Just thought I would share this informative article - the Director of my agency as well as my Case Worker were both interviewed.
http://mom.me/parenting/7302-understanding-costs-surrogacy/?p=1
Friday, May 17, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
30 Weeks!!
Today is the 30 week mark!! I can't believe how fast this is actually moving!
At our last check-up, I had the 1-hour glucose test that determines if I have Gestational Diabetes. For those not familiar: you go to a lab, they give you this super sweet orange drink that you have to down within 5 minutes (yuck!), then you have to sit there for 1 hour. They then draw your blood to check the amount of glucose in your blood. I have had GD before (very slightly) with my 1st pregnancy. With my other pregnancies, I did the 1-hour glucose test first thing in the morning after fasting for 8-12 hours. For this time around, they told me to do the glucose test at my normal check-up, which was at 2:00 in the afternoon. They said I did not need to fast. I thought that was strange, but I went with it. I had a light lunch about 2 hours before my appointment. Sure enough, when they got the results back, my glucose level was too high so they wanted me to go back to a lab and do a 3-hour glucose test. 3 HOURS!
This time I fasted for 12 hours. I made an appointment for 8:15am at a lab near my eldest girl's school - which is the farthest from our home, about 10-15 minutes away; this gave me enough time to drop all the kids off at school, yet it was early enough so that I could eat something when the test was done before noon and still pick-up my son from preschool. I prepared. I packed snacks for after the test. I packed books to read and journals to write in. I got the kids up early and dropped them off at school 15 minutes earlier than normal to ensure I was not late for my appointment. I walked-in right on time.... and then I realized I forgot my lab slip at home. DOH! By the time I sped (and by sped, I mean drive very carefully within the legal limits and obey all traffic laws) home, got my slip, sped back to the lab & checked-in, it had been 45 minutes. It was now 9:00am and they had other patients in front of me. Surely patients who were on time for their appointments. Before they gave me the gross sugar drink they had to take my fasting blood draw. By the time they did that and then I finished the drink, it was 9:15am. This was the official start-time of the test. This determined that they would draw my blood every hour for 3 hours at exactly 15 minutes past the top of the hour. This also meant that I lost a whole entire hour because I forgot the lab slip at home. One hour does not sound like a big deal, but when you are pregnant and have already been fasting for 12 hours, this matters! This also meant that I wouldn't be done until 12:15 and preschool ended at 12:00. Luckily, the preschool was okay with me being late. I was mad at myself, but there was nothing I could do about it. I waited, I read, I wrote, I Facebooked, I Pinterest-ed. I was forced to listen to an elderly woman and her son talk about her stool samples... in detail. Finally, after both of my arms were nice & bruised, I was released. After 16 hours of not eating, my granola bar tasted like heaven.... wait, I lie. I think I inhaled it too fast to even taste it.
So a week later, I had not heard from the doctor's office. I called for my results and was told that technically, I passed the test. PHEW! They said that one of my four blood draws was on the high side, but that in order to be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, two needed to be high. So, I don't have GD but I should still be careful about what I eat. I just need to watch my refined & natural sugar intake and up my protein & fiber.
I saw that acupuncturist I mentioned in my last post (I was "gifted" 5 sessions) this morning! I can already tell a difference in my allergies and she said the problem in my back is so compressed and been there for so long (pregnancy didn't cause it, just makes it more noticeable) that it can be fixed, but will take a bit longer. She said I need to up my water intake & she also said I need more protien... red meat in particular - so I had a burger for lunch!
In other news, the parents came over a few weeks ago for dinner to meet our kids! The kids had really been looking forward to this - who were these mysterious people that were keeping their baby in Mommy's tummy?! Although our 3 kids (all different ages & comprehension levels) understood this process for the most part, I think it just helped them to put faces to who the baby belongs to. We had such a great visit and wonderful conversation. The kids really felt at ease and they were trying to show off their best tricks & toys. :) After the parents left, the kids said how nice they thought the parents were. I even asked our 4yo boy "Do you think they will be a good Mommy & Daddy to their baby in my tummy?" - he replied "Yes, they will be nice!". I feel blessed that the parents understand how important it is for my kids to feel involved.
Here are some belly shots from this morning...
At our last check-up, I had the 1-hour glucose test that determines if I have Gestational Diabetes. For those not familiar: you go to a lab, they give you this super sweet orange drink that you have to down within 5 minutes (yuck!), then you have to sit there for 1 hour. They then draw your blood to check the amount of glucose in your blood. I have had GD before (very slightly) with my 1st pregnancy. With my other pregnancies, I did the 1-hour glucose test first thing in the morning after fasting for 8-12 hours. For this time around, they told me to do the glucose test at my normal check-up, which was at 2:00 in the afternoon. They said I did not need to fast. I thought that was strange, but I went with it. I had a light lunch about 2 hours before my appointment. Sure enough, when they got the results back, my glucose level was too high so they wanted me to go back to a lab and do a 3-hour glucose test. 3 HOURS!
This time I fasted for 12 hours. I made an appointment for 8:15am at a lab near my eldest girl's school - which is the farthest from our home, about 10-15 minutes away; this gave me enough time to drop all the kids off at school, yet it was early enough so that I could eat something when the test was done before noon and still pick-up my son from preschool. I prepared. I packed snacks for after the test. I packed books to read and journals to write in. I got the kids up early and dropped them off at school 15 minutes earlier than normal to ensure I was not late for my appointment. I walked-in right on time.... and then I realized I forgot my lab slip at home. DOH! By the time I sped (and by sped, I mean drive very carefully within the legal limits and obey all traffic laws) home, got my slip, sped back to the lab & checked-in, it had been 45 minutes. It was now 9:00am and they had other patients in front of me. Surely patients who were on time for their appointments. Before they gave me the gross sugar drink they had to take my fasting blood draw. By the time they did that and then I finished the drink, it was 9:15am. This was the official start-time of the test. This determined that they would draw my blood every hour for 3 hours at exactly 15 minutes past the top of the hour. This also meant that I lost a whole entire hour because I forgot the lab slip at home. One hour does not sound like a big deal, but when you are pregnant and have already been fasting for 12 hours, this matters! This also meant that I wouldn't be done until 12:15 and preschool ended at 12:00. Luckily, the preschool was okay with me being late. I was mad at myself, but there was nothing I could do about it. I waited, I read, I wrote, I Facebooked, I Pinterest-ed. I was forced to listen to an elderly woman and her son talk about her stool samples... in detail. Finally, after both of my arms were nice & bruised, I was released. After 16 hours of not eating, my granola bar tasted like heaven.... wait, I lie. I think I inhaled it too fast to even taste it.
So a week later, I had not heard from the doctor's office. I called for my results and was told that technically, I passed the test. PHEW! They said that one of my four blood draws was on the high side, but that in order to be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, two needed to be high. So, I don't have GD but I should still be careful about what I eat. I just need to watch my refined & natural sugar intake and up my protein & fiber.
I saw that acupuncturist I mentioned in my last post (I was "gifted" 5 sessions) this morning! I can already tell a difference in my allergies and she said the problem in my back is so compressed and been there for so long (pregnancy didn't cause it, just makes it more noticeable) that it can be fixed, but will take a bit longer. She said I need to up my water intake & she also said I need more protien... red meat in particular - so I had a burger for lunch!
In other news, the parents came over a few weeks ago for dinner to meet our kids! The kids had really been looking forward to this - who were these mysterious people that were keeping their baby in Mommy's tummy?! Although our 3 kids (all different ages & comprehension levels) understood this process for the most part, I think it just helped them to put faces to who the baby belongs to. We had such a great visit and wonderful conversation. The kids really felt at ease and they were trying to show off their best tricks & toys. :) After the parents left, the kids said how nice they thought the parents were. I even asked our 4yo boy "Do you think they will be a good Mommy & Daddy to their baby in my tummy?" - he replied "Yes, they will be nice!". I feel blessed that the parents understand how important it is for my kids to feel involved.
Here are some belly shots from this morning...
I also wanted to leave you with a few recent news articles about surrogacy... I get alerted about surrogacy in the news from my agency and other resources that I have "liked" on Facebook. Just some interesting reads, if you are so inclined... :)
Thanks for reading!
Valentine :)
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
25 weeks!
Wow! I can't believe it's already 6+ months! Time is going way fast!
Things are going really well - I actually have no real updates! The last doc appointment was quick and easy, all was looking healthy & normal. The next check-up will be in a week or two and that is when I will also do the glucose test. I did have very slight gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy, but corrected only with diet change. I was free & clear with my second, so I hope this one will be the same!
I continue to be blessed when least expected. I have been feeling this knot in the middle of my back that must be pinching a nerve or something. For some reason, it creates this numb spot directly opposite it on the top of my belly. I had it with my last pregnancy too. It is mostly painful when I'm sitting at work or in the car. I had just been complaining yesterday to my darling hubby (thanks for listening honey!) that it was bugging me. Today at work, I saw these wonderful repeat guests that I have known for a long while. They come to the city for this Acupuncturist that they swear by - the wife has been seeing her for years, but most recently before & after her chemo treatments (which they fly to Chicago for). This couple has sought out only the best in both Eastern & Western medicine. Out of the blue, they decided to "gift" me 5 sessions with their Acupuncturist! They didn't even know about my weird knot pain! So very sweet of them - I am excited!
I will leave you with some belly shots... :)
Things are going really well - I actually have no real updates! The last doc appointment was quick and easy, all was looking healthy & normal. The next check-up will be in a week or two and that is when I will also do the glucose test. I did have very slight gestational diabetes with my first pregnancy, but corrected only with diet change. I was free & clear with my second, so I hope this one will be the same!
I continue to be blessed when least expected. I have been feeling this knot in the middle of my back that must be pinching a nerve or something. For some reason, it creates this numb spot directly opposite it on the top of my belly. I had it with my last pregnancy too. It is mostly painful when I'm sitting at work or in the car. I had just been complaining yesterday to my darling hubby (thanks for listening honey!) that it was bugging me. Today at work, I saw these wonderful repeat guests that I have known for a long while. They come to the city for this Acupuncturist that they swear by - the wife has been seeing her for years, but most recently before & after her chemo treatments (which they fly to Chicago for). This couple has sought out only the best in both Eastern & Western medicine. Out of the blue, they decided to "gift" me 5 sessions with their Acupuncturist! They didn't even know about my weird knot pain! So very sweet of them - I am excited!
I will leave you with some belly shots... :)
Easter Morning 3-31-13
Before Work Party 4-1-13
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Pink or Blue??
We are officially at 21 weeks! Over half-way there! I must take this opportunity to point out: why have people been lying to women for years?? 9 months "my behind"! A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. Math was never my best subject, but something doesn't quite add-up.... :)
We had our "BIG" 20 week ultrasound about a week and a half ago! This was a huge milestone for a few different reasons. It was the last big screening test for several abnormalities and neurological disorders. It was the big test that the parents were anxiously waiting for until they could finally relax a bit and enjoy the pregnancy! They have been so nervous for every appointment up to this point. I wanted so badly for them to be able to breathe easy and enjoy it a long time ago, but I can not imagine the heartache and disappointment they have faced in their past with multiple failures. I am sure that they learned the hard way to not get their hopes up too early. Thankfully, everything came out clear! Got a few great shots during the measurements:
This was also the appointment that they could find out the sex! Since I was wrong with both of my own, I was not about to guess the sex of the baby in my womb that I had no blood relations to. My first was a surprise... I was convinced that I was having a boy. I had boy dreams. I even bought boy clothes. You guessed it, she was a girl. I thought my husband was playing a cruel joke on me after she came out. :) We found out with our second only because we were in the process of moving. Even before the ultrasound technician revealed our boy, I had no idea either way.
We all held our breath and waited for the baby to open it's legs enough to get an absolute confirmation. It was being a little shy at first. :) Finally, a good shot!
Thanks for reading! :)
Valentine
We had our "BIG" 20 week ultrasound about a week and a half ago! This was a huge milestone for a few different reasons. It was the last big screening test for several abnormalities and neurological disorders. It was the big test that the parents were anxiously waiting for until they could finally relax a bit and enjoy the pregnancy! They have been so nervous for every appointment up to this point. I wanted so badly for them to be able to breathe easy and enjoy it a long time ago, but I can not imagine the heartache and disappointment they have faced in their past with multiple failures. I am sure that they learned the hard way to not get their hopes up too early. Thankfully, everything came out clear! Got a few great shots during the measurements:
Look at those teeny toes!!
This was also the appointment that they could find out the sex! Since I was wrong with both of my own, I was not about to guess the sex of the baby in my womb that I had no blood relations to. My first was a surprise... I was convinced that I was having a boy. I had boy dreams. I even bought boy clothes. You guessed it, she was a girl. I thought my husband was playing a cruel joke on me after she came out. :) We found out with our second only because we were in the process of moving. Even before the ultrasound technician revealed our boy, I had no idea either way.
We all held our breath and waited for the baby to open it's legs enough to get an absolute confirmation. It was being a little shy at first. :) Finally, a good shot!
A Girl!!
This shot is looking from the bottom-up. Her legs
are on the right, her bum is on the left.
Going into the appointment, the parents were saying that they didn't care either way and only wished for a healthy baby, naturally... but every parent knows that sometimes, you are really secretly hoping for one or the other. After the girl was revealed, the mom started crying and said she really did want a girl! Even the dad said he had kind of hoped for a girl from the beginning although he was also thinking a boy would be really fun, too. I am so happy that this is turning into a dream-come-true for them!
As for me, I am feeling great. Now that I am definitely showing, I am getting a lot more people saying "congrats" or asking questions. I work in a hotel and interact with guests on a daily basis. If the guest "congratulating" me is in passing or unfamiliar to me, I just say "thank you". It don't need to go into the whole story for someone I am never going to see again. A lot of the guests I see are repeats, though, so it's really fun to tell them the story. I know I will see them again and again, and they are excited to follow me on this journey. I have been showered with praise, hugged and kissed. I have brought some to tears. It is such an amazing feeling to touch people in such a unique way.
Thanks for reading! :)
Valentine
Friday, January 25, 2013
15 Weeks & Counting...
My apologies for not updating sooner, however Blogger was apparently having some technical difficulty and I was not able to upload the below photos. I felt they were very important to this update so I waited until it was resolved!
2 weeks ago we had the Integrated Screening that is done at the end of the first trimester. This is an ultrasound examination to measure the amount of fluid accumulation behind the baby’s neck (nuchal translucency) in conjunction with blood work from me. This prenatal test (also called the NT or nuchal fold scan) can help the doctors assess the baby's risk of having Down Syndrome and some other chromosomal abnormalities as well as major congenital heart problems.
We got the results a week later and they all came back clear! The Ultrasound Technician also had said that all of the measurements looked perfectly normal! The baby was moving around quite a bit (I can't quite feel it yet) and we got some great shots!
Signing off... have a great day!
Valentine
2 weeks ago we had the Integrated Screening that is done at the end of the first trimester. This is an ultrasound examination to measure the amount of fluid accumulation behind the baby’s neck (nuchal translucency) in conjunction with blood work from me. This prenatal test (also called the NT or nuchal fold scan) can help the doctors assess the baby's risk of having Down Syndrome and some other chromosomal abnormalities as well as major congenital heart problems.
We got the results a week later and they all came back clear! The Ultrasound Technician also had said that all of the measurements looked perfectly normal! The baby was moving around quite a bit (I can't quite feel it yet) and we got some great shots!
 |
3D! It's hands/arms are covering the face. See the little feet?!
About a week after those results came back, we had a routine check-up at the OB's office. This time, the mother was able to come!! She had not been to an appointment since the transfer due to her work schedule, so this was very exciting!! She got emotional and started crying when she saw how much my belly was showing! So sweet. Appointment went well... everything on-track.
I am officially in Maternity clothes - even at work. I really need to start updating the blog with belly shots! Here's one from this morning that I sent to the parents:
Signing off... have a great day!
Valentine
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy New Year!
My 2013 will be a great year filled with new beginnings, fun journeys & lots of love!! Now that the holidays are over, I feel that I finally have time to update the blog. :)
I must share with you an awesome bumper sticker I received from my brother for Christmas. Ha! Love it.
I am technically at 11 weeks now. There has not been any recent appointments, except for meeting my new OB a few weeks ago, which went very well. She was super sweet and warm, I liked her a lot. She also did an ultrasound, but the image was not as good as the ones we have received from the Fertility Clinic up to this point. I do go into a different office next week for what they call a 12 week integrated screening. This is standard for all pregnancies (I remember having one when I was pregnant with my son in 2008). The Integrated Screen will detect up to 92% of babies affected with Down Syndrome and up to 90% with Trisomy 18. It will also detect up to 80% of babies that have open neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida.
I will have to start updating the blog with bump pictures soon! I am already starting to show - and actually have been for a week or two. I am at the point where I am too big for my regular clothes, but don't quite look right in maternity clothes. I'm perfectly fine in sweats. :)
Will update next week after the appointment & with a bump photo!
Valentine
I must share with you an awesome bumper sticker I received from my brother for Christmas. Ha! Love it.
I am technically at 11 weeks now. There has not been any recent appointments, except for meeting my new OB a few weeks ago, which went very well. She was super sweet and warm, I liked her a lot. She also did an ultrasound, but the image was not as good as the ones we have received from the Fertility Clinic up to this point. I do go into a different office next week for what they call a 12 week integrated screening. This is standard for all pregnancies (I remember having one when I was pregnant with my son in 2008). The Integrated Screen will detect up to 92% of babies affected with Down Syndrome and up to 90% with Trisomy 18. It will also detect up to 80% of babies that have open neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida.
I will have to start updating the blog with bump pictures soon! I am already starting to show - and actually have been for a week or two. I am at the point where I am too big for my regular clothes, but don't quite look right in maternity clothes. I'm perfectly fine in sweats. :)
Will update next week after the appointment & with a bump photo!
Valentine
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
9 week Ultrasound & Graduation!!
Woo Hoo! Another milestone passed!
Today was the 9 week ultrasound at the fertility center. My case worker from the surrogacy agency was able to fly up for the appointment, which was exciting because I hadn't met her yet. We have done quite a bit of chatting, emailing & texting with all sorts of random questions that I have had since this started. She has been such a great help - not only because that's her job - but she has a ton of experience as well. She just completed her 3rd surrogacy (she delivered just 3 weeks ago!) so the girl knows her stuff. :) She is also super sweet & easy to talk to! We met for lunch before the appointment to catch-up.
The father was there today as well. We were able to call the mother again so that she could hear the heartbeat on speaker phone & ask the doctor any questions. Side note: typing "heartbeat" above just reminded me of when my daughter (now 6) used to say "heartbeep". So cute.
The doctor doing the ultrasound determined that everything looked good & healthy. We were able to see the head & body forming with the umbilical cord attached. The baby was even wiggling around a little bit! The father took an USB home again and I asked for a few pictures printed.
After today, we graduate to a regular OBGYN. The parents have asked me if I would consider switching my OB to one in the same network as the hospital that the mother works at. This way, she could possibly be more available in the future for appointments (and delivery time!) and she can be sure that I'm getting the best care. I liked my previous OB group, but I was not married to them so I said sure! I see the new doctor next Tuesday for the first time.
After the appointment today, the nurse gave the father a "graduation" gift - a book called "The Joy of Pregnancy" and a little onesie with the fertility clinic's logo that reads "Made In San Francisco"! Sooo cute!
Today was the 9 week ultrasound at the fertility center. My case worker from the surrogacy agency was able to fly up for the appointment, which was exciting because I hadn't met her yet. We have done quite a bit of chatting, emailing & texting with all sorts of random questions that I have had since this started. She has been such a great help - not only because that's her job - but she has a ton of experience as well. She just completed her 3rd surrogacy (she delivered just 3 weeks ago!) so the girl knows her stuff. :) She is also super sweet & easy to talk to! We met for lunch before the appointment to catch-up.
The father was there today as well. We were able to call the mother again so that she could hear the heartbeat on speaker phone & ask the doctor any questions. Side note: typing "heartbeat" above just reminded me of when my daughter (now 6) used to say "heartbeep". So cute.
The doctor doing the ultrasound determined that everything looked good & healthy. We were able to see the head & body forming with the umbilical cord attached. The baby was even wiggling around a little bit! The father took an USB home again and I asked for a few pictures printed.
Heartbeat
Here, you can see the umbilical cord forming. Note the head is on top &
it is curled into a ball (facing left). The cord looks like it is coming out
from the feet, traveling left.
The bubble near the baby's head is what's left of the yolk sac,
which is what was providing nutrition but is now diminishing
because of the developing umbilical cord.
After today, we graduate to a regular OBGYN. The parents have asked me if I would consider switching my OB to one in the same network as the hospital that the mother works at. This way, she could possibly be more available in the future for appointments (and delivery time!) and she can be sure that I'm getting the best care. I liked my previous OB group, but I was not married to them so I said sure! I see the new doctor next Tuesday for the first time.
After the appointment today, the nurse gave the father a "graduation" gift - a book called "The Joy of Pregnancy" and a little onesie with the fertility clinic's logo that reads "Made In San Francisco"! Sooo cute!
Until next time...
Valentine :)
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