Was the journey flawless from start to finish? Of course not.Though we were working with one of the best fertility centers in the nation, our first embryo transfer ultimately resulted in an ectopic pregnancy.The doctors and their staff saw us through it and supported me and the intended parents as we dealt with the heartache.
Thankfully, our second embryo transfer was successful.I recall the smiles on the parents' faces the day we transferred the embryos, but also knew that the uncertainty made them feel vulnerable.The couple and I had an opportunity to see the embryos in the incubator just before the transfer - they were perfect and beautiful.The reproductive endocrinologist hugged the intended mother after transferring the embryos, and a tear fell from the intended mother's eye.Seeing that, tears began to fall from mine as well.It was a moment filled with an indescribable feeling - and all of us forming a team working toward the same goal.I was optimistic about this transfer's success and refused to think otherwise.I wanted to be an unwavering, constant source of support and encouragement to the couple I was helping.I still remember the day I found out I was pregnant and that the intended parents were expecting and the intense happiness that overcame me.It didn't matter one bit that the little one growing inside of me wasn't genetically mine; my happiness that day was for the couple whose family would soon be growing by one.
Those next nine months as a surrogate mother went by in a blink of an eye and were filled with doctor appointments, ultrasounds and eventually kicks, nudges and flips.Due to distance and their location, the intended parents were only able to be at a handful of my many ultrasounds and appointments.The 20 week ultrasound was their first opportunity to see their little one in action.They sat quietly, intensely studying the screen as the technician moved the transducer over my belly.I am sure that day contained a lot of excitement for them, but I also sensed trepidation.During the next 19 weeks, contact with the parents increased even more.I made sure to send ultrasound pictures as they occurred and even managed to send a few videos of the baby's kicks - they especially liked those!
I was blessed with an easy and uneventful pregnancy and the delivery went exactly as we had hoped.The mother and I had numerous conversations those last few months planning the labor and delivery process and were fortunate that we were able to make those conversations become reality.With outstanding support from her during my labor, I was able to give her the unmedicated birth she wanted for her child.By doing that for her, I also came to realize how much it gave back to me.I had never felt such empowerment as did that morning, and December 30th, *** is a day I never forget.It ranks right up there with the birth of my own two children.Words can't describe how I felt when I saw the intended parents catch the first glimpse of their newborn son - nor can they describe the completeness I am sure they felt that day.I am incredibly honored to have been able to help them achieve their dream of bringing a child into this world with gestational surrogacy, and am filled with such happiness every time I get an update or see a new picture of him.There truly is no greater gift a woman can give.
