Blog Sample

California Dreamin’… A Change in Plans

Angel- Belgium — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:55:46 +0000

So, here I sit, 35 weeks pregnant, on Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica, CA…. Talk about a change in plans! My intended mother called me last Wednesday night and asked me if I could come to CA for delivery because her little boy was going to need surgery. I talked it over with Frank and the kids and we decided to make it happen. Only three days later, my littlest one, Connor, my husband, and I hopped on a plane and headed to LAX. Upon arriving, we were picked up by my great intended parents and headed to lunch. After lunch we went to the apartment we were going to be staying in. Unfortunately, it is not what my intended mother or I expected so we just stayed one night and then moved to the building that my intended parents are in. It is much nicer and I feel much more secure and safe here. The other building wasn’t unsafe…I think it is just what seems more familiar. So, today I got to go to my OB (the same one that delivered the twins I carried 2 years ago) and I LOVE HIM. I was SOOOO happy to see him. He did the ultrasound on the baby and said, wow, this is going to be a big boy… He is already estimated at 6.5 lbs!!!!!! YEP, 4 weeks to go and he weighs as much as a lot of babies do when they are born. I knew he felt big! Anyway, after getting my here all safe and sound, Franklin had to leave the very next day. I have missed him these 5 days, but get to see him again soon!

He and my other two children are on a plane right now just to visit for the weekend. It will be a whirlwind trip but I am SO thankful that I get to see them. My intended parents are so sweet and offered to send all of us to Universal Studios tomorrow. It should be a great time! I am excited and really no matter what we did, I would be happy as long as we are together.

Preparing to Head Home… With the Twins!!

John- Panama — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:08:36 +0000

Wow, things have been wonderfully busy! After only 2 days we were able to take our babies home from the hospital! We have rented a condo near the hospital in Panama, to stay with the twins while we get all the needed documents in order. We thought to hire a nurse to help care for the infants for the first few weeks, which is turning out to be extremely helpful. It would not be easy running from government building to government building trying to carry two infants…nor would I feel comfortable bringing them into the death-trap cabs around the area!

Documentations in Panama are so interesting. Everything is still handwritten and sealed and stamped in all sorts of ways, plus notaries are a lot harder to get than in the US. Luckily the couples who’ve come before us paved the way a bit; the hospital now has direct access to an attorney in Panama who could deal with the documents that we needed. We are also making sure to get a document signed by the surrogate, with an emigration judge’s seal, before traveling back to the US. We went all documents to be clear for immigration at the airport.

Preparing for FET in Canada

DC JOURNEYer - South Africa — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:32:37 +0000

I have to admit to a sense of trepidation as to the condition of our embryos, but there’s so much to think about and plan, that it provides a welcome distraction…

Since I menstruate normally, I am a candidate for a ‘natural cycle’ FET- where we would do the transfer without medication. However, a natural cycle calls for careful monitoring to determine exactly when I ovulate. It’s just too difficult to coordinate monitoring, time off work, travel to Vancouver, etc. so we will be doing a medicated FET.

Luckily, the medication protocol for our Canada clinic is easier than the protocol used by our South African clinic. My protocol consists of Synarel nasal spray followed by Estrace and Endometrin progesterone vaginal suppositories.

So I’m now setting out to research which pharmacy is least expensive…

Almost There…

Angel- Belgium — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:38:47 +0000

I am almost 33 weeks pregnant! Recently I got a call from the baby’s mom and she said they are coming to North Carolina in less than a month. I can’t believe how fast time is STILL flying. I think it is because I have been so very busy. I babysit for a little boy, and I love my job with Agency for Surrogacy Solutions.

I have really enjoyed my pregnancy. It has been much easier than the twins…I can still sleep at night, plus I don’t have the achy legs that I had with the twin’s pregnancy. I’m also craving strange things from time to time… such as orange juice every night with ice and pop tarts with NO frosting! These foods have become staples in my home.

This little boy moves quite a bit and I can tell he is VERY strong. In the beginning of the pregnancy my placenta was in the front so it cushioned a lot of his movements but that is not the case any longer. I am guessing only 5-6 weeks to go… my c-section will be scheduled for 39 week, IF I make it that long! It is hard to believe how quickly 39 weeks is approaching!

On Top of the World!

John- Panama — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:18:20 +0000

Wonderful news!! Our twins were born, healthy as can be! We could not be happier…on top of the world!

Although the clinic has been welcoming about our being a same-sex couple, now that the twins are born, we are spending more time in the hospital where we have experienced some coolness. The clinic has been supportive, but the general climate of the country is not necessary gay-family friendly, and this can come out in the hospital. Of course, nothing can overshadow our current happiness of our growing family!

Importing Our Frozen Embryos

DC JOURNEYer - South Africa — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:11:02 +0000

The Canada clinic we finally decided upon recommended that I write the Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC), which is part of Health Canada to request a Letter of No Objection to facilitate importing our frozen embryos. I did so, and received the following reply which meant our embryos were clear to be couriered into Canada:

Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Assisted Human Reproduction Act (AHR Act) in Canada. On December 22, 2010 the Supreme Court of Canada rendered an opinion on the constitutionality of some of the sections of the AHR Act. The web link to the opinion is: http://scc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/2010/2010scc61/2010scc61.html. As a result of this opinion, section 10 of the AHR Act, which relates to the licensing of controlled activities including the importation of embryos, was found to be outside of the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. Accordingly, there are no requirements under the AHR Act with respect to importing embryos into Canada and, therefore, AHRC has no authority to issue No Objection Letters.

Moving Forward at a Fast Pace

Jeenan — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:39:19 +0000

We were able to visit the fertility clinic in Bangkok today and were very impressed with our trip! We met with a very helpful nurse, Sue. We also talked with the doctor. He was very kind, and made us feel confident in the process. He even mentioned that he had a surrogate ready for us if we needed! To tell you the truth, I feel a little overwhelmed. On one hand, YES!, a surrogate already ready, a doctor we like, and a clinic with helpful and kind staff! But, on the other hand, is this moving too fast? We were not prepared to start the process this trip, nor did I take enough time off work. After my husband and I talked it through we decided that we think we want to go for it. This just seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up. I’m off to send my boss an email asking for additional time—wish me luck! It all just seemed meant to be so we were just going along with it.

The Big Ultrasound

Angel- Belgium — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:43:30 +0000

I went for my “big ultrasound” (the anatomy scan) and all is well. Sadly, my intended parents were not able to make it. I did get a DVD for them, and they are hoping to come up some time next month. It will be nice to see them, and I am sure it will help them feel how real it is that their precious baby boy will be here in a few short months. My amazing husband did go with me to my ultrasound appointment, and it was nice to have someone to share it with. Little baby is growing just perfectly and was moving around and looking so adorable. I am so excited for his parents and family. I can’t wait to meet him!

Countdown to TWINS!

John- Panama — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:17:56 +0000

Sorry we have not updated in a while, but things are going well. Very well. In fact, we are heading down to Panama for the birth of the twins! Such an exciting time! We know in the past people have had trouble getting documentations in a timely fashion, but hopefully the clinic has learned from past mistakes and we will not run into too much trouble. To be safe we plan to stay for about 4 weeks, which should be enough time to get everything straightened out. Bon Voyage!

Counting on Canada

DC JOURNEYer - South Africa — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:51:18 +0000

Sounds like Canada will be a viable option for FET! After much coordination, and numerous phone calls, we will be able to stay much closer to home for our frozen embryo transfer. The medical courier will go pick up our frozen embryos on his next visit to South Africa, and we will do the FET with a Canadian clinic in the near future. I’m surprised how difficult it was to get answers regarding FET with international embryos, but happy that we are moving forward.