Stories

I have researched everything since I started the surrogacy process. That includes birth stories. I am not sure if I have only read the horror stories or that is all I remembered. Well I talked to a twin mother the other day about her experience and let me tell you she gave me so much hope on how my pregnancy can be. She went to 39.5 weeks and had a vaginal delivery for her babies with the same doctor that I am with now. I do know that no story is the same and there are no guarantees that mine will be anything like hers but it gives me hope that I might be just fine. I am still scared about bed rest, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm labor but I have hope that I will have a totally normal pregnancy now that I have heard a story that it can happen. The advice I was given was to keep hydrated and put my feet up whenever possible. I think I will do my best to try to make sure I have the best twin experience that I can.

16 weeks

So I am almost 16 weeks went for my routine visit today and everything looked great! The babies are doing well and have strong heartbeats. I am feeling better but the nausea is still a problem and my appetite isn't that great. When I went to the ER for the vomiting they weighed me and by my next doctors visit I was down 5 pounds and have only gained back one. For me that is normal and it is good with me being overweight to not gain too much too quick. I know I will gain it back and then some. I am definitely not one to ever stress about my weight I will gain what I gain and will still be me. As long as the babies are healthy and growing that is all that really matters to me. I am looking forward to the next visit because they will do the 20 week ultrasound and we will hopefully find out the sex of both babies! The parents want to know and I am so happy they do it would have been hard not to know for me even though I did not find out with my last child and lived through it. We will also be able to see the development internally and externally so it should give us a good idea of if they are behind or right on track but it can also help determine any abnormalities or problems there might be. All in all the ultrasound should be very informative and put our minds at ease.

Testing

I am so glad all my testing was normal and the parents decided to forgo the amnio for now since there is no indication of any abnormalities. They of course reserve the right to choose to do it later on down the line if something comes up that shows that there could be something wrong. I have been volunteering at the school and it is fun to talk to all the teachers and they are all interested in the process and pregnancy. I love talking about it because it is an amazing journey and I like to share it with everyone. I am grateful to be able to do this for someone. I don't know what I would do without my kids and I am just glad I get to give that gift to someone else x2.

Testing

So I went and had an ultrasound last week for some genetic abnormality testing and it went great. I got to see the babies and see that they are very active. Baby A did not cooperate with the ultrasound tech at all. Every time she got a good position to take her measurements the baby would move all over so she couldn't get it. She ended up getting all she needed but she mentioned in twins there is always one difficult one when they are inside. So today I recieved a call with the results for that ultrasound. She said everything looks normal in both babies their risks for abnormalities are low. She mentioned an amniocentesis that it is 100% accurate in detecting issues but is very high risk. There is a 1 in 200 chance that if I had one it would end in miscarriage. I am not sure I like those odds but this decision is totally up to the parents and I respect their decision either way. I was told that most people don't have it done unless the results are abnormal. I guess for that I will have to wait and see what they decide. All is going well right now I am feeling better and growing more and more every day! It is all overwhelming and very excited. I am so happy to be on this journey and appreciate each and every one of you even if it is just your concern or kind words you just don't know how much it all means to me!

Another Thing

So Saturday when I was getting ready for bed I found a bulge in my private parts. I, of course, freaked out and went to the emergency room. Apparently they weren't as freaked out as I was because I sat there 3 hours waiting to be seen. When they did the exam there was nothing physically there so she chalked it up to swollen vaginal tissue but the doctor thought it could have possibly been a cyst. So Monday I called the OB office and she recommended that I just keep an eye on it. Well Monday night it happened again 3 times and once this afternoon.  So I called the doctors again and she told me to come in to see the doctor. He told me that it is my uterus and it would correct itself with time. So not a huge deal! I am glad none of my issues have been to bad and have been easily corrected.

So I went to the OB and she did indeed take the catheter out so back to normal life for me! I am happy about that but now the nausea has crept back in so I am back to taking the medicine. When I went to refill it, because I only have one left, they said insurance says it is too soon I have to wait till Monday. I don't quite understand that since I haven't taken any more than prescribed. Just another thing on the list I just hope I don't start the vomiting where I can't stop. I am feeling pretty good and I am 12 weeks so next week I am officially out of the first trimester! Everything with the babies looks good and is progressing nicely. I am so excited.

Bump

I have had yet another bump in the road with this process. Yesterday I couldn't pee at all so I had to go to the ER and get a catheter inserted. Well they immediately drain 800ml out. Then determined I have a bladder infection and urinary retention. Sent me home with a catheter still in and we will see what the OB wants to do on Tuesday and whether she wants to remove it or not. Soon this will all be a distant memory.