2nd blood test

After my horrible experience last time, they took special care today! Now I will say that the bruise is not as bad as I had expected it to be (it hurt that much!), so that has to be a good thing. Iron is high or something! lol. But this time, there was lil pain and I really don't think I will bruise.  I could go a little while, tho, before another blood test!  The tests came back exactly how we wanted them. My beta count was over 400, so a nice raise. Thinking there might only be one baby in there! But either way, I am pregnant and I know the parents are ecstatic! I think this is really the best gift anyone can give someone.  I am really excited to be able to do this for them!

We have the ultrasound set for April 8th! We will see and make sure that everything is as it should be.

I have been feeling all wonky.  I know there are those who just have symptoms of nausea and really no reason behind it, but I am so used to knowing what is causing my nausea! With my three, I was able to pinpoint what was upsetting me enough to avoid further trips to the bathroom.  This time, not so much. I think I am just having those symptoms with no reason other than I am pregnant and having morning sickness (tho sometimes its afternoon sickness or evening sickness! lol).  I am really not complaining.  Just acknowledging that this is way different than I am used to.  I guess we do get to learn new things no matter where we are in life! ;-)

Hubby got to take the day off from giving me my shots as I was out and had to have it done at the clinic this morning.  Though he is doing really well with them, he still hates that he has to do it.  I just cannot bring myself to do them.  Poor guy!

Thanks again for all your support. Though I would have still gone through with this, with out without the support, as it is something I really wanted to do, it is so much better and happier experience with the support you all have shown me!  Very much appreciated.

The Results are in!

I am Pregnant! :-)

They had to take some blood today, which really hurt. They had to dig to find my vein...that is not comfy! My arm will probably be bruised! lol. But the results state that I have a beta of 133, which indicates that I am definitely pregnant! YAY!

I go back on Monday to make certain that my numbers are doubling like they should be and then we will plan on an ultrasound soon after that.

Last night I was anxious, so sleep was not as forthcoming as it should have been. I think now that I have had such great news, I may be able to take a much needed nap! ;-)

Thanks for all your support!

Transfer complete...so what next?

So, I have had weeks of getting ready for this single moment and it has come and gone! I now have the potential of carrying two beautiful babies for an awesome couple! This whole process is miraculous and am so glad I am a part of it!

I am on bed rest til Wednesday. Two days down and then I can continue as normal (except exercise...wait, that isn't normal for me!) but will continue to take it easy until later this month when they do the pregnancy test and probably even longer than that. I don't want to overdo or mess anything up, so I will take the extra precautions!

The transfer itself was interesting.  They didn't really tell me what to expect...pretty much just stated that I had to have a really full bladder (let me tell ya, holding it has a whole different meaning now! May not make my kids do that....EVER! lol).  Let's just say that it is similar to having a pap smear. Very cold, metal deal inserted and then the feeling of something being pushed in and so on.  Mainly, just uncomfortable (tho, if you are like me, it may be slightly painful). Then, ultrasound is set up to ensure that they are injecting the embryos into the right area.  I was told after, due to having them push the ultrasound wand on top of my bladder continuously (still holding it!) for awhile, that a woman's uterus actually becomes mobile the more kids that she has. I don't believe I ever thought that possible...it would seem most of the inside parts stay still, but I guess not.  And after about 6 or 7 minutes, I was carrying two potential babies. Now to make sure these babies attach and grow extremely healthy!

I have an appointment on the 25th, where we will do the pregnancy test and see if my numbers are where they should be! Fingers crossed for extremely high numbers (over 100 high!).


(picture of me decked out in the most unflattering outfit ever!)

Night before the transfer...

Do you ever wonder why your husband does not really understand what is going on with your body while pregnant? Why he is not as caring or sincere as you think he should be? You wonder what is wrong with him...I mean 'HELLO' he helped to put you in this situation. And maybe you have that really great guy who does help out and not give you that put out look when you ask for a shoulder massage or your feet rubbed. LUCKY! I have had three beautiful children with my hubby and all three, well, lets just say I didn't really get coddled in any way. No special treatment, no I know you are going through so much and I am here. Nada. Now, I did get the I love yous and you look great (tho, I think after 10 years, that becomes an automatic response...just kidding, maybe ;-) ), but not much else.  Now you are probably wondering what this has to do with my becoming a surrogate.  Here is the point. My man, has made it abundantly clear that he will make sure that I am well taken care of throughout all of this. You know, and I have heard this before from another surrogate, I actually think he is more excited and will be more involved with this pregnancy.  He even wants me to have twins! Can you believe it?! I obviously just want to be sure one of these two eggs take, but he wants me to ensure I do everything in my power to make sure both take! LOL. I understand his reasoning behind this remark. He wants our parents to have the full "benefits" of this pregnancy and get the most out of it, which means one but hopefully two babies. I agree to an extent, but I have never carried twins and I can only guess how that will feel! LOL.

I am really blessed to have my husband. He is behind me on any decision I make, even if he may be iffy about it. This path I am now on (we I should say), he has been behind, 100%. He has even told me how proud he is of me and what I have decided to do. I am not sure about you, but I have not heard that from him very often and I believe I will treasure that moment more than any of the I love yous and you're beautifuls I receive. I love knowing that the man I have been with for 10 years is proud to be at my side and proud to call me his wife. I don't think I could have picked better in a man!

Thank you for believing in me, baby and being there whenever I need you!

Have I mentioned I hate needles?! hehe

Alright, so yes, I knew going into this that I would have to have many shots (if you have ever been pregnant, you get used to many shots to begin with...blood draw for this, blood drawn for that...etc), but when you are faced with a really long needle that has to go into a specific area of your body, thigh or hip (so the really big muscle areas...intramuscular so I'm told), you get a bit nervous about it. What I have done up until this point is nothing compared to what I start doing tomorrow. Lets just say that I am really nervous about it! And I can't pawn it off on the hubby to do for me as he is just as squeamish about it! He has pretty much said 'no, absolutely not!' lol. Well, what can I do? Make him? Nope, I will be the man here and try and do it myself. Only thing is, is that I have to doing inject it quickly. I always hesitate giving myself the shot I am on now...not sure I can do this one quickly! I have a feeling, that after I do this once, I may not have too much of an issue with doing it over and over (have I mentioned that I am supposed to do this for a very long time?! About 10-12 weeks, at least from what I remember being told awhile back, but could be longer.)  This shot is important, called Progesterone, as it helps tell my body that I am pregnant and help ensure that my body can and will help the embryo grow and attach. So, this is an extremely important part of this process and I can't be wimpy! At least that is what I will continue to tell myself.

The retrieval was scheduled for today for the couple I am a surrogate for. From what I gather, I could be scheduled to do the transfer on Monday! Then a few days bed rest. Yes, I said few. Now, you are probably wondering as to how on earth I will be able to stay in bed for that long (and of course, for those of you who know me, you probably know the answer! ;)). Lets just say that I am a lazy person...really and truly. I have gotten better over the years, but for the most part, I really love to do my homework or read or anything of that nature (even make my jewelry) on my nice, comfy bed.  My kids are pretty self-reliant, even Chloe, so I am not having to run around, trying to ensure they are not killing themselves over something.  Plus, next week is the kids spring break, which means I can depend on Dev to help me out around the house and obviously David as well when he is home. Chloe has been known to play in my room or watch TV on my laptop with me, so this part should be really easy! ;) lol.

For the transfer itself, they will implant 2 fertilized eggs. The goal, obviously is for one of them to attach and grow. As you can see, it is possible that both will attach and grow! So, yes, it is possible that I will carry twins. That will be an experience! lol.

Well, that is all for today! I just want to add a big Thank You, to all of you who are supporting me and encouraging me through this. Though, I know I would have continued on this path otherwise, it makes this process so much more fun and definitely less stressful to know that I have so many supporters who want to help me through this, even if all the help is me gabbing about  it! ;)

Thank you and love and miss you all!

Becomes more real everyday

Is it just me or has these past couple months just flown by? It's really weird to think that it's March already. And as it stands, the transfer will happen within a couple of weeks! So, it is probable that I will be pregnant by the end of this month! It is amazing how science and technology have mixed so well and made this possible. My intended parents are so excited and I am of course just as excited for them!

Yesterday we had the gestational hearing, which of course states that we are the carriers and the intended parents are the birth parents. We got to really talk with them, learn more about them. My kids even got to spend some time with them. Chloe even warmed up to them. They are going to be great parents and that makes this process so much more special.

Have I mentioned the weirdness of the drugs?! lol. I think my body has finally got used to them, but for awhile there, I felt like I was already pregnant, which I guess is the point.  Lots of ups and downs in my moods, some nauseousness, etc. I think I have finally adjusted enough now that I feel normal, at least for now. If all goes well, the transfer should take place in a couple of weeks and then I can actually feel like I am pregnant, as I hopefully will be! ;)