UPDATES!

Do I get the worst blogger award or what? I have been meaning to get on and update but life has been go, go, go lately with very little time to sit down and do much at all. So much has happened so fast with the surrogacy. Shortly before receiving the final decision from IPs I started taking steps to move on. I kind of had this feeling that they were done. C(lawyer) told me about this other couple that she was working with. She thought we would be a good match so she had me transfer my records from RE to their clinic just in case. So much time had past between the miscarriage and getting the final word from Ips, I knew I would not feel fulfilled until I completed a surrogacy so soon after I received the decision I agreed to meet with the other couple.

On Feb 6th DH and I made arrangements to meet with the couple C had been telling me about. I was a bundle of nerves but as soon as we all sat down together they made us feel very comfortable. They remind me a lot of DH and myself, laid back and easy to talk to. We had a nice time getting to know them over dinner. They told us about their struggles with TTC. They had tried for a few years on their own and due to medical reasons they decided to turn to surrogacy. They did have one transfer with a surrogate in November of this past year but the pregnancy was unsuccessful. The surrogate was going through a lot in her own life and it started to put a strain on the relationship with the IPs. They decided that it was best to part ways and look for other options. After meeting them and hearing about their struggles DH and I had already decided on the way home from dinner that night that I would help them if I could. They are a really sweet couple and have been though so much. It doesn’t seem fair. I was thrilled when we got home and their was an email from IM about moving forward together. Of course I replied yes!

Things have been moving pretty fast from there. Since I have had most of my testing done and they had all of their testing done we were able to skip over a lot of the preliminary stuff. I had my first appointment with the new RE on Feb. 12th. They did a physical exam and an ultrasound. There was one questionable spot on the ultrasound. The NP thought I might have retained something from the last pregnancy. If that were the case then I would have to have a D&C. It was such a small spot and she could only see it if she held the wand at a certain angle. I wasn’t too worried about it. We went ahead and scheduled a hysterosonogram to get a better look. I was given a prescription for Estradiol at the appointment and told to start that right away. This is the same medication I took with the last transfer to help build up the uterine lining.

On February 17th I had a test transfer and the hysterosonogram. With the test transfer the basically go through the same steps as the actual transfer minus the embryos. They take a catheter and insert it into the uterus through the cervix. With the ultrasound they can get see the position of the catheter and take measurements of how far it needs to be inserted. The hysterosono is where they insert a tube in which they pump a sterile solution into the uterus which expands the uterus and makes it easier to see. They use an internal ultrasound to check for any abnormalities. The procedure only take a few minutes. Some women experience discomfort with the procedure but I was one of the lucky ones that had no discomfort. I did have some cramping after the procedure but Advil was able to help with that. Overall it was not bad at all, and everything checked out okay so I was very happy about that.

C is working on the contract and should have that to us very soon. Monday we meet with IPs at the RE to sign off on the consents. I have to have a couple of tests done while I am there. I can’t remember the names exactly but one is to test my clotting factor and the other is checking for autoimmune disorders. They are checking for anything that may keep my body from allowing a pregnancy to progress. I don’t anticipate any problems with either test. I will be starting my Prometrium that night. I take that along with the Estradiol for 10 days and then cease medications. This should prompt me to start my cycle. As soon as I start we will move forward with the IVF protocol. As of right now we have a tentative transfer date set for March 19th. I am very excited for IPs. I have been praying over this process and will continue praying until they have a healthy baby in their arms.

Moving on

I finally received word from my surro-family about their decision regarding the surrogacy. It saddens me to say that they have decided not to continue. Emotionally they are not ready. Knowing the challenges they have faced in the past and having gone through this recent loss with them, I can see why they are hesitant to try again. I do wish things could have turned out differently. I have to believe that everything happens for a reason though.

My feelings towards surrogacy have not changed. If anything I am even more determined than ever to see this through. I have been communicating with C, the surrogacy attorney, over the past few weeks about what we would do should the family decide not to move forward. It sounds like she already has some couples in mind for me. I should hopefully hear back from her soon about setting up meetings.