June 18th, 2007 - 5 weeks and 1 day

Yes, that's right...I'm finally pregnant. The 5 day transfer produced 9 embryos, all in excellent condition. So 3 embryos were transfered on May 30th. Stayed at the Beverly Hilton which was really nice there. Came home on June 1st. On Day 5 after the transfer, I got my first positive home test on a cheapie test. The EPT and digital did not pick up the positive pregnancy until Day 6 after the transfer. So that was a relief. Had my Beta test first thing on June 9th. My HCG level was 207....this is good although I was hoping for a little higher number. Per the fertility clinic, anything over 100 is a positive pregnancy. 200+ is possible multiples, so crossing my fingers for twins. I highly doubt all three took because of the HCG level, but what do I know? That is just my unprofessional guess. I know I will be bummed if it is just one as I've been hoping for the experience of carrying twins. Time will tell.

My 6 week ultrasound will be the morning of June 25th...I'll actually be 6 weeks and 1 day. They dont like to do ultrasounds on weekends on women during their first trimesters due to lack of doctors available and the fact that miscarriages are more likely during the first trimester. Techs are not allowed to tell patients what they see. So 7 more days before I will find out how many babies I am carrying.

I will have additional ultrasounds at 8 weeks and 10 weeks. Then after that time I will be released to see my local OB. It is just finally exciting that I am pregnant.

So how am I feeling? Well tired. Sometimes I dont feel pregnant...not that I really would feel anything. lol I had a bunch of PMS type cramping here and there, which is normal. My surro friends say its the embryos burrowing into my uterus...told this to my husband and he's relates that to maggots...nice, hubby! (He thinks he's so funny!) I also experienced some spotting a few times...so that was freaky but the dr says that was fine and reminded me that they told me it happens. My friend who is my children's pediatrician says she's heard that the spotting is common with multiples, which is something that I also heard from my surro friends. I tend to feel like crap after I eat Chinese food and Chipotle! lol Nothing bad...just that might be something to not eat while pregnant. lol I love Chinese food and Chipotle. We don't have Chipotle around here anyways, so I only have it every 2 weeks when I bring my daughter to her dad's every other weekend! I dont feel morning sickness other then a little in the evenings.

I'm still doing the progesterone shots every night. My butt is very sore so it hurts with the poke. I do the e2v shots every third night still. I guess I continue to do this until 10 weeks. I also take a new pill at night called Estrace. Thankfully its sooo small compared to the HUGE prenatal vitamin I take every night. And if that's not enough to take...there is still more that I have to do.... I have to take progesterone pills in the AM and PM... Now that's everything that I'm taking! Let me tell you...there is a lot you have to do as a surrogate. I am just thankful that I can do my own shots and they are all into my butt.

So I think I have you all up to date. Its been so busy here now that the kids are out of school and they are busy with baseball and softball. Kids are all doing well. Not bored yet but they sure are making a mess of the house...its been pretty hot during the day so if they aren't in the pool, they are inside. Thank goodness for central air!

So I will check in sometime Monday evening and give you an update from my ultrasound.

Have a great week!!!
A Surrogate Mom

May 26th, 2007 - Going to California

Hi Everyone!

I leave bright and early on Tuesday morning for CA. The dr said we can do the 5 day blasto transfer. YEAH!!! I hope my IP still does 3 embryos for the transfer. I want to make sure we have twins!!! (The greatest thing about being a surrogate...I can experience a twins pregnancy without having to keep them.)

I'm excited because I feel confident with us doing the 5 day transfer. There were 9 eggs received from the egg donor and found out today that all 9 fertilized! So that is exciting for my IP.

Looking forward to my trip to CA and relaxing for 2 days after the transfer. I go home bright and early on Friday!

One of the perks of being a surrogate is that you get to stay in a nice hotel during the transfer. The usual hotel in West Hollywood is under construction so I am staying at this nice hotel in Beverly Hills! That should be fun. Will have to tell you about it when I come home. I wish I could bring my 10 yr old daughter, as we like to go places together. It will be hard to be away from the kids.

My IP says we'll have sushi and Korean bbq when I'm out there. I'm sooo excited because since going to CA, those are my two favorite foods!!! Oh...that and an everything bagel with cream cheese and sliced salmon!!! lol

Well nothing too exciting going on other then getting ready for my trip. Sticky thoughts for us, please!!!

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

May 19th, 2007 - I have a beautiful uterus!

LOL The ultrasound tech said that to me yesterday morning and while I thanked her, I couldn't help laughing about it later as I told my husband and my IP. It made my IP's day hearing that. I think his sister knows now too.

So, I had my ultrasound yesterday. First I have to say KUDOS to Laura, the ultrasound tech at Cambridge Medical... It is very nice to go to an appointment where people are nice and friendly...rather then when you sit alone in the waiting room or waiting in the exam room where you can overhear people complaining about their jobs and personal life (I know you know what I mean, lol) Laura definately is a sweet person and I definately will request her for future visits. :)

Well I am ready for the embryo transfer next weekend! I measured at a 12 and had that triple layered/lined? pattern in my uterus. lol gosh I forget what its called. At first I panicked b/c Laura said I was measuring about a 1...and let me tell you...I was a bit freaked since I need to be between an 8 and 14. Guess it really depends on the measurment used. Phew.... so I was ok at a 12. Then I was a little panicked again when I realized that my OB wasn't in the office that day so the results were sitting there. The triage nurse in Clinic E for that day was SUPER wonderful for going out of her way to make sure the results of my ultrasound and lab were faxed to the fertility clinic in LA. Sorry I dont know her name to give her kudos.

I dont know my lab results but I am assuming my levels were where they should be. I've been good about taking my pills and shots (as I did the other times too). :)

Today the ED had her ultrasound and I guess she's not ready. She is supposed to have another ultrasound on Monday/Tuesday. The nurse said Tuesday but then said Monday, but I didn't want to ask her to clarify. So we shall see.

My CM called on Friday and left a message that the calendar gal said we could go ahead and make travel arrangements. Sort of glad that hasn't been done because I hate to get out there to have to wait another day or two. So guess we will wait until we hear whats happening with the ED. I guess I probably will just call on Monday as I'm anxious to actually know what to expect as hubby isn't around right now and so I need to make arrangments for the kids.

Trying not to stress about anything. lol like that is possible. It drives me crazy when people say "oh don't worry" lol I just want this to take this time. Anyways...I said I was trying not to stress...so no worries. Right? lol

So nothing exciting going on here...just getting my house in order before I leave for CA. Will post again when I hear more...

Have a great weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

May 13th, 2007 - Happy Mother's Day and Drugs

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom Friends here! Hope you are having a great day. My day is just like any other day, just as was my 39th birthday last Sunday! Yeah, I might be whining, but I'm not complaining. lol Well really its just a boring day as we have no plans. But that is ok, I am enjoying the quiet time until the kids start fighting! lol The kids are being extra good b/c our oldest as baseball practice at 5 at the nearby park, and I promised the other 3 to let them go there too. DH's mom and dad went camping for the weekend, so its not as if we had to go anywhere.

Have to share a little funny from our 5 yr old. I started my E2V shots on May 7th and I noticed the next day that it looked like I got bit by gnats or something. There were red spots. I didn't think much of it until I went to take my shot on the 10th. So I mention to my husband, it must have been a reaction to the shot but it goes away and doesn't bother me. I didn't relate it to the first times I've taken them. Anyways, my comment to my husband was I think the red spots are from the drugs. My 5 yr old comes to me, looking very concerned and says "Mom, you can't be having a baby for IP because drugs are very bad." He just amazes me with his smartness! I asked him why is that? And went on to tell me things that can happen to the baby when you take drugs. So after a big hug to my 5 yr old, I told him how proud of him that I was blessed with such a great child. Then I explained to him that I am taking fertility drugs to help me get ready to carry the babies for IP. And reassured him that I would never take bad drugs ever...never have, never would and never will. Just got to love the things my kids say!

Well, had an ultrasound on the morning of May 7th to make sure all was well as I did not get my period right after stopping the BC pills on May 4th. Funny...I got my period hours after the ultrasound! oh well! My next Ultrasound and lab work will be May 18th. This is also about the time the ED should be going in for her ultrasound to see where she is at for the egg retrieval. Probable egg retrieval is May 22, 23, 24. So its getting closer to transfer date. 11-14 days before I leave for CA. I am pretty excited.

My IP still hasn't discussed doing a blastocyst transfer yet with the dr. So actual transfer day will depend on whether the dr will do it or not. The agency says that some dr won't. I dont see why not unless not many eggs are collected. Crossing my fingers for lots of eggs! :)

My next shot is tonight. Still doing ok with doing them myself. Never thought I could ever do it...especially with how long the needles are!!! lol Its comforting to have a big butt so I dont have to worry too much. lol

OH, I forgot to mention that I ran into another problem with the Lab. They are refusing to service my dr's orders because he is out of state now. Of course it hasn't been an issue in the past year but since I've been having so many issues with them and made complaints...now this. No worries. My local OB at the clinic has been more then willing to work with me and they will process my fertility dr's orders and fax results for me. I can not tell you how appreciative I am of my OB and his nurses. I was also thinking that running all this through my local OB will be a plus for when my fertility dr releases me to my local OB when I complete my first trimester. My OB will be up to date on what I've been doing during the first trimester.

WOW May 18th is only 5 days away! I guess you can expect another update from me in just 5 days! And before I know it, I will be on a plane againg for CA!!!

Have a great day everyone! Especially the MOMS!
A Surrogate Mom

April 30th, 2006 - NFL Draft Weekend

Every year my husband is glued to the tv all weekend when the NFL drafts are on. Is yours? I guess the Vikings drafted someone good. Wonder if that will help the team this year? Anyways...tomorrow starts a new venture for my husband as he begins a new path in his career. OTR Trucking. He will be in training for 5 weeks. He will stay at his parents' during the week and come home on weekends. With gas prices so high here, that will really help. We're lucky that his parents only live down the road from the facility. We are excited for this new venture as we will no longer be paying $1000/month in insurance premiums for insurance that barely covers anything! Can you believe we paid that much??? With this new company, hubby and dependants are covered 100% with no premiums! What a relief for us!

It will be a hard couple of weeks for us not having hubby/daddy around, but I will be busy with the kids. Our oldest is playing baseball for the middle school and inhouse...so after I pick him up from school sports, its off to inhouse ball! Our oldest daughter hasn't even heard from her softball coach yet, so that will be starting soon. I'm sort of hoping our little one has forgotten I was going to sign him up for ball...lol I might wait until summer time and set him up for something during the day. I think that might work better.

So where are we with the surrogacy??? Right on schedule!!! I started a new pack of BC pills last night and will take the last one on May 4th. I begin my E2V shots on May 7th, and have my first ultrasound that morning to make sure everything looks ok. I have another ultrasound & blood work scheduled for May 18th to make sure I'm ready for the embryo transfer. The ED passed her medical screening, which we pretty much knew. yeah! My tentative transfer dates are still May 25-27, but that will be determined by the actual egg retrieval day and if the ED is early or on time. My IP is considering doing a technique called blastysis which means that embryo transfer will be 5 days after egg retrieval...rather then 3 days. This is our third and final attempt at IVF...at least with me as the surrogate, so I'm praying for sticky sticky sticky whatever you call it...lol I look so forward to being pregnant with TWINS! :)

Please help us by thinking good sticky thoughts for us and hopefully in JUNE we will have some good news to share!

Have a happy Sunday!
A Surrogate Mom

April 14th, 2007 - We have a match!

WOW, that was my post from a YEAR AGO.... "We have a match!" April 14th 2006!!! I had hoped to have been preggo and done by now. I guess its not always like that, huh???

Well, yesterday my IP and I received our calendars. Tentative transfer dates May 25, 26, 27. My IP is considering some blasto-something which means a transfer date like 4-5 days after egg retrieval. A technique used in international countries. I think they do that because the chances of taking are higher? I'm not sure. All I know is that I hope that this takes, as this is our third try.

Was surprised to hear we have a calendar already. Test results aren't back on the ED but they said that they don't anticipate any problems. At least we can get in cycle. I'm thinking the ED must have had her period and called it in. Good to know she's on the ball....nothing like the first ED. The second ED was good...the embryos just never took. Not her fault or mine. Anyways...everyone called me yesterday....my IP, then my CM and then the calendar lady...and the CA Pharmacy. So it was one exciting day.

So I should have some more bc pills and cycle meds next week. I have to continue taking BC pills until May 4th. So when I finish the current pack then I will start another one....its actually nice when I do that...nothing like stopping my period!!! (What the heck was god thinking to make women go through that?! lol) May 7th I will have an ultrasound to make sure I have no cysts and whatever. May 18th will be my ultrasound to make sure my lining is ready and stuff. The ED's egg retrieval is tentatively May 22, 23, 24th. So 3 days after actual egg retrieval will be the transfer!!! YEAH!

So that's whats happening! I just hope for a successful transfer!

Have a great weekend!!!
A Surrogate Mom

April 1st, 2007 - April Fools Day!

Well, a common joke for me would have been to say I'm preggo, but probably NOT a funny thing to post here!

Yesterday I spent the day at Hinckley in hopes of winning a Pot Of Gold. Here I was thinking this is great...I have 25 tickets for this drawing. WELL, the thing you put your tickets in was just PACKED. And with my luck...ummm....my name was never called all day! lol BUT it was fun because you won't believe what I played all day....BINGO...matinee and evening session. lol DH gave me $50 to play and won during matinee (and some slot machines in between) to play for the evening! While I had fun...I didn't win during the evening session...I had hoped to b/c today at Mille Lacs (sp?) is a $100 buyin to play all day! URGH....had I only known sooner! lol Yes, I love BINGO. The gals that work at the Hinckley Bingo (Jean, Linda, Christie, Kimberly, Michelle) are awesome....so if you ever find yourself there....say HI to them. I will definately miss them now because Baseball season begins April 9th!! I'm giving up BINGO until the Fall/Winter as the kids aren't in sports then....

The kids are on spring break this week. Then the next 5 months I will be busy with the kids' sports. My oldest already has school practice starting April 9th. Sadly, he didn't make travel but he will play In-House and he is ok with that. I think I'm more bummed.

DH is waiting to hear if he got this new job. He drove to Duluth on Friday to fill out an application and talk with them. It will be a big career change and an adjustment to our lifestyle, but its for the better. I hope he gets it. The only drawback is that its 5 weeks of unpaid training. Is that crazy?

Anyways...enough about me... where are we at with the next IVF? No tentative dates. My IP's ED has her medical screening on the 4th. After the results from that we can get rolling. I'm basically hanging out taking BC pills waiting....waiting patiently. My IP seems real excited with his choice. He was very impressed with her psych eval and the genetic screening went well.

So...that's all I have to tell for now. Hope in a couple of weeks I can share some more!!!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom