Transfer Day

Transfer 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!! 

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Lining check, bloodwork, med changes

Had 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.

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.

We head out of town Sunday night for a Monday morning transfer. Prayers are much appreciated!!

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Transfer #2 Date

Our second transfer is scheduled for February 17th!!

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!

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.

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Cycle #2 Under Way

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. 

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! 

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! 

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. 

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First transfer outcome

11/23/19 - started meds for the transfer cycle
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
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
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
12/27/19 - negative beta HCG

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!

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Transfer 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!

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Here we go again!!!

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. 

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. 

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. 

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