Megan received frozen embryos that were created several years ago and then traveled here from a far away land. We all knew the chances of success were low, but that did not deter Megan. Sound like a fairy tale? It sure felt like one! Against all odds, Megan delivered a beautiful baby girl, *Dana, on February 19, 2010 weighing a perfect 7lb 5oz.
We never know why this process works faster for some than others. Everyone is so deserving of an “easy” journey as the Couples have already been through so much and their Surrogate Moms only want to help them. Cassandra’s Couple struggled for years before she came into their lives. It was difficult for them to keep their faith after having gone through several attempts without success. Then they met Cassandra and less than a year later she restores their faith when she delivers their baby girl, *Megan, on February 16, 2010 weighing a whopping 8lb 1oz.
I have no explanation as to why it worked this time and not sooner, except to say they were meant to do this with Cassandra. They had such a beautiful journey together and they are already discussing Baby #2!!
Well, Michele did deliver a gorgeous baby boy, Hugo, on Feb. 5th as I mentioned in my last blog. His parents call him their “Prince”. He definitely is being treated like royalty, so it is fitting.
I was wondering who would be next, Tracy or Cassandra. Well that very night, Tracy called and said she thought she was in labor. I know I said, “No you’re not!” as I thought for sure she was pulling my leg. We had just spoken hours earlier and there were no signs of labor or indication that it was on the horizon. Then I realized she was serious. So I called the parents about 9:00pm and they were having dinner. The mom-to-be said her husband told everyone that they would need to have an early dinner because he had a feeling his son would be born that night. My first thought was 9:00pm was an early dinner? And then I remembered my dinners in Europe and knew that it was early for them. I’m sure this new Dad will tell the story of how he knew his son would be born to everyone who will listen. It took a little longer than we expected, but finally Daniel arrived in the morning of February 6.
Then Breann and I were waiting for Cassandra to say it was time. So I was pretty surprised when Linda called to say she was in labor on February 10. With twins, we know there is always the risk for preterm labor or delivery. But Linda also was just cruising along showing no signs of labor and Boom! All of a sudden, it’s time! She made it to 33 weeks and the boys, Fredrik & Marcus, were 5 lbs each, so it is all good! Whew! What a week…wait, it was only 5 days that had passed since Michele had delivered. Wow!
So we are waiting for Cassandra and Megan now to complete our busy month. It has been so wonderful to share in these beautiful moments with our Surrogate Moms and the new Parents. What a privilege it is to be a part of their incredible journeys.
Stay tuned for more news in the coming weeks.
Linda’s Couple had 15 IVF attempts before meeting her without achieving success. One would think that they were near their limit of receiving bad news. But even as we gave them negative results time after time, they never lost faith. This process is difficult enough when it takes two tries to achieve success, so we were amazed by not only the Couple’s endurance, but especially Linda’s through 4 failed attempts. She never gave up, but she was surprised, maybe even a little skeptical, when we finally gave her the positive news on the 5th try. It wasn’t until the ultrasound showing two embryos growing that the reality finally set in.
Things were going along great until between her 3rd and 4th month of pregnancy. The perinatologist was concerned Linda’s cervix was too short which could lead to a premature delivery. So, Linda went on bedrest for the duration of the pregnancy. Each week we went in for ultrasounds and her cervix basically stayed the same. The pregnancy remained stable due to her diligence and on February 10, 2010, nearly 8 months of pregnancy, she delivered two healthy boys, Fredrik & Marcus, for her Couple who have waited what feels like a lifetime to become parents. Linda’s commitment to her Couple was extraordinary and I know they will be forever grateful for her standing by them. She was their light in their struggles to become parents and they followed her to a successful end. Their faith certainly was rewarded!
I spoke with Tracy on February 5th and she advised me that she was feeling great so she was going to work one more week and then take maternity leave. She called her job and they were happy to know Tracy would work one more week. Then a few hours later Tracy called and said she thought she was in labor. I remember saying, “No you’re not!” as I thought for sure she was pulling my leg. We had just spoken hours earlier and there were no signs of labor or indication that it was on the horizon. Then I realized she was serious. So I called the parents about 9:00pm and they were having dinner. The mom-to-be said her husband told everyone that they would need to have an early dinner because he had a feeling his son would be born that night. My first thought was 9:00pm was an early dinner? And then I remembered my dinners in Europe and knew that it was early for them. I’m sure this new Dad will tell the story of how he knew his son would be born to everyone who will listen. It took a little longer than we expected, but finally *Shawn arrived in the morning of February 6.
It is hard to believe we are already well into February. I vaguely remember the year starting and making some new year’s resolutions. One was to write in my blog every week. I am pretty much fulfilling that one. I will need to find my notes to see what else I pledged for this year and hopefully I am staying true!
February is a big month for us. We have several babies due. Amanda jumped the gun and delivered on January 26th. No problem because *Melissa arrived safe and sound and only spent one day in the hospital. Yeah Amanda!! Michele is arriving to the hospital at this moment. Her nervous but excited Couple are there with her. Of course, Brian and Breann are there, too! I can’t wait to hear all the news about Hugo’s arrival later today.
I wonder who will be next. Tracy or Cassandra? Megan is sure to finish out our month for us.
Stay tuned for the weekly update!
Carol
Michele’s generosity on February 5, 2010 was limitless. She not only gave birth that morning to her Couple’s son, she also welcomed the new Mom and her baby boy to room with her so they could have some private bonding time. As it worked out, *Tyler slept most of the night, but they did not. They sat up and talked all night. They both said it was such a huge bonding for them! So that day, two big things happened. *Tyler was born weighing 7lb 10oz and the foundation for a lifelong friendship was formed.
The H1N1 “pandemic” has caused quite a stir. Breann and I are faced with something that I have never encountered in all my 18 years of managing surrogacy cases. All of the hospitals in San Diego are limiting the amount of people allowed in the delivery room to only 2 or 3 persons through the entire flu season which they say is until May. Inevitably, this leaves Breann and me out. And in some cases, both of the Intended Parents can’t be at the birth of their child either.
Needless to say, this change has caused a lot of panic for Couples and their Surrogate Moms who were counting on us being there for support and to manage anything that needs to get done. At first I was uneasy about it, too. Hundreds of things crossed my mind that would require our attention or facilitation. I called the hospitals hoping they would make an exception for these special circumstances, but no one would budge. How could they not see the importance of our being there? I was so wrapped up in the attendance of the birth, that I lost sight of the big picture. I took a step back and gained my perspective back. A sense of calm set in and I’ll tell you why.
It occurred to me that we have given everyone what they need way ahead of time. You probably think I am referring to the court orders or something tangible like that. But I am not. I am talking about something that goes much further back, before the Surrogate Mother and her Couple became a match. The Surrogate Mothers in our Program are exceptional women and some of the best moms I have ever met. I have seen them take on the Intended Parent’s quest to have a family as their own personal mission. The Intended Parents are incredible too. They trust us and their Surrogate Mom with the most important thing in their life. They are in awe of their Surrogate Mom and appreciate more than words can say the gift they are receiving. I know they truly care for her and her family. This combination is the best foundation for a perfect outcome.
Although it is disappointing that we are unable to attend the births, we must maintain our perspective. It is but a moment that will fade with time. We still participated in the most significant event of their lives and that will live in our memories forever.
I have to tell you about something incredible, something truly amazing. My blog today is a prologue to Amanda’s birth story. Amanda’s story begins as it has for many Surrogate Mothers. She was fortunate enough to become pregnant on her first IVF attempt and all seemed to be going along just beautifully. Then suddenly in her 5th month of pregnancy the doctor noticed the amniotic fluid was decreasing significantly which is not good for the baby. Week after week, the status didn’t change. The water level just wouldn’t go up. Finally, as we were getting near the end of November, the doctor said we needed to make plans for a premature delivery in mid to late December even though the baby wasn’t due until February. And by December 1, Amanda was confined to bed in the hospital and we were told that the birth would occur sometime that month. The parents made their travel plans to arrive by mid-December. But, I had a strange feeling. I call it strange because it was just the opposite of what the doctors were saying. Deep in my heart I knew this baby girl was not going to arrive in December and I truly believed she would be just fine. Obviously there was no information to support my feelings, so I knew it was my faith in God that was guiding me. I told the Couple that I truly believed their baby was not coming in December but of course we should prepare as the doctor says. They made their arrangements to arrive on December 23rd as the doctor said that since there has been no improvement, delivery would occur on December 30th at the latest. Ready for the Christmas Miracle? Early in the week before Christmas, Amanda had an ultrasound, the same type of ultrasound she had been having every week for months. Except this time, the technician could not find anything irregular. She reviewed the chart to ensure she was seeing the right patient, the one whose water was supposed to be low and who was at serious risk for a premature delivery. She measured the fluid and measured the baby quite thoroughly. And she reported that everything was normal. Literally, the complication that had occurred fully reversed itself. So, that day Amanda was released from the hospital as there was no indication for her to be there. And still to this moment, the pregnancy continues normally and the little baby girl is measuring perfectly and doing somersaults in Amanda’s tummy that is once again full of water. They say that miracles happen to those who believe. I have always been a believer. How about you?
Hello All,
It is unbelievable how busy we were this first week of 2010. But all good stuff, though. We went through a major electronics overhaul in December. My little Acer was a work horse, but in the end it couldn’t handle the demands I put on it. So in addition to our becoming a paperless office, I had to get a new computer. It is always fun to get a new computer….at first! Then you realize the work involved to get the new one up to speed. But I must say, I love Windows 7!
Now to more important things. Surrogacy! My life and passion. Well, I do have a funny story. Brianna had her embryo transfer on New Year’s Eve. Poor thing! But she was quite the trooper to miss out on the celebrations with her family. Well, as we were quietly waiting for the doctor to do the transfer, I closed my eyes and was thinking about this tremendous event and suddenly Donny Osmond’s voice starts singing “Puppy Love”. I didn’t even notice that there was a radio in the room and until that moment, didn’t realize it was even on. I leaned over to Brianna and asked her if she could hear the radio and we both cracked up. What a great story it would be for the parents to tell their child that Brianna got pregnant for them while listening to Donny Osmond! I don’t know if kids today know who he is…much less if they will!! Let’s keep our fingers crossed for them!
We have been so lucky to find some new Surrogate Moms. Just offering to do this, makes them the best people on this planet. Huge thanks to all of the Surrogate Mothers who give so selflessly.
Okay, that’s my blog for this week. Have a wonderful weekend and blessings to all. May we have a beautiful New Year!
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Carol