My Journal of Surrogacy

Welcome to my Web Page. Here you will be able to follow my journey of being a Gestational Surrogate. I will share all my thoughts and feelings and record progress on the pregnancy.

Introduction - 2003

Hello. I am an RN and have 5 beautiful children and am now looking to help fullfill someone else's dreams of having a family.

My interest in surrogacy started long before I even had children. I had always thought it would be wonderful to be a surrogate for someone. Although the thought of being a surrogate at that time was just that, just a thought.

After the birth of my triplets in February 2002, I joined a support group for HOM (Higher Order Multiples). The members in our group are those who have HOMs born from December 2001 - February 2002. There are approximately 34 members in our group. We have become very close and have been able to share the highs and lows of our lives and offer a tremendous amount of support for each other. We have all shared our experiences with infertility and I believe everyone in our group has experienced infertility to some degree. One member had her triplets through adoption and two members through surrogacy. It was sharing these experiences that confirmed my decision of truly becoming a GS (Gestational Surrogate). The question now was when.

At the beginning of December 2002, it just hit me..."Now is the time." My triplets will be 2 in February 2004 and I feel like I have a good grip on my life.

So I began the search process of where to begin. I live in a small town where there are no agencies or facilities that deal with surrogacy. I found a site online, www.surromomsonline.com, and posted an ad on Dec. 13, 2003. I got several replies, but one arrived Dec. 14, 2003 that would be the beginning of what seems to be a great match. I will call the couple A&T(Annemarie & Tom). I spoke with A&T via email almost everyday, talking about the aspects of the surrogacy and getting to know each other. We seemed to click very well via Internet, so we decided to meet in person to confirm the fact that we clicked and make sure we felt just as comfortable in person. A&T made the trip to our home December 27th, 2003.

I was so nervous hoping A&T would like us. We had a wonderful time. A&T are such wonderful people who seem really genuine. As I watched them interact with my own children, it made me realize they really do deserve to be parents. It confirmed for me that they were the ones. Now the question was "Are we the ones for them?" Near the end of the night A&T asked how we felt about making the trip to the center that they use to have our psychological evaluations done. WOO HOO! That confirmed to me that they had accepted us. I was ecstatic!

So as for now, that is where we stand. Our next step is to set up and appointment for a psychological evaluation, which is required for all GSs (gestational surrogates) and IPs (intended parents).

Mom to Michael, Nicholas, Matthew, Carly and Kady

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January 5, 2004

I can now understand the frustration that goes along with this process. The funny part is this frustration is only minuet as to other setbacks to come I am sure. I called PRA, the facility we are using to do the transfer, and before we can make an appointment for our psychological evaluations, they need to have all my medical records (which are already in the process of being transfered), and my application, which I have right here and done, but forgot to send (DAH!). Once they have both of those, than it needs to be presented to a board for approval. Once approved, than we can set up an appointment for our evaluations. I am going to send out the applications next day service so that they have them and hopefully the medical records will be there soon also. So the wait begins again.

January 13, 2004

The waiting is driving me crazy. The good thing is we were notified today that all the paperwork needed has come in. Now it needs to be reviewed by the head nurse and then she will give it to the Dr.s to review. They inform us that this could take a few days. Hopefully I will be able to set up my psychological appointment at the begining of next week. Annemarie and Tom, the IPs (intended parents) had a GS last year, but unfortunately they lost thier precious babies, "Quadruplets", at 21 weeks. God Bless them! So they know the process. Annemarie reminds me it is such a process, but once they review my charts and set up an appointment we can be on the road. Annemarie said that last time, from the time of the interview (psychological appointment) to the time of transfer it took 2 months. So I am ready to get the show on the road. Annemarie and Tom need babies in thier home!

PS. There are pictures in the photo album now. Take a look!

January 28, 2004

We have been waiting on PRA to review my medical records to approve me as a GS. Today was the day we were supposed to find out "yes" or "no". Well, they called me today and said they were missing several things before they could accept me. The records they are requesting come from 5 different places. So, I called these places and they are faxing consents to release this information. As soon as I sign them they will send the records. So AGAIN, the wait begins. I would venture to think that it will be at least 2 more weeks before we can get approved because one of the places will not fax my information to PRA. So it will have to go through snail mail. WAIT, WAIT, WAIT and more WAITING. Have you figured out yet, that I do not like to wait? he he!

February 4, 2004

We got good news today. My case has been presented to the board and I am an acceptable canidate pending a few records they have not received yet. I know absolutely with out a doubt that there is nothing in these records that will hold us back. So as soon as those records arrive we move forward. Next step will be to schedule my psychological evaluation. We also need to get new health insurance as my insurance will not cover my pregnancy as a surrogate mother. Another step forward and many more to go. I am so excited!

February 13, 2004

FINALLY! All of my medical records have been received. I am now allowed to make my psychological evaluation appointment next week on Tuesday. That is great news. Another step forward. YEAH! We are working on the contract, waiting for the insurance approval, and working on some of my blood work I need done. We are definetely getting closer. PS. More pictures have been added to the photo album.

February 17, 2004

I am so freakin' angry with the facility we are using. It took them so darn long to review and approve my records and refused to allow me to schedule my psych eval. Now we are well in to tax season, Ed being a CPA, and they refuse to just let me do the eval. They find it absolutely mandatory for Ed to be there too. They are booked up through March 19th anyway. We can not go for our eval until May 3rd. I am really angry. So I guess we just sit and wait 2 and 1/2 more months. Arghhhhh!

February 19, 2004

Ed was able to work it into his work schedule to make the psychological evaluation day appointment April 16th. It still seems like it is so far away, but between the facility being booked for the next 4 weeks and Ed's tax season, there really isn't much else we can do. The facility will call if they have a cancellation before then. Meanwhile we are still waiting on the approval of health insurance that I had applied for and working on the contract. So much is involved in this process and it seems to go so slow with ALOT of waiting. But, no matter how aggravating that can be, it will be so worth it in the end!

Ferbruary 20,2004

I can't wait until there is a day that something goes right. Well, I got notice today that my insurance application was denied. I am going to appeal it. From speaking with the lady on the phone it seems like the appeal will be approved, but there is no guarantee. So Monday I will get a written letter from my Doctor stating there is no medical reason why I should be denied insurance and we will play the waiting game again. Everyone please say a prayer and keep us in your thoughts. If this fails I don't beleive there are any other options for us.

March 22, 2004

Great news today. After appealing the insurance denial, I am approved. Now I have medical insurance that will cover the pregnancy. WOO HOO! This is great news. We have our evaluation April 16th. So, now that we have insurance we can start shortly after the eval! Yeah! I am so excited.

April 17, 2004

Yesterday Ed and I went to the facility to have our full day evaluation. Everyone there was very nice and informative. We first spoke with the Psychiatrist. She spoke with Ed and I together, than separately and we both had to take tests which were a zillion questions long. We than met with the nurse. She reviewed my history again and explained all the procedures, medications, how to take them etc. All that lasted from 8am til noon. We than broke for lunch. When we returned, we met with a Doctor who does the transfers. Again, she reviewed the procedures. I also had to do a mock transfer. They actually placed the catheter that transfers the embryos into my cervix to make sure it would enter with out any complications. Everything went well. We were finally done with our day at 3pm. I feel extremely comfortable and safe with this facility. They are very thorough. Which may call for a long process, but well worth it. We still need to tie up our contracts and if all goes well we could be looking at a June or July transfer. It is such a relief to know that all systems are a definite go. Just got to put things in place now. Entries in the journal will be coming more often now.

May 14, 2004

Another task accomplished. Today we finalized the contract. Tom and Annemarie will sign and notarize the contract tomorrow and than send it our way for signing. All we have to do now is wait for my cycle to start. Once my cycle starts, I can begin my meds to prepare me for the transfer. Hopefully my cycle will come at the end of this month. If all goes as planned we are looking at a transfer either the 2nd or 3rd week of July. I am so excited. I cannot wait to bring Annemarie and Tom their little bundle of joy.

May 31, 2004

Well, I am glad to announce that I have started my cycle and I am on my second day of Birth Control. That is the beginning medication to prepare me for my transfer. On June 16th I will begin my Lupron injections. So all is looking great and if all the meds work as they are expected to, we could be looking at a transfer the second or third week of July. It feels wonderful to finally "be in the process" after all the preparations the last 6 months.

June 25,2004

Sorry it has been awhile for an update. I have been very busy. I have started the Lupron and I have been administering my own injections. They are not bad at all. Today I went for bloodwork and a baseline sono. Everything looks good, but my blood levels were not low enough to start my estrogen so I will continue to take the Lupron as I am and on Wed, June 30th I will go to repeat the bloodwork. If the levels are low enough than I will begin taking the estrogen. So, everything is coming together and the wait is not far away. I believe once I start the estrogen I will be on it for about 5-10 days and have bloodwork again. If the results are good than I can begin the progesterone which is taken right before transfer. Not much longer now. WOO HOO!

June 30, 2004

Another week of waiting. I had my levels tested again today and they still are not low enough. So I am to increase my Lupron dose from 10 units a day to 20 units a day and retest again on July 6th. I feel terrible that my body is not cooperating. I can't wait to transfer. I hope my levels are good next time. So until next time..........

July 15, 2004

Finally I am suppressed! I have started my Estrace and we are tenatively looking at a transfer date of August 7th. YIPPEE!

August 15, 2004

Sorry I haven't kept the journal up to date. I have had alot going on here at home. Anyway, August 7th I met Annemarie and Tom in Plymouth Meeting, PA for our transfer. Yes, we transfered 2 blast stage embryos on August 7th. Everything went smoothly. Yesterday, Saturday 14th, I did a home pregnancy test and an extremely faint line showed up, so I wasn't sure. I tested again this morning and got another pink line. Yippee. It took and I am pregnant. Tuesday 17th, I go for my blood pregnancy test. That will really confirm it. I am so excited.I have added photos in the photo section from the day of transfer.

August 17, 2004

I had my blood pregnancy test(HCG level) done today. It came back positive! Yippee! My level was 87. I will have another test done on Friday, 20th. Until than.....Celebrate the happiness!

August 20, 2004

Today I had another beta HCG test done. The number was 326 which is good. My numbers are supposed to double every 48-72 hours and they did. I will have another one done next Thursday the 26th and a sono the following week. I am feeling wonderful and If I didn't know I was pregnant I wouldn't think I was. I am sooooo excited and sooooo happy for A & T.

August 26, 2004

I had another Beta done today. It is good. It was 3150. The nurse told me that normal is 2560, so we are definetely good. I have a sono scheduled for Monday the 30th with bloodwork and another sono on Sept. 10th. I can't wait. I am so glad everything is going well. I can't wait for Tom and Annemarie to hold their little bambino or bambinos!

August 30, 2004

Went for my sono today. The reason for the sono today was to make sure that the sacs were where they are suppose to be(in my uterus). Good news is that they were. Yes, I said "they". They found 2 sacs. 1 sac had a heartbeat and the other did not. The one with the heartbeat was 100. The nurse told us that it is very early on and we are scheduled for another sono on Sept. 16th which she intends to see a heartbeat in both sacs. I also had my HCG level checked again and it was 8,012. I still "feel" pregnant with out a doubt and can't wait until our next sono.

One of my friends who has triplets just told me this..."I had an ultrasound at 6 weeks and they saw one sac w/no heart beat. At 7 wks it was 3 sacs, 2 heartbeats (one wasn't great looking so they told me "singleton". At 8 weeks---- triplets!"

Another friend who had Quads told me this..." I do know that with the quadruplets I had a sono at 6w2d, and only 3 of the babies had heartbeats at that point. The sonographer didn't seem worried at all. The OB came in and asked if I felt any cramping or bleeding, he wasn't overly optimisic about the 4th fetus. I went back at 6w4d and low and behold the 4th heart had started beating. I also remember them all being really slow, which wasn't a worry to the OB since they had just started beating."

So clearly, 6 weeks is way to early to tell anything and one thing is for sure....we have 1 heartbeat so that means we have a baby! I am very optimistic!

Please view the photo section to see the ultrasound photos from today!

September 19, 2004

So, I bet you are all wondering what happened at the sono appointment September 16th. Well, A & T were able to come and this is what we saw. There were still 2 sacs. The empty sac was still empty and should just reabsorb on its own. The enlarged sac still had a baby with a heartbeat and it measured right on target. The heart rate was 174 and the baby measured 8 weeks and 4 days if I recall correctly. We even got to see the baby move. We go back October 8th for another sono.

Please view the photo section to see the new ultrasound photos!

October 8, 2004

Today I went for a sono and everything looks great. The baby is measuring 12 weeks and the heartrate was 167. I saw the baby move and his or her little arms, fingers and legs and feet. I also had my first appointment for a routine check. I have bloodwork I need to have done and than I go back Oct. 25th to talk to the Dr. about the results and about the pregnancy and what to expect and what my options are. Being that I had a c-section with the triplets I have a feeling it is going to be very tough to talking the Dr. into letting me deliver vaginally. After that appointment I go for a sono on Dec.2 (hopefully to find out the sex) and than regular appointments Jan 3rd and Jan 31st.

Please view the photo section to see the new ultrasound photos!

October 28, 2004

Sorry for the late post. It has been busy around here. I went for my Dr. appointment on Monday 25th. Everything went well. I heard the heartbeat and it was nice and fast. We discussed plans for the perganacy and I am extremely happy to learn that I will be allowed to deliver vaginally as long as my body cooperates and that after 38 weeks we can plan an induction so that everyone can plan to be there. Everything seems to be going smoothly. My next appointment is Dec. 2nd and we have a sono that day. So not to much to tell this time. I am starting to show and the morning sickness is going away. Now, if I can just keep all this Halloween candy out of my mouth...LOL!

December 6, 2004

December 2nd we had a sono. A & T were able to come. It was awesome. Everything on the sono was great. Nice healthy baby measuring 11ozs. But I bet you are all wondering if it is a boy or girl huh? Well...............................................

We were able to spend some time together also which was really nice. We had dinner and the next morning we went to breakfast and the mall and the kids saw Santa. Everything is right on track! Yippee! Next appointment is Jan. 3, 2005.

Check out the photo section for the latest sono pics!

January 3, 2005

Today I went for a check up. Everything is right on track. I am gaining weight and the baby's heartrate sounds great! I go back on Jan. 31st. Until than I will just keep growing....LOL!

January 31, 2005

Had an appointment today. Everything is good. The baby's heartrate was 150 and I have gained 8 pounds in the last month (ouch!). Annemarie and Tom were able to come to the appointment. They brought their scrapbook they have been putting together and it is absolutely beautiful. It will be something special for Tommy to look at and A & T to look back at and remember. The next time I see them will be delivery day! I can't believe we are almost at the end. We were unable to set an induction date because the April schedule wasn't out yet. I go every 2 weeks for appointments now. So maybe next time we will be able to set a date. I will also have a sono at 36 weeks just to see how the baby is growing and how big he is. Come back in 2 weeks for the next update!

February 15, 2005

Hi there! I had an appointment yesterday. Everything is looking great. I gained 2 more pounds and the baby's heartrate is 139. We were able to set a date to induce me.....WOO HOO! The date is April 13th. We are in the process of getting a birth order and than we will be offically set. Yippee! I have another appointment in 2 weeks. Until than.......

March 4, 2005

Today I had a checkup. Everything seems to be good. Tommy's heartrate is 132. I have another appointment in 2 weeks and a sono in 3 weeks. Until than, I will continue to grow large...LOL!

March 24, 2005

Had a sono today. Baby Tommy is doing great. He weighs about 5 pounds and 10 ounces and is head down. I am feeling great except for your ussual uncomfortableness of being huge...lol. We all go to court on Monday 28th to obtain the birth order, this is our last hurdle and than all we need is to wait for baby to visit us. I have another appointment Thursday, March 31st and will be induced April 13th. Woo Hoo! only 20 more days!

April 16, 2005

Hi everyone! I bet you have all been wondering if Tommy has arrived. He has! I was induced on April 13th at 6am and labored for a VERY long 24 hours. Tommy arrived April 14th at 6:42am. He weighed 6lbs and 7oz. He is the cutest stinkin' baby! Annemarie and Tom are now Mommy and Daddy. I was so happy to be able to help their dreams come true. Watching them with Tommy was the best reward for me. They are going to be the best parents! This journey has truely been so rewarding in so many ways and I am so glad I chose to do this.

Next entry coming soon

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