I’m not very good at updating am I? Life has been very busy since the kids got out for the summer. Not too much going on with the surrogacy just now. A couple of updates:
I had my hysterosonogram on the 9th. I was a little nervous going in for that. The internet can be a great source of information but sometimes it can lead to too much information. From what I read the procedure could be painful. Some women described it as the worst pain they ever had. Really? Yikes! So you can see where the nerves came in. I was by myself so of course I was worried about being able to drive home. I was actually okay until the doctor came in. It didn’t help that he told me as he was about to start that he has been doing a lot of these procedures in the hospital so the women can be sedated for comfort reason. What?! I did not have any pain meds or sedatives. I silently freaked and braced myself. I was told I was going to feel a lot of pressure. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Waiting for the pain. Still waiting. Oh wait, there is no pain! What a relief! The procedure went very well and was over quick. The doctor said everything looked perfect.
This week was putting the final touches on the contract so we can get it signed. We are on a bit of a time crunch so hopefully we can finish up at the beginning of the week so we can get our court date scheduled. In TX the surrogacy has to be court approved. There are qualifications we have to meet on both sides. I don’t anticipate there being any problems. The only concern with that is the timing. If we are looking at doing an early July transfer then we need to have it approved very soon. It has to be approved 14d before the transfer date. We will be cutting it close, but C(their attorney) is confident we can get it done in time.
I had my interview for my life insurance policy on Wednesday. I am also working on the paperwork for my supplemental insurance. When my insurance company denied me we filed an appeal. They could not show any clear language explaining why I should not be covered. They denied the appeal anyway. We could be fighting this for a long time so we decided to drop it. It’s not fair to the IP’s to make them wait on me while we work through all of the insurance red tape. They have been so great through all of this.
The more I get to know the family the more I adore them. They have been great about calling to check in with us. Not just for surrogacy issues but to see how our family is doing. The last time we met them for lunch IM gave me a beautiful Willow Tree Angel of the Heart. What a thoughtful gift. I absolutely love it! Aside from all that I admire them for their family values and their kind nature. They really are the sweetest couple. I can tell the kids have inherited their parents sweet nature as well. I really could not image finding a better match. I am anticipating this journey to be filled with many fond memories.
Starting next week things should really start picking up. I will do my best to do a better job of updating.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
The protocol
I finally got my FET(Frozen Embryo Transfer) protocol-
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) Protocol for Blastocyst
Call the office Day #1 of your menstrual period to schedule your FET. If Day #1 is on a weekend or holiday, call on the following business day.
You may be placed on birth control pills based your physician’s recommendation. Then, a Lupron injection may be given to prevent premature ovulation during your IVF cycle. If you are on a different protocol, the nurse will discuss your medications and next step.
When you start your next period (Day #1), call the office to schedule your Day #3 (baseline) vaginal ultrasound and blood work. If Day #1 is on a weekend or holiday, call on the following business day.
By Day #3 of your menstrual cycle, you will have a baseline ultrasound and blood work done. On Day #3 you will also:
Return signed consent forms.
Complete payment arrangements.
Register at the hospital for the embryo transfer procedure.
If the results of your baseline tests are normal, you will be given instructions to start your Estrogen pills and patches.
Estrogen 2mg pills (Estrace) are placed under the tongue until dissolved three times a day.
Estrogen patches (Vivelle-Dot) are applied to the to skin of the lower abdomen and changed every 3 days. Rotate sites when applying a new patch. Detailed instructions are contained within the box of patches.
Mark your calendar on the date you apply the patch to keep track of when to change it.
You will return to the office frequently (approximately 2--5 visits) for vaginal ultrasounds to measure your endometrial lining and blood draws to monitor your estrogen level.
After it is determined that your lining is ready for embryo implantation, you will receive instructions to start Progesterone injections 6 days before the embryo transfer procedure. You will continue these injections until your pregnancy test (14 days after the embryo transfer).
Start Progesterone - 50mg/vial.
Use an 18 or 22G-1½” needle to draw up 1cc of progesterone.
Change the needle to a 25G-1½” and inject intramuscularly.
Administer progesterone at the same time everyday, preferably in the evening.
Do not store progesterone in the refrigerator.
You may warm the vial in your hand to ease injection discomfort.
Rub the area well after an injection to prevent knots and apply warm compress if desired.
Alternate hips with each injection.
The day before your embryo transfer you will start Medrol pills. Take 1 tab four times a day until all medication finished.
The embryo transfer
You may eat a normal breakfast before the procedure.
Arrive to the hospital/office on time.
Do not bring any valuables with you.
Dress comfortably, no jewelry, no make-up, no perfume.
Bring a bottle of water to fill your bladder.
Bring your Motrin and Valium. You will be instructed when to take them.
Activity as followed: Bed rest, except to use the bathroom, is required for the day of the transfer and two days after. You can sleep on you back, side, or stomach during this period. No showers or tub baths while on bed rest. It is essentially impossible to hurt the viability or implantation of the embryos by coughing, sneezing, laughing, or having bowel movements. Diet as desired. Constipation is common so increase fluids and fiber to avoid abdominal discomfort. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or take any medications than those prescribed for the procedure. ONLY Tylenol Regular Strength is acceptable for pain relief. Once bed rest is completed, avoid strenuous activity (aerobics, jogging, bicycling, etc.) and avoid lifting heavy objects (heavier than a ½ gallon of milk, such as pets, children, and groceries) until your pregnancy test. If you have questions about specific activities just call our office.
Remember that FET can cause symptoms of pregnancy, which may include swollen and tender breasts, bloated stomach, increased vaginal discharge, and possibly some nausea. You may experience some light spotting as well. Please notify us if the bleeding is as heavy as a period.
A pregnancy test will be scheduled for 14 days following your embryo transfer.
If your test is positive you will continue the progesterone injections, estrogen pills and estrogen patches. It is your responsibility to refill prescriptions. We will continue monitoring you until about 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, although, you will be responsible for contacting your Ob/Gyn at 6 weeks of pregnancy and see them by 8 weeks of pregnancy. Nothing is to be inserted vaginally (i.e., intercourse) until a fetal heartbeat is seen.
If your test is negative we will schedule a physician consultation.
I start my birth control tomorrow. I have an appointment on Tuesday to have the rest of the lab work done. Remember that uncomfortable ultrasound that I thought I was not going to have? Apparently I will have it done after all. That will also take place on Tuesday. Jealous? ;-) Haha!
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) Protocol for Blastocyst
Call the office Day #1 of your menstrual period to schedule your FET. If Day #1 is on a weekend or holiday, call on the following business day.
You may be placed on birth control pills based your physician’s recommendation. Then, a Lupron injection may be given to prevent premature ovulation during your IVF cycle. If you are on a different protocol, the nurse will discuss your medications and next step.
When you start your next period (Day #1), call the office to schedule your Day #3 (baseline) vaginal ultrasound and blood work. If Day #1 is on a weekend or holiday, call on the following business day.
By Day #3 of your menstrual cycle, you will have a baseline ultrasound and blood work done. On Day #3 you will also:
Return signed consent forms.
Complete payment arrangements.
Register at the hospital for the embryo transfer procedure.
If the results of your baseline tests are normal, you will be given instructions to start your Estrogen pills and patches.
Estrogen 2mg pills (Estrace) are placed under the tongue until dissolved three times a day.
Estrogen patches (Vivelle-Dot) are applied to the to skin of the lower abdomen and changed every 3 days. Rotate sites when applying a new patch. Detailed instructions are contained within the box of patches.
Mark your calendar on the date you apply the patch to keep track of when to change it.
You will return to the office frequently (approximately 2--5 visits) for vaginal ultrasounds to measure your endometrial lining and blood draws to monitor your estrogen level.
After it is determined that your lining is ready for embryo implantation, you will receive instructions to start Progesterone injections 6 days before the embryo transfer procedure. You will continue these injections until your pregnancy test (14 days after the embryo transfer).
Start Progesterone - 50mg/vial.
Use an 18 or 22G-1½” needle to draw up 1cc of progesterone.
Change the needle to a 25G-1½” and inject intramuscularly.
Administer progesterone at the same time everyday, preferably in the evening.
Do not store progesterone in the refrigerator.
You may warm the vial in your hand to ease injection discomfort.
Rub the area well after an injection to prevent knots and apply warm compress if desired.
Alternate hips with each injection.
The day before your embryo transfer you will start Medrol pills. Take 1 tab four times a day until all medication finished.
The embryo transfer
You may eat a normal breakfast before the procedure.
Arrive to the hospital/office on time.
Do not bring any valuables with you.
Dress comfortably, no jewelry, no make-up, no perfume.
Bring a bottle of water to fill your bladder.
Bring your Motrin and Valium. You will be instructed when to take them.
Activity as followed: Bed rest, except to use the bathroom, is required for the day of the transfer and two days after. You can sleep on you back, side, or stomach during this period. No showers or tub baths while on bed rest. It is essentially impossible to hurt the viability or implantation of the embryos by coughing, sneezing, laughing, or having bowel movements. Diet as desired. Constipation is common so increase fluids and fiber to avoid abdominal discomfort. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or take any medications than those prescribed for the procedure. ONLY Tylenol Regular Strength is acceptable for pain relief. Once bed rest is completed, avoid strenuous activity (aerobics, jogging, bicycling, etc.) and avoid lifting heavy objects (heavier than a ½ gallon of milk, such as pets, children, and groceries) until your pregnancy test. If you have questions about specific activities just call our office.
Remember that FET can cause symptoms of pregnancy, which may include swollen and tender breasts, bloated stomach, increased vaginal discharge, and possibly some nausea. You may experience some light spotting as well. Please notify us if the bleeding is as heavy as a period.
A pregnancy test will be scheduled for 14 days following your embryo transfer.
If your test is positive you will continue the progesterone injections, estrogen pills and estrogen patches. It is your responsibility to refill prescriptions. We will continue monitoring you until about 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, although, you will be responsible for contacting your Ob/Gyn at 6 weeks of pregnancy and see them by 8 weeks of pregnancy. Nothing is to be inserted vaginally (i.e., intercourse) until a fetal heartbeat is seen.
If your test is negative we will schedule a physician consultation.
I start my birth control tomorrow. I have an appointment on Tuesday to have the rest of the lab work done. Remember that uncomfortable ultrasound that I thought I was not going to have? Apparently I will have it done after all. That will also take place on Tuesday. Jealous? ;-) Haha!
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