Hi everyone,
Well, it has been a few weeks since my last post but I didn't have much news. Now I am back with an update!
The last I left you with was that I needed to go to my last ultrasound with the monitoring clinic and then as long as everything was fine, I would be discharged from there and then free to see my regular OB. Well, I had the last ultrasound, and while the sub chorionic hematoma is still there, the doctor didn't think it would cause any more problems, and that my body will just absorb it on its own. So, the clinic in Connecticut has discharged me as their patient and I was cleared to see my regular OB.
I am 12 weeks on Thursday, and while this trimester has taken forever, largely because I found out so early that I was pregnant, but also because I haven't felt well, I am so glad that it is almost over! I am currently weening off of the progesterone in oil shots. I have to take the shot every other day until I get to 12 weeks. Instead of two tablets twice a day of estrogen, I am down to two tablets, once per day, and of course, the low dose aspirin, all until I reach 12 weeks. I tell ya, I am going to be very happy when these shots and the popping pills are over with. For those of you that know me well enough, you know that I don't like to take medications, even for a headache. I usually try to deal with the pain, or sleep it off, before I pop an ibuprofen or something. This has by far been the most medications I have ever taken in my life!
So, once I got the clearance, I called my regular OB's office to schedule my first prenatal appointment with them. The way my doctor's office does it, I make the first appointment where I see the nurse who does blood work, and takes a urine sample, to confirm pregnancy. Well, I told them that wouldn't be necessary given my monitoring appointments with the other clinic and brought along my medical records from there so they could have a look. After that appointment, I can see the doctor, usually the next week, and so I made an appointment for that as well.
Monday was my appointment with the nurse. I went to the appointment with a little anxiety. Mostly because when calling to make the appointments, after explaining my situation, there would be silence on the other end of the line. No: "Oh that's great" or "Oh, okay, let me help you with that." Just silence! So, arriving to my appointment, I was trying to be prepared for whatever they would say to me. The nurse called me back, and I handed her my medical records to take a look at, and then she weighed me. I surprisingly have only gained 4 pounds. Considering I haven't been throwing up, just extremely nauseous, and haven't been able to work out, I thought it was decent. Whatever lol.
She then brought me to one of the rooms, and took my blood pressure and filled in some information on their computer system. The subject of my next appointment came up, and the nurse mentioned that I would need a pap smear at my next appointment, and I said: "oh okay, I guess Dr. Snider can do that when I see him next week." Then I knew why I had been so nervous! The nurse clasped her hands, sat down in front of me, and said: "Actually, Dr. Snider won't be seeing you for this pregnancy." Umm, what?!?!? She continues with: "He is Catholic, and doesn't agree with what you are doing. He doesn't prescribe birth control to his patients either, haha." Slowly, but surely, my eyes started filling with tears, and while the nurse continued with whatever excuse he had told her to say, I was trying to control the outburst of emotion that was hitting me. The tears were flowing at this point, and I say in the middle of gulps (thanks hormones): "Well, it would've been nice to know that ahead of time, like perhaps when I called to make the appointment, so that I could have made other arrangements." The nurse said: "What other arrangements?" I said: "Well I could've tried to find another OB that does agree with what I am doing, maybe?" Which is when the nurse mentions Dr. Petelin. She has great things to say about her, and as I am still wiping tears, she suggests that I could meet her before my next appointment. I agreed. A woman doctor might be nice for this situation, perhaps a little more understanding, and compassionate. The nurse left the room, and came back with Dr. Petelin. She's young, has three small children of her own, and I felt comfortable with her right away. But now, having had time to process the appointment and what was said, I am angry with Dr. Snider. He didn't even have the nerve to talk to me himself, and to explain his beliefs to me. Instead, he made the nurse do it! Ridiculous. I have said up to this point, that I had yet to find someone would didn't agree or like what I was doing, but I can no longer say that. My OBGYN of all people! Whatever, good riddance is all I can say if that is truly how he feels.
So, I made an appointment to see Dr. Petelin next week. The intended parents have elected to have the first trimester screening done typically between 11-13 weeks, and so I have that appointment scheduled as well. It is an ultrasound and a blood test for me, and no harm to the baby. That appointment takes place on February 18th. This test will be able to tell us if the baby has any abnormalities or birth defects. I ask you to pray that everything is found to be normal and that the baby is in good health! I will of course, keep you posted on those results! I will also post an update after my next appointment with Dr. Petelin. February has been a busy month with doctor appointments but after this, I should be doctor appointment free for at least a full month! :)
Stay tuned for more updates to come! Thanks for reading!
Sarah
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Ulrasounds, ultrasounds, and more ultrasounds!!!
Hey everyone!
Sorry it's been a while since my last post. I have not had much energy to do much of anything lately. The nausea started around 6 weeks, and some days are better than others but for the most part, the nausea is all the time, all day long even when I wake up to pee in the middle of the night! I am 9 weeks today! Yay!! So the nausea shouldn't hopefully last for too much longer and I am definitely looking forward to it!
The first ultrasound was done a few weeks ago, which confirmed a heartbeat and gave us a better idea of how far along I am. That's right, there is just one in there!!! The oven won't get overcrowded and the bun is going to brown very nicely! :) For many reasons I was a little relieved when we figured out there was only one, but I am so glad that it is a healthy baby right now and so are the intended parents.
About a week and a half ago, I was bathing the kids before bed, and felt some warm fluid gush out and so I quickly sat on the toilet, and discovered a light days pad full of blood! Dark, crimson, blood and I have to admit, I FREAKED out!!! With my previous pregnancies, I had never had any bleeding and so especially with this pregnancy, I was a lot more worried and wanted some kind of answer as to what it could be coming from! Troy, being the awesome person that he is, finished up the baths for the kids, and I went upstairs and called the nurse emergency number to the clinic in Connecticut. I got a call back pretty quickly and spoke to the nurse that was there with me when the transfer was done. She immediately told me not to panic, and that 80 percent of their patients have bleeding in their first trimester. She acted like she was used to this happening and said to take it easy for the rest of the night and that I was on pelvic rest from that point on until further notice. This happened on a monday, and my first ultrasound was scheduled for thursday, three days later. Well, honestly, I didn't feel like I could wait that long! So, we moved my appointment up to Tuesday morning, and by that afternoon, most of the bleeding had slowed down significantly and almost stopped. I was still very nervous, and couldn't wait of the appointment. At the first ultrasound, we immediately heard the heartbeat and a lot of my fears subsided. At 6 weeks, the baby is still considered an embryo, and they are just so tiny on the screen, but we could still hear and see a heartbeat which was great! The heart rate was 123 beats per minute and the doctor said that was very good! He then did a little exploring in the rest of my uterus, and found what he called a sub chorionic hematoma. He explained to me that it is a large bruise in my uterus that was the cause of the bleeding and that the hematoma will either bleed out, so I could have weeks of more bleeding, or my body will just absorb it over time. It was definitely nice to have an explanation for the bleeding and he said that if it were going to cause a problem for the baby it would have done so already. I was relieved to hear that for sure!
On Monday, I had another ultrasound to check on the hematoma and just to make sure everything is still fine with the baby. Strong heartbeat still and heart rate has now increased to 180 beats per minute! I have not had any more bleeding since the first time but the hematoma is still there and still fairly large according to the doc. He said, at this point in the pregnancy, the cervix has for the most part, closed up, so more than likely, my body will slowly absorb the blood clot and bruise over time.
On January 30th, I will be considered 10 weeks, and will have my last ultrasound with the monitoring clinic and as long as everything is fine, will be discharged as a patient from the clinic in Connecticut and will be free to see my regular OB. They have been notified that I'm pregnant and should be expecting me as a patient again soon! I'm a little nervous with how my doctor will react to this pregnancy but from his perspective, it's no different than any other pregnancy.
I will keep you posted on the last ultrasound coming up of course!
The intended parents are having a hard time registering that they actually have a baby on the way! For a regular couple, able to conceive on their own, there is a constant reminder there. But for them, we are countries away, and while we speak on FaceTime a lot, it's not the same. They are planning to visit at the 20 week ultrasound, and I am looking forward to it, for sure!!!
Will update next week after the last ultrasound!
Thanks for reading!
Sarah
Sorry it's been a while since my last post. I have not had much energy to do much of anything lately. The nausea started around 6 weeks, and some days are better than others but for the most part, the nausea is all the time, all day long even when I wake up to pee in the middle of the night! I am 9 weeks today! Yay!! So the nausea shouldn't hopefully last for too much longer and I am definitely looking forward to it!
The first ultrasound was done a few weeks ago, which confirmed a heartbeat and gave us a better idea of how far along I am. That's right, there is just one in there!!! The oven won't get overcrowded and the bun is going to brown very nicely! :) For many reasons I was a little relieved when we figured out there was only one, but I am so glad that it is a healthy baby right now and so are the intended parents.
About a week and a half ago, I was bathing the kids before bed, and felt some warm fluid gush out and so I quickly sat on the toilet, and discovered a light days pad full of blood! Dark, crimson, blood and I have to admit, I FREAKED out!!! With my previous pregnancies, I had never had any bleeding and so especially with this pregnancy, I was a lot more worried and wanted some kind of answer as to what it could be coming from! Troy, being the awesome person that he is, finished up the baths for the kids, and I went upstairs and called the nurse emergency number to the clinic in Connecticut. I got a call back pretty quickly and spoke to the nurse that was there with me when the transfer was done. She immediately told me not to panic, and that 80 percent of their patients have bleeding in their first trimester. She acted like she was used to this happening and said to take it easy for the rest of the night and that I was on pelvic rest from that point on until further notice. This happened on a monday, and my first ultrasound was scheduled for thursday, three days later. Well, honestly, I didn't feel like I could wait that long! So, we moved my appointment up to Tuesday morning, and by that afternoon, most of the bleeding had slowed down significantly and almost stopped. I was still very nervous, and couldn't wait of the appointment. At the first ultrasound, we immediately heard the heartbeat and a lot of my fears subsided. At 6 weeks, the baby is still considered an embryo, and they are just so tiny on the screen, but we could still hear and see a heartbeat which was great! The heart rate was 123 beats per minute and the doctor said that was very good! He then did a little exploring in the rest of my uterus, and found what he called a sub chorionic hematoma. He explained to me that it is a large bruise in my uterus that was the cause of the bleeding and that the hematoma will either bleed out, so I could have weeks of more bleeding, or my body will just absorb it over time. It was definitely nice to have an explanation for the bleeding and he said that if it were going to cause a problem for the baby it would have done so already. I was relieved to hear that for sure!
On Monday, I had another ultrasound to check on the hematoma and just to make sure everything is still fine with the baby. Strong heartbeat still and heart rate has now increased to 180 beats per minute! I have not had any more bleeding since the first time but the hematoma is still there and still fairly large according to the doc. He said, at this point in the pregnancy, the cervix has for the most part, closed up, so more than likely, my body will slowly absorb the blood clot and bruise over time.
On January 30th, I will be considered 10 weeks, and will have my last ultrasound with the monitoring clinic and as long as everything is fine, will be discharged as a patient from the clinic in Connecticut and will be free to see my regular OB. They have been notified that I'm pregnant and should be expecting me as a patient again soon! I'm a little nervous with how my doctor will react to this pregnancy but from his perspective, it's no different than any other pregnancy.
I will keep you posted on the last ultrasound coming up of course!
The intended parents are having a hard time registering that they actually have a baby on the way! For a regular couple, able to conceive on their own, there is a constant reminder there. But for them, we are countries away, and while we speak on FaceTime a lot, it's not the same. They are planning to visit at the 20 week ultrasound, and I am looking forward to it, for sure!!!
Will update next week after the last ultrasound!
Thanks for reading!
Sarah
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Blood Test Results
Hi everyone,
Just thought I would share the results of the blood tests I have had since the first one confirmed a positive result a week ago.
After that result, I was told to get a blood test on the following Monday (12/23), and Thursday (12/26). They just wanted to check to make sure the levels are going up appropriately and since it is pretty early in this process, blood tests are the way to go!
My level on thursday for the positive result of HCG was 178. On Monday (12/23), the level rose to 627 HCG. Progesterone was 48 the first blood draw, and 40 on Monday. I've got to admit, I panicked just a bit when the progesterone level went down a bit, but the nurse told me that they expect that level to vary a bit and as along as it is above 20, they're fine with it. So, the HCG pregnancy hormone is supposed to double every 48 hours. Between Thursday and Monday, I would say it more than doubled! :)
Today was my last blood draw to check the levels of HCG and progesterone. The results are in and the HCG went from 627 to 2,110 in three days! More than doubled again! The clinic is very pleased with those levels! The progesterone also went up slightly to 42 from 40.
What's next? Well, I have an ultrasound scheduled for January 9th. They will be checking for how many buns may be in the oven, and also checking for a heart beat or heartbeats. Yikes! I'm very nervous for these results. I'm prepared either way, but would prefer for there to be just one in there! I think the intended parents might feel the same way! They will also be able to tell me a more accurate due date and to tell me how far along I really am. Right now, they are estimating that I am 5 weeks today, so the ultrasound will bring me to 7 weeks. I will also have another ultrasound on January 30th and will let you know how those go, of course! For those of you praying, please keep at it! I'm feeling good so far, some nausea and it comes and goes. Usually, if I remember to eat every 3 or 4 hours, I feel okay. I will keep you all posted of course, and thanks for reading! :)
Sarah
Just thought I would share the results of the blood tests I have had since the first one confirmed a positive result a week ago.
After that result, I was told to get a blood test on the following Monday (12/23), and Thursday (12/26). They just wanted to check to make sure the levels are going up appropriately and since it is pretty early in this process, blood tests are the way to go!
My level on thursday for the positive result of HCG was 178. On Monday (12/23), the level rose to 627 HCG. Progesterone was 48 the first blood draw, and 40 on Monday. I've got to admit, I panicked just a bit when the progesterone level went down a bit, but the nurse told me that they expect that level to vary a bit and as along as it is above 20, they're fine with it. So, the HCG pregnancy hormone is supposed to double every 48 hours. Between Thursday and Monday, I would say it more than doubled! :)
Today was my last blood draw to check the levels of HCG and progesterone. The results are in and the HCG went from 627 to 2,110 in three days! More than doubled again! The clinic is very pleased with those levels! The progesterone also went up slightly to 42 from 40.
What's next? Well, I have an ultrasound scheduled for January 9th. They will be checking for how many buns may be in the oven, and also checking for a heart beat or heartbeats. Yikes! I'm very nervous for these results. I'm prepared either way, but would prefer for there to be just one in there! I think the intended parents might feel the same way! They will also be able to tell me a more accurate due date and to tell me how far along I really am. Right now, they are estimating that I am 5 weeks today, so the ultrasound will bring me to 7 weeks. I will also have another ultrasound on January 30th and will let you know how those go, of course! For those of you praying, please keep at it! I'm feeling good so far, some nausea and it comes and goes. Usually, if I remember to eat every 3 or 4 hours, I feel okay. I will keep you all posted of course, and thanks for reading! :)
Sarah
Thursday, December 19, 2013
The results...
Alright everyone,
I know you have all been waiting for the results. First, let me just say that I am absolutely exhausted. What a day this has been. I have been up since 5 am, and on pins and needles ever since. Today, is December 19, and today is the day that I found out the results are POSITIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My day began with a blood draw and then the waiting game continued. I tell you, I was about to lose my ever loving mind! I do mean lose it! I think my brain processed every single scenario possible and some of them weren't that great! I have felt so different from the very beginning of this process since I got matched with my new couple. They are just the nicest, sweetest couple and they so deserve this miracle! About two or three days after I got back from my trip, a weird feeling crept into my chest and has stayed with me all this time. Part of the reason why I was so anxious and nervous was because I did not know if I could handle another negative result. The number of people involved in my journey, the number of people at the fertility clinic, my husband and my kids, and most importantly the intended parents for their sacrifice and ultimate desire to have a child, all of it has resulted in this. I was so worried and nervous that the results wouldn't be positive and the process would start all over again. Don't get me wrong, I would do whatever it took for the intended parents to have a child, I just was feeling the pressure and the enormity of the situation.
At about 2:30 I couldn't stand it anymore! I called the clinic in Connecticut where my results had been sent and got the receptionist. I asked for my nurse contact person, and was told she was with a patient and would call me back! About five minutes later, I got a FaceTime call from the intended parents. The intended father's face appeared first on the screen and he was all smiles. Would not stop grinning and he kept repeating the same thing: "You're an amazing woman, you are amazing!" Then he said: "The results are positive, Sarah!" I put my hand over my mouth, my eyes got really big and I started to bawl my eyes out!!! They joined me in tears of happiness! The most gigantic sense of relief came over me and the weight I was feeling on my shoulders lifted! I am still processing it and am probably in a little bit of shock still, but the fact still remains that the results are POSITIVE!!!
Now comes a different set of emotions and feelings. I have come to realize that for someone to put their trust in you, to grow and nurture their baby in the womb, takes an incredible about of strength and I am so thankful that the intended parents have chosen me to do this for them. I am feeling up to the task and am looking forward to nine months from now when I will be handing over a baby to them, God willing! For those of you who have been praying, thank you so much! The intended parents wanted me to pass along a message to all of you who are praying. They are so grateful for your prayers and well wishes and they ask you to continue praying for this process and for this new miracle! They are so touched with your prayers! What a great Christmas present for them! :)
Going forward, on Monday I will have a blood test to check the same levels as today. HCG and Progesterone, and another blood test on Thursday to check them again. They are looking to make sure that the numbers are going up, and also to check if there is a major gap or increase in the levels because that could mean a possibility of twins. EEK! Continue to pray for the levels to climb and for my health to continue on the right path! The HCG level today was 178 and my progesterone level was 48. I was told by the nurse that those are great first levels!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for praying, for supporting, and for reading this blog! Means a lot to me! :)
Sarah
I know you have all been waiting for the results. First, let me just say that I am absolutely exhausted. What a day this has been. I have been up since 5 am, and on pins and needles ever since. Today, is December 19, and today is the day that I found out the results are POSITIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My day began with a blood draw and then the waiting game continued. I tell you, I was about to lose my ever loving mind! I do mean lose it! I think my brain processed every single scenario possible and some of them weren't that great! I have felt so different from the very beginning of this process since I got matched with my new couple. They are just the nicest, sweetest couple and they so deserve this miracle! About two or three days after I got back from my trip, a weird feeling crept into my chest and has stayed with me all this time. Part of the reason why I was so anxious and nervous was because I did not know if I could handle another negative result. The number of people involved in my journey, the number of people at the fertility clinic, my husband and my kids, and most importantly the intended parents for their sacrifice and ultimate desire to have a child, all of it has resulted in this. I was so worried and nervous that the results wouldn't be positive and the process would start all over again. Don't get me wrong, I would do whatever it took for the intended parents to have a child, I just was feeling the pressure and the enormity of the situation.
At about 2:30 I couldn't stand it anymore! I called the clinic in Connecticut where my results had been sent and got the receptionist. I asked for my nurse contact person, and was told she was with a patient and would call me back! About five minutes later, I got a FaceTime call from the intended parents. The intended father's face appeared first on the screen and he was all smiles. Would not stop grinning and he kept repeating the same thing: "You're an amazing woman, you are amazing!" Then he said: "The results are positive, Sarah!" I put my hand over my mouth, my eyes got really big and I started to bawl my eyes out!!! They joined me in tears of happiness! The most gigantic sense of relief came over me and the weight I was feeling on my shoulders lifted! I am still processing it and am probably in a little bit of shock still, but the fact still remains that the results are POSITIVE!!!
Now comes a different set of emotions and feelings. I have come to realize that for someone to put their trust in you, to grow and nurture their baby in the womb, takes an incredible about of strength and I am so thankful that the intended parents have chosen me to do this for them. I am feeling up to the task and am looking forward to nine months from now when I will be handing over a baby to them, God willing! For those of you who have been praying, thank you so much! The intended parents wanted me to pass along a message to all of you who are praying. They are so grateful for your prayers and well wishes and they ask you to continue praying for this process and for this new miracle! They are so touched with your prayers! What a great Christmas present for them! :)
Going forward, on Monday I will have a blood test to check the same levels as today. HCG and Progesterone, and another blood test on Thursday to check them again. They are looking to make sure that the numbers are going up, and also to check if there is a major gap or increase in the levels because that could mean a possibility of twins. EEK! Continue to pray for the levels to climb and for my health to continue on the right path! The HCG level today was 178 and my progesterone level was 48. I was told by the nurse that those are great first levels!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for praying, for supporting, and for reading this blog! Means a lot to me! :)
Sarah
Thursday, December 12, 2013
The transfer
Blog post: The Transfer
Alright so I'm back on a plane home and what a trip this has been. I will post some pictures on Facebook soon of my trip. Once I landed in New York, it has been non-stop from there! In such a great way!!
The intended parents rented an SUV for their stay since they flew to New York on thanksgiving day and are flying out today. It was a long trip for them and so renting a car made the most sense for them. So they picked me up from the airport and were waiting for me when I arrived at the gate! It was our first time meeting face to face. They greeted me with smiles and a big hugs! We then decided to have lunch in Manhattan! What an awesome city New York is! This was my first time visiting and I am so glad I got to share it with them. After lunch we started walking around the city close to One World Trade Center. It was absolutely amazing. We tried to go see the memorial but it was closed by the time we got there but walking around it was enough for me. I grew up in a big city (Montreal), and so large buildings are plenty there but nothing like the skyscrapers in the city!!! I could have stared at them all day!! The architecture of some of the buildings was absolutely beautiful and I hope to one day share a trip with Troy if we are lucky!! There was great food and I even had a New York slice of pizza! Fantastic!!!
We took a fairy around the city. It was very cool and a great way to see the cities and major landmarks. Times Square was breathtaking and overwhelming and I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to see the city with some wonderful people!
Alright, on to transfer day. It was yesterday but already feels like an eternity ago. In my last post, I said that we had 8 follicles. On Sunday morning we found out that out of those eighth follicles, four of them contained an egg. They were fertilized and were growing in a warm place. On transfer day, I was presented with a picture of the best embryos out of the bunch. There were two embryos that looked the best on day 5 which was transfer day. One embryo had 180 cells and the other had 120 cells. Both are very very good. The doctor was very pleased with the quality and has given them a 50-60% chance of success. That is far better than 14% like my previous experience, but still there is room for a failed transfer. I cannot tell you how much I want this to happen for the intended parents. After the transfer, the intended mother broke down because she feels guilty that she cannot be the one carrying a child! I was not around for this breakdown as it was right after the embryos were transferred in, but I could tell there had been some tears. I can't imagine the emotions she must have to endure. To let go and trust someone else to carry your child is not easy at all. Their desire to have a baby is so great and they deserve every bit of parenthood!!
On Thursday, December 19th, I will have a blood test done in the morning that will determine the results. Thank you for your prayers and please keep praying!! This journey has been a long one and I hope and pray for the best outcome!!
I will keep you posted of course with the results.
Thank you!!!
Sarah
Sunday, December 8, 2013
50/50
Blog post: 50/50
Alright folks,
I am on a plane to La Guardia airport as I type this. Sorry for the blog silence lately. Haven't really had anything to report until now.
This process has been slightly different than my last attempt at surrogacy. I think I previously mentioned in my last post that the couple lives in France and has traveled to Connecticut where their IVF doctor is. Since they are an international couple, I greatly appreciate their willingness and sacrifice of their time to be there with me and to go through this process. I have to say that I have a different connection with this couple than with the last. Don't get me wrong, the previous couple are some of the nicest, most accommodating, sweetest couple I have ever met. I was and still am heart broken for them that their attempt to have their own biological child didn't succeed. I hope they find happiness in their journey to adopt a child!
The couple that I am currently matched with are also some of the nicest people I have ever met but aside from that, I feel more bonded with them. I'm not sure why, and the weirdest feeling came over me on my drive to the airport. Instead of panicked, and nervous, and anxious about the flight, I wasn't any of those things. I was calm and excited and the feeling of certainty hit me. All this time, especially since the last time and my experience with a failed embryo transfer, I have tried to prepare myself that a failed attempt is very possible again, but have also tried to stay optimistic and positive about the attempt. The couple is extremely confident that this will be a success the first time and since we will be finding out if the transfer was successful the week before Christmas, I really hope and pray for the same. This time I made sure to prepare myself with the stats on this particular process. They are basically 50/50. A 50% chance that it will be a successful transfer and a 50% chance that it will fail. Again. Like I said, I'm trying to stay positive and be as confident as the couple is but I really don't want to be surprised and devastated like I was the last time. So, I'm trying to prepare myself either way.
This process with the couple is different in that the intended mother is capable of producing eggs. Their doctor in Connecticut wanted her to go through a cycle of retrieving eggs from her making them fresh embryos to transfer into my oven. So that is what they did even though they still have two frozen embryos at the same clinic. If this attempt with the fresh embryos doesn't work, we will try the frozen embryos. On Thursday, they retrieved 8 follicles from the intended mother. Not every follicle contains and egg or even a viable egg but the chances are good that there will be something to fertilize and then grown in the lab for three to five days. After they are fertilized, the lab is checking them every day to make sure that the cells are dividing and growing larger. They grow them to the blastocyst stage and then implant them into the oven! We just need one but they will be implanting two of the best eggs with the hopes that at least one will attach to my uterus and result in a pregnancy! My heart is heavy but light at the same time if that makes sense. I want so badly for this to work for them. The money, the time investment, and the emotions they have to endure is overwhelming and I thank God that I was able to conceive naturally. My heart is sad for all those who struggle and have struggled to conceive.
This process has been different with the drugs as well. I have to take a couple more this time. Because they have done a fresh egg retrieval, the idea is to match my body as close to the intended mother's hormonally. Last time all I had to take was estrogen pills to thicken my uterus, a low dose aspirin to promote extra blood flow to my uterus and of course the lovely, ginormous sized needle of progesterone in my hips which makes my uterus sticky to better allow the embryo to latch on!
This time I have done all of that, as well as a vaginal insert of a drug called Crinone. It's just a cream version of progesterone but inserted into cervix area, promotes a good environment for the baby. Then for five days, started on the same day as the egg retrieval, I started Prednisone and Doxycycline. Both are antibiotics and are used to lessen the chances of my own body trying to reject the embryos. Sound like a lot? It is! I've been so worried I'm going to forget something and throw everything off but alarms on my iPhone have come in handy!
So, after a delay at the airport taking off due to needing to de-ice the plane, I am in the air and so excited to meet my couple face to face and give them a big hug!! Might shed a tear or two but maybe I can blame it on the drugs! Lol
So for those of you reading, there is one thing you can do for me. PRAY! And don't stop until you hear from me again!
Since the eggs were retrieved and fertilized on Thursday, the embryo transfer will either be done tomorrow (Sunday), or Tuesday. I will be returning to my family on Wednesday evening!!
That's all for now!
Sarah
Alright folks,
I am on a plane to La Guardia airport as I type this. Sorry for the blog silence lately. Haven't really had anything to report until now.
This process has been slightly different than my last attempt at surrogacy. I think I previously mentioned in my last post that the couple lives in France and has traveled to Connecticut where their IVF doctor is. Since they are an international couple, I greatly appreciate their willingness and sacrifice of their time to be there with me and to go through this process. I have to say that I have a different connection with this couple than with the last. Don't get me wrong, the previous couple are some of the nicest, most accommodating, sweetest couple I have ever met. I was and still am heart broken for them that their attempt to have their own biological child didn't succeed. I hope they find happiness in their journey to adopt a child!
The couple that I am currently matched with are also some of the nicest people I have ever met but aside from that, I feel more bonded with them. I'm not sure why, and the weirdest feeling came over me on my drive to the airport. Instead of panicked, and nervous, and anxious about the flight, I wasn't any of those things. I was calm and excited and the feeling of certainty hit me. All this time, especially since the last time and my experience with a failed embryo transfer, I have tried to prepare myself that a failed attempt is very possible again, but have also tried to stay optimistic and positive about the attempt. The couple is extremely confident that this will be a success the first time and since we will be finding out if the transfer was successful the week before Christmas, I really hope and pray for the same. This time I made sure to prepare myself with the stats on this particular process. They are basically 50/50. A 50% chance that it will be a successful transfer and a 50% chance that it will fail. Again. Like I said, I'm trying to stay positive and be as confident as the couple is but I really don't want to be surprised and devastated like I was the last time. So, I'm trying to prepare myself either way.
This process with the couple is different in that the intended mother is capable of producing eggs. Their doctor in Connecticut wanted her to go through a cycle of retrieving eggs from her making them fresh embryos to transfer into my oven. So that is what they did even though they still have two frozen embryos at the same clinic. If this attempt with the fresh embryos doesn't work, we will try the frozen embryos. On Thursday, they retrieved 8 follicles from the intended mother. Not every follicle contains and egg or even a viable egg but the chances are good that there will be something to fertilize and then grown in the lab for three to five days. After they are fertilized, the lab is checking them every day to make sure that the cells are dividing and growing larger. They grow them to the blastocyst stage and then implant them into the oven! We just need one but they will be implanting two of the best eggs with the hopes that at least one will attach to my uterus and result in a pregnancy! My heart is heavy but light at the same time if that makes sense. I want so badly for this to work for them. The money, the time investment, and the emotions they have to endure is overwhelming and I thank God that I was able to conceive naturally. My heart is sad for all those who struggle and have struggled to conceive.
This process has been different with the drugs as well. I have to take a couple more this time. Because they have done a fresh egg retrieval, the idea is to match my body as close to the intended mother's hormonally. Last time all I had to take was estrogen pills to thicken my uterus, a low dose aspirin to promote extra blood flow to my uterus and of course the lovely, ginormous sized needle of progesterone in my hips which makes my uterus sticky to better allow the embryo to latch on!
This time I have done all of that, as well as a vaginal insert of a drug called Crinone. It's just a cream version of progesterone but inserted into cervix area, promotes a good environment for the baby. Then for five days, started on the same day as the egg retrieval, I started Prednisone and Doxycycline. Both are antibiotics and are used to lessen the chances of my own body trying to reject the embryos. Sound like a lot? It is! I've been so worried I'm going to forget something and throw everything off but alarms on my iPhone have come in handy!
So, after a delay at the airport taking off due to needing to de-ice the plane, I am in the air and so excited to meet my couple face to face and give them a big hug!! Might shed a tear or two but maybe I can blame it on the drugs! Lol
So for those of you reading, there is one thing you can do for me. PRAY! And don't stop until you hear from me again!
Since the eggs were retrieved and fertilized on Thursday, the embryo transfer will either be done tomorrow (Sunday), or Tuesday. I will be returning to my family on Wednesday evening!!
That's all for now!
Sarah
Sunday, October 27, 2013
I'm tired!
Hi everyone,
I am back from my trip and slightly recovered from the very long day. When it was all said and done, I had been up straight for 21 hours. I've done that before, but this just exhausted me to a different level. Ever since I have had my kids, I get motion sickness pretty easily and so I have to take dramamine to get through flights. I get the non drowsy or less drowsy kind, but it still just makes me feel sleepy!
My day started at 3 a.m. I got in the shower and ready for the day, and was out the door by 4 a.m. I drove myself and made it to the airport by 4:45. My flight took off at 6 a.m. I made it in the airport and there was a pretty long line of people checking their bags. The line for people checking bags and the line for people checking in without bags to print off their boarding pass is the same line and so it took some time to get to the front. I get to the kiosk to print my boarding pass, and scan my information and the machine asks for my passport. Thankfully I had it because I recently lost my driver's license and while I had the temporary driver's license that they give you, I brought along my passport just in case that wasn't enough. But why was it asking for my passport? I caught the attention of one of the attendants and asked her why this would be asking for my passport when I'm just flying within the United States and so she did some checking. Papua New Guinea was my destination apparently that day. Uh NO! That is not where I need to be going! The attendant was pretty adamant about it and started asking about whether I wanted to pay to change it. Umm, no I don't want to pay. I have a confirmation number and an itinerary that confirms my travels and where I'm going. Since my flight had been booked by a travel agent that works with the surrogacy agency, I contacted their emergency number and spoke with someone who was very helpful and had no earthly idea as to why I would be booked for Papua New Guinea. She spoke to the attendant for me, and within seconds I had my boarding pass. Phew!
By the time all this had to be sorted out, it was getting close to boarding time. Not freaking out yet, but getting there. I make my way to the security line, and another long line is in front of me. There are a lot of people flying out on a Friday morning at the butt crack of dawn, FYI. Got through security and made it to my gate for their final boarding call. That is probably the closest I've cut it! Never again!
The rest of the travel part went fine. There were a few 10 minute delays but if it hadn't been for those, I wouldn't have had time to pee the whole day! I landed my flight, and boarded the train to Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was a two hour ride with several stops in between, and I was so tired and wanted to sleep but was afraid I would miss my stop! From the train, I took a taxi to the clinic. I arrived 2 hours early! I hadn't eaten anything but a yogurt parfait that morning and was starving but there wasn't anything around and I wasn't going to walk anywhere to find it. The clinic had some crackers, so I munched on that.
They took my blood, and I provided a urine sample and then waited to see the doctor. I waited almost 2 hours for that. The doctor is very nice! He is personable, and made me feel comfortable right away. The more involved I get with this, the more I learn about the science of this process and that different clinics do things different ways in terms of growing the embryos and the different drugs that are prescribed. I will have to take a couple more drugs than before but they won't be for a very long period of time, and mainly just within the five days after the embryo transfer.
The odds are optimistic, but also realistic. What I mean by that is, there are a couple of options the intended parents have to have a child. We are going to be doing a fresh embryo transfer this time, and the doctor thinks that this is best. There are two frozen embryos right now, but we will use those if this first round with the fresh embryos doesn't take. (I hope it does!!!). If their embryos, fresh or frozen, do not work, it will be suggested to them that they use an egg donor, which they are open to. The chances of conceiving at this point, go up to 80%, where as now I'm looking at about 50/50 with two fresh embryos transferred in. It basically comes down to the age of the egg. A 40 something year old egg, has less of a chance that a 20 something year old egg from an egg donor, but the doctor is optimistic with the eggs we'll be using since in the past they have been very good quality eggs. I want to be prepared for any of the outcomes at this point, especially having gone through a failed transfer before. While I know that there was nothing that I did or didn't do that prevented the embryo from making a home in my uterus for a while, I still feel responsible and will feel responsible if we don't get the outcome we all want.
This is a long process! There are so many variables and outcomes and I just want things to go well for the intended parents. They are such a sweet couple, and will make great parents!
The embryo transfer is scheduled for the first week of December. The intended parents will arrive before I do, so that they can retrieve the eggs and fertilize them, and then I will arrive a few days later, closer to when the embryos are ready to be transferred and the procedure will be done. Please keep me in your prayers whenever you think about it. I was kind of down yesterday just thinking about the odds and I let it get to me a little bit. I know that we have options and that eventually one way or another, the intended parents will have a baby, I just found myself dreading the time it takes for all of this. I'm in better spirits today, and intend to stay that way. The power of positive thinking right?
I have started the Lupron shot and my first dose was last night. This is the one that goes in my stomach, and not a big deal. I did it to myself which seems easier and less painful than if Troy gives it to me. I will post again when I have more information to share. The monitoring and the blood work will start the first week of November, and I will report the results! Pray people, pray! :)
Thanks so much,
Sarah
I am back from my trip and slightly recovered from the very long day. When it was all said and done, I had been up straight for 21 hours. I've done that before, but this just exhausted me to a different level. Ever since I have had my kids, I get motion sickness pretty easily and so I have to take dramamine to get through flights. I get the non drowsy or less drowsy kind, but it still just makes me feel sleepy!
My day started at 3 a.m. I got in the shower and ready for the day, and was out the door by 4 a.m. I drove myself and made it to the airport by 4:45. My flight took off at 6 a.m. I made it in the airport and there was a pretty long line of people checking their bags. The line for people checking bags and the line for people checking in without bags to print off their boarding pass is the same line and so it took some time to get to the front. I get to the kiosk to print my boarding pass, and scan my information and the machine asks for my passport. Thankfully I had it because I recently lost my driver's license and while I had the temporary driver's license that they give you, I brought along my passport just in case that wasn't enough. But why was it asking for my passport? I caught the attention of one of the attendants and asked her why this would be asking for my passport when I'm just flying within the United States and so she did some checking. Papua New Guinea was my destination apparently that day. Uh NO! That is not where I need to be going! The attendant was pretty adamant about it and started asking about whether I wanted to pay to change it. Umm, no I don't want to pay. I have a confirmation number and an itinerary that confirms my travels and where I'm going. Since my flight had been booked by a travel agent that works with the surrogacy agency, I contacted their emergency number and spoke with someone who was very helpful and had no earthly idea as to why I would be booked for Papua New Guinea. She spoke to the attendant for me, and within seconds I had my boarding pass. Phew!
By the time all this had to be sorted out, it was getting close to boarding time. Not freaking out yet, but getting there. I make my way to the security line, and another long line is in front of me. There are a lot of people flying out on a Friday morning at the butt crack of dawn, FYI. Got through security and made it to my gate for their final boarding call. That is probably the closest I've cut it! Never again!
The rest of the travel part went fine. There were a few 10 minute delays but if it hadn't been for those, I wouldn't have had time to pee the whole day! I landed my flight, and boarded the train to Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was a two hour ride with several stops in between, and I was so tired and wanted to sleep but was afraid I would miss my stop! From the train, I took a taxi to the clinic. I arrived 2 hours early! I hadn't eaten anything but a yogurt parfait that morning and was starving but there wasn't anything around and I wasn't going to walk anywhere to find it. The clinic had some crackers, so I munched on that.
They took my blood, and I provided a urine sample and then waited to see the doctor. I waited almost 2 hours for that. The doctor is very nice! He is personable, and made me feel comfortable right away. The more involved I get with this, the more I learn about the science of this process and that different clinics do things different ways in terms of growing the embryos and the different drugs that are prescribed. I will have to take a couple more drugs than before but they won't be for a very long period of time, and mainly just within the five days after the embryo transfer.
The odds are optimistic, but also realistic. What I mean by that is, there are a couple of options the intended parents have to have a child. We are going to be doing a fresh embryo transfer this time, and the doctor thinks that this is best. There are two frozen embryos right now, but we will use those if this first round with the fresh embryos doesn't take. (I hope it does!!!). If their embryos, fresh or frozen, do not work, it will be suggested to them that they use an egg donor, which they are open to. The chances of conceiving at this point, go up to 80%, where as now I'm looking at about 50/50 with two fresh embryos transferred in. It basically comes down to the age of the egg. A 40 something year old egg, has less of a chance that a 20 something year old egg from an egg donor, but the doctor is optimistic with the eggs we'll be using since in the past they have been very good quality eggs. I want to be prepared for any of the outcomes at this point, especially having gone through a failed transfer before. While I know that there was nothing that I did or didn't do that prevented the embryo from making a home in my uterus for a while, I still feel responsible and will feel responsible if we don't get the outcome we all want.
This is a long process! There are so many variables and outcomes and I just want things to go well for the intended parents. They are such a sweet couple, and will make great parents!
The embryo transfer is scheduled for the first week of December. The intended parents will arrive before I do, so that they can retrieve the eggs and fertilize them, and then I will arrive a few days later, closer to when the embryos are ready to be transferred and the procedure will be done. Please keep me in your prayers whenever you think about it. I was kind of down yesterday just thinking about the odds and I let it get to me a little bit. I know that we have options and that eventually one way or another, the intended parents will have a baby, I just found myself dreading the time it takes for all of this. I'm in better spirits today, and intend to stay that way. The power of positive thinking right?
I have started the Lupron shot and my first dose was last night. This is the one that goes in my stomach, and not a big deal. I did it to myself which seems easier and less painful than if Troy gives it to me. I will post again when I have more information to share. The monitoring and the blood work will start the first week of November, and I will report the results! Pray people, pray! :)
Thanks so much,
Sarah
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