Quick Update

Time does seem to fly these days and I realised in has been nearly 4 weeks since my last update.

SM is still in the hospital, during the scan the sonologist thought that the amniotic fluid was low in one of the twins sacs. Another scan was performed by a sr sonologist and they confirmed it was adequate..... however the next scan again it looks as though he fluid is low so we are awaiting the report from the hospital again.

I feel for our SM who must be missing the companionship of the other SM's she has spent time with at he surrogate accommodation. I think about her and our babies everyday and there is a sense of helplessness.

At this stage the next review will be done in the new year.

Now on the home front......

Nursery is undercoated. (Photos soon)

DNA forms sent away.

Need to do!!!!

Visas

Photocopying

Book accommodation

Book Legals

Buy a travel bag

Talk to the travel agent

Oh my...................................

Better go do some painting!!

Handling the Ups & Downs

This week reality gave us a big kick in the guts. Just to remind us I am sure how much is at stake!!!!

Our SM was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain with fever and body aches. I cannot describe how scared we were. I bravely held back the tears for 24 hours until the news came that all seemed to be fine. The obstetrician had examined SM and done an ultrasound. All was well with the twins. SM's fever had subsided. What a relief our SM and babies are OK. She is remaining under observation and has been put on Oral antibiotics just to be sure.

We are due for our next ANC check up next week so I am not sure how this will be affected, I suppose it will depend on when SM is discharged. I hope she is not too uncomfortable in the hospital.

Hopefully next update will be all about the next report we get on our little ones!!!!

Our Wonderful Surrogate

No more needs to be said.....

Scan results are here

Our anomaly scans were receive this week and to our relief all is fine and normal. The update read as below:

There are two live intra-uterine gestations of calculated gestational age 18 - 21 weeks with a thin membrane separating the liquors.

Fetus 1 :- On the right, position Variable. The foetal parameters are corresponding to a gest. age of 19 W 6 D. The estimated foetal weight is approximately 296 +/- 40 gms.

Fetus 2 :- on the left, Position Variable. The foetal parameters are corresponding to a gest. age of 20 W 1 D. The estimated foetal weight is approximately 322 +/- 45 gms

There are two distinct placentas seen. They are in the upper segment, right lateral in position for fetus one and posterior in position for fetus two. They are of maturity grading, grade I - II. There is no calcification present. There is no retro placental pathology.

The cardiac activity and fetal movements are well seen in these two fetuses. There is sufficient liquor. The fetal parts of both fetuses appear well formed with no obvious congenital anomaly seen. (Yippee!)

We were also lucky enough to receive around 20 scans, all of various parts of the twins. Here is my favourite (I have been telling everyone this is one of the twins waving hi!)

We are officially 21 weeks on Monday and the excitement builds every day. I am so excited about our baby shower which is planned for the 12th December. I thought this was little early, but with xmas and the new year fast approaching it will be February before we know it. Also this will allow plenty of time to work out what else we need for the babies. I have been banned from purchasing any more baby clothes....

The nursery has been measured for new plaster walls and will be done hopefully in the next month. Xmas is the deadline!

So for now we wait, we dream and we organise.

Officially Half way there

We have just ticked over the 20 week mark. Things are starting to feel real now especially when you look at how early some of the twins seem to be born in India.

It is hard to comprehend that in around 15-16 weeks our babies will be in our arms.

The abnormality scan is due this Thursday so we really can't wait to have that milestone past.

Also hoping for scan photos and also I have requested if SM would mind having a belly photo taken at this check up.

The spare bed is starting to overflow with baby items and we really need to get going with the nursery to make a home for all the beautiful things we have for the twins. I love to decorate and organise so this will be bliss for me.

We now have several items ready, our slings came today and I am soo happy with them. They are suitable from 1.5 kilos and will be so great at the airports travelling home. The only main issue at the moment is I need to buy a new car. I have a 4x4 that I absolutely love, but the back seat is just too narrow for capsules. At least I have a couple of months up my sleeve to sell it.

We are going to organise our DNA testing next month and do our visas all before the xmas/new year rush. this will be one more thing to tick off the list.

My sister and a good friend have organised our baby shower for December, I am excited and can't wait to celebrate with all our family and friends. I will be certain to take a few photos to share.

Hoping the pregnancy continues smoothly.

Scan has arrived

We are now in week 17 and the twins are travelling along just fine. I was getting a little nervous waiting for our scan but it arrived last night. I was a little disappointed with the quality of pictures this time. I was hoping for a really great shot of the babies to show everyone. Oh well the main thing is they are progressing as they should and our SM is feeling well.

At the time of scan our calculated GA is 17w 1d according to transfer date.

According to scan calculated gestational age is:

B1 17w 1d

B2 17w 3d

Below is a picture of B1 for your viewing pleasure!

I have started enquiring on accommodation this week and so far it looks like the Courtyard Marriot is the place to be for Surro families. New prices will be available in November so we will wait and see how they measure up.

I was asked by a work colleague last week how many weeks I was because I wasn't really putting on any weight!!!!!!! It's times like these that I can now just have a little giggle to myself and explain. I am looking forward to our future with our babies and now cannot view this journey as anything but a positive experience at this point.

I am having difficulty finding information on prenatal services - Do not think there is anyone else in my state going through the Surro journey!!!!!!

Going to call the hospital direct and see how I go?

1 more week and we are about half way for a twin pregnancy!!!!!!

2nd Trimester

We are now 14 weeks and in the 2nd trimester. This must be cause for celebration!!!

It has been so encouraging seeing all the beautiful photos of our recent additions. A big congratulations to all the new mum's and dad's.

I love reading your updates but most of all the photos and the look of love and total committment to your little ones.

It's amazing, if we base birth dates around 36 weeks it means we are only 4 weeks off being half way through the pregnancy (Freakin out but can't wait)

I hope to share our next scan with everyone in about a week.

Hoping for smooth sailing

We received notification this morning that our SM has been discharged from hospital and has returned to the surrogate accomodation. She is feeling well and has experienced no complications so far.

A scan was conducted pre discharge and we have received the written report.

B1 - CRL 69.8 FHR 156
B2 - CRL 66.2 FHR 160

These are all good numbers from my understanding.

I am looking forward to our next scan which will be around 15 weeks. From others I have seen these really start to show our babies more clearly.

On a personal note I am struggling to take a step back from the process. My life currently is ruled by checking emails, reading forums, blogs and researching on the internet. I am sure this s normal for anyone taking this journey but my husband worries about me.

I really need to find an outlet to help with winding down, relaxing and focusing on something else. I am thinking about maybe joining a gym (Wouldn't hurt, will need all the enery I can get to keep up with the twins)

I know for sure I will have to work on this independant streak when the twins come. No longer will I be saying no to any help I imagine!!!!!

It's done........

We received the following update last night.

We did not want to take any chances and therefore admitted SM K to hospital post reduction to ensure complete bed rest. She had some slight discomfort for the first 2 days but is now doing fine. We expect to discharge her tomorrow.

We will repeat a scan again in 2 weeks.

This all sounds positive but I want to have confirmation of heartbeats. Now I am sure this would have been done in the hospital, just want to see it in black and white.

Week 12

Just about 3 months. I can't believe it!!!!

Reduction had been rescheduled for this Thursday so we definately have raised anxiety levels this week.

BUT...

We made the decision to take the big leap and tell all our family and friends. We just couldn't keep it to ourselves anymore.

We shared the wonderful news at my 30th birthday celebration. We have about 60 of our family and friend and thought the opportunity was perfect. Wow did we shock everyone!!!!!!
They new we were trying but we had not let on we have made any attempts yet.
My sisters were crying and there were hugs all around. Just the most wonderful evening and one I will remember for a long time.

We brought a pram......... I know its still early but I have been keeping an eye on ebay for the emmaljunga twin (No longer available in Australia) and found a deal I couldn't pass up.
I figure worst case scenario I would relist.

Also have treated ourselves to a few unisex suits. I'm usually super organised so I will have to be careful not to go over board with preparation for the impending arrivals.

My to do list has now started and I would love to plaster out the spare bedroom for a nursery (Currently internal brick walls which are not pretty for a baby) so stay tuned........

Week 11

This is the beginning of the week we would rather not think about.
We have our 2nd scan around the 8th September and Fetal Reduction will occur between 8th/10th if required (Very likely)

But....

Let's not dwell on the negative but remain positive and think about the likelihood that we will be parents to twins next year.

Today is Fathers Day in Australia and it makes me so happy to see the look of happiness in my husbands eyes and the big grin on his face.

Next Friday is my 30th Birthday and we will be celebrating with family and friend on Saturday night. All going well we have decided to share our news. What better reason to celebrate!!!!

Progress Update

Well the positive news in we are nearing week 10 .... Woo Hoo!
I can't believe how quickly the time is going.

I really want the next 2 weeks to be over. Reduction will occur during week 11. I am very nervous about the procedure but remaining positive about the outcome. It is out of our hands and what will be will be.

Life in general is very hectic. I am preparing for my 30th birthday (This is where we plan to tell everyone our news) I have also been given a promotion at work. So in general lufe is full on but very exciting.

So hard to keep this under wraps. I am sure people are starting to cotton on, my latest response is that things are going well and we now have frozen embryos..... this is not a fib.
We have been very upfront with family and friend around the journey we are taking but at times this can backfire. Everytime we talk to someone we haven't seen for a few weeks the first question is "How's the Surrogacy going"
I am sure I have a guilty look on my face :)

Anyhow, please keep your fingers crossed for us for a positive outcome in the next few weeks and I hope to have more news to share soon.

We are definately Very Pregnant

Finally we have our awaited first scan.

Now we new there was a chance of multiple pregancy but imagine our disbelief we report shows 4 viable featus with Heartbeats detected.

My first thought was how could we be so stupid to transfer this many but when faced with decisions when trying to get pregnant you do what ever you think will increase the chances.

I trust our Dr and know she will do everything to support us with the challenges that are ahead but for now I feel very overwhelmed.

The report also shows a very small blood clot so SM is on complete bed rest.

Results from scan below.


B1
7 weeks
142 HB

B2
6 weeks 6 days
143 HB

B3
6 weeks 1 day
126 HB

B4
7 weeks
141 HB

Next scan will not be 4 weeks. Time to keep myself very, very busy.

On the increase

Results continue to be positive with our latest Beta 8360.
First scan will be on the 8th August and we will then find out if we have multiples. Feel like we are back in the 2WW again but I am getting a little better and switching off.
We are still taking it one day at a time and keep positive and look to the future.
Dr says SM K is in good health and this pleases us immensly.

2WW is over

We Are Pregnant!!!!!!!

Beta levels a healthy 703.

I awoke to hubby shoving the laptop across the bed saying we have a email (About 6 am I think)
Now the email header said Hcg Result - Congratulations, so I think he had a good idea this was positive news.

Now my memories of this morning are grown adults jumping up and down around the kitchen. I laugh and smile when I think about this and Im sure this memory will stick for a long time. We have decided to try to keep to ourselves until we make the 12 week mark and have only shared with 2 special people. Not including all our special forum/blog buddies.

Anyhow thankyou all for your well wishes and support.

2WW Hurry up already!!!

Well we are nearing the end of the 2WW. Hopefully only 2 more sleeps!!!! till we get a result.
Amazing how the body handles these types of emotional times. This week I have been a bit under the weather, no real reason just a bit off in the tummy, feeling nauseas and not sleeping well, must be the nerves. I laugh at myself and think maybe Im going out in sympathy for SM.......... Wishful thinking.

Stay tuned........

2WW

You know we all complain that time flys. Well I have a feeling that the next 2 weeks may be an exception. We had a sucessful embryo transfer today with 4 grade A and 1 grade B being transferred. We are lucky enough to have 1 grade A and 8 grade B embryos to put on ice.
How does one turn off the brain, I go to bed thinking about this journey and I wake up and the mind is still going. I'm sure this gets better as things settle down however if all goes well it could be a long nine months......

Egg Donor Take 3

We were very happy with our Donor selection and have found out last night she is stuck in her village due to flooding from storms. We have decided to select another donor that is currently in the city as there are no guarantee that next month things will be any better for Donor No 2.

Making these decisions seems surreal at times. This is someone who will be half the genetic make up of our child.......

Hubby is great he always asks my thoughts and at times I think he just goes along with my choice to keep me happy. I really am trying to get his thoughts/opinions before I share my opinion so as not to influence his point of view.

Anyhow third time lucky!!!!

Egg Donor Take 2

Well we got the news today that our firstcycle has been cancelled due to our donor only forming a few eggs.

We now have selected an alternate donor who hopefully will cycle in the next few weeks. This also may mean we have to reselect our surrogate depending on the wait time.

Things change so quickly and the always changing decisions about participants in our future plans.

Just a small hurdle and we continue to look forward to the future.

Surrogate Selection

Today we received the profile for our surrogate. We are happy with the details but it seems as though we should be asking more questions. But what do you ask???

The next 4 weeks I hope will fly by until our first transfer attempt. Still waiting to hear if our shipped package has even left the country.

The journey begins

This blog is about our journey of Surrogacy in India. Hoping to share our story and relate to others that are sharing this amazing journey.

Well hopefully our special package (DH samples) will ship to India next week. I am a bit nervous and hope all arrives intact!!!

This will be our first attempt and not sure how this emotional rollercoaster ride is going to be. May be a bumpy ride....