So I'm a gestational surrogate. Yes, I carry babies for other people. No, they are not MY babies. It's their biological baby. I just "babysit" until the baby is ready to be born into the world to live with his or her mommy and daddy. I enjoy being pregnant, but my family is complete. So why shouldn't I help someone else begin, grow, or complete their family?
I often get asked what I get out of it. Well here's my answer: I get to share a pregnancy with someone that may otherwise not experience positive pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and baby kicks. I get to give someone the joy of seeing their newborn take their first breath. I get to hand someone their baby to meet for the first time. I get to see a family grow and a new life begin. I get to see a child be loved and raised in a nurturing home. I get to know I had a part in making someone's dream a reality.
Another question I am often asked is, "Is it worth nine months of all you go through?" You betcha. It worth the nine months plus some. It's obviously worth it since I'm now considered a "serial surrogate."
I'm a little behind on getting this site up, so here's a timeline of how we got to where we are:
August 8, 2010 - Steve, Andrea, and I headed to Dallas for the embryo transfer. They transferred two embryos that morning and I lay on bedrest for 24 hours.
August 14, 2010 - I get the first + on a home pregnancy test!
August 16, 2010 - We have a quantatative beta done and it comes back positive at 49!
August 18, 2010 - We have another beta drawn. It comes back at 120!
August 20, 2010 - For good measure, we have one more beta drawn. 266!
August 25, 2010 - We sneak in an early ultrasound. We see one definite sac!
August 30, 2010 (early morning hours) - I experience severe lower back pain and bleeding. I go to the ER and they diagnose me with a kidney infection. I get another ultrasound and they still see one baby, but there is a small subchorionic bleed. Everything looks OK other than that though. *whew*
August 30, 2010 - I go in for another quick u/s. We see a yolk sac and what may be a fetal pole! So far, so good...
And this is where we are today. We're going in for another u/s tomorrow in hopes of seeing a heartbeat. It's still early, but we're hoping for a little reassurance.
Here's to mood swings, cravings, and lots of happiness and joy over the next 8 months! Hold on to your seats, folks...it's going to be quite a ride!
I often get asked what I get out of it. Well here's my answer: I get to share a pregnancy with someone that may otherwise not experience positive pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and baby kicks. I get to give someone the joy of seeing their newborn take their first breath. I get to hand someone their baby to meet for the first time. I get to see a family grow and a new life begin. I get to see a child be loved and raised in a nurturing home. I get to know I had a part in making someone's dream a reality.
Another question I am often asked is, "Is it worth nine months of all you go through?" You betcha. It worth the nine months plus some. It's obviously worth it since I'm now considered a "serial surrogate."
I'm a little behind on getting this site up, so here's a timeline of how we got to where we are:
August 8, 2010 - Steve, Andrea, and I headed to Dallas for the embryo transfer. They transferred two embryos that morning and I lay on bedrest for 24 hours.
August 14, 2010 - I get the first + on a home pregnancy test!
August 16, 2010 - We have a quantatative beta done and it comes back positive at 49!
August 18, 2010 - We have another beta drawn. It comes back at 120!
August 20, 2010 - For good measure, we have one more beta drawn. 266!
August 25, 2010 - We sneak in an early ultrasound. We see one definite sac!
August 30, 2010 (early morning hours) - I experience severe lower back pain and bleeding. I go to the ER and they diagnose me with a kidney infection. I get another ultrasound and they still see one baby, but there is a small subchorionic bleed. Everything looks OK other than that though. *whew*
August 30, 2010 - I go in for another quick u/s. We see a yolk sac and what may be a fetal pole! So far, so good...
And this is where we are today. We're going in for another u/s tomorrow in hopes of seeing a heartbeat. It's still early, but we're hoping for a little reassurance.
Here's to mood swings, cravings, and lots of happiness and joy over the next 8 months! Hold on to your seats, folks...it's going to be quite a ride!
