30 July 2016

I did it!

Yesterday was the day I started the PIO injections. I chickened out and called my mom. It didn't hurt, but the oil is hard to push through the needle.

But guess what!

I did my own today!

It took me about 5 minutes to finally stick the needle in, and I still feel sick thinking about it, but I freaking did it.

So I should be okay from now on.

Tomorrow I start the other meds and in 4 days we transfer!

28 July 2016

WHOA BOY

I had my lining check this morning. I needn't have worried because my lining was 9mm!

All doctors want different numbers, but the general rule is at least 8mm. So I made it! Yay!

That means I start the progesterone (PIO = progesterone in oil) injections tomorrow. I get to stab my ass with a 1 1/2 inch needle, woo!

On Sunday, 31st, I'll start two other different medications. Doxycycline and Medrol. Both are just to aid my body into thinking it's already pregnant before the transfer.

I take the Doxy for 3 days. 1 pill 2x daily. And the Medrol for 4 days. 1 pill once a day. It's a lot to remember! So naturally I've written it down in about 3 different places.

And now for the best part!

Drum roll....

Transfer is August 3rd! That's right! 6 days from now!

I am so excited. And IPs are completely over the moon.

I can't wait to start peeing on sticks, hahah.

This is my fully stocked medicine cabinet.

25 July 2016

A few more days..

Until my lining check. I find myself stressing about it.

I've been drinking and eating things high in vitamin whatever, but I'm a worrier. It's a hobby at this point.

Now that the legals are done and we're just waiting on me and my body, I'm feeling a lot of pressure.

I know it's stupid, and logically there is no pressure, but I feel it all the same.

I want this to happen, first shot, so badly for A&M. They deserve to have the family that they want. 8 years is a long time to want a family.

So I'm just counting down the days, hoping Thursday gets here quick.

19 July 2016

Finally.

Finally.

My cycle started yesterday which means I started the Estrace today. I'll be taking 2 pills, 3x a day for a while. I imagine that will go down once I start the progesterone.

I got my lining check today as well! Next Thursday at 10 AM! Providing everything goes well there, I'll get my transfer date.

Eeee! Today has been filled with great things. It's fantastic.

The next month is going to be busy!

11 July 2016

We are a go!

Oh boy.

Misinformation sucks. I was told some things that weren't entirely whole true, so a lot of hopes went up only to be tugged down pretty hard.

Turns out the contract was not done. It was done and signed on June 30. It was sent to the clinic July 4 and guess what, I finally got my protocol today!

Well.. technically only part of it. But, still!

I start Estrace (estrogen) with my upcoming cycle on day two. It will get my body pumped and ready to prepare for a baby. 10 days after that I will have a lining check of my uterus via internal ultrasound.

And yes, it is as much fun as it sounds.

That day I will get the rest of my protocol and with any luck, transfer will be the first week of August. Yay!

I'll need to start eating/drinking things rich in whatever vitamins thicken the uterine lining. Pom juice, sweet potatoes, pineapple core (who knew), and lots of orgasms, haha. Sounds lovely.

I'm crossing my fingers for an early period lol.

I am not looking forward to sticking myself in the ass everyday with a 2 inch needle. I've been told once I do it the first time that it's fine. But I have a needle phobia and still cry when nurses take my blood. Sigh.

I went on a surrogate retreat this past weekend. It was fantastic. The rooms were all amazing and the food was delicious! SCO's coordinator planned a ton of stuff for us to do and I went home with a lot of goodies! Chocolate and cookies - to die for!

~~~

I also realize I haven't talked at all about where I applied or who I'm doing this with.

Back in January when my friend made me realize I can still be a surrogate, I searched up surrogacy in Canada on Google and was taken to Surrogacy In Canada Online https://surrogacy.ca/

I went through the application and after my second attempt talked with Sally, the program's coordinator. She is a lovely, lovely woman. If I ever have a question about the process or just a general problem/issue she's right there to answer me. She started this program way back when after being a surrogate herself. Her story is on the website, for those that are interested!

After I was accepted into the program, Sally added me into two secret groups on Facebook. One for surrogates and intended parents, and the other just for the surrogates. I have met so many wonderful ladies. They are all so kind and giving. I didn't expect much of a support system outside of my own people and was so pleasantly surprised to find them all.

SCO is how I met my IPs. Complete luck and chance. Surrogacy is actually illegal in a lot of countries in Europe. It isn't in Belgium, but apparently it is very complicated and my IPs found not a lot of them women do it altruistically. Like in the States, you can be paid to be a surrogate. In Canada you are only compensated for pregnancy related expenses.

For example; mileage to the clinic (little over an hour from my city), meals we eat during the trip, childcare if needed, clothing for the pregnancy. Special expenses like bed rest, special diets (if the IPs require that), lost wages, etc. It all has to relate to the surrogacy directly to be compensated.

I haven't been asked yet, but I know a lot of surros are. "You must make a lot doing that?" Well, no. And I'm not in it for the money anyway. I'm doing this to create a family that can't otherwise do it on their own.

I'm sure a lot of other people wonder - Why don't they just adopt?

It also isn't that easy. My IPs are gay, and it's very hard for gay couples to adopt in Europe I guess. Plus, why should that be someone's first choice? Isn't that why we have IVF? For couples to have a baby with their own genetics?

Either way, I'm so blessed to have A&M in my life. And none of this would have happened without Sally and SCO. She has created a great community.

If you, or anyone you know, is the tiniest bit interested in surrogacy please visit the website and look around! Or even egg donation! Half of this wouldn't be possible without the lovely women that donate their eggs for others!

It's really, truly a wonderful thing to do!