IVF # 2

So, this time around we are doing a fresh transfer, which means I get to meet my IP's well at least one of them anyway. He (the Intended Father) arrived in the United States on the 21st of April. We met for the 1st time in person on Monday the 25th and we talked for awhile, then we had a play date on Thursday at the park( pictures coming soon). He as well as us had a great time bonding. I really enjoyed our time spent together, I don't even know if he knows how much that meant to me. Today was the embryo transfer and it was very informative and emotional. We were all in the room: Me, My Husband, The Intended Father and our case manager. Once the transfer was complete it was a moment of prayer and I looked over and the Intended Father was in tears and shortly after we were all in tears. I was so touched and humbled to be able to assist them in growing their family that I broke down as well. We all talked for awhile during my 30 + minute wait on the table. Once I was able to leave the facility I was  given my discharge and medication instructions on my way out headed to the hotel we had a warm embrace and again the intended father professed his gratitude and was off to his hotel until he leaves tomorrow morning back to Australia. I have been keeping in touch with the Intended Mother throughout this process also via skype, emails and calls. Now we will await the Beta test to confirm the pregnancy on May 11,2011. Now It is time to Eat dinner and continue to rest. Hubby is here at the hotel with me waiting on me hand and foot and making sure I DO NOT get out of this bed.

 

The two embryo's with stars were transferred to me ( sticky vibes,baby dust, positive thoughts and prayers)

Right after the transfer: Dr. Hummel, My Husband, Mr. Perin and I

Me on Bed rest @ the hotel

Pics from IVF # 1

                                                   Me before the transfer

                                     Me right after the transfer with my husband and Dr. Hummel

                                The ultrasound of the transfer and were the embryo's were placed

                                                              My Hotel room number

 

Me on bed rest and my beds in my room.

IVF # 1

I had started going to monthly Group meetings in Dec 2010. I wasn't really sure what to expect from these meetings so I was a little apprehensive. I meet monthly with the Program Director,Psychologist and fellow Surrogates and we discuss our joy's, up's and down and receive a lot of support from each other. I started skyping my IP's in Dec 2010, It was great to see them as opposed to just emailing and sending pics. We (the intended parents and my family) had grown close over the 3 month period. Closer than I would've ever imagined.  My first transfer was frozen embryos in Jan 2011, it felt surreal. I felt alone in some ways since my IP's were unable to make it, but I was still optimistic about the outcome. Unfortunately in Feb 2011 I received the devastating news that the transfer was unsuccessful. It was extremely hard to deal with for the sake of my IP's and once I finally mustered up the courage to skype them we all literally cried for most of the skype call. We decided to take a step back and allowed our IP's to process their loss and decide if they wanted to try again? If they wanted to try again with me as their surrogate? I wanted to give them the privacy and space to digest this. Luckily after a brief deliberation from my IP's, they still wanted to move forward with me but we needed more embryo's since those were the last two from the previous retrieval. I started my second round of IVF meds in late Feb 2011.  Pics to follow from IVF # 1

Moving forward Step by Step

I submitted my application in June of 2010 and It was a rigorous 3 months of background checks,and psych eval's and in-home visits. We were approved to move forward as a Gestational Surrogate and were waiting to be matched with some IP's (intended parents). I was under the impression that this stage would take awhile but in Aug of 2010 we were matched with a couple and we all clicked instantly. Then once everyone agreed to move forward we were sent a 45 page contract to go over with our lawyer. Everyone had to be on the same page as far as what we expected of each other. Contracts were signed in Nov of 2010.  In Dec of 2010 I received my first set of IVF medications (pictured above).  First IVF transfer was scheduled for January 24, 2011.

BACKGROUND INFO

Hello Everyone and Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey. I wanted to start off by telling you all a little bit about myself and why I have chosen to be a surrogate. I am married to a wonderful husband, I have 4 Children of my own ranging in age from 9 1/2 to 2 1/2. I have been working in the medical field since I was 18.  I have been blessed to conceive virtually without trying.  I was married to my 1st husband at 17 and gave birth to my 1st son at 20. My pregnancy was GREAT-well minus the normal morning sickness. I was divorced by 22 and a single mom til I met my current husband 2 years later.As long as I could remember I wanted to be a surrogate. I saw the agony and frustration first hand with my family member who had tried for several years to get pregnant and was unsuccessful. That experience with her made me wanna give back to someone the same experiences of Joy, Laughter but most of all LOVE that a child brings!!! So, I started researching surrogacy. I researched books, internet, I asked the doctors I worked for, my co-workers;any information I could find I looked for. In 2010 after meeting with several surrogacy agencies over the last 5+ years I found an agency that seemed to be a perfect fit for me. The only problem was now I would have to inform my husband as well as convince him to support me on this decision and show him the passion I had for wanting to help another couple. It took 10 months of talking to,praying with and consulting God for him along with showing him articles and answering questions, but he finally came around and in June of 2010 is when my Surrogacy Journey Begun.