) just yet, I do have an appointment next Thursday, November 1st to review the medications I will be taking to prepare for our December 4th transfer. 

Today I have been thinking about how lucky I am to have been matched with such wonderful IP's. When I started this process I wasn't sure who needed my help but now that they are in my life (my families life) it just feels like it was meant to be, we all really make a great team together. 

I had sat on my application to be a surrogate for a long while after I started it (just waiting for life to settle down a bit) and the IP's had just been accepted into the agency when I finally hit the last submit button, it was perfect timing for our match. 

People often say so many glowing words about me being a surrogate but really I think it's the Intended Parent's who deserve all of the words of praise. They are two really amazing people that would do everything they possibly could to become parents to their biological child and I think that strength to overcome this obstacle, patience throughout the process is such a beautiful thing. Just makes my heart happy that I can help them and get them on their journey to parenthood. 

We have a transfer date!

So sorry its been so quiet on here but each process in this journey takes time. We weren't able to make a November transfer date because the lab closes for cleaning but we are set to transfer on December 4th as long as medications and my uterus are all in sync (aka a happy home) and ready for the embies.  

The IP's and myself are beyond thrilled to finally have a date to put on our calendars. We will get our calendar next week which will have the start date for my medications, so hopefully my next update on here won't be that far away. 

Almost time to start the prep work on my uterus...

It isn't everyday you get to use the word uterus in a title but with our upcoming events I thought I should give it some LOVE. So just a little update on things, well Jon and I enjoyed a night of bowling and yummy fried foods with S and E last Saturday, September 29th. It's obvious I won't be bringing home a bowling trophy anytime soon but I sure did enjoy getting to spend a night out together.

So the biggest milestone is that all of us have now signed the necessary contracts (it was about 8 weeks in this stage so it feels great to be past it) with our attorneys and now we just wait for the clinic to send me a calendar along with my medications. I think we might hear from the clinic tomorrow and if not my guess is Monday of next week. I mentioned to E, the IM that I was a little worried on the injections since I have never done any to myself nor have I ever seen anyone give themselves an injection but she is so sweet that she offered to come and show me the 'how to' of it all so that put me more at ease.

Ok , I had to share this uterus pillow with all of you. An on-line surrogate friend of mine received this from her IM and I just thought it was so cute and funny. As I have said from the start, I have a happy uterus that isn't being used anymore and I feel very fortunate that by putting it to use I can help these wonderful IP's grow their baby to start their family....awe such a gift I am excited to give.

If your needing a uterus pillow... or any other organ pillows you can find them here.

She believed she could so she did

I am so excited that we will be reviewing our contracts this weekend so hopefully by next week we can all sign them which will move us into the next step.

I think one of the top 3 questions I get asked is how will I explain this to our children and I usually respond that I will keep it honest and simple once we past the first trimester. I also plan on getting them this book so we have something floating around the house as they have interest to talk about it or ask questions. 

The Kangaroo Pouch introduces young children, ages 2-to-8, to the concept of surrogacy. The story is narrated by a young kangaroo named Oliver whose mother has decided to help another family have a baby. The Kangaroo Pouchgently guides the reader on the surrogacy journey and answers questions they may have such as, why would someone choose to be a surrogate? What will family life be like during the pregnancy?  And most importantly, what happens when the surro-baby is born and given back to their biological parents?

The Kangaroo Pouch is designed to act not only as a conversation starter, but also as a "how-to" manual for children to refer to throughout the surrogacy journey. The book has been reviewed by child specialists to ensure that it conveys age-appropriate messages.

The reason I entered into this journey is because we as a family are complete and our life is settled enough to now help someone else start a family of their own. Just the thought that I can help someone else have this priceless gift of parenthood makes my heart warm over with happiness. 

Bonding Before Contracts

Sorry I haven't had anything to update but the truth is this last month was just full of waiting; the good news is I should have my contracts to sign later week which means I am that much closer to starting medications (injectables) and getting a date for our much anticipated embryo transfer.

This past Saturday I was able to meet with E, the IM (Intended Mother) for a really nice lunch. We had been trying to get together for a month now but with such different schedules we found it impossible to get together with our spouses so we carved out some one-on-one time for a lunch date to get to know each other better.

My ultimate goal for us is to become as comfortable as I am with any of my good friends. I am sure over the course of our journey we will develop a very special bond together but the sooner we can become comfortable with each other the closer we can be throughout this very special process.

I really enjoyed getting to know E better, she is so thoughtful and sweet. I feel very fortunate to have been matched with such wonderful local IP's (Intended Parent's) and I am so excited that we as a team are going to do something really amazing together.  

With this surrogate journey in the making I thought this was the perfect time for me to start on this inspiring journal project by Lil Blue Boo. I always love a creative outlet and a good challenge so this seems like the perfect project for me, will you join me? 

Good things come to those who wait

Just wanted to pop-in and say we are still just waiting for the paperwork to be finished but it does seem that things are moving along with it.

I did start my cycle today and will start taking the 'active' birth control pills this Wednesday. Here is a little information in regards to why I would take birth control at this part in the process. 

"We may use birth control pills starting on day 3 of your cycle. There are two main reasons for taking birth control pills prior to your IVF cycle. First of all, taking birth control pills prior to a stimulation cycle may help the ovaries respond better to the stimulation medication. Secondly, taking birth control pills allows flexibility in coordinating your cycle, so that procedures can be planned around your work schedule, trips, and when all the necessary professionals are available."

So now we just keep waiting..... 

High Fives

Today I had my appointment at the Fertility Clinic, I was fortunate enough to be scheduled around the same time as the IP's S and E. The clinic walked us all through the paperwork and tests leading up to the IVF procedure.

In addition to the urine and blood work, I also had the hysteroscopy procedure done. The first thing I noticed was how empty my uterus was, I have only had ultrasounds done during my pregnancies and I remember seeing that little flicker of a heartbeat. Now I just waited to hear what the Dr. thought about my uterus.

Well it wasn't long into the procedure that Dr. K gave his assistant and I 'high fives' saying, "this is the best looking uterus I have seen." The Dr. had the biggest smile on his face and even his assistant mentioned she hadn't seen him so excited about a uterus. I was so happy to hear such a glowing review and I am now even more confident that I can help S and E's baby dreams come true.

                                             

I do have some cramping and light bleeding left after the procedure but my guess is it won't last much longer. They also gave me birth control pills to start once I start my next cycle and showed me some of the medications I will take once we get further along in the process. I mentioned the shots to my husband Jon and he didn't seem so confident that he will be able to administer them for me (he almost passed out when I was giving birth to our second child) so I think I will need to get more comfortable with the idea that I will be doing them on my own.

So now we wait... actually while we all wait my family and I are headed to Destin, FL. tomorrow so I hope that upon my return some of the paperwork has started to move and we can all take more steps into our journey together.

Next Step...the first appointment

I scheduled an appointment with the IVF clinic this Friday. They will do all of the necessary screenings, blood work and a uterine hysteroscopy.

A hysteroscopy is a procedure to examine the inside of your womb. Your surgeon will pass a thin telescope, called a hysteroscope, into your vagina, through your cervix (neck of the womb) and into your womb. A light on the end of the hysteroscope allows your surgeon to see inside your womb. The pictures from the camera are sent to a television screen so that your surgeon can clearly see the inside of your womb.

Of course all of this is to make sure I am in the very best physical health to be a surrogate. I am really excited to be moving along in the process, of course this couple has waited long enough (they tried for 6 years, two failed IUI's and 3 failed IVF's) and we do still have a lot of paperwork before we would even start the 'transfer process'.

In addition to meeting this wonderful couple through this process, I have also met an on-line group of local women who are also in the process of becoming a surrogate and/or who are currently a surrogate. I have plans to meet a few of them this Wed. It will be so nice to make some new friends in my area and have this additional support.

I am pretty excited as this wonderful IP couple will also take time throughout our journey together to share 'their' story on this blog.

Moving Forward....

The bbq was absolutely wonderful; the IP's are such a fun, easygoing couple and they were so awesome with our kids. We enjoyed 4 hours at their house while our kids swam and by the end of the day I knew without a doubt that I was meant to help them in their journey in becoming parents. I sent our agency an email that I was ready to take the next step.

The First Few Baby Steps ...

I have wanted to be a surrogate for a couple of years now but my life kept me busy and I couldn't find the time to start the process, or better yet I should say complete the process. You see, I found the agency I wanted to use and started my application a year ago but I never got around to sending it in/finishing it until a few weeks ago. It was just now that my life was settled and I knew that the time was right for me to start my journey as a surrogate.

After the agency had all of my information, they completed my background check and then my on-line profile was 'ready' to be viewed by the agency so they could 'match' me with a couple (IP's = Intended Parents) who they believe is compatible with me based on our profiles.

It didn't take long for them to find me a 'match' on 7/9/12 and I knew when I read their profile that they were exactly whom I was wanting to help. The couple was also provided with my profile.

We both agreed to take the next step, so the following day I spoke to them on a conference call so we could get to know each other a little better and after the call if both myself and the IP's were ok with it we would exchange direct contact information so we could set up a face to face meeting. I knew I wanted to get to know this wonderful couple better and see if I was meant to be the person to help them by carrying their baby via gestational surrogacy.

Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman carries and delivers a child for another couple or person. This woman, the surrogate mother, may be the child's genetic mother (called traditional surrogacy), or she may be genetically unrelated to the child (called gestational surrogacy).

That pretty much brings you all up to date, we have a barbecue at the IP's house tomorrow and I am anxious (a wee bit nervous as well) to get to know this couple and have them get to know myself and my family to see if we are all ready to embark on this journey together. I feel so fortunate to have my 3 children and would love to give the gift of biological parenthood to a couple unable to conceive. I am sure some people might wonder why one would want to be a surrogate and my usual reply is, 'because I can.'  I have an amazing support system and an empty uterus at the moment so why not give the most amazing gift and help this couple start a family.