Parenthood Options Surrogacy Blog

It would help if you knew who everyone was if you wanted to follow along so here is the run down.

There are currently 2 pregnant surrogates with the agency. One is due in April, the other in May. The one who is due in April, we will call “S” and the one due in May will be “T”. “S” is carrying for local couple. They are expecting a boy and it will be their second. Their first was also carried by a gestational surrogate. “T” is carrying a single male as well for a same sex couple from out of state. This will be their first and everyone is excited. The parents came to California in December for a level 3 ultrasound and pre-birth hearing. Their mothers came with them and I attended the ultrasound as well. It was fantastic to watch it become real for the grandmothers to be.

Other surrogates in the agency are “E”, “SD”,”L” and “C”
“E” is a third time surrogate also working with a local couple. They have been through two failed transfers and have moved on to donor eggs in hopes of a positive outcome. They are scheduled for another transfer the middle of February. “E”s couple is hoping to become first time parents.

“SD” is a first time surrogate who is meeting her potential couple this coming weekend. It feels like a very good match all around so we shall see how it goes. Her potential couple is also local and also hoping to become first time parents.

“L” is a second time surrogate who just this weekend underwent her 2nd transfer. She is a surrogate from out of state working with a couple from out of state but they are working with a local clinic so I was invited to attend that transfer and it went well! One perfect, already hatching, blastocyst was transferred. All fingers are crossed.

“C” is a first time surrogate who also underwent a transfer this weekend. If she and “L” both get pregnant, they will have the same due date even though they transferred on different days. “C” had a 3 day transfer of 2 great looking embryos. Positive thoughts are all around. “C” is a gestational carrier for local parents who are hoping to add to their family. They have an adopted child and one carried by a gestational surrogate.

So those are the main players. I am sure you will get to know more about them as I post updates and outcomes.

Today is the day we will be getting beta tests back on both surrogates who transferred last week. (A Beta is a test that measures the amount of the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in the surrogate’s blood.) I just spoke to one of the surrogates who is very nervous about her test. This is their second transfer so we are all crossing our fingers. Neither of the surrogates “cheated” by using home pregnancy tests so it really is a waiting game at this point.

On another note, “SD” met her couple over the weekend and they hit it off. She will now start on her medical screening. Of course the surrogate and the parents are very anxious to get going and both wanted to be pregnant yesterday.

I got an email from one of my couples who is due in May and they are getting everything together. One of the IFs (Intended Fathers) is having a shower thrown for them next month so they went out and did the Baby registry at Babies R Us. It is such a good feeling watching this all unfold for them.

That’s all for now, I will be sure to update those Blood tests soon!

Negative, for both surrogates. Not quite the update I was hoping to give. “C” and her couple will definitely be trying again, probably in March. They are looking into having Acupuncture done prior to the transfer to increase the odds of it working. For more information, http://www.nycacupuncture.com/ivf.html
The jury is still out on “L” and her couple. There are many options available to them so we shall see which route they decide to take.

“E” started her injectibles today to get ready for her transfer in a few weeks. Hopefully, she will break the negative run! This is “E”s third cycle with this couple but her first one using injectibles. She is a brave girl to offer to switch from a non injectible protocol since she has been a surrogate twice before successfully without injectibles. I know she is willing to try anything to help her couple become parents.

Well, after that disappointing week, it is nice to be focused back on more positive things. “E” is having her 3rd transfer this coming Monday. All the tricks in the book are being pulled out for this last transfer. The RE recommended growing the remaining embryos out to the Blastocyst stage and transferring the 3 best. She also underwent acupuncture yesterday and will have another treatment right before the transfer on Monday. She was also switched from oral medications to injectibles so nothing is left to chance!!

“C” is also gearing up for her next transfer and she is also going to have an acupuncture treatment before her transfer. It looks like she may be transferring March 25th but nothing is set into stone yet.

It still isn’t known if “L” will be transferring again for her couple.

“SD” is undergoing her medical and psych evaluation next week and then it will be on to contracts and likely, an April transfer.

So that’s the latest surrogacy news at Parenthood Options.
+++ thoughts for all

“E” transferred 3 decent quality Blastocysts on Monday so we are all keeping our fingers, toes, eyes etc. crossed. Her beta is late next week but I know she will be driving herself crazy with home pregnancy tests soon.
“SD” Had her psych and medical screening on Wednesday. The psychologist said she was,” Awesome.” and we are waiting to her back from the RE regarding the rest of her tests… then on to contracts!

The beta results are not really as promising as we had hoped. “E” started testing positive on home pregnancy tests about 6 dpt (Days post transfer) which was exciting… However, she had a beta at 8 dpt and it was only 23. Now if it was 8 days post a 3 day transfer, that would have been great news but since it was 8 days post a 5 day transfer (embryos were 5 days old the day she transferred, also known as blastocysts) it wasn’t the best news. A number about 50 would have been better but there have been plenty of stories with beta numbers lower than that producing totally healthy babies. So she had a repeat beta yesterday which was 10 days post transfer and that number was 29. Ideally, her beta number would have doubled in 2 days but there are a few nuts thrown in here. Her first beta was done at a different lab than her second and that can be unreliable. I also know a surrogate whos beta only went up 2 points in 2 days and she went on to have a healthy, full term baby girl. So it isn’t totally over yet. The RE is having her stay on her meds and repeating the beta again on Monday.

“SD” got her medical clearance today so she and her couple will be on to contracts next week with a transfer in the next month or so.

“C” is getting ready for her transfer on the 25th of this month. Keeping everything crossed!

“S” is 35 weeks and ready to have the baby. Her braxton hicks have picked up and she feel like she may not make it more than a couple more weeks. The parents are spilling over with excitement and anticipation!

“T” is having to have another 3 hour glucose test. I believe this is her third. She hasn’t ever tested totally abnormal but her sugar levels are borderline. It is always the skinny ones who get gestational diabetes for some reason! Poor thing. Her couple is having their baby shower soon and preparing for their little mans arrival.

“L” is still in Limbo. It looks like she may have some screening tests done to check her endometrial function since she has had a few failed transfers. That is if her couple decides to try again. They are really leaning towards it but are really taking their time to ensure the right decision.

Well, “E”s beta did go up on her repeat, but only by a few points. The doctor had her repeat the beta again a week later and it was 13. They asked her to repeat it a week after that and as long as it was close to 0, she wouldn’t have to have a D&C. It was 1 so the doctor let her body take care of it on its own. The good news is, “E”s couple is very ready to get started again. This time, they have picked out an egg donor with two previous donations that resulted in pregnancies. Very exciting! So best wishes and ++ thoughts to all of them in the upcoming cycle.

“S” is ready to deliver at any time now. She has had one practice run to the hospital already and her doctor told her that if she didn’t have the baby by Monday, and if her cervix was favorable, he would induce her Monday afternoon! How exciting! Our first baby will be here any time!! “S” is very excited, her couple is just bursting with anticipation as well. “S” only lives about 45 minutes from me and I have been invited to the birth so hopefully, I don’t miss it!

“T” is doing great. Having yet another glucose test but taking it in stride. Her intended fathers are gearing up for their little ones arrival.

“C” is having her transfer next weekend. She is also trying acupuncture before the transfer, pulling out all the stops for what is likely her couple’s last chance. ++ thoughts for them would be appreciated!

“L” is back to the drawing board. Her couple has decided to no longer continue. “L” is taking some time off as well. It is such a hard decision to make not to continue. My deepest sympathies and best wishes go out to her parents.

“SD” is anxiously awaiting her contract so she can be a signed,sealed,delivered surrogate The hardest part to most of this surrogacy business is the “hurry up and wait” that goes along with it. I am sure she will be cycling and pregnant soon!

That’s it for now! I am sure the next update will include Parenthood Options first baby stats!!

Parenthood Options first surrogate baby was born on Friday, March 24th weighing in at 7 lbs 1 oz and is healthy as could be.
“S” is doing very well. I had a visit with her yesterday and she is happy to have it be over because of the health problems she was experiencing but had mixed emotions about it at the same time. Very normal. Especially considering this was likely the last baby she will have.
The parents are of course over the moon. Jacob looks just like his older brother (who is an absolute doll!) I had a visit with them on Saturday. It was so special to be able to hold him and see mom and grandma in action with their new little one who wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all the people involved from the surrogate right down to the embryologist. All babies are special but I think babies born from surrogacy are extra special (sure, I am a little biased )

On another note “C” had her transfer Saturday morning. They thawed 3 embryos who did fantastic! 1 turned into an early blasts, one a morula and the other held tight at a 3 celled but continued to thrive. I was told the acupuncture before hand was not all that bad and things had just gone as smooth as they could have.

I missed the transfer and the birth thanks to a conference I had to attend in Utah but at least it all went off without a hitch. I new if “S” didn’t have the baby before I left I was going to miss it and I was right but it couldn’t have gone better with me there and that’s what it comes down to.

“E” is waiting for her couple to have their consult with a new RE today. They have opted to switch clinics to one closer to “E”. It also changes things up a bit. They already have their donor picked out and everyone is ready to go!

“SD” is still waiting on her contract… That should really be finished up this week.

“T” is doing great! 36 weeks this week. The IFs are ready and are anxiously awaiting his arrival. They will be coming out to California soon and staying awhile so they don’t miss the birth and so “T” can pump colostrums for the baby. Such an exciting time around here.

So “C” got her beta numbers yesterday…

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106! That is an absolutely awesome number! She is having a repeat beta tomorrow.

“SD” is done with her side of contracts, now its back to the parents for finalization and hopefully, a cycle very soon.

“E” is anxiously awaiting the donor to get to where she needs to be in her cycle so they can start meds as well. Looks like it will be a mid May transfer for them. “E” is going to give acupuncture another shot as well.

“S” Is doing well and I am told that Jacob is a fabulous baby. All parties are doing just fantastically!

Short but sweet update for this week.

Sorry about the delay in the blogging. Things had gotten very hectic and have finally slowed down. Lets see.. where to pick up.. The last time I posted, “C”  had just received her beta numbers. They were not only doubling, but tripling in 48 hours. The initial ultrasound showed twins. The second ultrasound showed that one twin was terribly behind the other and the doctor informed the parents that it would be reabsorbed. The following ultrasound showed that it was still there but still very behind. The couple consulted with their Perinatologist who advised them to reduce the twin that looked abnormal and was behind in growth. The decision was made in the best interest of the remaining twin. “C” is now in the final countdown and is due in early December with one healthy little girl. 

In June, “T” delivered the cutest baby boy I have ever laid eyes on. The delivery went well and all parties were very happy with the outcome.   “E” and her couple switched clinics and were finally able to become pregnant with the help of a new donor and new doctor (Dr. Feinman at HRC Westlake) They too initially had twins but one stopped growing at about 8.5 weeks gestation. The remaining twin is now right past 20 weeks gestation and is a very healthy boy!   

“SD” and her couple have also switched clinics and egg donors. They are in the midst of a cycle and will likely have a transfer next Saturday.  +++ thoughts to all!