We are cleared for Transfer! 10/30/20

October 30th, 2020

Oh, surrogacy... the hurry up and wait game, every step of the way. We were all expecting my cycle to start after the ultrasound on 9/18, however my uterus had other plans. It skipped that cycle and went right into the next one. So we had to wait a bit longer, again, but it was worth it! Cycle day 1 came, we had an ultrasound on cycle day 2 and were cleared to start medications that same day. I have been lucky enough not to notice any side effects from the Estrace which started at twice a day and is now up to three times a day to fluff up my uterus and get it ready for the transfer. 

We had another ultrasound yesterday and everything looked great with 8mm lining, trilaminar (triple layer) endometrium and quiet ovaries, plus no fluid in the uterine cavity, which is everything the clinic want to see before a transfer. The ultrasound tech said everything looked beautiful and ready to transfer the following week. Yale gave us the all clear to begin the next set of medications and a transfer date of... 

November 6th, 2020! 

I will head down to CT on Wednesday to be there for my COVID test on Thursday morning, and spend the day relaxing to be prepared for the transfer on Friday. I will need to stay the night at the hotel near the clinic and should be cleared to head home the follow day. The pregnancy test will be 10 days later on 10/16.

Here's hoping that first time is a charm, and their little bundle will be joining us next July!

Transfer 11/6 /2020= Due date 7/25/2021

❤

Next appointment: November 3rd, blood work to check Progesterone levels

We are ready to rock and roll! 9/18/20

 After waiting on so many factors to fall into place, we now have the all clear to make a baby!

The surgery on August 13 was quick and easy, and we were told my uterus looked beautiful and ready for a transfer, just what the doctor ordered. The next day we got the notification from our lawyers that contracts were getting started. The IPs and myself were quick to return all documentation within the same day and luckily we finished up contract September 15th, just about a month which is pretty quick for the legal phase. There were only a few minor changes to the contract which helped it move along smoothly. The same morning Yale Fertility emailed me to stop birth control and scheduled the baseline ultrasound for September 18th, with a potential transfer date of October  9th!!  It is amazing to think that in three weeks we could be making a baby. That means that as early as July they could be holding their little bundle.

But before I get ahead of myself, it is time to slow down, take a deep breath and focus how to create the most calm, welcoming and healthy environment for the little embryo. 

Let this adventure continue!

Last day of birth control: 9/14/20

Medications: Start Estrace tabs on cycle day 2 

Baseline Ultrasound: 9/18/20, uterus looks normal and ovaries are quite!

Next steps and surgery 6/30/20

Now that the clinics have re-opened their doors, we are able to get moving again! I traveled down to Yale Fertility on June 5th for lab work and the ultrasound for medical clearance. They saw a small polyp on the scan which they showed no concern about but did suggest having it removed so we can set ourselves up for the best possible outcome for our future transfer.

Now the fun part, trying to get the surgery scheduled. Since so many things have been pushed around and delayed due to COVID, the earliest appointment with our local Fertility clinic is mid-August. I have requested the order be sent to the main hospital to see if they have any sooner openings.
Like I have always said, surrogacy is a game of hurry up and wait!
We cannot start legal contracts until the polyp is removed and am I fully cleared. Luckily there should be no changes to my contract, so that part should be relatively short. Then we wait for my next cycle and can finally get a transfer on the books.

There is no rushing things in surrogacy, but it is definitely not a ride you can sit back and enjoy while waiting for everything to come together. But once you are there on the table, waiting for the transfer, you can finally take a deep breathe, relax and "enjoy the ride". There are moments that make this all worth it, the smile on the IPS face, positive tests, heartbeats, birth and joy. Those are the moments I focus on while waiting.

Hello to Corona Life! Time to get back on track

Well, there have been a few bumps in the road of this process as COVID-19 hit, the country shut down and clinics put a hold on fertility treatments. We were all forced to slow down and focus on staying safe and healthy. It has been lovely to keep in contact with L & D during this time and continue to build a relationship as we waited for our time to start this wonderful journey.

This morning I received a call from Patty at Yale Fertility with our next steps. I will be calling to register and then will be set up for two telelvisits, with the social worker for psych clearance and with maternal fetal medicine to review the risks. Then we will schedule the in person medical clearance visit. It looks like it will be on a Friday in mid-June. The last few months have made waiting for this visit seem so far away and now it is right around the corner, which is very exciting!

It's a Match!

Sunday I got to talk with L and D, who are absolutely lovely. We had some instant connections, her and I being from California and the guys being from New Jersey, and she likes to do needle work! I think it takes a special kind of person to sit for hours making tiny little cross stitches, someone who has patience. And surrogacy is all about patience as you play the game of hurry up and wait; matching, medical screening, contracts, cycles, transfers, testing, ultrasounds... the list goes on. Having been a surrogate before makes me well aware of the patience required and also how helpful it can be when you approach this type of a journey with patience.

With that being said, it sounds like we will be proceeding full speed ahead. They are have one embryo and are in the process of creating more, which means that as soon as we are cleared for transfer we can proceed. My first thought when hearing they are in Education was to think about conception and due dates, knowing that if we had a successful transfer in October that may put the baby due right in time for Summer break. But, October seems so far away! Luckily, they are not concerned about planning a due date and want to proceed with a transfer as soon as we are cleared. They are more than ready for this baby, as is their son who sounds very excited to be a big brother.
After our phone call, I was beyond excited to start this journey with them. I can't help but feel it will be filled with as much patience as we can provide, move along smoothly with contracts and screening and we will be at our transfer before we know it.

Next steps: Medical release is signed for NRM to send my records to Yale Fertility. Once the records are reviewed I should be receiving a call to schedule the psych/med screening. We should be able to meet in person on that day since I will be in CT!