tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20239495140429029582024-03-13T23:02:07.298-04:00Infertile BlessingsA journey through infertility, traditional domestic newborn adoption, more infertility and embryo adoption. And now my journey as a gestational carrier!!Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-37900412246288088892022-12-28T08:45:00.002-05:002023-04-23T14:25:31.231-04:002nd Surrogacy Birth story!!! <p>My last week of work ended on 11/17. I had a membrane sweep that morning while I was working in the office and again in the afternoon just for good measure. I was 3 cm in the morning and 4 cm in the afternoon and contracting more uncomfortably than normal. We went out to dinner that night to celebrate my birthday and the mild contractions kept on. I wrapped up a few more things for work that night before bed and had a great night's sleep. <br /></p><div><br /></div><div>11/18 - The events of this day will be best explained in a time line. This was the day before my due date and was my birthday (the day I had been saying all along that I wanted to deliver). <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>0600 - Wake up for the day. The kids are still sleeping so I relaxed my sore pelvis in a bath. Blake woke up shortly after and hung out with me while I soaked. I told her I was hoping to have Oliver that day (we planned to do some at home induction techniques that day) - I even shaved my legs just in case!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>0645 - Contractions are more painful, starting to think I might be in labor</div><div><br /></div><div>0715 - Get the girls out to the carpool for school<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>0717 - Feeling scared, crying a little - text my incredible life changing doula Julie for advice on how to get my head ready - tell my husband to plan on working a half day and maybe after lunch we'll be ready to head in</div><div><br /></div><div>0718 - Text to the intended parents to let them know that I think I'm in labor</div><div><br /></div><div>0725 - Text to the parents to let them know to head this way and just hang around town until things get real (they live 2.5 hours away) </div><div><br /></div><div>0727 - Text to the doula to maybe start heading to me even though I'm still not sure - text the midwife Miranda to let her know I'm pretty sure it's labor </div><div><br /></div><div>0746 - Text to the doula to meet me at the old birth center instead (across from the hospital) so that I can labor there for a while and be closer for when it's time - Confirmed the birth photographer Jen is coming too!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>0804 - Text to the doula to meet me at the hospital instead because things are really intense</div><div><br /></div><div>0814 - Leaving my house - called the intended parents on the way to let them know things were really intense all of a sudden - I get the reassurance that I needed from them that they won't be upset if they don't make it - their reassurance made me cry - the midwife (who's not actually on call today) let's me know she can come in for me!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>0827 - Text the awesome nurse Caitlin that I requested to take care of me my birth preferences<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>0843 - Text asking the doula to meet me in the parking lot with a wheelchair and praying I make it there</div><div><br /></div><div>The car ride was so intense! I had the cold air blasting and the windows were completely fogged from my breath - the "oh shit" handle did it's job and I begged my husband to drive faster. He did a great job staying calm and reassuring me the whole way<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>0850 - we got to the hospital and I was wheeled up to a delivery room - I told my husband if I was only 6 or 7 that I was getting an epidural. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>0900 - The amazing midwife and awesome nurse were in the room waiting for me, tub filled. I asked for an exam and was 9 cm!! I got right into the tub and I broke my own water in hopes that things would progress quickly. I labored there for what felt like hours but was apparently only 20-25 mins. I tried to bear down and the pain was so intense I knew I wasn't ready yet. I asked for help getting to the bathroom so I could labor there<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>0935 - I climbed onto the bed and quickly started involuntarily pushing - it was so intense I didn't know who was there or what was happening. I don't think I ever opened my eyes after arriving. At one point (while I was crowning I'm told) - I asked the midwife to push him back in!! The prolonged crowning was too much. His shoulders didn't come out right away and I was (I think) a terrible pusher because it hurt so bad - the midwife flipped me over onto my hands and knees and Oliver was born at 9:40 am. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>0943 - We facetime the intended parents and they meet their baby for the first time - they're still an hour away</div><div><br /></div><div>- At one point I said "I'm going to die" and when a room full of birth workers and my supportive husband reassured me that I wasn't I said "well I <i>want to</i> die". <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- When my husband was helping me walk from the bathroom his arm was in front of me as I was bent over contracting - I threatened to bite him and bit my own shoulder instead. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- There were lots of F bombs and "I can't do this" but I made it. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- 3 hours from "maybe I'm in labor" to birth. 2 hours of sure labor and 5 minutes of pushing 9 lb 3 oz baby Oliver was born. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The parents made it an hour later and I got to hand Oliver over to his mom for the first time with her husband and Oliver's big sister all together. This moment makes it all worthwhile. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It was an amazing journey and I'm so grateful that I was able to bless another family in this way. The pregnancy was really hard (thanks to a 6 cm hiatal hernia causing pain and vomiting), the recovery was my worst yet and I can finally say that this baby factory is closed for good. I got the birth I wanted (aside from the parents not making it in time) and am excited to claim my body as my own again. I was able to provide 5 weeks of breast milk for Oliver and am back to focusing on myself and my family. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for sticking with me! While I still have hiatal hernia surgery to look forward to in the coming months (this pregnancy broke me) I know that 2023 will be a great year for my family. My girls keep saying "never again, right mommy?" My family knows first hand the toll this pregnancy and recovery took on our family and I am grateful every day for their patience and understanding. </div><div> </div><div>Life changing doula:<a href="https://juliebyers.com/" target="_blank">Julie Byers</a><br /></div><div>Incredible Photographer:<a href=" https://jenconwayphotography.com/" target="_blank">Jen Conway Photography</a><br /></div><div> <br /></div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC9-FApsB5aMiQDPPSLZGb3zpnxm57iSX6Fim_kBA-HudkvXdjrS3AN522CwTJuYKoQK1xyMBQVBtGDeQHqQkZF0SAqx9tI9yOsh_L71bEEOfzdQhjtdTb1gpV66N4yfSA5DprdeJRCQTQF11glSssAC35eQ-u5njTPrqWzetio5kIMMd_MH-D29O/s1600/The%20Birth%20Story%20of%20Oliver-82.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC9-FApsB5aMiQDPPSLZGb3zpnxm57iSX6Fim_kBA-HudkvXdjrS3AN522CwTJuYKoQK1xyMBQVBtGDeQHqQkZF0SAqx9tI9yOsh_L71bEEOfzdQhjtdTb1gpV66N4yfSA5DprdeJRCQTQF11glSssAC35eQ-u5njTPrqWzetio5kIMMd_MH-D29O/s320/The%20Birth%20Story%20of%20Oliver-82.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KS4Gj2kJM4BFE2vWWLGqk3F2of7bmdruaEmcXkjUZeVnzv0o97Ayp-cxKJUCLB-BGf1NnbwrO1pD2hmil7d4lXkXRx4XtQFud94ZyfeHTG1Bi_nTR-mXKr6w_-oPwCzbaUV7YjcKzXjXJ7xfVWCA5kYQgKPXkeFlwUK-CmzAwOLzJuaPyWsZQ0kp/s1600/The%20Birth%20Story%20of%20Oliver-534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KS4Gj2kJM4BFE2vWWLGqk3F2of7bmdruaEmcXkjUZeVnzv0o97Ayp-cxKJUCLB-BGf1NnbwrO1pD2hmil7d4lXkXRx4XtQFud94ZyfeHTG1Bi_nTR-mXKr6w_-oPwCzbaUV7YjcKzXjXJ7xfVWCA5kYQgKPXkeFlwUK-CmzAwOLzJuaPyWsZQ0kp/s320/The%20Birth%20Story%20of%20Oliver-534.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VY1GRLeAZAzUrVGLCaM17qZ3ichUYhi4uUo5d--vKw1fB01L5s9F881qYHhXdBZDk5AWUTNxkJyd9JQbu0oQt93149Z8JThHzSo8Ho4p3Hg8ho2SNtDiivhGMXrajuwstEG1bVESs24DMmqq_ZlNdmo4d7zuINHQit4xiR2wK_tuPN6XcCeIHQdk/s1600/The%20Meeting%20Oliver-83.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VY1GRLeAZAzUrVGLCaM17qZ3ichUYhi4uUo5d--vKw1fB01L5s9F881qYHhXdBZDk5AWUTNxkJyd9JQbu0oQt93149Z8JThHzSo8Ho4p3Hg8ho2SNtDiivhGMXrajuwstEG1bVESs24DMmqq_ZlNdmo4d7zuINHQit4xiR2wK_tuPN6XcCeIHQdk/s320/The%20Meeting%20Oliver-83.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-50567134478089936702022-10-26T18:01:00.001-04:002022-10-26T18:03:17.024-04:00OOPS! 36 Weeks!!<p> I blinked and here we are at 36 weeks. Actually 36 1/2 weeks. Fortunately this pregnancy has been pretty uneventful. Life, not so much. </p><p>Pregnancy first - I passed my glucose testing and starting taking more iron for some mild anemia. We had a growth ultrasound last week that showed little man measuring 2 1/2 weeks ahead (93%) so that's exciting/terrifying. I'm truthfully not too worried about it but may be a little more aggressive trying to get my body into labor if I make it to my due date. I do however feel very justified in how uncomfortable I am knowing that he is so big. I'm not uncomfortable for nothing!</p><p>So last update we had just taken our trip to Ohio with a stomach bug, a bird pooping in my car, a dead car battery and a child locking her seat belt in the ceiling by putting gum on it. I swear my PTO from work is cursed. Fast forward 2 months and I take a week of PTO to use up some of my vacation time that's expiring. This time Blake gets the stomach bug. She had vomiting and diarrhea the first night out of nowhere. Then (if I remember correctly) she was fine for a day or two then had diarrhea and vomiting again (while Adam is out of town on a guy's weekend)..... This time she doesn't make it to the bathroom and gets my bedroom carpet instead. We rent a carpet cleaner and get it all up. Then she's good for another 2 days and gets sick again this time diarrhea in the same spot we just cleaned. We rent a carpet cleaner and I believe that was the end of it. It was a long week!! I swear never to take PTO again.</p><p>Well then I decide one day of PTO can't hurt and I take off Blake's birthday. We had a big day planned. Early pick up from school, cute little monster rice krispies for her class, a Wendy's lunch date, a trip to target and maybe even ice cream. The day before her big day I started getting a cold but tested negative for COVID so no big deal. That night I came down with the fever and Adam quickly realized it must be the flu... The morning of Blake's birthday I test positive for flu. Adam still made sure her day was special but it really hurt my mommy heart. </p><p> I had to watch my baby open her presents from the door of my bedroom while they were down the hall. Couldn't hug or kiss her for her special day. My heart still hearts and I'm currently on 48 hours straight of living in my bedroom. One more day then back to work but I'm sure going crazy. I can't even enjoy laying around all day because I'm 36 weeks pregnant and can't lay down without terrible heartburn. </p><p>On a positive note the sweet intended parents sent me a thoughtful care package with some soups, fruits and the most amazing chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. That did brighten my day a bit. </p><p>Special thank you to the amazing Melissa at <a href="https://www.dearlissiephotography.com/" target="_blank">Dear Lissie Photography</a> for asking me to model for her. These maternity photos are stunning thanks to her! She made me feel so beautiful at a time I needed it the most. Highly highly recommend her for all of your maternity and newborn photography needs!! Hair and makeup by the very talented <a href="https://www.cottonrougeandcompany.com/" target="_blank">Cotton Rouge & Company. </a></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jmCO-Mmf0aEVfXVIBVNhLuthakTPKe1EL9AsBFrTKmJDzVJuqq4moXgqOOnr6n8Lc1f2OeWT5jiOhkoGqOcvSPS-pydKj-ZQJLV4f-2FpHkOtUCr7NNUWkSGSOwGirb7Bkcdjtw7HXtM43AZFZ5iIMFC_h9UY8-KEOcVy0Z5LpXlLLDhHsfPG-So/s1136/1.2.276.0.26.1.1.1.2.2022.331.61786.7084874.24903681.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1136" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jmCO-Mmf0aEVfXVIBVNhLuthakTPKe1EL9AsBFrTKmJDzVJuqq4moXgqOOnr6n8Lc1f2OeWT5jiOhkoGqOcvSPS-pydKj-ZQJLV4f-2FpHkOtUCr7NNUWkSGSOwGirb7Bkcdjtw7HXtM43AZFZ5iIMFC_h9UY8-KEOcVy0Z5LpXlLLDhHsfPG-So/w400-h276/1.2.276.0.26.1.1.1.2.2022.331.61786.7084874.24903681.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjAdiGIyre4NgjqFcP3t1EOk6-p5tOZE8OgfqNQYfZjPq1BHpjDClboqI87IqRAr-NAI5AF2IV4zK7u3Hb6nFKlBJoyt3fFMrBf6YFChB6V1L1WniZkJIW5H-99YaLWX00odxnZeOF0OHUG1fLVCx5olt9H5wyZ62mr4G5xrFss4u8gsTBG45Uxok/s1800/309503518_5475027399200376_3377086855520294862_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjAdiGIyre4NgjqFcP3t1EOk6-p5tOZE8OgfqNQYfZjPq1BHpjDClboqI87IqRAr-NAI5AF2IV4zK7u3Hb6nFKlBJoyt3fFMrBf6YFChB6V1L1WniZkJIW5H-99YaLWX00odxnZeOF0OHUG1fLVCx5olt9H5wyZ62mr4G5xrFss4u8gsTBG45Uxok/w266-h400/309503518_5475027399200376_3377086855520294862_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5h9eI0w05ugDswWNsnf8NSVphvjymPkETiYLpZb90zGahsreyqkh0jo_tznewXy2txdUQ7rAykMQ_aK6lwtA1dZFjUU7BjpA7h7zoZPCXBKnp2Ehq66rDu-Y3RjvDytAr-1TuCr8ucy2RC4I2Vx0-JcFkkK4D7dIDcuXubHmva9wemXzF4MLmidFE/s1801/309576912_5475027475867035_8913001438347433456_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1801" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5h9eI0w05ugDswWNsnf8NSVphvjymPkETiYLpZb90zGahsreyqkh0jo_tznewXy2txdUQ7rAykMQ_aK6lwtA1dZFjUU7BjpA7h7zoZPCXBKnp2Ehq66rDu-Y3RjvDytAr-1TuCr8ucy2RC4I2Vx0-JcFkkK4D7dIDcuXubHmva9wemXzF4MLmidFE/w266-h400/309576912_5475027475867035_8913001438347433456_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2cjRpRMTrXjjXVkY56r8xgXizYKJtAfK52c4n9iGGkIJbvBVO2qwfMRUNrJza4yq8vsTvEnM3fQotzkC0hwpFhotyh1aqX3m8tRBAhAFEg2Bq7ZQ0OUoiK3woQ7ZPA-uP15VG_Z44OivsIMBQk3N0hxrppiGcUWPN-03mxK2di2VHQGx8JJLke3c/s1800/309992297_5475027369200379_117840556881221011_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2cjRpRMTrXjjXVkY56r8xgXizYKJtAfK52c4n9iGGkIJbvBVO2qwfMRUNrJza4yq8vsTvEnM3fQotzkC0hwpFhotyh1aqX3m8tRBAhAFEg2Bq7ZQ0OUoiK3woQ7ZPA-uP15VG_Z44OivsIMBQk3N0hxrppiGcUWPN-03mxK2di2VHQGx8JJLke3c/w266-h400/309992297_5475027369200379_117840556881221011_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTirV-oDJUphcqs_5o3OlLuIbWMoSqBcdS7GsUnmtOuce6MDhNyIoiq0sHv36XFmV5C1oCtk8Q_2WoW60uKK6k6oFs6xn43A3VwE8ksk7gSTe3_65_4QF6Ik89KI0NK2B8WExn5A4_BgTzn8o5orxwkW738hy7xhDAPS359pDaarOJFtInCR7-sPoL/s1200/310042494_5475027249200391_7908111453039241085_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTirV-oDJUphcqs_5o3OlLuIbWMoSqBcdS7GsUnmtOuce6MDhNyIoiq0sHv36XFmV5C1oCtk8Q_2WoW60uKK6k6oFs6xn43A3VwE8ksk7gSTe3_65_4QF6Ik89KI0NK2B8WExn5A4_BgTzn8o5orxwkW738hy7xhDAPS359pDaarOJFtInCR7-sPoL/w400-h266/310042494_5475027249200391_7908111453039241085_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p> </p><p> <br /></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-55421425612544820242022-07-13T12:49:00.003-04:002022-07-13T12:50:52.332-04:0020 Week Update and a rough Ohio trip<p>21 Weeks and counting! Crazy to think we are more than half way there. I feel big but don't feel terrible.</p><p>Pretty sure I have a worsening hiatal hernia which is causing a lot of pain and vomiting. Having chest pain when I eat which is causing referred pain in my left shoulder. Sometimes it passes but sometimes I just have to throw up. At this point just praying it resolves after pregnancy and that I don't have to have it surgically repaired. </p><p>Sweet baby Bubble Gum had a great anatomy scan and everything looked perfect. I've been feeling movement since 17 1/2 weeks. Just felt the first kicks from the outside today. He must be strong because I have an anterior placenta and the movement is still so subtle. We go back at 24 weeks for a fetal echo (higher risk of heart defects with IVF pregnancy). He was measuring a week ahead but we'll just ignore that for now.</p><p> Here's the link to my podcast interior covering infertility through: <a href="https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/blog/2022/6/15/episode-143-infertile-blessings-maureen-nowak">I Want to Put a Baby in You</a></p><p>Now the crazy Ohio trip. I have to write this down because I'll never remember it all and couldn't make it up if I tried. </p><p>- Took us 12 hours to get there instead of 9 (traffic)</p><p>- Middle of the freeway Blake pulls her seat belt down and puts gum on it then rolled it back up jamming it, so she's got no working seat belt - Adam scraped off what he could then covered it with a tissue so it would work temporarily<br /></p><div dir="auto">- After saying "Ohio doesn't want us here" it starts to downpour the second we arrive and need to unload the car<br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">- My
car AC (2 year old car!!) has been smelling like vinegar for 2 months. 5 mechanics can’t figure it out. So I sprayed
a cleaner and had to run the AC with the windows open. <u>A bird pooped
INSIDE my car while it was airing out </u></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">- We take
the kids to the amusement park and Brennan PUKES all over the inside of
my car when we leave for the day (An hour and a half from home)…. Turns out she
got a stomach bug and threw up 15-20 times until 4am so was up all night with her</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">- Next day I was exhausted and ended up with a fever and couldn't really eat, stayed in bed all day</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">- Went to the post office to apply for passport (mine
expired 6 months ago of course) and they tell me they won’t accept an out of state license
without a social security card. She asked me to run home and get it. Umm
ma’am, I live in SC. Found online where they will accept an employer ID
so they reluctantly accept it…. Then tell me 3mm of my hair is cut off
in the photo from CVS and I have to pay to take it again. Of course. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">- I find
someone to clean my car and the next day my battery is dead because
they left the doors open for 4 hours while they cleaned and didn't check it </div><div dir="auto"> </div><div dir="auto">- The car won’t jump off
my sister's car so I had to pay a tow company to come jump it</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">- Later that day we go to my nieces birthday party and end up leaving early because my fever is back and now I'm throwing up too</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">- The next day I wake up puking and we finish packing and head to Ohio - don't recommend driving 10 hours with a stomach bug but we didn't have much of a choice</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">And now we're home!! Fortunately we are all well and life feels slightly less intimidating. </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Praying for another healthy 20 weeks!!</div><div dir="auto"> </div><div dir="auto"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzS3ZnA93pvJCbQx4fZSVNR2SeJUbta5I5f-CtC40zN9xZF05RnA5YVee1ie3C_C-I4Dwqf9LHAIQlRkwUxFelrZD-DU6KhWoCtDUM2NevGxDSd0TZDUF2CSmgFD2H7ZhkWT5BUo-5r0F1IUt9bkdkmjXf-f5ix_iGzI0-yhEXXmq-oDEIj4sxGEHO/s1136/IMG-2832.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1136" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzS3ZnA93pvJCbQx4fZSVNR2SeJUbta5I5f-CtC40zN9xZF05RnA5YVee1ie3C_C-I4Dwqf9LHAIQlRkwUxFelrZD-DU6KhWoCtDUM2NevGxDSd0TZDUF2CSmgFD2H7ZhkWT5BUo-5r0F1IUt9bkdkmjXf-f5ix_iGzI0-yhEXXmq-oDEIj4sxGEHO/s320/IMG-2832.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Baby Bubble Gum<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQqD2YFA64yDQdq_ElwNGj1xYO2BvQNdHIJmPmfRdmRRSX1CF9bFgdMFGdWauVtclv3FrppZS-OL2YwrJles8TDFSkm072KmMGOUXvD3e_b2XuuUvKzHQ6NV_boxiWodeExuoul1pOT_0dIC8f6Rj9LFg4FOEGI9tmcXD0axdRyB_9dR53R-usAcc/s4032/IMG-2843.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQqD2YFA64yDQdq_ElwNGj1xYO2BvQNdHIJmPmfRdmRRSX1CF9bFgdMFGdWauVtclv3FrppZS-OL2YwrJles8TDFSkm072KmMGOUXvD3e_b2XuuUvKzHQ6NV_boxiWodeExuoul1pOT_0dIC8f6Rj9LFg4FOEGI9tmcXD0axdRyB_9dR53R-usAcc/s320/IMG-2843.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It Takes a Village<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuYoIPc4YOo8QRjp6nvqKeAhaYmOEtBBmaJNhibQnLhcnkHLSWfRSsT_bumQXxTFdHhHMV2ODBhHnwbIHlkEkMFZDCx6aedEIOObhu-WT2Vqr5b8ZrxfDb4y5OTXLI06MO100FHQ80IHqgVk9osORnrpofUQKtEnbMUZ6xbrpaoaJDgI_2IBUZ_E8/s4032/IMG-9042.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuYoIPc4YOo8QRjp6nvqKeAhaYmOEtBBmaJNhibQnLhcnkHLSWfRSsT_bumQXxTFdHhHMV2ODBhHnwbIHlkEkMFZDCx6aedEIOObhu-WT2Vqr5b8ZrxfDb4y5OTXLI06MO100FHQ80IHqgVk9osORnrpofUQKtEnbMUZ6xbrpaoaJDgI_2IBUZ_E8/s320/IMG-9042.JPEG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast Friends (Bubble Gum's big sister with my girls)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihX4pCNUbL-YSUFZwgDXsPeDX1bQN133tTVk3A_4Sxl-djH6353PV1t3X-qFjtEq44TdDZUOkuR9iOGHa3wihHHfZkcBVWo3cMGzk8cs4yiwJ2QMF1BL0siSaYHL7RfET61SBpP12l3rS383xEtRIKpZIC3sCEsE26NqIoFT0Gmr4StD_fjacjX6tt/s4032/IMG-2866.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihX4pCNUbL-YSUFZwgDXsPeDX1bQN133tTVk3A_4Sxl-djH6353PV1t3X-qFjtEq44TdDZUOkuR9iOGHa3wihHHfZkcBVWo3cMGzk8cs4yiwJ2QMF1BL0siSaYHL7RfET61SBpP12l3rS383xEtRIKpZIC3sCEsE26NqIoFT0Gmr4StD_fjacjX6tt/s320/IMG-2866.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bubble Gum Incident<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><p></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-74100666678782129432022-04-29T16:17:00.003-04:002022-04-29T16:17:55.428-04:00Our Infertility Story - IUI, Adoption, Embryo Adoption, IVF, Surrogacy<p>It's amazing to remember where we started on our journey to making a family and where it's taken us.</p><p>There are so many incredible details to our story but in honor of infertility awareness week I want to give you the highlights.</p><p>My husband and I had our first date in August of 2003 and were married in September 2009. At the time I was working as a nurse and in midwifery school. In December 2012 we decided it was time to start a family. I remember being so convinced that the first time would work and couldn't believe it when my period started. Now 10 years later, having never had a spontaneously conceived pregnancy, I have to laugh at my naivety. </p><p>After 1 year of trying we had the usual initial workup that really didn't show anything. I had requested a lining check just because my periods were so light and in Nov 2013 had a 5 cm complex cyst removed from my left ovary. The cyst turned out to be an endometrioma. <br /></p><p>Immediately following that surgery we had our first IUI which failed just before Christmas that year. We were heart broken of course but ready to try again. We started another round in January 2014 and just 4 days prior to the scheduled IUI our lives were turned upside down. There are so many incredible details to this story and I just can't do it justice here. But here are the highlights:</p><p>Mid-injection text asking us if we wanted to adopt a baby - A sermon reminding us that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13) - a 2 week whirlwind of home studies, background checks and fingerprinting - 2 weeks of not telling our families ANYTHING about potentially bringing home a baby - then meeting our daughter with my husband on Facetime stuck in Ohio for work - and now my sweet first born is 8 years old!! <a href="http://www.infertileblessings.com/p/brennans-adoption.html" target="_blank">For the rest of Brennan's Adoption story read here. </a></p><p>With a newborn and infertility I don't think we necessarily kept "trying" but we did nothing to prevent for the next 2 years. My cycle kept showing up every month and I knew we were going to need some help. My antral follice count prior to IUI was 11. My AMH never quite matched what they saw on ultrasound so I've since forgotten that but know it wasn't great. After my endometrioma removal my left ovary was never seen again and my antral follice count dropped to 4.</p><p>Embryo adoption had already been placed on our hearts and knew a stim cycle and tradition IVF just wasn't for us. When Brennan was 1 1/2 we were gifted embryos from incredible selfless couple in Texas. Just after her 2nd birthday we started meds for our first frozen embryo transfer. The cycle was flawless until transfer day. They thawed the highest graded embryo of the 4 embryos we were gifted and the straw was empty! They thawed the next best and my incredible "baby snowflake" Blake is now 5 years old! <a href="http://www.infertileblessings.com/p/embryo-adoption.html" target="_blank">Here is a little bit more information on Embryo Adoption.</a><br /></p><p>We were literally gifted 2 daughters. The first through domestic adoption and the second through embryo adoption. We figured what better way to pay it forward then to help another family build their family. Enter surrogacy. At first my husband said "hell no" and after months of research started to get on board. </p><p>Our first journey was incredible but it did take us 3 transfers to get pregnant. Clara is now 1 and took her first steps last week!! She has amazing parents and wonderful older brother. The entire experience was so rewarding we had to do another.</p><p>We are now 11 weeks along carrying sweet Baby Bubble Gum as my girls have affectionately named him. I am proof that there are A LOT of ways to make a family and the most important thing to remember is to never lose hope. The women I have and am carrying for have had hysterectomies and didn't have a choice but to seek third party help to continue growing their families. <br /></p><p>A friend of mine reminded me early on in our journey that it's ok to pray for God to grant my heart's desires. The morning that Brennan's birth mom signed her relinquishment papers the bible verse on my scheduled reading plan for 2014 was Psalms 20:4. Another gift from God, a peaceful heart! </p><p>Then when I first started to read about embryo adoption I came across a blog highlighting another woman's journey to motherhood. Her blog had used the same verse!! It was in that moment that I knew we would be building out family in yet another non-traditional way. </p><p>I hope these versus give you peace and that no matter where you are in your journey that you never give up and continue to walk through every open door. And remember, if it's not open yet, it's ok to knock!! God will find a way. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0Ca2jjEgt7c32HtVTGEkyUCpRt2g-7kmgfqWklSztnigV0PlZwIJ7dEnBUxfA64aNX1PCueZDmydr2LDHVrjU1JFW-VESE7NdzW9Tu6_5jgAC5JX-iPAtopYj9WwOaTkkEG71TKLOHT6yyBFEhWPxu68vhdM6RZ2_-q18qyiWqhcJFBh6bhbve7I/s2238/Verses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="2238" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0Ca2jjEgt7c32HtVTGEkyUCpRt2g-7kmgfqWklSztnigV0PlZwIJ7dEnBUxfA64aNX1PCueZDmydr2LDHVrjU1JFW-VESE7NdzW9Tu6_5jgAC5JX-iPAtopYj9WwOaTkkEG71TKLOHT6yyBFEhWPxu68vhdM6RZ2_-q18qyiWqhcJFBh6bhbve7I/w640-h477/Verses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-51611404032701123182022-04-16T17:07:00.003-04:002022-04-16T17:24:10.090-04:009 Week Update<p> I've gotten several messages lately asking how I'm doing which means I'm over due for an update. We are 9 weeks and chugging along! We had heartbeat confirmation at just over 6 weeks and repeat checks at 8 and almost 9 weeks. Look at this adorable necklace IM (intended mom) got me for good luck prior to first heartbeat check. A good friend of hers got her the same necklace for her birthday as good luck prior to transfer. It's a horseshoe and baby elephant and I wear it every day. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-FtA2oJ3k3I1-wEBm_-rxPoZ99BS-ZAJl-e9AkScKAoDtWwoe9ZpybaXuufcgq5BXzV2AKGfbf8g52JBl4INPvbD5gjlywxyS7bHoSzj_ziIWLZBIZyBtSyyAtt8hoKRPZUT3_jpSbW6RQzlZoR6RDwxHo_yXuJnUjAKmLfGRduyeraiU6b3bzBn/s4032/IMG_1156%202.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-FtA2oJ3k3I1-wEBm_-rxPoZ99BS-ZAJl-e9AkScKAoDtWwoe9ZpybaXuufcgq5BXzV2AKGfbf8g52JBl4INPvbD5gjlywxyS7bHoSzj_ziIWLZBIZyBtSyyAtt8hoKRPZUT3_jpSbW6RQzlZoR6RDwxHo_yXuJnUjAKmLfGRduyeraiU6b3bzBn/s320/IMG_1156%202.HEIC" width="240" id="id_4578_6400_f164_ff1c" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"></a></p><p> It's kind of neat having this blog to refer back to and to be able to compare pregnancies. With my keeper, Blake, I had a few weeks of mild intermittent nausea. With my 1st surro babe I started with nausea 8 hours a day at THREE AND A HALF weeks!! That continued until about 16 weeks. With this pregnancy I have a few hours of nausea every day starting around 3 pm and continuing most of the evening. It's pretty mild and I've only thrown up a few time. Truth be told I had reflux surgery and can't really vomit so I just dry-heave violently. But it hasn't happened often. My IM phrased it perfectly and said she hopes it's just the right amount of nausea and she's so right. Just enough to provide reassurance but not so much that I'm miserable. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;" id="id_e4c4_6310_1b21_8600"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfvCPUZCVld7Uhw9IXNNURgpBURlRaQdS4f7Lm9czl9-OpM2wJF-CCfoXFIuYxoesrOFmMlx0FVb8y_Q6MwfLOezZ2OTBh3msJU5Zlo2Fak-Tt__diI9W3J6-VanC184C9pMT88XGRfqtb_0g7nYxfEg6wCfThrzunqw_buXWULiFpeDDoeNlfk4P/s4032/IMG_1143.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfvCPUZCVld7Uhw9IXNNURgpBURlRaQdS4f7Lm9czl9-OpM2wJF-CCfoXFIuYxoesrOFmMlx0FVb8y_Q6MwfLOezZ2OTBh3msJU5Zlo2Fak-Tt__diI9W3J6-VanC184C9pMT88XGRfqtb_0g7nYxfEg6wCfThrzunqw_buXWULiFpeDDoeNlfk4P/w320-h240/IMG_1143.HEIC" width="320" id="id_9e7_d21e_9044_90ad" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 weeks<br></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;" id="id_bd24_2998_9276_1014"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_N6fm44qR3hGs27lr3WmfGyiVFbG4XUdw5Arv9-sLyCMoXC5QqLfuaVqUZDruzB6VcqhSSFTgh_QToWHEFsA2M4AHj53Q-JCpGNGqGWAcSnpA-sY7yMEmU5zDNLwjk7Yl12gwoJUMbb0MeRY8g8VP0iFcLzSFrHjPUQwyclQUsoeF5JVUhxk6XtA/s3658/IMG_1386.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="3658" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_N6fm44qR3hGs27lr3WmfGyiVFbG4XUdw5Arv9-sLyCMoXC5QqLfuaVqUZDruzB6VcqhSSFTgh_QToWHEFsA2M4AHj53Q-JCpGNGqGWAcSnpA-sY7yMEmU5zDNLwjk7Yl12gwoJUMbb0MeRY8g8VP0iFcLzSFrHjPUQwyclQUsoeF5JVUhxk6XtA/w320-h242/IMG_1386.heic" width="320" id="id_4902_c4cd_5e56_9602" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 weeks<br></td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfvCPUZCVld7Uhw9IXNNURgpBURlRaQdS4f7Lm9czl9-OpM2wJF-CCfoXFIuYxoesrOFmMlx0FVb8y_Q6MwfLOezZ2OTBh3msJU5Zlo2Fak-Tt__diI9W3J6-VanC184C9pMT88XGRfqtb_0g7nYxfEg6wCfThrzunqw_buXWULiFpeDDoeNlfk4P/s4032/IMG_1143.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </p><p> </p><p> It's been a great journey so far and I'm so honored to be able to carry for such a sweet deserving family. </p><p>Now a shameless plug. My office, Greenville Midwifery Care, has been nominated for Best of the Upstate for another year!! But we need your help with daily votes until the end of April. </p><p>PLEASE click this link to vote and go back and vote every day. We have an amazing birth community and couldn't provide such great midwifery care without such incredible local support. </p><p> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://Greenvilleonline.secondstreetapp.com/og/f7a71865-3896-4e13-b894-01e4e5ab575f/gallery/328077051&source=gmail&ust=1650145185794000&usg=AOvVaw0LnVQT_DNzp71Op3OSFW1h" href="https://Greenvilleonline.secondstreetapp.com/og/f7a71865-3896-4e13-b894-01e4e5ab575f/gallery/328077051" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://Greenvilleonline.secon<wbr>dstreetapp.com/og/f7a71865-<wbr>3896-4e13-b894-01e4e5ab575f/<wbr>gallery/328077051</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="id_b02c_cdc0_8a49_67a6"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv5iHBsBy5jxjRejVPgndcuIv95C3gBD0UI5AL0wIL18sIOZJic7fbSkQvorwRubEeZ1yKszXMqE_VhyzfQx_3NY455zYjDt0CDT6lXUvcAdSusc1BwRocu4Cvif_lQkDmBtsmKjY7qYMY9Ic80-iJsY9gahAOFqFO63UjK_tT3aG8WvYqbYeqn_X/s6047/DSC_3921.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4024" data-original-width="6047" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv5iHBsBy5jxjRejVPgndcuIv95C3gBD0UI5AL0wIL18sIOZJic7fbSkQvorwRubEeZ1yKszXMqE_VhyzfQx_3NY455zYjDt0CDT6lXUvcAdSusc1BwRocu4Cvif_lQkDmBtsmKjY7qYMY9Ic80-iJsY9gahAOFqFO63UjK_tT3aG8WvYqbYeqn_X/w640-h426/DSC_3921.jpg" width="640" id="id_de8c_e2d5_6de7_821d" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of me helping a sweet mama with her rock star water birth<br></td></tr></tbody></table><br><br>When I was pregnant with Blake her nickname was baby snowflake (like a snowflake every adopted embryo is frozen & unique)… last journey the girls nicknamed her baby butterfly… current contenders for this little guy are cherry, little bob and Harold. Help! <br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxGuz3gGs4PdUdVzHvq6dg05-xT9zopTNQEi_R5wPYWZZdDFlUJiCiufY65OSp91wAT9wTTJYQ8Xu1VmQ89hw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-61691648149943097052022-03-16T11:19:00.001-04:002022-03-16T11:43:47.239-04:00We’re PREGNANT!!!! <p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;">My Intended Parents have had 2 retrievals but only had 1 genetically normal embryo. It was very highly rated and the Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) quoted us a 70% chance of success. We did the most aggressive protocol, extra screening with an additional ultrasound and extra blood work x2. The transfer was flawless and at 5 1/2 days post transfer (dpt) I got my first positive pregnancy test!! My first quantitative HCG on 11 dpt came back at 221!!! 48 hours later we increased to 618!! These are great numbers. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;"><br></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;">We are scheduled for one more quantitative HCG on 3/21 and an ultrasound on March 28th (6 weeks 2 days)…. Praying this baby keeps growing!!! </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; word-spacing: 1px;"><br></p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="18" data-originalfontsize="18px" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;">I don’t know if fertile people do this but us infertile people don’t believe a positive urine pregnancy test when we see it so we test daily and scrutinize every line comparing it the last to make sure it’s getting darker. Here’s our great progression (and now you all know I’m crazy, if you didn’t already know)</p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="18" data-originalfontsize="18px" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;"><br></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; word-spacing: 1px;"><img src="blob:null/e7b59f69-848b-4c03-b20b-72cadbe2ae59" id="id_577e_d931_3b77_f38" style="width: 0px; height: auto;"></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; word-spacing: 1px;"><img id="id_60e2_79d8_48c5_2fe8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/G67Dgs6-jx80mm_FPb3lnlb9T1JnL9ca6BHUi5RhoJQye-fK_aBp_8gqeSw9IEMG4YQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; word-spacing: 1px;"><br></p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="18" data-originalfontsize="18px" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;">The Intended Mom wasn’t sure if she wanted to know about a positive home test or just wait for the confirmation blood work. I waited a few days to ensure it was getting darker then surprised her with the good news during her trip to Jamaica. </p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="18" data-originalfontsize="18px" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;"><br></p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="18" data-originalfontsize="18px" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;"><img id="id_cd21_9e34_50b5_6464" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2zxJFfwHBdInAlq0VJ4tw2xu0sBeyZnWdl8ZWTFaNnxw0X9UBq0pYoGcVPIe0fYES-M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="18" data-originalfontsize="18px" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;"><br></p><p data-originalcomputedfontsize="18" data-originalfontsize="18px" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-size: 1.12rem; word-spacing: 1px;"><span style="font-size: 1.12rem;">We are all thrilled!! Please keep praying, so many more hurdles to come. Thanks for being on this journey along side us. </span><br></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-13469943113983263032022-03-04T17:04:00.001-05:002022-03-10T17:52:54.410-05:00Transfer done! - 5th time but a new and amazing experience<p>Being my 5th transfer I thought I knew exactly what to experience. This transfer was extra magical. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSOiocXNC9qg_1fcVodsl1C_mIdSSEq5ukCtOO-XGSgyd4x-Tc2ILz4xTiVZkpoQV1PsDbJABUWwBGgvForxWCj8G9PiGjICKfafjtdN3isq0uX3bQQ7ft6wEMB-PsJfjFa8-LTP0h-Lbi6vYJFOJGAvHZTr4QTndosCqIzWyN4rQJP8soKfrdWzJQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSOiocXNC9qg_1fcVodsl1C_mIdSSEq5ukCtOO-XGSgyd4x-Tc2ILz4xTiVZkpoQV1PsDbJABUWwBGgvForxWCj8G9PiGjICKfafjtdN3isq0uX3bQQ7ft6wEMB-PsJfjFa8-LTP0h-Lbi6vYJFOJGAvHZTr4QTndosCqIzWyN4rQJP8soKfrdWzJQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gift Basket I made for the IPs<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOy1QXwVQLnAXFV4gKu0ZQ0WwaHshY1aLF6rvtfeHipJkObX_M1Tbf2qTCo0y6Gp22h7g0qu5kvPK-13d-neLTvL5a7euLamDl_AJBxzXLkCfcJ3smyErM63685fWDvzFtVCi34w2EkHAmYbspUkZGat-wZCw7G4qO8aGrzv77QqrGJSVUSNwpvqzr=s3088" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOy1QXwVQLnAXFV4gKu0ZQ0WwaHshY1aLF6rvtfeHipJkObX_M1Tbf2qTCo0y6Gp22h7g0qu5kvPK-13d-neLTvL5a7euLamDl_AJBxzXLkCfcJ3smyErM63685fWDvzFtVCi34w2EkHAmYbspUkZGat-wZCw7G4qO8aGrzv77QqrGJSVUSNwpvqzr=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucky Transfer Socks<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The day started with a coffee date with the intended mom. I was so grateful for the time we got to spend together. Conversation was easy, we have so much in common and I could already start to feel the bond growing. And look at these adorable lucky transfer socks she got for me!</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVay_ob_rIONiqyFsWKgy3oPg_pMmOgaH8QGB08FHBr3PMvp30EqlwK6qGrfg0VI9lSgjFs--7mg_IZxjv71LlXxhZqV1zglLO1jL_vIR3AwqaGFhilfwHNKwif51eSVbyeFCBnU8pNOE3I2GmfqkCyac4QtdNB_8jp7Xv-hq6GmOC3_fatV81Qzhy=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVay_ob_rIONiqyFsWKgy3oPg_pMmOgaH8QGB08FHBr3PMvp30EqlwK6qGrfg0VI9lSgjFs--7mg_IZxjv71LlXxhZqV1zglLO1jL_vIR3AwqaGFhilfwHNKwif51eSVbyeFCBnU8pNOE3I2GmfqkCyac4QtdNB_8jp7Xv-hq6GmOC3_fatV81Qzhy=w320-h240" width="320" /></a> We headed to the clinic and IM and I were brought back pretty quickly. They require a full bladder to help force the uterus to lay flat and make the transfer easier. Mine wasn't full enough so the chugging began. 80 ounces in and it was finally time. Now here's where it gets cool.</p><p>For the previous transfers the embryologist just brings the thawed embryo into the room in the straw and is ready for insertion. You get to see a photo but that's it. But this clinic was different. They bring the embryo into the room in a newborn isolette. We got to see the embryo in real time under the microscope hatching in it's little petri dish. The embryo was REALLY hatching!! We got to watch them draw the embryo up into the straw and then be transferred. Seeing the embryo in real time was magical! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkOnkNQ98rrnjSLamtqrNDjYIhYntj0hprurnuGJLralm12W7ttefmR8J35mqdBSizkk0U4ClG47UHVAtGeUgBgDza4VbktfZbTk8axgA6F2sCUnv37nIjCzVZRB7cybi6Co1cV3lCCQybCIqlsPlTkhgB6hHIQAqeNQuA-1Nh3iov1kE3Jb5JIZAp=s3520" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkOnkNQ98rrnjSLamtqrNDjYIhYntj0hprurnuGJLralm12W7ttefmR8J35mqdBSizkk0U4ClG47UHVAtGeUgBgDza4VbktfZbTk8axgA6F2sCUnv37nIjCzVZRB7cybi6Co1cV3lCCQybCIqlsPlTkhgB6hHIQAqeNQuA-1Nh3iov1kE3Jb5JIZAp=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOVI-k0BjVmQfY5n1V3-2LVU-EabaEVGCF1nDrZFnpoyH6iVbyWdO-4YdoM_zjLtk_LFgashDdYvGI9IUcZE-RyAyPtwlWinsxCwAdnhpzCz0mbjJH5EsngcoqiHvqInaDDCfRuDdHzxptUt-O06OuZmwcOq5uBB4q0jKzsI9jri0oJxVlhN93JoQe=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOVI-k0BjVmQfY5n1V3-2LVU-EabaEVGCF1nDrZFnpoyH6iVbyWdO-4YdoM_zjLtk_LFgashDdYvGI9IUcZE-RyAyPtwlWinsxCwAdnhpzCz0mbjJH5EsngcoqiHvqInaDDCfRuDdHzxptUt-O06OuZmwcOq5uBB4q0jKzsI9jri0oJxVlhN93JoQe=s320" width="320" /></a>After that my husband and I headed back to the hotel to relax. I had the best nap of my life (thank you Valium) then met the intended parents for dinner. We were so grateful for more time together and we got to meet their sweet (almost) 3 year old. We genuinely enjoyed our time together and really look forward to growing our bond as we embark on this journey together. </p><p></p><p>Having gone through 2 previous failed transfers I am always a bit guarded but this just feels right. The transfer day was amazing, the embryo looked great, the doctor was very happy with the transfer. </p><p>While we hold our breaths until the beta HCG 11 days after transfer I'm feeling really positive! Now we pray!!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgsigpPJzCYhUfi6C3S2vST41wSTjbmdJbk7U1ps8mtEcVh0zMWWiRjzIh9ZeDwfB7e0lcMVA3nDCqdBUyR0VnuPBe9copvHQKl9MYXEiSiGzMStCG5gAfbaABqpvRfRsF8pRUY0-pQBZUOwudKzQThabHK38KRNxWM7fv9E10BZq9SRF2BdZeuPBg=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgsigpPJzCYhUfi6C3S2vST41wSTjbmdJbk7U1ps8mtEcVh0zMWWiRjzIh9ZeDwfB7e0lcMVA3nDCqdBUyR0VnuPBe9copvHQKl9MYXEiSiGzMStCG5gAfbaABqpvRfRsF8pRUY0-pQBZUOwudKzQThabHK38KRNxWM7fv9E10BZq9SRF2BdZeuPBg=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-40487761038018183712022-02-28T19:28:00.005-05:002022-02-28T19:33:43.306-05:00Transfer update<p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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!! </p><p>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!</p><p>Prayers for a sticky baby please!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje4S8bAx0FHKT5zvyaAEl5o4Vd_HChfzbPAkZDEGDXGkv04BAM9xOPKwMxjCmJ2jltEopKfTVWDj5Hxi9KivcIPShzkF7kRcasT3cnDz0I8VvowOC4mKtElHeBZyiSo2dxfVQ_kcfHF4AeGRNHSCy1RnnSVHpSuLoozCBGPw1n97heLSM5y2z3IwBL=s2400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="2400" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje4S8bAx0FHKT5zvyaAEl5o4Vd_HChfzbPAkZDEGDXGkv04BAM9xOPKwMxjCmJ2jltEopKfTVWDj5Hxi9KivcIPShzkF7kRcasT3cnDz0I8VvowOC4mKtElHeBZyiSo2dxfVQ_kcfHF4AeGRNHSCy1RnnSVHpSuLoozCBGPw1n97heLSM5y2z3IwBL=w640-h272" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-39216605885998529752022-02-08T19:55:00.001-05:002022-02-08T19:55:54.301-05:00Here we go again, again!!<p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOxFDxXZSENZkLMRP3GhQeIBOGToDM6T8j1yVjTlwtjCUePi_ll4xt_aXmGYg6_N9yQbI0Szvj_S4ggZm_njEvMS78svvaYlUt3CuZeUMyNxV90CQtfKBoXIAyNYg36dddM2Leez5Ljg4lmDChoziV-jHhEk70Saui9hNNbHujpchiJOaGPONLbP73=s1936" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOxFDxXZSENZkLMRP3GhQeIBOGToDM6T8j1yVjTlwtjCUePi_ll4xt_aXmGYg6_N9yQbI0Szvj_S4ggZm_njEvMS78svvaYlUt3CuZeUMyNxV90CQtfKBoXIAyNYg36dddM2Leez5Ljg4lmDChoziV-jHhEk70Saui9hNNbHujpchiJOaGPONLbP73=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>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. <b><u>We had an amazing experience with our first journey and I just HAD to do it again. </u></b></p><p>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!! </p><p>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. </p><p>We appreciate all of the love and support from each of you and ask for your prayers for this upcoming journey. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguoUrzm3EIoK9IRpT2FCFNPsOLDVOHudEbc-_zaFxilESDgXYSZsg344-ULzl0j39y6QbgNDBRe7nQNdNWGHxwJ4QdPsubDCR8ddrb-3deM4eUclbjSywlyuPd1Mte_aOCSYqyhzc9gFaIur8xncjb4jczkkXZJC928q946Jlyoo-7gZSn0jlWIX5U=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguoUrzm3EIoK9IRpT2FCFNPsOLDVOHudEbc-_zaFxilESDgXYSZsg344-ULzl0j39y6QbgNDBRe7nQNdNWGHxwJ4QdPsubDCR8ddrb-3deM4eUclbjSywlyuPd1Mte_aOCSYqyhzc9gFaIur8xncjb4jczkkXZJC928q946Jlyoo-7gZSn0jlWIX5U=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Bring it on!!<br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-39801986512654724192021-03-25T14:15:00.000-04:002021-03-25T14:15:34.421-04:00Surrogacy Birth Story<p>I don't know how my words here can accurately convey the emotions that I felt during the birth and even now. My journey as a Gestational Carrier has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I'm fighting back the tears just thinking about what we've been through the last year and a half and now a sweet baby girl is home safely with her loving & devoted family. God gave us first the gift of adoption then embryo adoption and it feels so good to be able to give back just a little bit of me as a gestational carrier. </p><p>I had a few mildly elevated blood pressures at home around 39 1/2 weeks. I had no symptoms of pre-eclampsia and when I checked my blood pressure at the office to confirm it was elevated one day and normal the next. The up and down bought us a little more time as the intended parents (and intended big brother) recovered from a stomach bug. We finally made the decision to proceed with induction before the blood pressure caused more problems. I had my membranes swept a few times that week (an attempt to naturally encourage labor) and worked with 2 incredible doulas to try to encouraged baby butterfly to get into a good position for labor. My awesome chiropractor worked me in for some Webster technique and pressure points to encourage labor as well. Ultimately we made the decision to induce at 39.6.</p><p>The morning we finally made this decision was very emotional for me. I really didn't want an induction but knew that my desire for natural labor wasn't as important as the health and well being of the baby... and myself. We showed up to the hospital some time after lunch to get things started. Having an amazing care team helped to ease my anxiety. I couldn't have asked for a better midwife, nurse or doula. We got the pitocin started around 2 pm. I was already contracting pretty often when I arrived but nothing painful or meaningful. Fortunately my blood pressure was stone cold normal the entire labor. <br></p><p>My doula arrived just before 3 pm to start some baby positioning boot camp with me. We did this for a few hours then relaxed until the intended mom arrived. Once she arrived I requested that my midwife break my water to get the contractions more effective. I was in a good pattern at that point but the contractions were still very mild. </p><p>I was 4 cm and comfortable when my water was broken. From that point forward each and every contraction increased in intensity. It didn't take long for things to really take off. I got checked not long after rupture and was already 6 cm. I spent what felt like an eternity contracting in the bathroom while the tub was being filled. I planned to get in the shower but transition was coming quickly. I remember being too hot for the shower and feeling like I was going to faint, puke and poop all at the same time. I felt like I was starting to lose control of the pain. Contractions were on top of each other and I could barely move between. My doula didn't leave my side and for that I am so grateful. I don't think I could have done it without her. <br></p><p>At that point I asked to be checked again and was 7 cm. I asked for an epidural and they knew I was serious. Around that time someone recommended we turn off the pitocin. I wish we had thought of that sooner and feel like I could have stuck with my plan for a natural birth if we had but I feel like things happened the way they did for a reason. The midwife could tell I was going to change quickly and started opening the delivery table and they called the intended dad to the hospital for the birth. </p><p>Soon after I asked for it the CRNA came to the room to prep me for the epidural. When he started to explain the procedure in detail I yelled "I'm a midwife, just put it in!". Unfortunately the anesthesiologist had a hard time placing the epidural. I remember feeling like I literally could not survive one more contraction without it. My husband held me up and kept me from falling off the bed during what felt like the longest epidural placement of all time. 3 attempts later he finally got it in. I must have scared the CRNA because he dosed me to my eye-balls and I felt absolutely nothing even hours after the birth. </p><p>The intended dad came in right after the epidural was done and I felt completely at peace with my decision. I think if I would have continued without the epidural it would have been a very different experience for everyone, not just me. And not in a good way. The birth was calm and exciting and I think my comfort helped everyone to enjoy it more. Granted I was 9 cm right after the epidural so things truly were happening fast but the epidural gave us all a minute to breathe. </p><p>30 minutes later I could tell it was time. The intended mom changed into a gown to get ready for skin to skin and threw on a pair gloves to help catch the baby. I only pushed for 2 or 3 contractions. At the last second I asked for a mirror so I could experience the birth as well... as a midwife giving birth with a very dense epidural I felt left out not knowing what was going on. I could see her crowning and as soon as her head came out I could tell she looked exactly like her big brother. Born into her mother's hands at 9:54 pm. </p><p>She came skin to skin with me and we were all amazed with how much she really did look like her brother. After several minutes the intended dad cut the cord and I was able to hand her to the intended mom. THIS was the moment I looked forward to the most. I did something for this couple that not many people would or could do. I wasn't in this for the bond to the baby. I wasn't in this for the adventure of raising another child. I was in this for them. I was in this for the joy that I could give to the parents when I handed them their baby. I'm crying as I write this because I am just so grateful that I was given this opportunity to change someone else's life in this way. The intended mom wheeled a chair up to be closer to me while she held the baby skin to skin. She looked me in the eyes and said "I can't believe you did this for us". THAT was every bit of justification that I needed. That 1 little sentence made it all worth while. <br></p><p>We spent the next 2 hours of recovery together. We took turns holding her and just enjoyed being together. When we moved to postpartum the intended parents were in the room beside us. It was midnight and I was ready to get some sleep. The next morning they came to our room to visit and we spent another few hours just hanging out. I am so grateful for the time we got to spend all together. </p><p>As we rehashed the birth experience everyone shared the same feeling... the doula was amazing!! No one really knew anything about doulas when I suggested prenatally that I wanted to hire one. Not just any doula. THE doula. <a href="https://juliebyers.com/">Julie Byers</a> was a doula I had worked with many times over the last 2 years. I tell my patients that she is made of lavender. Just her presence in a room can change the entire atmosphere. I could not imagine birth without her by my side. My husband said his favorite thing about the labor was the doula. When the baby's grandparents came to my house they had even heard about the amazing doula. Moral of the story - get a doula!!<br></p><p>The baby ending up spending the next 4 days in the hospital due to jaundice. When she was finally released the intended parents and one set of grandparents brought the baby to my house to meet my girls. It was so incredible to see the joy in their eyes when they finally got to meet her. We spent several hours just hanging out. The grandparents played with my girls while everyone got a chance to hold the baby. The intended parents Facetimed their 2 year old so the girls could say hi. My 7 year old decided to read a book to the baby while her Mimi got to meet the baby as well. I am so proud of how my girls handled every bit of this journey. </p><p>I've dreaded even writing this blog post because that means this journey is over. I know our friendship will continue and really believe we will always be in each other's lives. It has been the most rewarding experience and I hope that I will get a chance to do it again. I could have never made it through this journey without the love and support of my husband. I can't even begin to express what it means to me to have such a supportive and encouraging partner by my side. I truly couldn't have done it without him and the sacrifices that he made for me. </p><p>Baby Butterfly Born 3/10/21 at 9:54 PM</p><p>Weight: 7 lb 13 oz</p><p>Height: 21 in </p><p>After Blake's 31 hour labor I'm grateful for my 8 hour induction with only 4 hours of actual labor. <br></p><p>If you've read all of this thank you for sticking with me. Now for picture overload. </p><p><br></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvqvqHWArhI/YFuoON7CaVI/AAAAAAAAFBk/iUTBOjVyrF84kw6OUZZZXBFCT_8TwEV3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/photo%2Bmar%2B10%252C%2B9%2B54%2B44%2Bpm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1583" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QvqvqHWArhI/YFuoON7CaVI/AAAAAAAAFBk/iUTBOjVyrF84kw6OUZZZXBFCT_8TwEV3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/photo%2Bmar%2B10%252C%2B9%2B54%2B44%2Bpm.jpg" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad in the background is THE BEST!!<br></td></tr></tbody></table><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vST6PafCmM/YFuoO84IBuI/AAAAAAAAFBo/EbNPaO2uKUUc1WDQIYjb9mkLZo2RhFpQACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/photo%2Bmar%2B10%252C%2B9%2B55%2B17%2Bpm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vST6PafCmM/YFuoO84IBuI/AAAAAAAAFBo/EbNPaO2uKUUc1WDQIYjb9mkLZo2RhFpQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/photo%2Bmar%2B10%252C%2B9%2B55%2B17%2Bpm.jpg" width="320" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEiXxhlcW2I/YFuoPyTJ1DI/AAAAAAAAFBs/9M-BDP8M-fcSqqRr-BBYpVkgM2jW8OqlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/photo%2Bmar%2B10%252C%2B9%2B59%2B23%2Bpm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEiXxhlcW2I/YFuoPyTJ1DI/AAAAAAAAFBs/9M-BDP8M-fcSqqRr-BBYpVkgM2jW8OqlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/photo%2Bmar%2B10%252C%2B9%2B59%2B23%2Bpm.jpg" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4omJlKbkz9A/YFupXSMwiaI/AAAAAAAAFCM/jgHuV_gGBwIASyzCzPjmRZK2AhX6lB1gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4omJlKbkz9A/YFupXSMwiaI/AAAAAAAAFCM/jgHuV_gGBwIASyzCzPjmRZK2AhX6lB1gQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0060.jpg" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yiM7u24U3c/YFupZOkZtAI/AAAAAAAAFCU/l9btcCiT74EswtA2KsIBdqFMKlLBvUWFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_3019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yiM7u24U3c/YFupZOkZtAI/AAAAAAAAFCU/l9btcCiT74EswtA2KsIBdqFMKlLBvUWFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3019.jpg" width="320" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JZ7iV15AbQ/YFuoGw1VMBI/AAAAAAAAFA8/IpShKwUj4Ick_EkmCGW5eEXX5wOuUsLIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JZ7iV15AbQ/YFuoGw1VMBI/AAAAAAAAFA8/IpShKwUj4Ick_EkmCGW5eEXX5wOuUsLIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0060.jpg" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"></a></div><br><p><br></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GOQKucrUigT9O8YxHb_6GBkh5p2L7tFo" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GOQKucrUigT9O8YxHb_6GBkh5p2L7tFo" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-37518992751454478692021-03-16T15:43:00.001-04:002021-03-16T15:43:30.701-04:00She's here!!<p>Has it really been 10 weeks since I updated? Time had flown by. The rest of pregnancy was pretty uneventful. I had maternity photos done with the incredibly talented <a href="https://newbornphotographygreenville.com/" target="_blank">Emily Moncus Photography</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J82WyMeBmQU/YFEIyqLYBvI/AAAAAAAAFAA/MSYKcDD5hlsEDugTj0_hBHr3aBcuRv3ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/34Weeks2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J82WyMeBmQU/YFEIyqLYBvI/AAAAAAAAFAA/MSYKcDD5hlsEDugTj0_hBHr3aBcuRv3ygCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/34Weeks2.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgH7G_L3uAw/YFEIylAyMuI/AAAAAAAAE_8/VXSHn1VVoTU4-ku2TPk-Ogy1cvvyNm_nwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/34Weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgH7G_L3uAw/YFEIylAyMuI/AAAAAAAAE_8/VXSHn1VVoTU4-ku2TPk-Ogy1cvvyNm_nwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/34Weeks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>But... baby girl is here!! Safe and healthy and home with her parents and big brother. The end of our journey was absolutely incredible. I wouldn't change a thing about the birth. Even without a baby to care for the physical recovery is exhausting. I will share the whole birth story soon. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPCGfMeAszk/YFEJnna7RcI/AAAAAAAAFAM/C5raypf28WUO1FngcPf-Rn0KmO7YNLmWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_2848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPCGfMeAszk/YFEJnna7RcI/AAAAAAAAFAM/C5raypf28WUO1FngcPf-Rn0KmO7YNLmWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_2848.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Baby girl born 3/10/21 at 9:54 PM weighing 7lbs 13 oz, 21 inches long. More to come!<br /></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-31499605703120788212021-01-02T12:39:00.001-05:002021-01-02T12:39:17.903-05:0030 weeks and a new year!<p>Surely no one is sad to say goodbye to 2020. I know I’m not. Welcome 2021, we’re glad you’re here. This will be the year I help another family bring a precious life into the world. With all of the changes and uncertainty that 2020 brought we decided to end the year right. Christmas morning we surprised the kids with a box of Mickey ear balloons and a card saying “Pack your bags, we leave for Disney World in the morning!” We packed that afternoon and left first thing the next day (starting the day with a dead car battery of course). </p><p><br></p><p>We spent the next 7 days in the beautiful Florida sun. We did 4 days in the parks with some down time between. I somehow survived 30 miles of walking (60,000 steps) at 30 weeks pregnant with very little complaining or contracting. My husband and I hadn’t been to Disney since we were kids. Experiencing it through the eyes of our 4 & 6 year olds was nothing short of magical. </p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;"><br></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; display: inline !important;">As we head home I am grateful for a safe trip, healthy pregnancy and happy children. </span><br></p><p><br></p><p>Putting this here because years from now when I look back I want to remember the crazy start to our journey home. Keys locked in the car, dead car battery, forgotten bag and 30 min detour to retrieve it). My husband the trooper taking it all in stride (more or less). </p><p><br></p><p>Pregnancy update: I feel huge but measure on track (1cm behind I believe). I failed my 1 hour glucose tolerance test and had to do the 3 hour test. I was really dreading it and cried a little when I found out. The intended mom failed hers as well which made me feel a little better. </p><p><br></p><p>Fortunately the test itself wasn’t bad at all. I felt totally fine (even with 16 hours of fasting and a whole lot of sugar) until the last 30 mins when my blood sugar dropped. I passed and was so very grateful. A diabetes diagnosis right before the holidays and Disney would have crushed me. </p><p><br></p><p>I can’t believe this journey is coming to an end so quickly but am looking forward to the moment when the intended parents meet their baby girl and we all get to celebrate an incredible blessing after the strangest year ever. </p><p><br></p><p>Wishing you all a VERY Happy & Healthy 2021. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16MPkYIrqnp7MqrQs2P3K6LQooCYUMo8x" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16MPkYIrqnp7MqrQs2P3K6LQooCYUMo8x" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1iJqLnSIj8b0u6Lu5SP2F_WX-IM3m2azJ" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1iJqLnSIj8b0u6Lu5SP2F_WX-IM3m2azJ" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vxuUCjh-nU9IMRGG90R7alP4_RgEv8a3" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vxuUCjh-nU9IMRGG90R7alP4_RgEv8a3" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Mg_ORXWNJvJCiBVD-oRmc66GNIeVWCPS" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Mg_ORXWNJvJCiBVD-oRmc66GNIeVWCPS" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pu1ifpWX3hRnv6w7JKzKBfhlSSElVDyg" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pu1ifpWX3hRnv6w7JKzKBfhlSSElVDyg" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16vkNgUpimWmQCa3clnfEcaJZCnbURbAm" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16vkNgUpimWmQCa3clnfEcaJZCnbURbAm" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=14o6uoSFCN68vvvV1fpTfI8TZzJXeJb2M" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=14o6uoSFCN68vvvV1fpTfI8TZzJXeJb2M" style="font-size: 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-15492428713961942302021-01-02T12:39:00.000-05:002021-01-02T12:39:00.870-05:0026 weeks<p>I was so excited to start feeling Baby Girl move much earlier than Blake. I started feeling her move at 18 weeks. She is now almost 26 weeks now and was measuring 1 lb 9 oz at 24 weeks (42%). We had a normal level II u/s and fetal echocardiogram. Her placenta was initially low lying but that has already resolved and she's already head down! She had the hiccups during the entire 24 week ultrasound and the intended mom was able to feel her move for the first time. It was so precious!! I can definitely tell she is getting more excited as time goes on and this gets more real for her.</p><div><div>My girls have decided to call her baby butterfly (fitting as I sit here feeling her flutter away in there). Blake (4) was sitting beside me on the couch the other day and pushing her belly out. She said "mommy can you put your belly down?" I said no ma'am I cannot lol. Aside from some mild shortness of breath I don't feel pregnant most of the time until my belly bumps into something or I feel her kick. 2nd trimester has been great. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We've completed the pre-birth order for the state of SC which declares the intended parents as the legal guardians/parents of this baby. Because it's only done for this state I can't travel out of the state past 30 weeks. We are going to take advantage of our last window to travel and are taking the kids on a surprise trip to Disney World the week after Christmas! We are SO excited. They are going to lose their minds. I can't wait. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last week I had the pleasure of catching the baby of another gestational carrier. I got to spend time with the Intended Mom as well and was able to help facilitate their birth plan. The intended mom helped catch the baby and her reaction was absolutely priceless. It was a magical experience!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few pics from the last few weeks. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9HucyMTJQ4/X8acyvuxq9I/AAAAAAAAE7I/U4dfqmyJp6U2YHCxazB9v8FOVFalGQFYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9HucyMTJQ4/X8acyvuxq9I/AAAAAAAAE7I/U4dfqmyJp6U2YHCxazB9v8FOVFalGQFYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0266.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Polar Express!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRsMDGOxgYk/X8acyeXZE6I/AAAAAAAAE7E/P4ZL8t_g5sgmMviozwkIaGthC-SkaMtgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRsMDGOxgYk/X8acyeXZE6I/AAAAAAAAE7E/P4ZL8t_g5sgmMviozwkIaGthC-SkaMtgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">24 week ultrasound</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QAQdO2mbt4/X8acyVl6cMI/AAAAAAAAE7A/YIWZuMdjfCQ40wNJUIHvoFhZCwEYwmI7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QAQdO2mbt4/X8acyVl6cMI/AAAAAAAAE7A/YIWZuMdjfCQ40wNJUIHvoFhZCwEYwmI7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0463.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">25 weeks</div><br /><div><br /></div>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-3758484674609381892020-09-23T14:09:00.006-04:002020-09-24T07:45:14.910-04:0016 week update<p>So grateful to be through the first trimester. With my first pregnancy I had like 2 weeks of daily nausea then occasional (rare) random dry heaving. This girl, however, does not like me. From 4 weeks 4 days until 15 1/2 weeks I had daily nausea. Initially like 8 hours day then down to 3-4 hours a day with Bonjesta (prescription unisom & B6). It was rough! I've probably vomited 6 times total but the nausea was frequent and relentless. I feel like I was living in a pepto commercial (nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea). I think I can finally say I've made it to the other side!</p><p>I did my (apparently) usual 1st trimester bleeding around 6 1/2 weeks. Fortunately my subchorionic hemorrhage was small and I only had one episode of bleeding. Otherwise this pregnancy has been uneventful. Life however has not. 2020 has continue to act all 2020 and my mom had a heart attack on July 4th back in Ohio. I was there the next day and able to be with her in the hospital. Then back a month later to help her through a quintuple bypass. Seeing my mom intubated and sedated then struggling to breathe or move was tough. Fortunately she's got 6 amazing daughters who helped nurse her back to health. We are so blessed she has made it through like a champ and is well on her way to recovery. </p><p>I've finally come to terms with the bump (willing to admit it's baby and not just extra mom). I haven't gained any weight yet and for that I want to thank the nausea and my hate for all food. Don't worry, baby girl is growing just fine! Pretty sure I caught her sucking her thumb on ultrasound yesterday! So cute!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VN2iYk88eg/X2yGqtHFDqI/AAAAAAAAE0w/vUgTQwkCLd83_sm5w2o0zuj93AXkiHI9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG-0152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VN2iYk88eg/X2yGqtHFDqI/AAAAAAAAE0w/vUgTQwkCLd83_sm5w2o0zuj93AXkiHI9ACLcBGAsYHQ/w240-h320/IMG-0152.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="254" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BqvgtF5VfAw" width="466" youtube-src-id="BqvgtF5VfAw"></iframe><br /></div><br /></div>Kids thoughts on surrogacy: <br />Brennan (6 yo) - just wants to hold the baby when she comes<br />Blake (3 yo) - wants to babysit - She also asked if we could name the baby Beesia. No idea where she came up with that but she likes to pretend to be a dog and wants us to call her that too. Little creative silly minds.<br /><p>Looking forward to our anatomy ultrasound in 4 weeks. And so excited the outpatient visitor policy has changed and the intended mom can come with me!!!!</p><p>edited to add: spoke too soon. wrote this post then 5 hours later had to pull over while driving home from work to puke for 15 minutes on the side of 385. yuck.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-59903057970749577612020-07-27T21:37:00.000-04:002020-07-27T21:44:46.635-04:00<div dir="auto">
March 3rd we got the protocol for transfer number 3 in April. </div>
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March 18th we got an email from the RE that all cycles were being suspended due to COVID 19. We were so sad but also realized it was for the best.</div>
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We decided to take advantage of the break and started a monthly Lupron injection in case my endometriosis history was a factor in our first two transfers failing.</div>
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Daily Lupron was no big deal. Monthly Lupron, OMG! The menopause symptoms were crazy. Hot flashes and night sweats like you wouldn’t believe.</div>
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Then May 20th we got some good news. Cycles were back on! We were scheduled for a June 23rd transfer.</div>
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Prenatal vitamins, DHA, vitamin D, baby aspirin, steroids, antibiotics, Estradiol Valerate injections, Estrace suppositories, Crinone suppositories, lovenox injections, an endometrial “scratch” and..... WE ARE FINALLY PREGNANT!!! <br />
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Surro baby due March 11th - the IP's (Intended Parents) are so excited!! I'm so grateful to be on this journey with them. </div>
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It's still super early but we've had a few very reassuring ultrasounds. Now please help us pray this little bean keeps growing!!</div>
Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-74184928000677260592020-02-29T07:41:00.002-05:002020-02-29T07:41:48.604-05:00Transfer #2 outcomeExactly 4 years ago today I was celebrating my rising Beta HCG and anticipating an ultrasound to see my little ones heart beating for the first time. Today while snuggling my little girl and feeling that same heart beat against my hand my mind started drifting off. I started wondering if I will ever get to see a little baby growing inside of me again. Despite a beautiful lining, great hormone levels and what we all thought was perfect cycle timing another perfect little girl embryo decided not to stick. My HCG was negative and we are all devastated. We have a call with the IPs reproductive endocrinologist (RE) on Monday to figure out next steps. We planned from the beginning to give it 3 tries so we will give it another go in the coming months. Please pray for strength and peace for everyone involved. This has been a roller coaster of emotions and at times has been really hard to remain hopeful.<br />
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My sister sent me her daily devotional the morning of our confirmed negative. While it’s a lot easier to pray for God to grant my heart’s desires I intimately know that He is running the show. Praying for trust and faith in His plan.<br />
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Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-54835978296825068802020-02-17T13:25:00.002-05:002020-02-17T13:25:46.841-05:00Transfer DayTransfer is done! Everything went very smoothly. We implanted 1 genetically tested, expanding baby girl. Now we wait and pray that she sticks. Going to take it easy the next few days and try to keep my mind off of testing. Bloodwork scheduled for February 27th. Stick baby, stick!! <div>
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Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-71025546542581309512020-02-11T21:15:00.001-05:002020-02-11T21:24:14.763-05:00Lining check, bloodwork, med changesHad our lining check and bloodwork yesterday. My lining with our failed transfer was around 7mm. This time it was up to 10mm. A nice fluffy bed for the embryo to implant. My estrogen level was also a little low last time around. This cycle it was much higher. I feel really reassured by my body's response to the new protocol and even more hopeful that this one will stick. <br />
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I've moved on from Lupron and start Crinone suppositories tomorrow. I'll keep doing estrogen injections every 3 days through first trimester if this little one sticks. I will also be starting one last antibiotic and a medrol dose pack. With my vitamins and supplements we will be up to 7 pills and 3 suppositories per day plus an injection every 3rd day. Glad I'm pretty organized and can keep it all straight.<br />
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We head out of town Sunday night for a Monday morning transfer. Prayers are much appreciated!!<br />
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-7021046434035881252020-02-02T22:06:00.000-05:002020-02-03T06:53:08.709-05:00Transfer #2 DateOur second transfer is scheduled for February 17th!!<br />
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We started injections January 20th. My girls have been wanting to help so I let them push the syringe plunger. They get so excited! My husband has been awesome at giving my IM injections. I really thought I would be courageous enough to do them myself but I ended up just standing in front of the mirror, syringe in my hand, doing nothing. Glad to have such awesome help!<br />
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Please help us pray that this is the transfer that sticks. The roller coaster is hard enough on me, I can’t even imagine being in the shoes of the intended parents.<br />
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-49738859393479740082020-01-23T14:45:00.001-05:002020-01-23T14:45:52.370-05:00Cycle #2 Under Way<br />
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<span class="s1">Things are finally rolling again! We started a new med cycle this week. We kicked it off with 9 pills and an injection. This protocol is going to be very different then our last cycle but much more similar to the one that got me pregnant with my keeper. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">We won’t have a transfer date until early February but it should be somewhere between February 19 - 26. I want this so badly for the intended parents I’m just praying this is the one! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Brennan (6 yo today) has always been the best little helper. So she decided she wanted to help with my meds. I told her she could do the injection and as soon as she saw the needle (seriously so tiny) she ran into the other room. She did decide to watch and I let her push the plunger. She was so excited! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here are my meds for this part of the protocol then we start 2 different forms of estrogen in February to build up my uterine lining. Most people would be worried about the injections. I’m worried about 3 courses of antibiotics in the next 30 days! When this works it will be worth every pill, shot, blood draw, ultrasound and procedure. </span></div>
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Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-24959592896328526922020-01-01T23:03:00.002-05:002020-01-01T23:03:16.959-05:00First transfer outcome 11/23/19 - started meds for the transfer cycle<br />
12/10/19 - lining check and bloodwork - lining was good but estrogen wasn’t as high as they would like so we added an estrogen patch<br />
12/18/19 - transfer went off without a hitch! Everything went smoothly, embryo was expanding nicely, couldn’t have been better! Intended Mom (IM) was in the room with me and we were very pleased with how great everything went<br />
12/26/19 - 8 days past 5 day (embryo age) transfer - negative pregnancy test at home - I let intended parents (IPs) know - still holding out hope for a miracle<br />
12/27/19 - negative beta HCG<br />
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Each transfer has about a 60% chance of working. Unfortunately this time we were in the 40%. I was pretty bummed for the IP’s. This is such a huge emotional and financial investment for them and I just wanted everything to continue going as smoothly as it had started. They seemed to take the news well. Her RE is out of the country until the end of this week and they needed some time to review everything from our failed cycle so the nurse suggested a month of birth control pills and a February transfer. At first I was really frustrated at the thought of losing a month but realized it’s probably for the best. Now we wait and see what February will bring!Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-31680338410734388702019-12-10T21:17:00.001-05:002019-12-10T21:32:18.378-05:00Transfer date set! Just a quick update. Had my lining check and bloodwork today. Lining was great, estrogen was a little bit low so they are adding estrogen patches to my bare bones estrogen/progesterone protocol. Transfer is set for Wednesday Dec 18th!! They will call me the night before with a time so we are planning to head there Tuesday evening and stay in town so we will be ready to go. We could be pregnant by Christmas! It’s such a different feeling going through this as a surrogate rather than for my keeper. I still get the excitement will fewer nerves. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for us!Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-27844996974038759402019-11-23T12:58:00.004-05:002019-11-23T12:58:56.730-05:00Here we go again!!!<div data-originalcomputedfontsize="16" data-removefontsize="true" dir="auto" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 49); color: #313131; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 1rem; word-spacing: 1px;">
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<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Let’s recap. In 2013 we were blessed with infertility (yes, blessed). In 2014 we were gifted a beautiful little girl through traditional adoption. A 15 year old girl decided she wasn’t ready to be a mom and WE got to become parents. In 2015 we were gifted 4 healthy embryos and welcomed our second little girl after a frozen embryo transfer in 2016. Our donors had 9 unused embryos after their successful twin pregnancy with a surrogate 8 years ago. While we were b with our little snowflake a friend of mine was on her own journey as a surrogate for a couple that was unable to carry a baby of their own. That was really the first time surrogacy was placed on my heart. </span></div>
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Fast forward 2 years and the idea of surrogacy is still on my heart. My husband wasn’t too sure at first but after a year of researching he was finally on board. After a few winding turns we finally ended up matched with the most incredible couple. Our Intended Parents (IP’s) have one child and experienced a devastating complication at delivery and lost their ability to carry another. As we were sitting across from them for the first time back in August I realized my true motivation for wanting to pursue surrogacy. We were given 2 incredible gifts (one as a baby, another as an embryo). Without those selfless incredible gifts we wouldn’t have our family. Surrogacy has become our way to pay it forward and give someone else the gift of a child. </div>
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We met our IPs for the first time in August, quickly did an in depth psychological evaluation, medical clearance and contracts. My uterus was deemed “pristine” but the RE and all of the pieces have fallen into place. Today marks the first day of our first frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle. With my own FET we got pregnant the first time. We are praying that this next step in our journey goes as smoothly as the parts before. </div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-9815089560830790802016-12-05T21:57:00.000-05:002016-12-05T21:57:01.877-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I cannot say enough about how much we love our photographer!! <a href="http://bumpmeetbaby.com/blog/">Bump Meet Baby Photography</a> is so incredibly talented. I have dabbled with newborn photography for the last 6 years so I am very particular about what I like. Newborn photography is about patience, lighting, posing, editing and so much more. Every photographer offers a different point of view and I just adore what Tamara Hart says with her photos. Our newborn photos consisted of 2 trips to Goose Creek (Charleston)... 8 total hours of driving. For the first trip Blake was wide awake for the first 3 hours before giving Tamara an hour of shooting. For the second trip she was wide awake for about 2 hours followed by another 2 hours of shooting. That's 8 hours of drive time plus 8 hours in the studio. I have to say it was completely worth every second. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do. I can't wait to share some of our birth photos too from Whitney Hempsey of <a href="http://myrtlebeachbirthphotography.com/">Studio 412 Imagery. </a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023949514042902958.post-76633892461600805412016-11-04T22:23:00.000-04:002019-03-09T20:39:49.865-05:00Official Birth Story...finally!Please don't be mad at me. I've been in post-birth breastfeeding lala land and keep forgetting to post. If you haven't guessed it or seen it on Facebook, baby snowflake is here!! Born 1 day shy of her due date here are her stats:<br />
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Name: Blake Mackenzie<br />
Date: October 25th 2016<br />
Time: 4:30 pm<br />
Weight: 8 pounds 3 ounces<br />
Length: 21 1/2 inches long<br />
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Remember, I'm a midwife, so if I give too many labor/birth details I apologize. On Saturday night (October 22nd) I was getting ready for bed and started to have more frequent crampy contractions. I warned my husband that baby snowflake wasn't going to stay in forever. He asked her to stay in through the weekend. I went to bed Saturday night and woke up at 4 am to go to the bathroom. From that point forward the contractions stayed regular and more painful and I wasn't able to go back to sleep.<br />
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I text my mother-in-law to have her pick Brennan up for church since I was up a lot of the night. I continued contracting all day Sunday but they never really got much stronger. I did something called the Miles Circuit, went for a long walk and rested in hopes something would change. I took some unisom to try to get some sleep Sunday night and woke up with regular contractions again Monday. They were definitely stronger than the day before and just as regular. I spent the day changing positions, going for walks, bouncing on the ball, the contractions were much more painful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brennan on her labor ball</td></tr>
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As the day progressed Monday I was breathing through contractions. I couldn't find a comfortable position and knew they were the real deal. I tried a heating pad, massage, my husband coaching me to relax during contractions. I was miserable. We finally decided it was time to go to the hospital. When I got there I was 4 cm. I had been 1 in the office. I asked Vanessa (my incredible amazing midwife) to break my water to get things moving. The contractions quickly got more painful. I got in the tub and asked for my epidural. I was saving the tub for later in labor because I thought it would be a huge help but I had gotten so uncomfortable it didn't do much for me.<br />
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I got my epidural and right after had progressed to 6cm. We quickly realized that my epidural wasn't working. It started out working on one side and eventually didn't work at all. I worked through another hour of contractions while waiting for the anesthesiologist to return. My second epidural was much better. This is where things get goofy.<br />
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For the next 11 hours I remained 6 cm. Thankfully my epidural worked well. Every hour I changed positions from hands and knees to side lying, sitting up to knee chest. Nothing helped me to dilate. After 6 hours at 6 cm we elected to start pitocin. Finally I started to feel some pressure and had changed to 8 cm and for the first time baby girl had started to come down. Quickly after I was 9 cm with a ton of pressure and needed to push. That's where the epidural failed me. <u>I could feel everything</u>. With an epidural you lose your ability to distinguish between hot and cold. An icecube would normally feel warm where the epidural is working. Vanessa used iced cold rags on my bottom between pushes and they felt ice cold. Seriously, the epidural was doing nothing for my bottom.<br />
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The pain was a huge motivator to push as hard as I could. I used the mirror which was really helpful because I could see her head descend every push. I ended up pushing for an hour and twenty minutes. When her head finally came out she was looking straight up to the ceiling. You may have heard it called sunny side up, posterior or OP. A lot of babies end up coming out via c-section when they are face up like this. For those of you who know what this means she was actually OP and asynclitic. I can't believe she came out! And all with a tiny little laceration. I feel like I was screaming with every push and probably traumatized my husband for life. He was a little nervous about the whole delivery but he was incredible. He was a great coach during contractions, fed me ice chips between pushes and held my leg the entire time. I am so blessed to have had a supportive husband, incredible midwife and awesome nurses.<br />
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When I first saw this photo I was embarrassed at how awful I look. Then I realized that this is real life. I'm not sure if I was screaming, crying, happy, shocked. Maybe a little bit of everything? But this right here captures every emotion that was flooding over me when baby snowflake was placed on my belly for the first time.<br />
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Baby Blake was eventually taken to the warmer for evaluation because she had had a bowel movement prior to delivery (meconium). Her temp after delivery was 102. Both pediatricians were concerned and they took her to the nursery for blood cultures, lab tests and to start IV antibiotics. She ended up on antibiotics for 48 hours but fortunately her blood cultures were negative and she didn't end up having an infection. <br />
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Brennan came in to meet her sister a few hours after the birth. She said "aww" and quickly wanted to "pet her". She was very excited to be a big sister and has been a huge helper. I will cherish this photo forever. My entire heart is outside my body and walking the earth in these three right here. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my whole world</td></tr>
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I will be forever grateful for the countless hours that my dear friend and loving midwife spent with me during my labor. Without the help of Vanessa and Adam I would have never been able to do this. Vanessa was supportive and encouraging, calm and empowering. My labor wasn't your average labor and she never once made me feel like I couldn't do it. It's not easy to be the midwife and the patient but Vanessa did an amazing job taking the worry away from me and convincing me that I could have the birth that I desired. Vanessa, you will always have a special place in my heart and in our family. <br />
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We have been home for a week now and life is good! I am grateful to have the help of my in-laws during this time. They have been a huge help with Brennan, meals, housework, errands, everything we need. Without them I don't know how we'd keep it together. Family is starting to visit and of course everyone is in love with Blake already. Baby Blake is nursing like a champ, sleeping well and gaining weight. Life is so good.<br />
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Thank you all for your prayers and support during this crazy adventure. I can't wait to share more of Blake's birth photos by the talented Whitney Hempsey of Studio 412 Imagery. <br />
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<br />Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191037940725186112noreply@blogger.com0