Transfer update

Monday, February 28, 2022

The clinic wanted us to wait until my last surro baby was 1 before transferring for our second journey. So we are transferring Thursday March 3rd, a week before her 1st birthday.  

This protocol has been very similar to my last (successful) transfer per my request. We started a long acting Lupron for endometriosis suppression back in November.  Did 1 shot each month for 2 months and enjoyed hundreds of hot-flashes.  So grateful to do that part in winter!  Then this month we started the pretty typical protocol (oral estrogen, injectable progesterone or progesterone in oil/PIO injections).  We had a baseline lining check to make sure everything was suppressed and an "endometrial scratch" which is thought to increase the chances of implantation.  

During my routine lining check 1 week prior to transfer the lining was nice and fluffy (similar to my cycle with my keeper) but the sonographer couldn't document that it had the trilaminar or triple stripe appearance. I began to stress as this clinic required a trilaminar appearance for transfer. They decided to bring me to their clinic (2 hours away) to see the lining for themselves and to decide on next steps.

I was panicking!  I couldn't believe that the 2 months of menopause and endometrial scratch (not terrible but not fun) could have been for nothing!!  I was devastated. I drove the 2 1/2 hour drive the next day and stayed over night to not risk traffic in the morning. On my way I listened to surrogacy podcasts interviewing different surrogates.  One of the surrogates that was interviewed had a similar experience and her 2 day recheck showed a perfect lining which then turned into a successful transfer. I was in tears.  My mother-in-law would call this a little God wink.. He gave me just enough to calm my nerves and remind me that He is in control.

The next morning the Intended Mom (IM) met me at the clinic.  We headed into the ultrasound together and got the best news.  My lining was the perfect thickness and pattern and we were cleared for transfer!!  The nurse gave me my first IM PIO injection at the clinic. Hers has hurt ever since. Fortunately my husband is a pro at this point and they have been going much better since he took over. We head back to Georgia Wednesday afternoon for a Thursday transfer and then back to Greenville Friday.  I can't wait to hopefully spend a little time with our Intended Parents and then get this baby on board!!  

So grateful for my in-laws watching the girls and my neighbors taking care of the dog while we are gone.  It really does take a village!

Prayers for a sticky baby please!!



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Here we go again, again!!

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

6 years ago today we traveled to Charleston South Carolina for our first ever frozen embryo transfer (FET).  Blake, formerly know as Baby Snowflake, was our adopted embryo and the first baby that I carried. 

This time 2 years ago we were about to have our second FET for my journey as a gestational carrier. That transfer failed, then COVID lock down, and eventually we got pregnant after our third transfer in June 2020. My sweet surro-baby ("Baby Butterfly") is now about to turn 1!!!  We have had such an amazing experience before during and after the birth. We've seen the family several times since then and are so grateful for their friendship. 

 


Which brings us to now. I could probably give you 15 reasons why we have come to this decision but I'll just go with #1.  We had an amazing experience with our first journey and I just HAD to do it again. 

We decided to go with an agency this time... can you say surrogacy concierge?? We have matched, passed medical clearance, signed contracts and started meds. I've been in medically induced menopause for the last 2 months. We have our baseline ultrasound in a few days then start meds for transfer in March!! 

Our new IP's (Intended Parents) are awesome!!  We've only met in person once but have chatted over the phone and through zoom as well. I look forward to seeing them again for our upcoming transfer. They remind me a lot of our previous IP's.  She too was able to carry her first child but had complications and ended up with a life saving hysterectomy. I have been blessed with fairly uncomplicated pregnancies and births and am grateful to be able to share this part of myself again with someone in need.

We appreciate all of the love and support from each of you and ask for your prayers for this upcoming journey.

Bring it on!!

 


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