Wow how time fly's especially around the holiday season. I am soo bad at doing this update thing that maybe I should stop... Okay probably not but was a good idea for the moment.
So here it is, baby is doing well we ended up with only the one US down in Lone Tree and it went well. Baby is growing great and there are no health concerns or anything.
For me I am a little overwhelmed with everything going on right now with the holidays but I think I will be able to muster through with little to no major problems. I actually was sick the past couple of days.. boo!! It finally made it to the Fix household, and we were doing so well too. But now we are all feel better and are ready for our friends to visit from CA.
In January my IF's are visiting from France and will be here late Thursday the 6th of January and we will go for a 3D/4D US on Friday. I am very excited and hopefully we will have enough time to Skype before they get here to make final arrangements. After the US we are going to tour the hospital that I will deliver in and hopefully out for a nice dinner with everyone. It will be a short trip but will be exciting! IF's then will head to the ski resort for a day and a half and head back to France on Sunday afternoon. You can't make it to CO with out a ski trip right!!
Next check up is Jan. 11th...
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
19 wks 2 days!!
I made a nice drive down to Lone Tree today to see an amazing doctor! They just wanted to check that everything was fine with the baby (I guess they considered this the 2nd trimester screen). They checked for all of the normal things but they looked really close to the brain and all the veins and arteries and checked the babies mouth! Was so adorable you can see how the babies mouth is moving now, was so excited that the baby is doing well.
As for me I am doing well also, a little tired here and there but not a huge change, the biggest change is the fact that my pants seem to be getting tighter and tighter around the mid-section! I guess that comes with the territory though.
Next appointment in next Monday for my Anatomy US and then to the doctor next Tuesday! I probably should get some pictures up. Finally got the scanner working so maybe that will be my project over the next week!
As for me I am doing well also, a little tired here and there but not a huge change, the biggest change is the fact that my pants seem to be getting tighter and tighter around the mid-section! I guess that comes with the territory though.
Next appointment in next Monday for my Anatomy US and then to the doctor next Tuesday! I probably should get some pictures up. Finally got the scanner working so maybe that will be my project over the next week!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
16 weeks, CONT!!
After the bleeding scare they wanted me to go to my Dr. appointment the next day to make sure I was doing well! I feel like Dr. appointments are my life these days, but if it's to have a healthy baby it's well worth it!
Dr. appointment was great measuring right on and I still haven't gained any weight I have actually lost weight! Transfer weight was 155 and now I am 154! I guess my body knows what it's doing because I am eating nonstop! Babies HR was still in the 138-141 range!! So we are growing nicely! No nausea or heartburn at this point! Still having spicy food cravings and sushi!! AHH!!
Dr. is sending me to do a glucose scan because Cooper was 10lb 1oz so they want to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes, which I know I don't but oh well! Really didn't want to drink that stuff and to make it worse it wasn't cold!! I will make sure I call the day before next test to make sure it is cold! She gave me 5 min to drink it and I was done in about 30 seconds! I've had practice!!
While I was waiting we went and made out appointment for the anatomy scan and they told me that I have to have full bladder!! Really since when are they doing that again, she said they would let me pee after a certain point! Thank goodness, because I give the 30 seconds with a full bladder... err!!
Next appointment is December 14th, but I will update before then!
Dr. appointment was great measuring right on and I still haven't gained any weight I have actually lost weight! Transfer weight was 155 and now I am 154! I guess my body knows what it's doing because I am eating nonstop! Babies HR was still in the 138-141 range!! So we are growing nicely! No nausea or heartburn at this point! Still having spicy food cravings and sushi!! AHH!!
Dr. is sending me to do a glucose scan because Cooper was 10lb 1oz so they want to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes, which I know I don't but oh well! Really didn't want to drink that stuff and to make it worse it wasn't cold!! I will make sure I call the day before next test to make sure it is cold! She gave me 5 min to drink it and I was done in about 30 seconds! I've had practice!!
While I was waiting we went and made out appointment for the anatomy scan and they told me that I have to have full bladder!! Really since when are they doing that again, she said they would let me pee after a certain point! Thank goodness, because I give the 30 seconds with a full bladder... err!!
Next appointment is December 14th, but I will update before then!
16 weeks!
So I went to the doctors on the morning that I was 16 weeks because I must have gotten my dates wrong or something! Now I know it was because I knew I would be there anyway! So I went grocery shopping and then went home! I thought I was okay but when I went to the restroom I had a dark brown bloody discharge (I know not too kind to the stomach but it happened!) and I was scared! So I called the office and the guy on the phone told me that they were out to lunch and that I should just call back because it would take to long to page them!! You are kidding me right, I was furious! This is not my baby I am carrying but yes I do love the little bean and it made me so upset I wanted to find his office and drag him out to the parking lot! I called my husband and he calmed me down and one of my friends came to check on me! Thank GOD for them because I was so mad. I sat down and calmed down for awhile and finally got a hold of the office a little after 1pm! This is one for the books, really I was upset!
The office was concerned and they new my situation so they got me in right away, the DR. was amazing and said anytime I felt unease just to call and they would listen to the baby anytime! The bleeding had nothing to do with the baby and the baby's HR was around 139 so it was great! **sigh** Such a relief that was. Sometimes there is just extra blood or they said that even sex can increase this risk! Being a surrogate and being on extra hormones can even cause this! I guess it comes with the territory!
The office was concerned and they new my situation so they got me in right away, the DR. was amazing and said anytime I felt unease just to call and they would listen to the baby anytime! The bleeding had nothing to do with the baby and the baby's HR was around 139 so it was great! **sigh** Such a relief that was. Sometimes there is just extra blood or they said that even sex can increase this risk! Being a surrogate and being on extra hormones can even cause this! I guess it comes with the territory!
14-15 weeks
Had a simple time during these weeks and was a good feeling, it was such an easy transition these weeks that I almost didn't even feel like I was pregnant! Kinda was a surreal feeling! Started to feel more of the flutters by mid weeks that it was pretty cool and fun!! Getting more and more excited!
IF's are making more plans to come out and visit in January and would like to meet staff and go to the hospital for a tour! Getting excited for them to be hear so I can tell the world what they are having!
IF's are making more plans to come out and visit in January and would like to meet staff and go to the hospital for a tour! Getting excited for them to be hear so I can tell the world what they are having!
13 Weeks!
Ok so I am going to update everyone week by week or as close as possible, I have just been so dang busy with my kiddos that I forget about blogging!
At 13 weeks I found out that my IF's wanted me to get the first trimester testing and honestly it was almost too much of a headache at first because I had to find a clinic that could fit me in such a short period of time (needs to be done by 13w 5days). Thankfully I was able to get into a clinic down in Lonetree, which for me is about 45 minute drive but I was thankful to be put in to someones schedule at this point. So the next day drove down to Lonetree to meet the most amazing and caring staff I have ever met. I was taken care of by their US tech and the doctor nobody else! Great experience! They looked at the baby both of them measuring the back of the neck to check for Downs and other ailments! Also if you have to get this done FIND OUT WHAT YOUR DONORS DOB IS!! This is because it is determined by their date of birth and all those things, nothing even to do with you at that point! They pricked my finger for a little blood and then I had to get other labs drawn the next time I went to my regular OB, nothing big.
Now the fun part!! I found out the sex! Yeah I thought it was a little early but I found out it was a..... Okay I can't tell you yet because I can't even tell the IF's yet! I may be leaving subtle hints here and their so watch for them!
At 13 weeks I found out that my IF's wanted me to get the first trimester testing and honestly it was almost too much of a headache at first because I had to find a clinic that could fit me in such a short period of time (needs to be done by 13w 5days). Thankfully I was able to get into a clinic down in Lonetree, which for me is about 45 minute drive but I was thankful to be put in to someones schedule at this point. So the next day drove down to Lonetree to meet the most amazing and caring staff I have ever met. I was taken care of by their US tech and the doctor nobody else! Great experience! They looked at the baby both of them measuring the back of the neck to check for Downs and other ailments! Also if you have to get this done FIND OUT WHAT YOUR DONORS DOB IS!! This is because it is determined by their date of birth and all those things, nothing even to do with you at that point! They pricked my finger for a little blood and then I had to get other labs drawn the next time I went to my regular OB, nothing big.
Now the fun part!! I found out the sex! Yeah I thought it was a little early but I found out it was a..... Okay I can't tell you yet because I can't even tell the IF's yet! I may be leaving subtle hints here and their so watch for them!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
10 Weeks 1 Day
So today was a great day! I was able to actually see a whole little baby and it really looked like one too!! The baby is measuring right on schedule and HR was 168 which is good also. It's such a miracle in the making I just have enough to say about it! I have good pictures this time but of course need to upload them to the computer.
Such a great day. Interesting though my case manager had to let go of some of her easier cases and guess what... I was one of them!! It will be fine though I really like my new case worker and I am looking forward to all of the following weeks to come.
Next appointment is November 11th!!
Such a great day. Interesting though my case manager had to let go of some of her easier cases and guess what... I was one of them!! It will be fine though I really like my new case worker and I am looking forward to all of the following weeks to come.
Next appointment is November 11th!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
8weeks 1day
Wow how the time has gone! I got to see the little peanut today and it was great! My youngest son was with me and he said that it looked like an eye!! Some times their imagination is a little too carried away, maybe. We are measuring exactly 8 wks 1 day and the heart rate is 178 so we are looking good. Again the pictures really don't show too much, but you can start seeing the little limb buds which I think is sooo great and very interesting at that. Will update more later. Next U/S is on October 5th!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Catching up again...
So I am definetly behind... What is my problem? Oh yeah I have three children, 3 guinea pigs, 2 ferrets and 1 husband!! LOL :) Love them all.
Beta #2 - 89
The numbers weren't that high and it was my thinking that I had gotten my blood drawn an hour earlier that caused it not to double as much as we had all hoped, maybe right maybe not. In any hand the numbers did increase. This blood test was on Wednesday. Next one Friday!
Beta #3 - 284
Still not amazingly high but much higher than the very first one. So as of this day they confirmed me of being pregnant!!! I am so excited and Skyped with my IF's the same day. They are also so excited! CONGRATS to all of us. This little bambino wanted to hang in there, praise the LORD!
So I get the call from LA and they are very excited too. They sent me a ton of new meds, I think this package had more in it then the last package I received!!! It was crazy and I still have injections until October 5th, which is also when I get released to my OB!! Fingers crossed!
1st U/S - September 7th
It was amazing in the sense that it really confirmed that there was a little baby growing inside of me! The first thing we saw was the heartbeat! It was amazing, I don't know how to even describe it! The baby was measuring 6weeks 1day exactly so we are right on schedule. EDD is May 3rd 2011! I am so excited and yet so nervous at the same time!
Next U/S is September 21st!! Wow only a week away... hopefully we can measure the heartbeat this next time!
Will Post pictures soon :)
Beta #2 - 89
The numbers weren't that high and it was my thinking that I had gotten my blood drawn an hour earlier that caused it not to double as much as we had all hoped, maybe right maybe not. In any hand the numbers did increase. This blood test was on Wednesday. Next one Friday!
Beta #3 - 284
Still not amazingly high but much higher than the very first one. So as of this day they confirmed me of being pregnant!!! I am so excited and Skyped with my IF's the same day. They are also so excited! CONGRATS to all of us. This little bambino wanted to hang in there, praise the LORD!
So I get the call from LA and they are very excited too. They sent me a ton of new meds, I think this package had more in it then the last package I received!!! It was crazy and I still have injections until October 5th, which is also when I get released to my OB!! Fingers crossed!
1st U/S - September 7th
It was amazing in the sense that it really confirmed that there was a little baby growing inside of me! The first thing we saw was the heartbeat! It was amazing, I don't know how to even describe it! The baby was measuring 6weeks 1day exactly so we are right on schedule. EDD is May 3rd 2011! I am so excited and yet so nervous at the same time!
Next U/S is September 21st!! Wow only a week away... hopefully we can measure the heartbeat this next time!
Will Post pictures soon :)
Monday, August 23, 2010
BETA # 1
So today was the big day of my blood test. As of today I am 10dp5dt and very nervous. I really have been praying everyday about 10 times each. I almost feel like I have worn out the prayer-o-meter!! I know I haven't and I know what will happen is in His hands now.
I went to my local satellite clinic and my BETA was 47.6% which isn't the greatest but there is a number! I now just hope that it doubles from today to Wednesday. This is when I go in for a second BETA test. This little embie was only suppose to be a 20% chance and that getting this far is a miracle on it's own.
PRAYING for high numbers on Wednesday!!
I went to my local satellite clinic and my BETA was 47.6% which isn't the greatest but there is a number! I now just hope that it doubles from today to Wednesday. This is when I go in for a second BETA test. This little embie was only suppose to be a 20% chance and that getting this far is a miracle on it's own.
PRAYING for high numbers on Wednesday!!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Amazing Day Friday the 13th!
Today was our transfer day and it was one of the best days ever! Casey and I flew in yesterday and my IF's picked us up at the airport! We went out for dinner by the ocean and it was very good getting to know them more. The transfer was at 1030 and I laid inverted for about 1.5 hours and then bed rest for about 48 hours! That was a long time to lay down... Now I have restrictions for the next 10 days, no lifting over 10 lbs, and no exercising (this includes cleaning the house!) So I am sort of just enjoying my time with my my baby Cooper. Okay he really ins't a baby since he is 3 but that is what is happening.
First BETA is set for Monday the 23rd so fingers and toes are crossed as well as some prayers!
Hoping for the right outcome, but it's out of my hands now!!
First BETA is set for Monday the 23rd so fingers and toes are crossed as well as some prayers!
Hoping for the right outcome, but it's out of my hands now!!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Great News!!!
So I went for my progesterone test this morning and Great News! It came back under what the Dr. wanted it to be so we are on schedule to start all other medications on Sunday. I have my 5th E2V injection tonight! Oh and when I said that so far the others didn't hurt I was okay until I said that, the last one we did gave me a bruise but it wasn't that bad. As for any other information my IF's have been notified about my blood test and are flying in from FRANCE on Thursday afternoon and we will be flying in to LA the same day for transfer on Friday!! YAY!! I am super excited and am so happy that I am able to help someone else create their family.
Appointments, Appointments, Appointments
Okay right now I feel like I am living at the Dr. or hospital to get my blood drawn. It really isn't that bad but still. I went to the Dr. yesterday for my US and it went great! She told me at their clinic the cut off is .8 cm and mine was at a .993 so that was great.... now for the bad part. My progesterone I guess was 1.44 they are saying that it is too high!! I am so dang confused because I though your progesterone is normally higher than that. So now I need to go get my blood drawn again today at the hospital on a Saturday. I hope all goes well because really I am very excited for all of this and I want to help my IF's bring into this world an amazing miracle.
So today I get to meet a couple of people from Circle Surrogacy because they are having a get-together in Denver! I am very excited for this just to see others going through the things that I am going through is very exciting to me.
Send a little prayer out that all goes well, I can use just a couple right now!
So today I get to meet a couple of people from Circle Surrogacy because they are having a get-together in Denver! I am very excited for this just to see others going through the things that I am going through is very exciting to me.
Send a little prayer out that all goes well, I can use just a couple right now!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
It's been a long time....
Wow I don't even know where to begin! This journey started in April and now here we are in August. I really have been slacking, maybe from lack of motivation or I have three children to take care of. Either way so far my journey has been fast paced and very exciting. So her is the run down of what has happenend since my last post....
So we were matched with an amazing couple out of FRANCE!! The matching really only took about a week and that was so exciting! I had been in the process for about 1.5 months and it took the 6 months to find me!! I can't believe all the testing and such that they have to go through, but I believe that it is probably for all who are involved best.
I had to take the DREADED MMPI test to see if I was sane and with 3 kids I was just hoping and praying that everything was good and it was! I am officially not crazy okay by their standards that is!
Then came the fun part contracts and medical testing. The good part is that I get to go to LA for my transfer and all the other wonderful testing. I actually enjoy CA!! When I went to LA for medical testing I didn't get more than 10 feet away from my hotel and was yelled at by some "crazy" person walking... rule #1 never show a weakness and I didn't I just starred at him, I guess that's what happens when you grow up in such a rural location with so many animals!!! So medical testing was great and the Dr. told me that I was an ideal surrogate! I am so excited...
So it was a little slow for awhile but now it starts to speed up so keep concentration....
So in July I was suppose to call with my first "start date" (all you ladies may know what that means) and I do. I was suppose to get my meds and start on BC but instead they throw me into starting a cycle for a transfer... woo this wasn't suppose to start until August! So I put the brakes on call my IF's, my case worker they clinic etc. I feel like I am alerting the calvary of what is happening and we get the cycle stopped in time... sigh.... and then I take BC for 10 day and I have to call with my "start date" again... really my body is screaming at me at this point!! I really wasn't that bad but I hate my dreaded Aunt when she visits.
On the following Monday of me starting I start injections, yes injections right in my bum.... Thank goodness I had some help. Casey is the one that gets to do this wonderful part!! I will have to take pictures of these needles that he gets to "stab" me with!! Good thing he has had practice with this, thank GOD for his practice with medicating cattle!!! Okay but it's true it actually hasn't hurt once yet, no crazy side effects and I am just a little tired the next day after injection. As of today we have injected 2 in the right cheek and 2 in the left overall a good time!
So tomorrow I have an ultrasound to see if my uterus is ready for next Friday... I told you to keep up!!! I will be transferring in LA next Friday and I am so excited I just need a couple of prays to make sure everything goes smoothly and that we are right on track.
I can't express how excited I am for this upcoming journey of helping someone else, it's my calling right now and I hope that all that are reading this will support me. If you have questions or would like me to answer a specific comment send me an email at fix.ariel@gmail.com
Sorry this was so long but it's been a long time since I posted...
GOD Bless
So we were matched with an amazing couple out of FRANCE!! The matching really only took about a week and that was so exciting! I had been in the process for about 1.5 months and it took the 6 months to find me!! I can't believe all the testing and such that they have to go through, but I believe that it is probably for all who are involved best.
I had to take the DREADED MMPI test to see if I was sane and with 3 kids I was just hoping and praying that everything was good and it was! I am officially not crazy okay by their standards that is!
Then came the fun part contracts and medical testing. The good part is that I get to go to LA for my transfer and all the other wonderful testing. I actually enjoy CA!! When I went to LA for medical testing I didn't get more than 10 feet away from my hotel and was yelled at by some "crazy" person walking... rule #1 never show a weakness and I didn't I just starred at him, I guess that's what happens when you grow up in such a rural location with so many animals!!! So medical testing was great and the Dr. told me that I was an ideal surrogate! I am so excited...
So it was a little slow for awhile but now it starts to speed up so keep concentration....
So in July I was suppose to call with my first "start date" (all you ladies may know what that means) and I do. I was suppose to get my meds and start on BC but instead they throw me into starting a cycle for a transfer... woo this wasn't suppose to start until August! So I put the brakes on call my IF's, my case worker they clinic etc. I feel like I am alerting the calvary of what is happening and we get the cycle stopped in time... sigh.... and then I take BC for 10 day and I have to call with my "start date" again... really my body is screaming at me at this point!! I really wasn't that bad but I hate my dreaded Aunt when she visits.
On the following Monday of me starting I start injections, yes injections right in my bum.... Thank goodness I had some help. Casey is the one that gets to do this wonderful part!! I will have to take pictures of these needles that he gets to "stab" me with!! Good thing he has had practice with this, thank GOD for his practice with medicating cattle!!! Okay but it's true it actually hasn't hurt once yet, no crazy side effects and I am just a little tired the next day after injection. As of today we have injected 2 in the right cheek and 2 in the left overall a good time!
So tomorrow I have an ultrasound to see if my uterus is ready for next Friday... I told you to keep up!!! I will be transferring in LA next Friday and I am so excited I just need a couple of prays to make sure everything goes smoothly and that we are right on track.
I can't express how excited I am for this upcoming journey of helping someone else, it's my calling right now and I hope that all that are reading this will support me. If you have questions or would like me to answer a specific comment send me an email at fix.ariel@gmail.com
Sorry this was so long but it's been a long time since I posted...
GOD Bless
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
What happens next?
Okay so I really didn't have to wait that long but it seems like a lifetime when you are so excited to do something that you are so passionate about. So on April 14th I was contacted to set up the next step since I was cleared through my medical records was a social worker phone call! I was so nervous and I had to wait almost a week and a half to do this. We spoke on the Thursday after she first sent me an email on April 22nd, She was nice and asked questions of why I chose to do surrogacy and again I told my story. She also explained to me all the wonderful things I would have to do, like the needles!! Okay I don't think it will be that bad but really needles, with all of our technology you would think they could do something else. You know that there are some dentists that don't use needles it's something else... Wonder if that would work? No I think it will be an amazing experience even with that. I can go through a little pain to help a family become complete.
After our conversation she had to speak to Casey and she did that on Sunday after our talk on the phone, it was very nice that the weekend worked for her since Casey is busy throughout the week. She asked him questions about being supportive and how he felt. Maybe he will have to start his own blog!! Okay maybe not but that was the end of it. We were then in the waiting line for matching!!!
After our conversation she had to speak to Casey and she did that on Sunday after our talk on the phone, it was very nice that the weekend worked for her since Casey is busy throughout the week. She asked him questions about being supportive and how he felt. Maybe he will have to start his own blog!! Okay maybe not but that was the end of it. We were then in the waiting line for matching!!!
Where to begin.....
Wow I guess it needs to start with the beginning of how I decided to become a surrogate mother to a miracle baby. First I had a great friend in Highshcool and we never knew if she could have children, I had always told here that I could help her in a time when she was not able to have children and now she just doens't want children. So I had put it to the wayside not thinking much of it until one of my friends decided to research more into it and she is now in the process of becoming a surrogate as well. I can't tell you how much I believe being a surrogate is a gift from God because I know that he only puts things in our life as he sees fit. And I know that when he is calling me to a purpose I should listen because there are other reasons behind it.
So on April 5th, 2010 I filled out a survey to become a surrogate, hearing back a couple of days later that they would like more information from me and that I needed to get my OB and delivery records to them ASAP! Now this was a time when it really got busy and when I mean busy I mean busy I was on the phone non-stop trying to get the information that I needed and almost a week later found out that a couple of places either misplaced my information or just didn't get the fax!!
Not to worry they received all the information and I then had to wait while the doctor looked over my records.
The best part was my voicemail that said "Ariel 4-530 rolled around here and all the sudden our fax machine was filled with all your records, I think we have everything from when you were born to now!" I thought it was great that all my information was finally to them. I then waited and waited and waited....
So on April 5th, 2010 I filled out a survey to become a surrogate, hearing back a couple of days later that they would like more information from me and that I needed to get my OB and delivery records to them ASAP! Now this was a time when it really got busy and when I mean busy I mean busy I was on the phone non-stop trying to get the information that I needed and almost a week later found out that a couple of places either misplaced my information or just didn't get the fax!!
Not to worry they received all the information and I then had to wait while the doctor looked over my records.
The best part was my voicemail that said "Ariel 4-530 rolled around here and all the sudden our fax machine was filled with all your records, I think we have everything from when you were born to now!" I thought it was great that all my information was finally to them. I then waited and waited and waited....
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