tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73533097569952741072024-03-12T19:13:51.582-07:00My Oven, Their Lovin!!!Follow along as I go through the journey of becoming a first time Gestational Surrogate! I would love to share my experience through this blog with you. This is going to be an amazing experience for me and I am hoping that this blog will be a great way for my awesome surrogate family to follow along this journey with me! Thank you for reading my blog :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-41794113804075701532014-05-01T22:01:00.001-07:002014-05-01T22:01:02.799-07:0013 hours before transferAs I get ready for bed tonight, I am overwhelmed with so many emotions. All good emotions! Im remembering the feelings I had the night before my last transfer. So anxious and nervous but all in a good way! I am feeling so excited knowing that in 13 hours Davide and Miro's precious baby will be transferred into hotel de surro :-P<br />
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So I have been on 8 different medications so far and luckily I am on the down side of the medications! This time around I havent had the bad side effects I had last time. I am thinking it is because my body is already used to the meds and this isn't a big surprise this time. Which is a good thing! Fingers crossed that I don't have side effects after transfer! :-)<br />
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Because it is crazy late i will continue my post tomorrow with pictures and hopefully a video of our awesome transfer tomorrow! Thanks to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers :-)<br />
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~RachelleUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-79057446719487452752014-04-11T16:33:00.001-07:002016-09-13T12:14:25.865-07:00Lorenzo's First Birthday!!!<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I can not believe a year has gone by. This past year has been one of, if not the best year of my life. I have been able to watch my amazing, beautiful, precious surro baby grow, thrive and be perfect! I have watched to amazing people become awesome parents who are so caring and willing to share their little fish (Lorenzo's nick name) with me :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have thrived in my personal family life as well. Watching my son go to school for the first time and come home to teach us all the amazing things he learned! We were blessed to be able to take him to Disneyland for his birthday, thanks to Roberto and Mauro. That was something I had dreamed of my entire life and honestly, never thought I would be able to do with my own child. They made that possible. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/Animated-Collage/d1c9664859k4315373o1" target="_blank"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So many people pass praise to me when they find out I am a gestational surrogate. But I always tell them that I was put on this earth as a woman who can have babies and I would be so selfish to not share that. And in the grand picture, I have gained three amazing people into my family as well as watched them blossom into their own family, and that, is worth every shot, every migraine, every stretch mark, every push, every pump session and on and on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the wee hours of this morning, one year ago, I gave a huge push to get my precious surro baby into this world. I never knew how strong I was until that moment (and many more after that). I gave birth to Lorenzo at 12:51am April 11, 2013 with his AMAZING daddies in the delivery room coaching</span><span style="font-size: large;"> me through my every pain, doubt, fear and push. And as I sit here, sobbing like a baby as I go through our birth photos, I am reminded how truly blessed I am. My life will never be the same in a million good ways and I can't imagine my life without my Three Italian Boys whom I love so much! Happy First Birthday Lorenzo! Your surro mommy loves you! ♥♥♥</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ff6699; font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>~Rachelle</b></span></span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-48992564537405239802014-03-25T20:55:00.000-07:002014-03-25T20:57:30.520-07:00Many Updates!<span style="font-size: large;">So here we are, at the end of March! I have so many amazing updates for you! But first I want to once again apologize for not posting in almost 5 months. Life got crazy busy with news jobs, certifications and losses. But now, 5 months later, I am ready to catch you up on what has been happening!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you all know, after Lorenzo was born and was about 4 months old, I finally felt like I was ready to start looking for another couple to do a journey with. I contacted our agency and within 2 weeks had a potential match! We met with Davide and Mirco in August and once again, had a perfect match! They live in Rome which is about 3 hours from Pisa, where Roberto, Mauro and Lorenzo live (if I'm not incorrect) :) We have been keeping in close contact with them since August and have created a great relationship! It brings me great joy to say I now have five Italian boys :) We signed contracts yesterday and I start my meds tonight! Holy cow, I can't believe this is happening again and with another wonderful couple!!! We will have our transfer on May 2nd as long as everything is ok with my body accepting the meds. We will transfer one embryo again and fingers crossed, everything will play out exactly as it did the first time! The only change is that Davide and Mirco want to wait to find out the gender of the baby. Oh my goodness....I have never done that! With Landen we found out at 14 weeks but suspected he was indeed a boy and I knew before transfer with Roberto and Mauro, that Lorenzo was a boy. This is really exciting! I can't believe we are waiting!!!! But 17 weeks is sooner then birth, so I am happy about that! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now onto my adorable surro baby update! Lorenzo is now 11 and a half months old...yes you read correctly! I can't believe it! He looks just like his daddy and couldn't be any more adorable! He is vocal, smiles all the time and recognizes me when we Skype! I am so loved and blessed! I can't imagine my life without my three Italian boys! I have put together a slide show of pictures of Lorenzo and will post more updates around the time of his first birthday!
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<a href="http://www.kizoa.com/Video-Maker/d9350494k7611165o2/march-2014-update"><b>March 2014 Update</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">Video Maker</a></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So until next time, happy reading and watch for my next posts! I will have lots of updates on my current journey and ALWAYS, more pictures and update of Lorenzo!</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff6699; font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-12536547101300357202013-10-11T20:42:00.001-07:002013-10-11T20:42:52.781-07:00Six Months Old!!!<span style="font-size: large;">Today I find myself full of tears. Tears of happiness. Tears of joy. Tears of accomplishment. Tears of sadness. Every tear is a good tear. As I found myself flipping through our beautiful birth photos, I was overwhelmed by so much emotion. All of these emotions were good, even the tears of sadness. Because, even though I feel a little bit sad while looking through these photos, I am not sad at the journey, I am sad because I miss my three Italian boys so much. I then get rushed away with memories of how I felt that day, just six months ago, and the tears of happiness, joy and accomplish flow through! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6 months ago today, I gave birth to an amazing little boy! I have been so blessed to watch him grow in these last six months with his loving, caring, amazing and all around wonderful dads. Every week during our skype date, yes every week, I have seen Lorenzo blossom into such a creative, loving, beautiful and smart little boy! I have had conversations with him, of course only he knew what he was saying! I have gotten sweet smiles, and I would like to brag that I was the second person he smiled at!!! I have seen him almost roll over, and so much more!! Every week is a new development and I feel so blessed that his daddies share him, themselves, their life with me! They have truly made this journey so special for me :) I can't wait for the next 6 months!!! And every month after!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading and keep your eyes open for my next blog post, I have exciting news!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>~Rachelle</b></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-72133625708069547672013-07-11T16:29:00.000-07:002013-07-11T16:29:43.976-07:003 Months Olds!<span style="font-size: large;">Holy Cow!!! It has been 3 months since Lorenzo was born!!! I can't believe how fast the past 3 months have gone by. With in the last 2 months since my last post so much has happened. Lorenzo, Roberto and Mauro have settled in at home with a wonderful routine and family life :) Mauro has returned to work and Roberto has been staying home with Lorenzo. As I look back and reflect on our birth story it still brings tears to my eyes. Add our weekly Skype dates and I feel so loved and special! I have been lucky to be able to Skype weekly with my 3 Italian Boys :) They keep in touch weekly with pictures as well, so I am one lucky surro mama! We also celebrated my son's birthday last month with friends and family :) Lorenzo is getting bigger and bigger and couldn't be any cuter!!! Even though I miss all three of them so much, I love being able to see them all together knowing that I helped create their family :) I know I have said that before but the feelings I still get when I see them together, get stronger each week! I love telling our story to people! I put together a slide show of the professional pictures we had taken of Lorenzo as well as the pictures R and M have sent to me! I know, professional pictures....hmmm...not very Italian....yes, I know! The guys were nice enough to let me schedule a photo session for newborn pictures and I am forever grateful for that!!! I know it was a hard thing for them to go through (being that they do not do things like that in Italy), and I LOVE these pictures and again couldn't be more appreciative that they let me do this!!! Just shows you how much they care and the love between friends that has developed through our journey!!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d5033175k2594098o2/lorenzo-newborn-pictures--3-months"><b>Lorenzo Newborn pictures- 3 Months</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">slideshow</a></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading and I hope you love the pictures as much as I do!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>~Rachelle</b></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-92114385921305481692013-05-11T21:12:00.000-07:002013-05-11T21:12:16.657-07:00Our Birth Story<span style="font-size: large;">As I woke up this morning and looked at my phone, I noticed that today is March 11th, baby is one month old today! Well I guess that means we are ready to share our birth story. Right after birth I couldn't bring myself to type this up for everyone. I'm not sure why....probably because I was still in shock over just birthing a baby and I wanted to just spend time with Roberto, Mauro and the new baby! I needed to get through the dreaded emotional roller coaster of birth, leaving baby each day after visiting, and the big one...everyone going home. I have to be honest, the emotional roller coaster has not been as bad as I thought it would be, which is good! So, onto our birth story and pictures!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">April 10th</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you read in my last post, we had made it to the doctor and we were now at 4cm and 60% effaced. We headed to the hospital and waited to be checked into triage. Of course triage only lets the pregnant one have one person with her, so my husband accompanied me to triage. I felt so bad that Roberto and Mauro had to wait for any little bit of news and couldn't just be in there with us. I wanted, from the very beginning, for all of us to stay together for everything...great first 30 minutes into the hospital and we are separated. As I gown up and the nurse comes in to check me she tells me I am 50% effaced and 3cm...hmmm...ok, well I guess everyone checks differently, but I know I haven't regressed in the last hour. Whatever....she tells us we have to wait an hour and if no progress is made we will be sent home. We were able to then get Roberto and Mauro back to the room to be with us. Throughout this hour I had maybe 7 contractions. We were all sitting and watching the contraction monitor numbers go up...each time laughing and joking around. Waiting for the "big ones" to go past 100. All this time I am barely feeling contractions and able to talk, laugh and enjoy the company of everyone around me. As the hour passes and the nurse comes back she tells us she thinks I am dehydrated and doesn't think my contractions are "real"...then she checks me....HAHAHA nurse, I was at 7cm and very "soft", her words, not mine. She then rushes our paper work through to admitting and moves us to the delivery room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At this point it is about 7:30pm and we get settled into our room. I am hooked up to everything and honestly I don't remember having any contractions the entire time we are getting settled in and hooked up to the monitors. I must say that it would be great if all nurses were gentle and taught to check for dilation the same....cause the nurse we had was so rough it made me cry. I could feel her knuckles go inside of me...that means half her hand went into me to check me....oh my....talk about painful....I couldn't help but think, "well shit, baby is ganna fly right out now cause she just opened me right up." After she was done violating me, the guys went to get our bags and our doctor came in to check on us. I must say, again and again, Dr. Huang is AMAZING! He never pushed us to do anything we didn't want to, he let us go over a week past our due date per our request to let baby come when he wanted to, and in general was so supportive! Every time I got scared at any point from week 12 to past delivery, he would always mention how wonderful this gift I was helping the guys with was and would just be there for me every step of the way. How many doctors do you know of, give their patients their personal cell phone number just in case they need anything? Not many I would guess. Dr Huang wanted us to have the availability to get a hold of him at any point in time no matter what. He always told us that he started our pregnancy with us and would always be the one to follow through with everything (birth/delivery). Such an amazing doctor :) So anyways, he came in and said he wanted to wait an hour and then break my water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ten o'clock rolls around and it is time for my epidural before the doctor comes to break my water. The anesthesiologist SUCKED....didn't even tell me when he was starting or going to do anything then yelled at me for moving...WTF! Finally got everything set up and if I never see him again, that would be great! What kept me calm the last time (during the birth of my son), was having my husband holding me while the anesthesiologist did his thing. That was a good anesthesiologist though. And this time my crap nurse wouldn't let him hold me, she made him stand int he corner and she held me...and the whole time he is doing his thing, they are just yapping on about their stupid cars....arrggghhh!!!! Oh well :( Anyways, epi is in and I am very slowly feeling everything get numb. The doctor comes in and breaks my water and holy moly he wasn't joking about me having a lot of fluid. I soaked through 2 bed pads and 6 hospital bath towels....yeah, after he was done I didn't even look pregnant any more even though baby was still moving around inside of me. It was crazy! No wonder I couldn't feel my contractions. I had so much fluid that my body was contracting and preventing me from feeling them. Kinda a good thing, kinda not. I am 100% positive that if I didn't have so much fluid, baby would have come a lot sooner and the contractions we had at 31 weeks would have had to of been stopped by the doctor. So now the fluid is drained and the rest is up to baby! Before the doctor leaves the room he says that within the next 24 hours baby will be here, one way or another! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time to nap! I figured that we had some time and this would be a good time to rest. I went in and out of sleep for about an hour and a half. Looking back at the pictures, I crack up at the pictures of my husband watching the contraction monitor while I slept. He is a Human Factors Engineer and you can see the concentration on his face while he times and measures each contraction. Then when I woke up he was talking about the inconsistencies and the strength and crap like that...totally his engineer side...lmao!!! As I am waking up I feel tingling in my feet and lady parts....just as I tell my husband this and that I think something is wrong with my epidural, the nurse comes in for another check. At this time I was laying on my left side because that is the only side baby would allow them to monitor him on. Before the nurse checks me I kept telling her that I had a lot of pressure down there. She keeps me on my left side and checks me....I'm still at 7cm....panic time....the doctor walks in and she tells him I'm still a 7 and he starts talking about using the vacuum to help him out if we need to....ummm, okay.....and then says that if no progress is made in the next hour we will have to discuss different options. Before he leaves the room he decides to check me himself. He rolled me onto my right side before checking and not even 2 seconds into him checking me he says it is time, I am at 10 cm and ready to push. They roll me onto my back and cover me up. Everything happened so fast I don't think anyone knew what to do. I grabbed my husbands hand and Roberto's hand and pushed....then I screamed.....oh my, my epidural was GONE....to late now....I don't know how many times I pushed but the time stamp on the pictures of the nurse checking me and baby being placed on top of me is only a 6 minute difference....fastest birth EVER....OMG....the pain is indescribable. At one point I felt like I couldn't breath from it. I don't think it would have scared me so much if I had expected it...but I didn't because of the epidural. Looking back on it now, I know for future births that I can handle it, even though I will still request the epi. Every moment of pain was totally worth it! Baby Lorenzo was born at 12:51 am! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing Roberto and Mauro’s faces when they first saw and
heard their son for the first time is something I will hold in my heart
forever. Explaining the emotions and joy that I felt at that moment is nearly
impossible because I felt so honored to be able to say (and see) that I had just
helped create this family. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">After birth we were lucky enough to get a large
enough room for all of us to stay together. I wouldn’t have it any other way! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being able to spend the couple days after
birth with them and baby Lorenzo was amazing. I got to watch a family blossom
right in front of me. Getting to share those first couple of days with them I
will forever be grateful for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d4461450k6157134o2/birth-and-lorenzo"><b>Birth and Lorenzo</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">slideshow</a></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our journey has been incredible! I couldn’t have asked for
anything better. Seeing Roberto and Mauro with Lorenzo is so amazing, another
thing that words can’t even begin to explain. Knowing that every time I look at
the three of them, I helped make that possible. There is no better feeling then
knowing that you helped a couple start their family. The feelings of joy,
accomplishment, happiness and so many other emotions and feelings, is why I am
a gestational surrogate. Roberto and Mauro are now able to enjoy every part of
being a parent to Lorenzo, just like I have with my husband and son. There is
no other way of explaining the love I have for helping them and being able to
have an amazing journey! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">May 1st</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Time to go home :( I accompanied everyone down to L.A. and we said our good byes at the security check point. I knew I would cry and that I wouldn't want them to leave. But I also knew that the horrible, emotional feeling of fear and sadness would go away. I hated saying good bye :(</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I love my three Italian boys so much and can't wait to see them again,
hopefully sooner rather than later! Thank you for letting me be a part
your life and helping you with the precious, beautiful, amazing baby
Lorenzo! </span><br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>~Rachelle</b></span></span> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-72476449892006313142013-05-05T09:16:00.000-07:002013-05-05T09:16:38.537-07:00The Long Wait!<span style="font-size: large;">The last time I posted, we were three weeks out from Roberto and Mauro coming to the states. Since then, we have spent wonderful time together, birthed baby, watched a family blossom, and unfortunately had to say good bye. But lets back up for a minute and start from when they arrived!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 11th</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, for any of you who live in the LA area or have traveled in LA, you know how unpredictable traffic can be. We left 3 hours before their flight was supposed to land, then they have an hour to go through and collect their bags and be passed through. So 4 hours early, it only takes 2 hours to get to LAX from my house on a good day....hmmmm....we arrived after they had landed and then went to the wrong terminal, not my fault, the jet was too big to land in the original terminal so they switched and didn't tell anyone waiting to pick up guests, thanks!!! So once I figured out what had happened, my phone rings...yep they were waiting for us. Darn it! I felt so bad that they had to sit and wait for us to find them after all that travel. Most of the time I would blame situations like this on my prego brain, but not this time!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">After lots of hiccups in car rentals, traffic and everything else that the universe could have thrown at all of us, they made it to their apartment and got settled in :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d4461157k2392875o2/final-prego-pics"><b>Final Prego Pics</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">slideshows</a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 14th-37 Weeks</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have mentioned in previous posts that our doctor wasn't expecting us to make it past 38 weeks and that little man would most likely come around 36 weeks....so let the doctors appointments begin! At my 36 and 37 week check we were dilated to 1cm and 40% effaced. All I kept thinking and telling little man was, 'Please stay in so we can throw your daddies a surprise baby shower...' and if I had known what was ahead of us, there would have been no panicking! The doctor sent us away at that appointment telling us any day now!!! We could try to induce on our own or he would stretch me at our next appointment....hmmmm....stretch me, sounds scary. And reading about what it actually is online, yes, VERY SCARY. The guys and I knew from 31 weeks when we had the scare that we were all willing to wait until little man was ready to come on his own and would not request to be induced until 40 weeks. So a pretty uneventful appointment :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 15th-Maternity Pictures!!!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to get maternity pictures done with the guys so that we would always have beautiful pictures to remember our journey together! I had a session on my own and one with them! I absolutely love these pictures :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d4461307k1637633o2/maternity-pics"><b>Maternity Pics</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">slideshows</a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 16th-Baby Shower Time!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I knew from the moment the stick turned blue that I wanted to do something special for the guys as far as a party was concerned. No better way to celebrate them becoming parents and welcoming a beautiful baby into this world then a baby shower!!! Our closest friends and family came and celebrated with us :) It was so special and the guys didn't even see it coming! I love surprises :D</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d4461360k8248010o2/baby-shower"><b>Baby Shower</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">slideshows</a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 21st</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another appointment came and went! We were 3<span style="font-size: large;">8</span> weeks at this point and waiting for Easter. I was still at 1cm and 50% effaced. On the bright side, I was able to celebrate Easter with my son. We went to an Easter egg hunt and then had a wonderful dinner with Roberto, Mauro, Roberto's mom and all of us. It was a lovely weekend!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 28th</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">3<span style="font-size: large;">9</span> WEEKS!!!! The doctor said I wouldn't make it this far and look at us go! After walking on egg shells the past <span style="font-size: large;">8</span> weeks hoping little man would stay in, and now he can come at any time! Hahahaha :) Doctor checked me at this appointment and I was still at 1cm and 50% effaced. Oh my, I think it's time to start natural induction methods....So what does that mean, BBQ time! We invited friends over to have a BBQ
over the weekend. Maybe if we have a bunch of people over little man
will show up....NOT!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">April 4th-DUE DATE!!!</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I tried every natural induction method I could think of...well minus a couple but only because of the side effects. Nothing was working.....at this appointment we had finally made progress and I was 2cm and 50% effaced. Doctor stretched me, and honestly it wasn't as bad as I read about. A little bit of pressure and that was it! Doctor was very confident that we would go into labor that night, but just in case we didn't, come back tomorrow! At least we are heading in the right direction :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">April 5th</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Back to the doctors office! No progress so he stretched me again. If nothing happens over the weekend, come back on Monday! Again I tried everything I could think of to get little man to come out!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">April 8th</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another check up with the doctor, I had progressed to 2 and a half cm and was still at 50% effaced. Time to give in, when can we induce? So going into this journey I knew that a drug induced labor was not something I wanted. Lucky me, the reason labor hadn't actively started was because I had a lot of fluid, which is good, but the contractions I was having I couldn't feel and they weren't doing as much as they should have because there was too much <span style="font-size: large;">fluid</span>. Baby's head wasn't able to drop down far enough to trigger strong birthing contractions. He stretched me again and had us call the hospital and we were put on a waiting list, yes I said waiting list, to be admitted and induced. Another day went by and still no word from the hospital. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">April 10th</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Back to the doctor, nothing was happening and everyone was anxious! At least this time I had made progress!!! 60% effaced and 4cm!!! Time to go straight to the hospital!!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Up next, our Birth Story!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>~Rachelle</b></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-53377320195419462902013-02-26T12:39:00.003-08:002013-02-26T12:39:58.663-08:00So Many Updates!!!<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">So Many Updates!</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ok, so since my last post about 5 months ago, a lot has happened :) All good. I want to apologize for my lack of posts. When we first thought about being a surrogate we never even considered what could happen not only emotionally, but physically to me and my family.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When we started the transfer process, as you already know, everything was perfect!!! But then as we had the measurement scares it really worried me. This is one reason why I stopped posting for a little bit. I wanted to post positive, happy blogs but I was so scared and it was easiest for me to handle on my own first. The only thing that has been worrisome during this journey was the measurement issue, I never once felt that I couldn't handle it or anything like that. This journey has been so amazing!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So now that we are in our 34th week...YES 34th weeks, I am ready to catch you up!!!</span><br />
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<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">12 Weeks and Ready to find our OB!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Going into the surrogacy I knew I wanted Dr. Huang in Bakersfield<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>to be our OB. D</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">r</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">. Huang<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">was the doctor on <span style="font-size: large;">call when I arrived at the hospital <span style="font-size: large;">to</span> delivered my son at. I loved him so much during the labor and delivery<span style="font-size: large;">, I knew he was the man for the job<span style="font-size: large;">! As I go in for my first visit with him, we went over everything we needed to health wise and I made sure he <span style="font-size: large;">was okay working with me knowing that I was a surrogate and that I was working with a same sex couple. You <span style="font-size: large;">would be <span style="font-size: large;">surprised how many doctors <span style="font-size: large;">will not accept patients in my <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">situation</span>. Sad, I know...but true. So after we talk for awhile <span style="font-size: large;">I am released to go get our 12 week ultrasound. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div>
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<a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d3925775k7295092o2/12-week-ultrasound"><b>12 Week Ultrasound</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">slideshows</a></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everything at ou<span style="font-size: large;">r 12 week ultrasound went great!!! Strong heartbeat and active baby!!! </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">17 Weeks and a vis<span style="font-size: x-large;">it from Roberto and Mauro!</span></span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">In </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">October</span> <span style="font-size: large;">we were able to spend time with Roberto and Mauro when they came to the states for a visit! We met them in L<span style="font-size: large;">.A. and had a blast!!! We went to t<span style="font-size: large;">he Aquarium of the Pacific in Long<span style="font-size: large;"> Beach<span style="font-size: large;"> (one o<span style="font-size: large;">f our favorite things to do!) and we went to the observatory. We had never been to the observatory, it was pretty cool. <span style="font-size: large;">We then made our way north, back to Tehachapi were<span style="font-size: large;"> they were able to stay with us for a couple days. We had my 17 week appointment and they were able to meet Dr. Huang! What<span style="font-size: large;"> a great day th<span style="font-size: large;">at was!!! Dr. Huang <span style="font-size: large;">d<span style="font-size: large;">id an in room ultrasound for them and assured them (not like they needed it, they do trust me with their baby) that I was do<span style="font-size: large;">ing everything perfect!!! Perfect size, perfect weight, perfect fluid amount<span style="font-size: large;">!!! <span style="font-size: large;">After our appointment there we made our way to Baby Si<span style="font-size: large;">ghtings w<span style="font-size: large;">here <span style="font-size: large;">we got a 3D/4D ultrasound!!! Of course I can't find the pictures from it at the moment, if I do I will post them. It was so amazing seeing them in person watching their baby. Not ganna lie, it was hard <span style="font-size: large;">not to cry :) Keep in mind that this was the first time that they had <span style="font-size: large;">experienced anything related to the pregnancy in person bec<span style="font-size: large;">a<span style="font-size: large;">use of the distance between us (earth wise)<span style="font-size: large;">. I can<span style="font-size: large;"> only imagine what they felt at that moment! As that came to an end we got a nice lunch and then went on a hospital tour<span style="font-size: large;">. Bef<span style="font-size: large;">ore our tour, I had the <span style="font-size: large;">realization that<span style="font-size: large;">, that would be the first and last time we would be all together in the hospital before birth...holy cow!!! Hospital tour was nice, made me nervous but that's ok :) Having that time with Roberto and Mauro was so special to me! Crazy to think that the next time I see them we will be very close to birth<span style="font-size: large;"> :) They also brought my son some cars<span style="font-size: large;">, so nice of them and brought me some <span style="font-size: large;">yummy <span style="font-size: large;">I</span>talian goodies!!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Random Appointments...</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">As each appointment came and <span style="font-size: large;">went, we all kept getting more and more excited! I had a couple hiccups with a nurse at the office but all has been resolved. Ever since my very first appointment the<span style="font-size: large;">re, her<span style="font-size: large;"> and I never really got along. She would ask me every time I came in if I was a diabetic, and every tim<span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I said no. She didn't believe</span> <span style="font-size: large;">me and requested lab work behind the doctors back. So i went in for <span style="font-size: large;">unnecessary</span> screenings and in the end the results showed her th<span style="font-size: large;">at I was <span style="font-size: large;">definitely</span> not a diabetic but I have low blood sugar. Ha, in your face!!! Did the harrasment stop there....nope...she couldn't accept it and reported to <span style="font-size: large;">my insurance that I was borderline diabetic and now I get l<span style="font-size: large;">e</span>tters in the mail about getting everything "under control" before it gets worse....hmmmm....I have so ma<span style="font-size: large;">ny words for this lady....none of which I will say on here, but I am sure you can imagine :) So now that<span style="font-size: large;">, that is passed<span style="font-size: large;">, we are all done with our blood work and screenings!!! I did learn a good <span style="font-size: large;">lesson...don't let a nurse push you around....you can get away with speaking your mind...you are pregna<span style="font-size: large;">nt...lol...people <span style="font-size: large;">expect you to be mean....but that's just not me :) </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">27 Week Ultrasound!!!</span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we push through these weeks and look more and more forward to meeting little man, we get little perks...this was one of them!!! I love getting ultrasound<span style="font-size: large;">s!!! I love seeing him on the screen and feeling him move with watching it!!! So amazing :) At this ultrasound we were able to skyp<span style="font-size: large;">e with Roberto and Mauro!!! Now I don't know very much Italian....but you don't need to know th<span style="font-size: large;">e language to understand the emotion that was flooded over them during this ultrasound. So magical :) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d3925810k7946685o2/27-week-ultrasound"><b>27 week ultrasound</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">slideshows</a></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This has been such an amazing journey and being able to hear them talk while watching the ultrasound <span style="font-size: large;">melted my heart. I wish they could have been there in person :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>31 Weeks and a Little Scare... </b></span><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So we are truckin <span style="font-size: large;">right along and I hit 31 weeks. We know he is viable and healthy. I am woken up in the middle of the night with the worst contraction I<span style="font-size: large;"> have EVER <span style="font-size: large;">experienced</span>. Let me paint this lovely picture for you....when I <span style="font-size: large;">went into labor with my son I was laboring for 42 hours from the first contraction to him laying on top of me<span style="font-size: large;">. First few hours of contractions weren't so bad...progressively <span style="font-size: large;">got stronger. Went to the hospital 26 and a half hours after my first contractions and continued to labor for another<span style="font-size: large;"> 16 <span style="font-size: large;">hours. During this labor I NEVER made a complaint<span style="font-size: large;">, sound, tear or anything. The contract<span style="font-size: large;">ions I was having this time had me on all fours crying and pleading with a higher power to help me get through them. Holy cow....scary and they sucked!!! They only lasted 30 minute<span style="font-size: large;">s and the only reason I didn't go to the hospital is because they won<span style="font-size: large;">'t do anything unless you have experienced the pain for over an hour<span style="font-size: large;">...not to me<span style="font-size: large;">ntion, we live 45 minutes from the hospital. So <span style="font-size: large;">we make it through the weekend and nothing else happens. I then wake up Tuesday morning and i feel like I am "leaking"<span style="font-size: large;">. Not good. I go in and <span style="font-size: large;">see Dr. Huang and everything is fine....not leaking, baby is strong and healthy as am I and we were just experiencing p<span style="font-size: large;">re term labor pains....holy cow....he say<span style="font-size: large;">s it <span style="font-size: large;">so calm....all I can think of is, well you don't have a vagina<span style="font-size: large;">, uterus or cervix....<span style="font-size: large;">of course you are calm...you will NEVER feel pain like this. LOL!!! He tell<span style="font-size: large;">s me th<span style="font-size: large;">at little man is at 96% viability and if anything happens again<span style="font-size: large;"> he wants me to go straight to the hospital and he will not take any preventative measures to stop labor....no <span style="font-size: large;">pressure right....oh you know, just ke<span style="font-size: large;">ep littl<span style="font-size: large;">e man inside...hahaha :)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> So a couple more week<span style="font-size: large;">s go by and we make it to our 3<span style="font-size: large;">4 week appointment last <span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday. All is still good, I have lost a couple pounds...<span style="font-size: large;">nothing to worry about, little man is still growing and thriving!!! At this appointment Dr. Huang does another in room ultrasound :) Remember I love ultrasound!!! <span style="font-size: large;">So he is moving the prob<span style="font-size: large;">e thing over my stomach and I can't see anything on the screen....panic sets in....where is h<span style="font-size: large;">is head? Oh well little man thinks it's a good, funny, co<span style="font-size: large;">mfy place right on top of my cervix...yes, I can feel hi<span style="font-size: large;">s head right on top of the currently closed cervix that will soon be open in the next few weeks...can you say ouch<span style="font-size: large;">...everything time he moves his head I have horrible pain down there.<span style="font-size: large;"> Small price to pay :) Dr says th<span style="font-size: large;">at he is very tall and we won't be getting any more ultrasound pictures be<span style="font-size: large;">cause he is so low. He also co<span style="font-size: large;">nfirm<span style="font-size: large;">s that I have A LOT of fluid<span style="font-size: large;">, again a very good thing, just makes me look <span style="font-size: large;">much bigger then I am with just me and baby. Th<span style="font-size: large;">at's ok <span style="font-size: large;">:)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Prego Pics!!! </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A<span style="font-size: large;">s of right now I have a few prego pics and I put them all together in a slide show!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d4127876k2443554o2/prego-pics"><b>Prego Pics</b></a> - <i><a href="http://www.kizoa.com/">slideshows</a></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everything is happening so fast! I can't believe we are 34 weeks and so close to birth. T minus 13 days until Roberto and Mauro come out!!! T<span style="font-size: large;">hey will also be traveling out here with Roberto's mom...I am so excited!!! I have been working on o<span style="font-size: large;">ur birth plan<span style="font-size: large;"> and each person's list of things to do when labor starts. I know I can't control the actual time frame of labor but if I can <i>organize</i> <span style="font-size: large;">everything before, during and after it...you know...I will!!!</span></span></span></span></span><i> </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Reading and keep your fingers crossed that little man waits for his daddies and grandma!!! Actually if he could wait until 38 weeks, that would be fantastic!!!!</span><i></i><br />
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<br /><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>~Rachelle</b></span></span> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-15713603419730221322012-09-21T13:23:00.001-07:002012-09-21T13:29:56.227-07:00Heartbeat Video!!!<span style="font-size: large;">I put together the video we have from our last appointment with Dr Boostanfar. In the second half of the video you can see little man moving, watch carefully!!!</span> <br />
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<a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt5" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.onetruemedia.com</span></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-70104780419278066062012-08-29T20:14:00.001-07:002012-09-21T13:21:23.612-07:00Big Updates!!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh
Boy!!! I am very sorry for being so neglectful the last month. Since my last
post a lot has happened. Not every one of our appointments went the way we
thought they were going to go and while being in such limbo with everything I
just couldn't bring myself to post any blogs. So here you go...the last months’
worth of appointments, updates and emotions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">August
2, 2012</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our
yolk sac appointment...well it went great!!! I was privileged enough to have
the wonderful company of my surro sister and one of my best friends, Danielle.
Yes the same Danielle who came to my transfer! She is so amazing, she has taken
off work twice for me now so I wouldn't have to go alone...AMAZING! So we make
it into the exam room and I undress from the waist down and prepare myself for
the weenie wand...oh joy...at least the person who does our ultrasounds is a woman,
and no offense to men but you just don't know what it feels like cause you
don't have the lady goods...so doing these exams, you don't know what is too
rough and what isn't, lol. This appointment was very special to me, not that
the others aren't, but this time was the first time I skyped with Roberto and
Mauro. I hadn't seen them since our match meeting in January! It was really
great :) As the exam is completed we get the great news that everything is on
track and their little guy is forming inside of me :)</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GB_fWY2Gajs/UFy3Hm6YDRI/AAAAAAAAASk/VVLsywywPcY/s1600/yolk+sac.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GB_fWY2Gajs/UFy3Hm6YDRI/AAAAAAAAASk/VVLsywywPcY/s400/yolk+sac.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Beautiful
Yolk Sac!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">August
14, 2012</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our
heartbeat ultrasound came very quickly, which is always a good thing in the
beginning!!! This exam went very fast, which I don't particularly like. She
found the heartbeat very fast, we heard it for a quick second and that was it.
I was able to once again skype during this appointment, but just with Roberto
who then recorded the appointment and sent it to Mauro. Little man at this
point had a strong heartbeat of 98 bpm which is a great number for your first
ultrasound :) </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB8b6wFvTJ8/UFy4ZLMmr-I/AAAAAAAAAS0/9CTBGCZjdXE/s1600/heartbeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XB8b6wFvTJ8/UFy4ZLMmr-I/AAAAAAAAAS0/9CTBGCZjdXE/s640/heartbeat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Little
man growing!!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">August
23, 2012 </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7
week appointment :) This was the appointment that made me question my faith. As
we are getting through the exam and the measurements for his size are being
taken, the doctor is becoming more and more concerned with size. He tells us
that he has a great, strong heartbeat at 140 bpm but then won't say anything
else. He just says to get dressed and meet him in the conference room to talk
about the scan...hmmmm...that can't be good. During this appointment I didn't
skype with the guys. The previous appointments were very short and I got VERY
overwhelmed with everything going on. I am so lucky and blessed that R and M
were ok with me not wanting to skype during the upcoming appointments. As we
make it into the conference room the doctor proceeds to tell us that little man
is measuring a few days behind which is worrisome. WORRISOME....that's the word
you decide to use...hmmm...Needless to say, I was worried. He said he wanted me
back in a week for another scan and we would discuss our options from there. I
have never felt so sick in my life, because after that news I had to go sit in
the car and tell R and M what happened at our appointment. No matter how many
times people, doctors and friends tell you that you are doing everything you can
and doing everything perfectly and none of it is your fault, you always have
doubts that maybe I could have or should have done something different. All
that next week I went over in my head EVERYTHING that I did and googled
EVERYTHING. I kept thinking that maybe the doctor did the scan wrong or maybe
if I had slept 2 more hour a week before that maybe that would have given him
the boost he needed to grow. So many thoughts and I can't even imagine how R
and M felt. I tried so hard to be calm through our messages and I really hope I
was. Being a surrogate is HARD...I have experienced emotions that I NEVER
thought I would. Totally worth every one of them but at that point in time when
you have news like that, that you then have to share with the IP's is
terrifying. Staying calm for everyone else and not being able to freak out is
hard. I keep trying to explain to my friends and family that the emotions from
this pregnancy are completely different then when I was pregnant with my son.
This isn't my baby and I can't just say oh we will try again if something
happens...even though I would totally do as many transfers as I would need to
for the guys, it is just different. I am put in charge of taking this tiny life
and keeping him safe and in the best environment possible for 9 months...it is completely different because unlike myself who can obviously get pregnant
naturally, R and M can't...insert ME...and I just can't seem to explain those
emotions to people. And so...the week long wait begins...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-phVlujvAUxc/UFy4FfgziWI/AAAAAAAAASs/5Gt4wwO-yXI/s1600/heartbeat3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-phVlujvAUxc/UFy4FfgziWI/AAAAAAAAASs/5Gt4wwO-yXI/s400/heartbeat3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">August
29, 2012</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8
week appointment...hold your breath...I sure did...as the exam began I was so
nervous...the first thing I did was spot the heartbeat...thank goodness, that's
one hurdle for the day....give me good news doc...congrats, little man is now
only 2 days behind!!! He has over tripled in size to make this come back :) I
cried like a baby when he said those words to me. The feeling of relief doesn't
even cover it. I now know that little man is a fighter and we are going to be
ok. The doctor wanted me back in another week just to double check his progress
and make sure he continues to go in the right direction. Strong heartbeat at
165 bpm :)</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_2o1nIhpqU/UFy_fuJ8ieI/AAAAAAAAATI/Gm7N_3z12s4/s1600/8w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_2o1nIhpqU/UFy_fuJ8ieI/AAAAAAAAATI/Gm7N_3z12s4/s640/8w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>September
7, 2012</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10
week appointment!!! Exam confirms that little man is now only 1 day behind and
the doctor is confident he will catch up 100%! At this appointment we were able
to make a video. I will post the video in a different blog
post soon. At this appointment Dr. Boostanfar released to to my regular OB!!!
And we were given end dates for our meds, woot woot!!! As much as I loved the
meds, lol with sarcastic giggle, my meds were not even half as bad as some of
the meds other surrogates have to take. I would have done what ever we needed
to do to make a baby for R and M but I will admit that my meds rocked...but I
got burnt out on them...the side effects from each set were crazy!! But being
able to see a light at the end of the meds tunnel is AWESOME!!!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGxdm1dAsyA/UFzGgRrJ7rI/AAAAAAAAATY/dJ80X_LE3gU/s1600/10.2w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGxdm1dAsyA/UFzGgRrJ7rI/AAAAAAAAATY/dJ80X_LE3gU/s640/10.2w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Such
an amazing feeling seeing little man on the screen, we even saw him moving
around, which you will be able to see on our video :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What
an unbelievable month. So crazy with everything I can't even explain most of my
emotions. I am just so happy for Roberto and Mauro :) Thank you for all your
patience with me and my lack of blog posts...but I should be pretty regular
now!!! Happy reading and happy growing to this little man!!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>~Rachelle</b></span></span> <br />
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<![endif]-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-5578673500218577692012-07-30T12:46:00.000-07:002012-07-30T12:47:19.379-07:00Betas Are IN!!!<span style="font-size: large;">Betas are in! I had 2 blood test last week, one on the 25th and one on the 27th. After getting stuck with either a new person or a person who didn't know what he was doing, I went home to wait for the results of the first beta test. I knew we needed something over 25 or 50...so all day I kept thinking about that. Please be high, please be high, please be high! Anything that indicates a positive pregnancy. Around 2:45pm I got the results...drum roll please.......131!!! Woot Woot!!! Our first blood test on the 25th was 8 days past our 5 day transfer. That number is amazing!!! Now we play the waiting game again...between the 25th and the 27th my number should double. I went in that morning and requested the guy that I had normally gotten, before the not so good guy on the 25th. As he sits me down and takes my blood, I can't help but get an overwhelming feeling of happiness that we are actually at our second beta test!!! That's a really good thing! With this blood test, they tested for the beta number, my progesterone level and my estrogen level. Time to wait again. Around 3:30pm that day I got the exciting news that my beta number this time is 320!!!! Holy Cow, it more than doubled!!! At the end of that phone call the nurse tells me that they are still waiting on the progesterone and estrogen levels and she will call on Monday...MORE WAITING!!! lol!!! Monday morning rolls around and my estrogen level is at 260! Anything over 200 is good :) My progesterone level is a 6 and they like it to be around a 10. No worries though. They increased my dose to one gel insert, three times a day. The nurse reassured me that this is normal for women who are on the progesterone gel. The levels are not shown on the blood panel as well, so increasing the dose is to ensure that I am truly around a 10. I was so worried that I had done something wrong and that I messed everything up. She said that I was doing everything perfect and this is just to make sure everything is perfect. We are headed in the right direction! And to top it off, we have our first ultrasound on the 2nd of August. This ultrasound will check the yolk sac to make sure everything is developing the way it should be. At this appointment I get to skype with Roberto and Mauro for the first time! I am so excited to see them again, especially since the last time I saw them was when we first met. So much has happened since January! It will be amazing to have them "there" with me! We will all get to see the yolk sac and developing baby for the first time together :) It will be amazing! </span><span style="font-size: large;">In my last post I had left you with an open question....did I pee on a stick, lol.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes I Did!!! It was so exciting to send the picture of the clearblue test to Roberto and Mauro :) I didn't send the other two because they are harder to see and I wanted them to see the positive right away and not have any doubts on what the test said! It is so cool being able to look at them and know that there is a baby developing inside of me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So much excitement !!! I will post our pictures from our first ultrasound later in the week :) Happy reading :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>~Rachelle</strong></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-44360872381167894212012-07-25T11:32:00.001-07:002012-07-25T11:33:45.107-07:00Transfer Video!!!<span style="font-size: large;">This is our transfer video! Hope you like it!!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt5" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.onetruemedia.com</span></a></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-19086232314519213092012-07-25T11:15:00.000-07:002012-07-25T11:16:39.546-07:00Transfer<span style="font-size: large;">Oh boy, what a crazy week this has been. I had originally planned on writing this post while I was on bed rest but found that I was overwhelmingly tired. So judgment call, sleep is better! But today, I will share my wonderful transfer experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Morning of transfer, well words are hard to find. The feelings that were going on were unbelievable. Like I had said in my last post, I wasn't nervous for me, I was nervous for Roberto and Mauro. I kept wondering if they were going to stay up and wait for me to message them, or if they were nervous or what would happen if something went wrong. As I just finished getting ready to leave, my surro sister and one of best friends arrived to take me down to Encino. As we were driving down we talked about everything under the sun, related to surrogacy of course. What the feeling is going to be like when the baby comes out and I see Roberto and Mauro's faces light up at the first time seeing their new baby. Watching their family grow and the pregnancy experience in general. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tunFbKHKwWQ/UBAuhA9ARHI/AAAAAAAAARk/P__sSSm0QEc/s1600/20120717_102412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tunFbKHKwWQ/UBAuhA9ARHI/AAAAAAAAARk/P__sSSm0QEc/s320/20120717_102412.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we got to Encino we had planned on getting some lunch at Johnny Rocket's. As we finished up lunch and our first lucky charm dessert, we headed to a mall to walk around and burn off some of the awesome lunch we had just stuffed our faces with :) One of the best parts of having Danielle with me, was she had already experienced everything I was about to. She comforted me and was truly a lucky charm. We loaded up with cookies (not my second dessert, lol) and headed to Huntington Reproductive Clinic.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEmIwBKEWVQ/UBAuzNuDOLI/AAAAAAAAARs/UoVSxHtB87k/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEmIwBKEWVQ/UBAuzNuDOLI/AAAAAAAAARs/UoVSxHtB87k/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we got inside, on time might I add, it felt like a hundred years went by as we waited in the over heated waiting room. I don't know if I was getting warm because of nerves or what...but it was a million degrees in there. While waiting to go back to our room I was sad that Roberto and Mauro couldn't be there. I understood why they couldn't be there, but deep down I was still sad. As we made it back to our room Dr. Boostanfar came in and showed us the amazing embryos that were ready to go. We only transferred one...lol...he told us the Lucky Number 8 was the best one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time to gown up...well I guess it's gown down if it is only from the waist down...right?!!? Everything happened SO fast! Dr. Boostanfar came in and put the speculum thing in, swabbed stuff and without me even knowing or feeling it happen, he said the catheter was in place (in the uterus) and ready to go! He told the nurse we were ready and she went and got the embryologist who brought Lucky Number 8 to us! At that time they injected the wonderful grade A (doesn't get any better then that) baby BOY into my uterus :) We were lucky enough to be able to take pictures and a video of everything (G rated of course)! Dr. Boostanfar ROCKS!!! And I know, I know...I didn't put my lucky rainbow socks on...not only was it really hot, like I already said, but I FORGOT, and was so sad once I figured it out...at least I had them with me though. Instead of seeing the socks, you all now get to see my semi tan, chunka chunk legs, lol!!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3b75QiA2n8Q/UBAwbsKyUlI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Lop-axDyUJM/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3b75QiA2n8Q/UBAwbsKyUlI/AAAAAAAAAR0/Lop-axDyUJM/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once everything was transferred he put the progesterone gel around my uterus, removed the speculum and told me to rest there for 30 minutes. EASY RIGHT!!??!! Dr. Boostanfar is such an amazing doctor who has always made me feel at ease with everything. Before he left me grabbed my hand and said good luck and everything will be ok. You know to the best of his ability as well as my own. But at me last appointment before the transfer they had told me that I was doing everything right, I was responding to the meds perfectly and that the odds of a positive transfer and great pregnancy were in my favor. That made me feel better! </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once the 30 minute rest time was up, we left to head back to Tehachapi. Bed rest for the rest of the day and the two following. Hmmmm...I am a mom of a 3 year old...WHAT DOES BED REST MEAN? LOL!!!! Just kidding, my mom took care of my son that week for me. As we drove home, none of the days events felt real. I can't even really describe how I felt. Happy, excited, nervous, bloated....and so many more feelings rolled into one. Going through Palmdale we stopped to get my favorite cupcake as my second lucky charm dessert. Yum!!! As we were driving home I received a message from the guys, what a great surprise, I even got a picture!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mauro on the left and Roberto on the right. They look so happy and excited! It warmed my heart more then words can explain :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I was on bed rest the day after the transfer, I received the most beautiful flowers from them with a sweet note. Brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. Being alone for that day, it was really nice to get a gift like that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So bed rest went fast, thank goodness. I know not everyone believes in "signs" but the second day I was on bed rest I felt a minor cramp on my right side that lasted about 2 minutes and then my lower back was mega sore for the next couple days. I will take that as a good sign!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the days have gone by, I have been really hungry...another sign...lets hope so! Each and every day since the transfer I wake up and tell this precious baby boy to hold on tight, we can't wait to meet you and that his daddies love him very much :) It's never to late to let the baby know he is loved! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before the transfer, and everyday after, my friends have been bugging me about taking a home pregnancy test...DID I???? You will have to wait! But on a side note, today was our first beta test! So we will see what the results are! Happy reading :)</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-35431494625874741892012-07-16T21:36:00.000-07:002012-07-16T21:36:18.838-07:00Night Before Transfer<span style="font-size: large;">For the last couple days I have watched the clock like a hawk, counting down to our transfer. T-Minus 17 HOURS!!! Every 4 or so hours recalculating and getting more and more excited each time. As tomorrow quickly approaches and I find myself scrabbling to get things ready, I wonder what Roberto and Mauro are feeling right now....are they able to even sleep? Will I be able to sleep? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My schedule for tomorrow is going to be great. Hopefully one of those days that I will be able to look back on and truly say, "that was one of the best days of my life!" My girlfriend Danielle will be picking me up in the morning at 11am from my house in Tehachapi. Poor thing lives in Palmdale, 40 minutes away from me, in the opposite direction of the doctor's office. I can't drive tomorrow, which is why she is coming all the way out to my house to get me, then back tracking 40 minutes to get back on route to the doctor's office. So we plan on stopping to get lunch once we get to L.A. As soon as lunch is done we will head to the office for our transfer!!! Woot Woot!!! We will document as much as we can tomorrow and I will post my updates through out this week!!! I am so excited! And honestly, after talking with Danielle, I am not nervous any more. She told me to concentrate on myself, be calm and patient, while relaxing and focusing on the embryo getting inside and sticking!!! Let everyone else worry!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading and please send happy, sticky prayers, vibes and baby making dust our way! I will be thinking our you two, Roberto and Mauro, all night tonight and all day tomorrow! :) Lets make a baby boys!!!</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-8065432740219960402012-07-13T18:03:00.000-07:002012-07-13T18:03:07.258-07:00Count Down!<span style="font-size: large;">Holy Moly! So I celebrated my 24th birthday yesterday and totally forgot about it until the day before. I have only been thinking about surrogacy stuff, Roberto and Mauro, their egg donor, and basically anything and everything related to our journey. I am not one to look forward to birthdays because growing older kinda freaks me out, lol...yes, yes, I know, I am only 24... :) Still bugs me a little...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So all day yesterday I was thinking about the egg donor. I know NOTHING about her and all I can think about is her. What her journey has been like, how she is feeling and what made her want to donate her eggs. From my prospective I completely understand surrogacy and can't wait to 'bake' this amazing 'bun' for Roberto and Mauro, but I don't understand being an egg donor, probably because the procedure for egg harvesting FREAKS me out. I can handle birth, transfers and everything else that comes with the surrogacy, but not the egg donor stuff...lol. She is so brave and I can only imagine what her journey was like. As she sits at home recovering, the rest of us are preparing for the next REALLY big step :) For all I know, her and I have passed in the hall at Dr. Boostanfar's office or talked in the waiting room, so crazy to think about that! I am so great full that this amazing woman has donated her eggs for these two amazing men! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, count down has begun, transfer in T-minus 92 Hours!!! Everything is falling into place. My lucky charms are ready, my meds are set up, all of my entertainment needs are ready to go for my bed rest and my WONDERFUL surro sister is taking me to my transfer and bringing me home! She is one of my lucky charms too!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are so close :) </span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-460811983899197242012-07-11T16:44:00.001-07:002012-07-11T16:46:19.238-07:00My Meds Video!!!<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a video of my meds routine for Roberto and Mauro :) And everyone else! I am not very good at making videos but I hope you can look past that!!! LOL! :D </span><br />
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<embed flashvars="&p=11291b54b2285b264d2878c&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" height="382" name="FLVPlayer" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" salign="LT" scale="noscale" src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=11291b54b2285b264d2878c" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="408" wmode="transparent"></embed><br />
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<a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt5" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.onetruemedia.com</span></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-34409670575248559282012-07-10T12:46:00.000-07:002012-07-10T12:48:45.093-07:00New Calendar<span style="font-size: large;">What a great way to wake up and get the day started!!! We have our final cycle calendar!!! Our transfer will be on July 17th :D This is so exciting I don't even know what to say :D For the next week I will be continuing my regular meds of 2 Estrace Pills, 1 Baby Aspirin, 3 Pre Natal Vit, 1 DHA and 3 Folate Pills a day. Tomorrow I stop the Lupron shot and start taking Medrol once a day for 9 days and Doxycline twice a day for 5 days. One is an antibotic and one is an anti inflamatory. The day before the transfer I have to take 2 Aleve and the day of the transfer I take 2 Aleve before the transfer and 2 Aleve after the transfer. SO many meds!!! I will have to create my daily lists to keep them all straight! The day after I stop the Lupron shot I will start the progesterone gel. Later this evening I will put together all of the video clips I recorded of all of my meds! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is so crazy! Just a short time ago we were driving to Beverly Hills to meet Roberto and Mauro for the first time. Having so many questions run through my mind, what will they think of me, will they like me, will they pick me, how will we communicate, will we feel the same about certain pregnancy related things...and SO MANY MORE! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we are now just a short week away, I am so excited for the transfer and
nervous about everything sticking…but most of all I think I am even more nervous
and anxious about finding out the results. I want the first time to stick so
back that I think I am over analyzing it. Are these feelings normal? I am
even getting a little nauseas thinking about how Roberto and Mauro are feeling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have all of my
“lucky charms” waiting to go with me to my appointment, so I feel prepared from
that prospective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Got my lucky toe socks in the mail yesterday too! I have one pair for our transfer and delivery and one pair to keep my prego toes happy throughout our pregnancy! I can't decide which pair to wear on Tuesday....hmmmm....maybe I should let Roberto and Mauro pick....I like that idea! Ok guys, which one should I wear on Tuesday???!!!??? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So many crazy feelings going on right now :D More later, video too!!!</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b><br />
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-41662828828624967742012-07-09T13:14:00.001-07:002012-07-09T13:15:59.152-07:00Ultrasound and Blood Work!<span style="font-size: large;">Last Friday I went to my last ultrasound and blood work appointment until our transfer! All is PERFECT!!! My uterus and lining are perfect, both ovaries are shut down and all levels in my blood panel are perfect! I will continue to be on 2 Estrace pills a day along with the Prenatal Vitamin, Baby Aspirin, DHA, Lupron shot and Folate. As soon as Roberto and Mauro's egg donor goes in for the egg retrieval, later this week, I will stop the Lupron and start the Progesterone gel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Me at our appointment, getting ready for my ultrasound!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everything is moving so fast now and with each passing day I get more and more excited! </span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-51313563812944957102012-06-26T10:54:00.000-07:002012-06-26T10:54:36.015-07:001, 2, 3 Estrace!<span style="font-size: large;">So a little over a week ago I started the Estrace pills twice a day. In a previous blog I mentioned that I have been very blessed in the side effect department, but as I started taking the Estrace last week I felt HORRIBLE. Not only was I nauseous but I had really bad headaches the first 3 days, was really tired and generally felt like crap. I kept thinking that I was just going to pass out. I never got any morning sickness with my son, but the way I felt last week, felt like what I would imagine morning sickness is like. BLAH!!!! About mid week I figured out that it was just a stomach bug, THANK GOODNESS!!! No side effects from the Estrace :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I start taking the Estrace three times a day and that only lasts for a few days. I wish I knew what each med did and why I have to take them in this order and in these amounts, lol....maybe some research will be done! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Family Vacation!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While I was looking at my cycle calendar last week I realized that in a short 4 weeks we will be doing our transfer! And with all of the busyness of life, we wouldn't be able to take a family vacation for a little bit. Insert Seattle! Coming up to Seattle has calmed my nerves and given me some much needed time to relax, focus and mentally prepare for my upcoming month. Being able to take my son to this wonderful city is such a blessing. We are having so much fun! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Funny coincidence too, as we were all driving around Sunday afternoon in downtown Seattle, we got to see part of the PRIDE Parade!! The week we got here ended up being PRIDE week! SOOOO cool and unique :) What a blast! And to make it even better, the Saturday after we get home I will be joining my two best surro sisters (who have each helped a set of IF's) at the Antelope Valley's PRIDE Parade! It is going to be so much fun and I cant wait to show my support and have a blast with my girls!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading and I will post again soon!!!</span><br />
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<i> </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-27989602525062441192012-06-18T14:10:00.000-07:002012-06-18T14:10:04.904-07:00New Meds and the Dreaded Side Effects<span style="font-size: large;">Within the last couple weeks I have been on a new meds list that consisted of the following:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 Baby Aspirin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Prenatal Vitamin, 3 times a day</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Folate, 3 times a day</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 DHA</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 BCP</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Lupron Injection at the 10 mark </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The day after my last appointment I was taken off the BCP and I started an antibiotic. When I started the antibiotic I felt horrible. The Lurpon already made me sleepy during the day and kept me up at night, while the antibiotic upset my stomach and made me ever more tired. I learned very quickly that if I don't do the injection at just the right angle, IT HURTS!!! Now that I have fixed that issue, I am ok with the shot again. Thank goodness the antibiotic was only for 5 days!!! Now that we have made it to the 17th of June my meds changed again!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I started Estrodal and the Lupron injection is lowered to the 5 mark. All I can say about the Estrodal is, BOO!!! I was quizzy this morning and either the Estrodal or the combination of meds is making my boobies hurt! TMI, I know, but they HURT! It feels the same as when I was getting my milk supply in before I had my son. Sore and tender :( I know it won't last forever, I just have to keep pushing through!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My comments in my blogs are NEVER meant as complaints, a girl just has to vent sometimes and I want to be as detailed as possible! I love my journey so far and I know it is only going to get better! </span><br />
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<i> </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-77944968801915893862012-06-13T10:50:00.000-07:002012-06-13T11:03:19.323-07:00Ultrasounds and Blood Work!!!<span style="font-size: large;">The first thing I noticed on my cycle calendar was my appointments for blood work and an ultrasound. I don't know why I noticed that first...lol. So we have two ultrasounds and 2 blood panels before our transfer. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Monday:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was woken up to my little one very sick. He had a head cold since Saturday that just kept getting worse. As I was keeping my distance and my mom (so generously) was taking care of him for me, I felt so guilty. We wanted me to keep my distance so that I would risk getting sick. I don't want to compromise my immune system before our transfer. Later that say day I called Erik who sounded like he was dieing on the other end of the phone...oh no, he caught the cold :( Later that night after Erik went to bed, around 7:30, I was getting Landen ready for bed so my mom could go rest before taking him for the full day Tuesday. As I came down stairs he kept saying "mommy, baby is sick". Not two minutes later we had projectile vomit everywhere. Boo :( Needless to say, we spent the night on the couch with a bucket. The whole time I was taking care of him and worrying about him, I kept thinking that in just a year or so Roberto and Mauro will be doing the same thing. It brought tears to my eyes thinking about giving them this amazing opportunity to hold barf buckets and clean snot off of their baby's face....lol!!! At the time I found it to be very funny and it truly helped me make it through the night :) Luckily it was a bad food bug, not the flu!!!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ready for my appointment!!! Leaving my sick baby killed me. A mommy never wants to leave her sick baby with someone else :( But leaving him with my mom softened the blow. Dr. Boostanfar's office is in Encino about an hour and 45 minutes from my house. Somehow I made record time and got there 40 minutes early! I have no idea how that happened, but I'm not going to complain :) I have to say, I LOVE DR. BOOSTANFAR!!! He is so kind and gentle. You can tell he really loves his job. He truly puts me at ease and makes me feel so confident about our transfer. He did my ultrasound very quickly and told me that both ovaries had shut down and the lining in my uterus is thinning. That means the Lupron is working!!! Woot Woot!!! All of my blood work came back normal too. GREAT appointment! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was given an antibiotic because of a positive culture that was taken a few weeks before. Dr. Boostanfar assured me it was normal and everything was going to be okay. Most women have it but regular doctors and OB-GYN's don't test for it. So I have 6 days of an antibiotic along with the other meds and it will be gone!!! Still scary hearing you have a bacteria that needs to be treated. As Dr. Boostanfar finished up my appointment he interlocked his hands with mine and told me everything is going to be okay and we are going to make a baby. It calmed my nerves and really gave me confidence in him as our doctor. I am so great full that Roberto and Mauro choose Dr. Boostanfar as their/our fertility doctor. I don't know how they decided to use him and I will admit that I LOVE The Little Couple and was WAY excited when I found out he was our doctor. He is even perfect in real life, not just on TV. Good pick guys!! Your surrogate is one happy lady :) Liking your doctor is a big step in any baby making process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Me after our ultrasound! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So happy that everything is on schedule and we are SO close to our transfer!!! Next step of meds is right around the corner too!</span><br />
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<i> </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-11049071774403533382012-06-13T10:18:00.000-07:002012-06-13T10:18:48.980-07:00Side Effects :(<span style="font-size: large;">The first night I took the Lupron shot I barely slept. I was so worried about the possible side effects. Nausea, vomiting, headaches, tiredness, insomnia, difficulty breathing, swollen lips, swollen hands, rapid weight gain, OH MY!!! As I tossed and turned all night, I kept thinking I was going to have bad luck and end up with all of the side effects. How horrible would that be?!!? And the funny part is, I NEVER used to worry about side effects, I was/am one of the lucky ones that was blessed with being very adaptable to the meds I take and my environments in general. Why the panic???? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is now day 7 of the shot and all I have experienced was some tiredness and mild insomnia. But I am not 100% positive it is because of the Lupron. We will see right!!!! Maybe the panic came from the hormonal changes and the "shut down" of certain body functions. Hmmmm....</span><br />
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<i> </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-29260360911892519852012-06-13T10:11:00.000-07:002012-06-13T10:11:32.710-07:00Intorducing my IF's<span style="font-size: large;">After all of our contract stuff was complete I was contacted directly by my IF's! I was so excited to get that email!!! As I responded back to them I told them about my blog and that I would absolutely love for them to follow it and share it with friends and family so that they could all follow us on this amazing journey from my view point :) I was nervous that they wouldn't want me to be posting what I am doing, I don't know why I was nervous, I just want everything to be perfect. As I nervously waited for their next email, I was relieved to read that they are on board with the blog and are okay now with me "naming" them in my blogs. No more "IF's"!!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am so excited to introduce Roberto and Mauro, my wonderful IF's :) They are so sweet in their emails to me and I can't wait to make them a baby!!! We are going to have an amazing journey :) :) :) :)</span><br />
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<i> </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-40796843252664881132012-06-13T10:04:00.000-07:002012-06-13T10:04:33.573-07:00Lupron!!!<span style="font-size: large;">A week ago or so I posted that I was getting ready to start some different meds one of which is the Lupron shot. As I received everything in the mail that morning I proceeded to make my daily check lists so that I don't forget to take anything. From June 7th through June 13th I will be on the following:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Morning:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Prenatal Vitamin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Folate</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 DHA</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Active Birth Control</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Baby Aspirin</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Afternoon:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Prenatal Vitamin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Folate</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Evening:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Prenatal Vitamin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Folate</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1 Lupron Shot at the 10 Mark</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a schedule!!! Every morning I get so excited to start that day of meds....I think it makes me feel like I have total and complete purpose each day. Even if I wake up in a bad mood or my day just isn't going the way it should, I still have purpose and meaning! I know that sounds weird but I love getting up each day to take the meds so that we can hopefully make a baby!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">LUPRON!!!! So as I got everything ready for my first Lupron shot, I started getting nervous. I went upstairs by myself because I knew that I wouldn't be able to do anything with people watching me. As I prepared the for the injection I was shaking so bad. It probably took me 10 minutes to actually give myself the shot because I had to stop shaking before I could do anything. After the shot was complete I couldn't even get the bio box open to drop the needle in. After it was all done, it really wasn't the bad! I was able to complete everything and I was so proud of myself for truly facing a fear and giving myself a shot!!! All I kept repeating to myself was "You have to do this for your IF's. We are going to make a baby for them so they can have the wonderful experiences with their baby, that you have with Landen. You have to do this...you are going to be okay!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lupron....scary but TOTALLY worth it!!! </span><br />
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<i> </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7353309756995274107.post-75978080543503509772012-06-06T12:22:00.001-07:002012-06-06T12:22:18.207-07:00Perfect Timing with an Added Bonus!<span style="font-size: large;">So as I published my last post, I went to check my email and boy oh boy was that perfect timing! I got my CYCLE CALENDAR!!!! This is the calendar that tells me what meds to take and for how long. It also shows the proposed dates of my transfer!!! As I was reading through this email I was then notified of a new email....can you guess who it was from? Yeppers, my IF's!!! What an awesome day!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As everything came together so quickly I find myself a little overwhelmed. It's in a good way but honestly, I was just absorbing the excitement and nervousness (good again) of signing our contract. The first thing I noticed in our cycle calendar was that I start my meds TOMORROW!!! Holy Cow!!! I am so excited to get pregnant and continue our amazing journey even though everything was put on fast forward, at least in comparison to how things had been moving. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DWj1XclYAM/T8-n7HGKHbI/AAAAAAAAAP8/tgprMcPRAb4/s1600/calendar+pic2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DWj1XclYAM/T8-n7HGKHbI/AAAAAAAAAP8/tgprMcPRAb4/s640/calendar+pic2.png" width="556" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The above pictures are my cycle calendar! I know they are hard to read but they are really just for show, not for actually reading them and understanding them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't believe that I start my Lupron tomorrow :) I listed below what Lupron is:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b class="n">Lupron</b> acts by suppressing the pituitary gland (the
gland which is normally responsible for triggering ovulation). However,
before suppression occurs, Lupron will briefly stimulate the pituitary
causing an increase in the pituitary hormones LH (luteinizing hormone)
and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). This is called the agonist or
flare phase.. If the Lupron is continued, it will
eventually stop the pituitary from producing LH and FSH. This is known
as the suppression phase. <br /><br />
Since it requires an extended period time to reach the suppression
phase, Lupron is usually started a few weeks before starting the other
medications needed for a particular treatment. This allows the patient
to “get past” the stimulation phase and into the suppression or
desensitization phase. </i>
<i><br /><br />
During the suppression phase, spontaneous ovulation will </i>
<i><u>not</u>
occur. You may hear the staff refer to the patient during this phase as
being “down-regulated” or "suppressed". This suppression effect will
even persist for a few weeks after the <b class="n">Lupron</b> is stopped. <br /><br />
Today, Lupron suppression is used primarily for </i>
<i><a href="http://www.ivf1.com/frozen-embryo-transfer" title="Frozen_Embryo_Transfer">frozen embryo transfer</a> cycles and <a href="http://www.ivf1.com/oocyte-donation" title="Egg donation">egg donation cycles.</a> Some programs may still use Lupron for fresh IVF cycles.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As of now our potential transfer dates are July 17th, 18th or 19th! We will doing a fresh embryo transfer. The egg donor will go in for the egg retrieval 5 days before I go in for our transfer. Once the eggs are retrieved from her, Dr. Boostanfar will take one of our IF's sperm to fertilize one of the eggs to make our embryo. Some people transfer more then one embryo to increase the chances of a positive transfer but we have decided to only transfer one because we would prefer to only end up with one baby. The chance of a single embryo transfer splitting into identical twins is 2% and I hope we don't fall into the percentile!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our next step is receiving my meds and starting them tomorrow evening :) I will post our video and give you an update when we are done with the first injection!</span><br />
<i> </i><br />
<i> </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">~Rachelle</span></b><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1