Surro Babe: Birth Story!

It’s hard to believe that I delivered my Surro Babe 1 week ago, thursday! It was such an amazing experience and I can’t wait to do it again for another couple!

On Wednesday, I had my 39 week appointment. My dr was across the street with a delivery, so I had to wait about 20 minutes. Once she was in the office, she did the usual measuring and listened to the heartbeat. Afterwards, my IP’s went out into the waiting room and my dr checked me. I was between 3-4cm and about 60% effaced. She also swept my membranes. After that, I went into the waiting room with my IP’s while she was deciding on what day was good since I was starting to show signs of Pre-E. They called me up and told me it was going to be the next day! I was shocked, excited and nervous all at the same time. My IP’s got really nervous also! The nurse told me to call in the morning to see if they had a bed for me and then to go in! I called my husband, case manager and photographer and told them that tomorrow would be the big day! After getting home, I got the rest of my bag packed and checked off the last bit of stuff on my to-do list. That night, I slept wonderfully! I thought I would be a ball of nerves, but I was surprisingly calm!

Thursday morning I got up, took a shower and helped my husband get the kids off to school just like a normal day. I called L&D at 7am and they had a bed for me!! So it was a go! I had to be there at 8am for my induction. Since I knew that my husband was coming up, I only brought my purse and Nurse Goody Bags. Once I got up to the L&D Desk, they were ready for me. Once they found out that I was a surrogate, everyone was so excited for everyone involved. My nurse was absolutely amazing and I was so grateful I got a good one!! Once I got settled in, my IP’s arrived but had to leave again.

My husband, son and mom arrived right before they left. They started my iv at 10am and Pitocin soon after. My contractions were moving along about 2-3 minutes apart. They were starting to get pretty intense, so I decided to get some pain meds through my iv. After that, things were pretty good for about an hour. During that time, my dr came in and checked to see how I was doing and then left to do her rounds. Around 3pm, I got another bump of my pain meds and had the nurse check me. I never liked being checked, it’s so painful! I was only a good 4cm and about 70%. I felt pretty defeated since I was having some good contractions for about 3 hours. My IM prayed for a good 2 hours and then took a nap.

At 3:30pm my nurse told me that my dr was going to come in between 4-5pm to break my water. I got really nervous and had been debating on whether or not I wanted to get an epidural. I had horrible experiences with my epidural for my 1^st and 3^rd birth. Finally I told my nurse I wanted one before I had my water broken. So they pumped 3 bags of fluid in me and around 4pm the Epi Cart was in my room. When the anesthesiologist came in, I got really nervous. While he was doing my epidural, I was just concentrating on my breathing and tried to go into a happy place. I just kept telling myself that everything will be okay. Once I got laid back down, I was feeling a lot better. Everyone came back in and we chatted for about 15 minutes and then my dr came in and kicked everyone out so she could break my water.

After she broke my water, I went from 4cm to 6cm. The contractions were rolling in and I could feel that this was going to happen soon! My dr kept checking me during contractions and within a 10 minute period, I went from 6cm to 9cm and 100%. It was go time! I was trying to breathe through the contractions while my dr and nurses were getting things ready. After the bed was set up, they let my husband and IP’s in, that way they could get into position. They then let my case manager and photographer in the room and got them into position. I gave 2 good pushes and out popped baby C’s head. I looked over at my IM and she was smiling from ear to ear. One more good push and out came a tiny 5lb 6oz peanut! I couldn’t get over how small she was! She was over a pound smaller than my tiniest baby. I looked around and there were tears in almost everyone’s eyes. My IF got to cut the cord and after Baby C got cleaned up, my IM got to do skin to skin. At that moment in time, everything was so calm and peaceful. I looked at my husband and he was already updating everyone. I told him to call my friend to come and pick up my placenta. My nurse came up to me and said that this day will forever hold a special place in her heart and that she was so glad that she was able to be a part of this. That definitely made my day!

After delivery, everything went so smoothly. My IM brought Baby C over to me and I got to hold her. To be completely honest, I had no idea how I would feel holding her. I knew everything would be fine, but there was always that “what if” in the back of my mind. Once I had Baby C in my hands, it was like I was holding a friends baby! After everything calmed down, my IP’s went to their private room to start their new lives with their baby girl and I stayed in my room until I got feeling in my legs enough to walk to the bathroom. Once I was able to walk to the bathroom, I was on my way to my private room. After I got settled into my room, my friends came over and we all went to see Baby C. I got a few pictures with her and then it was off to bed for me. I was completely exhausted. The next morning I had a few visitors and my boys got to see Baby C. They were okay with looking at her, but they didn’t want to touch her haha.

At around 3:30 I was being discharged and was so excited to be heading home to MY babies. I missed them so much during my 36 hour stay. So far, my recovery has been pretty good. My milk is finally coming in and my boobs are hurting. I know that will pass soon. Emotionally, I am doing pretty well. I have this overwhelming joy come over me whenever I think of what I did! I can’t wait until I am back to normal 100% and just focusing on my kids and family.

{22hrs Postpartum & 38 weeks}

**All Photos are Copyrighted by myself or Kathleen Galloway Photography.**

Thanks for reading!!!!!

Just a few meds...

I have been looking at majority of the meds that are used for Infertility & IVF. I am trying to get a feel of what meds I will be taking and how they will react. I have been reading all of the side effects and am not really that scared anymore, just nervous!

Here is a list of IVF Medications and what they do. I know I will be taking at least 4 of these...

Prenatal Vitamins - Prepares the body for conception and balances out nutrition deficiencies.

Baby Aspirin - Minimizes the chance of miscarriage.

Birth Control Pills - Regulates menstruation prior to an IVF cycle.

Zithromax - Helps prevent infection and harmful bacteria.

Clomid or Femara (generic Letrozele) - Inhibits estrogen to increase the release of follicle stimulating hormone, resulting in higher rates of ovulation and pregnancy.

Repronex - Provides follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone that help stimulate healthy ovaries*

Bravelle, Follistim, Gonal-F or Menopur - Controls the timing of egg maturation, allowing more follicles to be produced*

Ganirelix - Controls ovulation by rapidly suppressing the production and action of the luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) - induces ovulation or the release of eggs in the ovaries and is the hormone produced by an embryo shortly after conception.

Novarel (hCG) - Stimulates the release of eggs in the ovaries.

Estrogen - Stimulates growth of the lining of the uterus.

Progesterone - Prepares the lining of the uterus for implantation and fosters gestation, helping to achieve and maintain pregnancy.

Lupron - Controls ovulation by briefly increasing and then suppressing the production and action of the luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone.

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Since I have been getting a lot of feedback on my Facebook, I have decided to start a Facebook Page. I was flooding my facebook with all of the blog entries. So now they will just go to the facebook page :) If you would like to follow, just click here!

Our New Journey!!

Sorry for the vague post on friday. There is only so much I can talk about before Conference Calls/Contracts. I am currently waiting for my caseworker to email me the day and time for the call.

So the first time we were matched, it was 11 days from the time our paperwork got to our agency to the Conference Call. This time, it was ten days! Since my bmi is under 35 but over 30, my caseworker is limited to whom she can send our profile to. It all depends on the IVF Clinic the IP’s go through. I have been busting my ass with the weight loss and can’t wait to get started!

When I first saw the email, I got super excited when I read the names. I thought to myself “OMG, I am going to be a Surrogate for Two Daddies!!” Well, when I opened the profile, I realized that the names fooled me. Haha! Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore these IP’s already! I feel a sense of calmness with them, something that I didn’t really feel with the last IP’s. They are more laid back and seem like a lot of fun! It helps that one of them speak English! Dave and I had thought a lot about if we were going to be open for International Couples or just United States. We both felt that everyone deserved to have a family and a lot of other countries don’t approve of Surrogacy and some are even illegal.

I feel more excited this time around too. I think that because I have been through the beginning stages recently, I know what to expect and can put myself out there a little more. This couple is ready to move forward, like now! So what does that mean, you ask? Well, let me tell ya! If you are new, here is how it will all work…

Conference Call – We will ask each other question’s, get a feel for each other and decide whether or not we want to go forward. We will also find out when they plan on coming out for the Egg Retrieval and Embryo Transfer! After we find out that date, we will find out when I should be starting my meds!

Psych Evaluation & Medical – I will have to fly back out to L.A. and do my Psych Evaluation. I am not sure if I will have to do another Medical Evaluation, since I did one on November 30^th. The only reason I might have to do another one is if it’s because I had lost all of the weight. They will also tell me what meds I will be taking and how to administer them. But I will find out more on that soon.

Contracts – Our Lawyers will write up the contract and both parties will sign. This is when it really gets official!!

Start Meds – I will be starting Birth Control Pills, Progesterone & Lupron. They will either be Injections or Suppositories.  I will have to be on these meds for about a month before the transfer and up to 12 weeks pregnant.

Embryo Transfer – I will fly down to L.A. for the transfer and stay there for a few days. I will more than likely be by myself since Dave is starting a new job and won’t be able to take the time off. So we will more than likely have to hire a babysitter. 

So now we wait....

Amazing News!!

Got an email from one of my caseworkers about a potential couple wanting to work with us!!

I looked it over and sent it to Dave..

We have agreed to work with them!!

We are matched again!!!!

More info to come...

I Made It!!!

I made it!!!

I finally hit that weight.. I am just waiting for my dr's appt so I can do a weight check to send to my caseworker. I can't believe its finally here.

So the plan goes as followed:

- Get weight check at drs and then send it to my caseworker.

- Caseworker sends my weight check to the IVF dr. She will check it and will let my caseworker know what to do next.

- If approved, we will either go back with our original IP's and finish where we left off OR we will have to look for new IP's. It all depends if our original IP's still want to work with us.

- I will then have to fly down to L.A. to do my Psych Eval and Medical Eval {again}. They will show me how to give myself meds and let me know which meds I will be on.

- Start Contracts and find out when the Transfer will happen.

- Start giving myself shots and then fly down to L.A. for the Embryo Transfer...

- Get a B.F.P!!!


So there ya go Ladies & Gents! I am beyond excited to be back on track!

Will post more when I have new and exciting info!!! I just want to say a big Thank You to all of the friends, family and strangers that have prayed for us!! It means so much!


xoxo,

Breanna

Conference Call!

So first off, we had our Conference Call yesterday and it went great! The IP's and I got a lot of questions answered and we are really excited about this journey!

Since the couple would like their privacy, I will refer to them as either IM, IF & IP  and will not be posting any photos of them <3 I can't express how excited and anxious for my IP's! We can't wait to meet them in person! They seem so caring and loving!

During the call, we discussed what they expected out of me and what they would like me to do during the pregnancy. These are just things they would Like me to take into Consideration:

No Alcohol & Coffee - Easy Peasy!
Add Seafood to my Diet - Again, I love love love seafood! {As long as Dr. Approves}
Read More during my downtime - They would like me to be calm and happy for the baby. Not a problem! I love to read!
Their voices on a disc for the baby - They are going to record their voices and I will play it against my tummy every night for the baby <3
Stay away from anything Toxic/Dangerous - Not good for the baby. Obvi!
Try not to come in contact with animals - They would like it if I didn't come in contact with animals, mainly Cats. {Dogs are okay as long as I wash my hands}
Stay away from Cold Creams - They would like it if I steered clear of Cold Milk/Ice Creams. It can cause the baby to have Colic/Tummy Issues.
No Nail Polish/Minimal Makeup/No Hair Dye - No problem! I hardly ever paint my nails & wear makeup once or twice a week.. {Its okay if I wear Organic Nail Polish and my Caseworker said that its okay to wear makeup.}

So all of these are completely doable!

I have been reading on Chinese Traditions/Superstitions for Pregnancy and want to avoid as much as I can for them. I really love learning about them and their country!

I will be flying out to la at the end of this month for my Psych Eval. They are planning on flying out during Chinese New Year for the IVF. Which means I could be pregnant as early as February!!!

The Chosen Ones!!

What a whirlwind day we had yesterday!

I got an email from the Founder/Director of my Agency yesterday saying that she was in town and wanted me to join her and a few other Surro's that are in the area for lunch! Of course I said yes! It was really nice to meet other Surro's that are in different stages of their journey's! I had learned so much and cant wait for these next few months to pass!

Also in the email, There is an International Couple that wants to work with us! They liked our profile and feel that we are a great match! I was completely shocked!! I couldn't believe that this was all happening so fast! We weren't supposed to get their profile until this morning, but my amazing caseworker sent it last night along with some beautiful pictures!!

After D and I looked at the pictures and their profile, we knew in our hearts that we wanted to work with them no questions asked! My heart felt a sense of calmness and love. They seem like an amazing couple and I can't wait to help them with their dream of having a baby/babies!

Today we have a Conference Call with them, along with caseworkers and others, I think a total of 6 people on one phone call :) 

If everything goes correctly, I will be flying to southern california at the end of the month for my Psych Eval and other testing! 

Loves & Prayers!

Approved!!

I got a pretty fantastic email yesterday from my agency!

The IVF Dr Pre-Approved my medical records and me! So now we just wait for someone to choose our profile :)

There is a couple in our area but their IVF Dr only works with women with a bmi of 30 or below. Mine is at a 32 and the IVF Dr that Pre-Approved me, works with women up to a 35 bmi :) I am working on my weight and have been going to the gym, eating healthy and I started going to bikram yoga {hot yoga} :)

Praying we get a phone call soon!!!

Just a Quickie...

My Medical Records were finally faxed over to the Agency and then faxed over to the IVF Dr.. So now we are just waiting on an approval to move forward :) My profile is being shown to PIP's and I can't wait until the day we get that phone call!!

It seems like it is all moving so fast, but then again, it seems like its taking forever. I am so anxious to start this new journey!

:)