Step 2=Complete

On Thursday morning I hopped into the car and drove 3 hours to  IL to the Fertility Center.  This is the chosen fertility clinic by Frank and where the embryo transfer will occur.  Unfortunately, Steven couldn't come with me, due to a busy work schedule, so I had a long day of driving and tests alone.
Once I got to the center, I was able to sit down with the doctor and talk about what is to come.  I was surprised to meet with him for close to an hour since it's unusual these days to get such one-on-one time with a doctor.  But, it was great because he was so thorough in explaining the entire process and what I can expect in the coming months.  He also explained that he had read my medical history and wanted to talk about my pregnancy with my twins.  He had me explain, in my own words, how the pregnancy went and why I delivered when I did (very pre-term).  He agreed with everything I said, and explained that the chance of the same thing happening again to me (TTTS), is no higher of a chance for me than anyone else.  He also explained that I delivered two babies at almost 28 weeks.  So, with their combined weight and size, my uterus grew to the size of what one fullterm baby would be.  With that said, I should have no problems carrying a baby to fullterm.  I never had issues with pre-term labor or anything like that.  After that chat, I headed into the exam room for my tests.  The tests consisted of bloodwork, routine physical exam & a few other not-so-fun tests.
One of the main procedures the doctor did was called a 'mock embryo transfer'.  The doctor inserted a catheter into my uterus and first cleaned it with some saline and then proceeded to measure the length and depth.  The reason they do this procedure is so on the transfer date, they know exact where to go with the embryo and where to place it.
The next procedure was the doctor injected dye into my uterus and fallopian tubes & inflated a balloon inside my uterus.  They took lots of ultrasound images to get a clear photo of my uterus.  This test is done to be sure the lining in my uterus looks good and basically to 'ok' me to become pregnant.
The tests took about 15 minutes total, although, it seemed a bit longer.  It wasn't excruciating pain by any means, but it was definitely uncomfortable.
The doctor told me that everything looked great and he saw no reason for me to not be able to proceed with this surrogacy!  I was very happy to hear that.  :)
After the tests, I went back into the consultation room and met with the IVF nurse.  She went over all the medications with me and how to administer them.  It was definitely a lot of information!
THE MEDS:
-First things first- I started birth control pills.  The reason I needed to start these is so that they know when the transfer could happen.  The pill regulates the cycle & will make the 'guessing' less 'guessing' and more precise.  So, I started those 2 weeks ago after I had my IUD removed.
-Next the nurse gave me some prenatal vitamins to start taking.  The biggest concern is to take them the opposite time of day as my birth control pill, because they can counteract each other.
-The first medication I will be taking is called Lupron.  This is an injection I will give to myself daily (in my thigh or abdomen) & it basically makes me stop ovulating.  It will make my body feel like it is going into menopause.  The reason for this medication (to my understanding) is that this way I have no chance of getting pregnant with my own child, since my body won't release any eggs during this time.  I will be doing this injection for the weeks leading up to the transfer.  I think there are other medical reasons why I will be on Lupron..  but I am still learning all of these reasons.  (and after reading about this medication on none other than the internet (here), I am confident I am going to feel like a loony!  So, bear with me! :)
-The next medication will be an estrogen patch.  Just a small patch, placed on my abdomen, that will administer doses of estrogen to me.  This will support the development of the embryo and stabilize the uterine lining.  I am unsure the amount of time I will wear this patch, but it's my understanding that I begin using it around the transfer date and will continue to wear it for several weeks following the transfer.
-The last medication I will be taking is progesterone and that will be for the weeks prior to the transfer and 8-10 weeks following the transfer.  Progesterone is a hormone produced naturally by the ovaries to help thicken the lining.  This makes it easier for the embryo to implant and too little progesterone can result in miscarriage.  This is the medication I am dreading the most.  There are 2 forms of it.  One method is an injection that is to be given intramuscularly in the rear; normally I don't mind injections, but this will be an oil that needs to be injected.  The person giving it needs to keep in mind that it is an oil because it isn't too easy to administer.  Sounds ouchy to me.  The other method for progesterone is a suppository that will be needed to be done 2-3 times a day.  I am assuming I will be going with the latter choice, but we'll have to see.

While explaining the above medications everyone has asked "why?"  Most have followed that question with "I got pregnant and carried a baby to full term without these crazy medications... why do you have to do all of this?"
Well, first off... I am still learning.  I don't have all of the answers YET and yes, some of it still confuses me.  But, what I do know, is that this is a non-traditional way to get pregnant.  The doctors will be taking a frozen embryo and 'thawing' it for a few days before they transfer into my body to grow to a fullterm baby.  Things have to be done differently because they are being started differently.  I am sure my body will be confused and these meds will help it adjust.

So, the next step is to work on what is called the parentage agreement (contract between us and intended dad, Frank).  I will be appointed a lawyer and Frank will work with his lawyer and we will put all of the necessary information into a written agreement and both parties will sign on the dotted line.  I am sure this will take several weeks to get finalized but in the meantime we should be getting a transfer date!  The clinic does transfers every other month and so their next month is November.  We are hoping for an early November transfer!

All for now!  Any questions? :)

Whats next?

Well our trip with Frank ended great.  We had a day to just relax and show him around our area.  We took him to my studio & he loved eating at our restaurant!  We spent the afternoon at a coffeeshop just sipping some yummy espresso & chatting some more.
Steven and I both agree we feel like we have known him for years.  Crazy that our time was just a few hours, in total... seems like our friendship dates back years ago.
So, we said our goodbyes & wished him well.  It was crazy to think that the next time we see him... I will be pregnant (fingers crossed)!

I have run into a few friends lately and the question comes up "So, whats next in the process?"  Well, next step is medical clearance for me.  I will go to the fertility clinic in Illinois and have an ultrasound along with a whole slew of tests to be sure I am ok to get pregnant.  The appt should be very soon... most likely within this month!
After that looks good we will schedule the transfer date!  If everything sticks to the schedule & 'plan' then we are talking about a late October transfer!
Between the medical clearance and the transfer, the contracts need to be written and signed.  Basically I will be appointed a lawyer & so will Frank.... we will type up all of the details of what is to come in the next year.  It's pretty standard, although, I know its good (for both parties) to put everything in writing.

It's crazy to think how quickly this is all going to happen now!  I feel like I've waited so long to get going in this process and now, it will be all over before I blink!

We've heard from Frank a few times since he has flown back home; and he always sends us the sweetest, most encouraging words.  It's so comforting to feel such a connection with him.  My last message to him I said "I can't wait for you to become a daddy, very soon!"  And, it's true.  I can't.  He will make one heck of a dad, I already know that.

For those of you reading- I would love it if you would think of him & this process whenever you have a minute to pray or send some positive energy out to the universe.  As I have mentioned before, Frank isn't new to the surrogacy world.  He has been in this process for quite sometime and experienced some very awful heartbreaks (with failed transfers & losing his twins).  So, this transfer in October is so important that it works.  Frank has embryo's frozen and those will be the ones they will implant (most likely just one, unless the doctor recommends doing 2) & if they don't work, Frank will have some re-evaluating to do.  It could mean he would need to start over with a new egg donor, or change something else in the process.  This is the last thing he or we want.  But, I told Frank when he was here..."I have a good feeling about everything"  I really do.  I think the timing is right.  So far everything seems so right.  :)

So, if you have a minute... send us some positive energy that an embryo takes and we can make Frank a daddy very soon!  The transfer won't happen for another 7+ weeks, but I know the power of prayer can work wonders! :)

Thanks for reading!
-Kenzi