Here Goes Nothin

It's about time I really start documenting this journey, as it has officially begun.

Oct. 4, CD8 - I had my initial consulation with the clinic. I brought my charts but the doc basically just said that if I know my cycle, I should tell him when a good time for me to come is, noting that I should plan for about two days in advance of my estimated ovulation day. I <3 working with someone who trusts that I know my body and doesn't try to put everyone into a textbook. The doc was fantastic, the clinic was incredibly accommodating and I would recommend them to anyone. They have never done a surrogacy before but everyone was enthusiastic and excited to be a part of it. I scheduled my next appointment for CD14.

Oct. 10, CD 14 - I came in for an ultrasound. My follicles were just the right length for a trigger, and the technician raved about my thick lining. Spoke to the doctor briefly and he was in disbelief that I had not gotten pregnant sooner despite not being on BC (back to that whole knowing your cycle thing ;) ). He wrote me a prescription and off I went to the parmacy to pick up my shot. I brought it back to the clinic, they did a quick prick in my behind and sent me on my way. Despite that my schedule was a little crazy due to work travel, the staff volunteered to stay after hours to meet with us. Again, super accommodating, super amazing. We scheduled our IUI for the next day at 6.

Oct. 11, CD 15 - IPs arrived about an hour early, and fortunately I got on the road sooner than expected as well. By the time I arrived a smidge after 5, the sperm was already being washed. IM came back to the room with me for the IUI. I think she was a little hesitatant but like I told her, she's going to see me give birth sometime next year -- I hardly think there is anything that's going to happen pre-pregnancy that is more personal than that. We were both glad she could feel a part of the process.

The IUI itself was less scary that I had prepped myself for. It was quick and easy, and the only thing that was uncomfortable was when they unexpectedly shoved the plastic covered sponge in there to hold everything in place. After we were done, I layed on the table for 15 minutes with my pelvis in the air and that was it.

Oct. 14, CD 18 - I had a temp drop on CD 16 followed by a spike on CD 17. Temp stayed high again today. I need tomorrow's temp to confirm, but assuming it stays high, I think we can safely say we were spot on with our timing. I O'd the day after we did our insems. Now I'm all flustered pondering how I will tell J&K if we get a BFP! They are close, but not close enough that we can be together to test unless we wait for a weekend. Despite being able to test as early as Oct. 24 (a Monday), maybe we'll wait til the weekend. In the mean time, I'm just trying to stay occupied and not overanalyze every little twinge and pain.

Here's hoping!

The Leaves Are Changing

And my journey is moving forward. It took me a little bit to be really sure this is still what I wanted. For a while I was feeling like I didn't really "need" surrogacy in the way that I initially thought I did. I also was feeling discouraged from the results of my last two journeys, and wasn't certain I was up for the challenge anymore. Eventually I concluded that it was true my selfish desire for a natural birth has faded substantially, but my other reasons for wanting to carry for another couple have grown. I feel like maybe things in the past have played out the way they did because I wasn't truly ready. I feel more ready now than ever.

We got our contract finalized over the weekend, and we'll be signing any day now. I have an appointment with our clinic tomorrow, and if everything goes well, we should reasonably expect to be starting insems next week! Can't believe its here already! I know for K&J it has seemed like eternity, but time really has gone quickly for me.

I have about 2 dozen questions for the clinic since I haven't done IUIs before, and I'll report back later this week with the results of my appointment. Unti then, I'm keeping my mind occupied so I don't get too worked up about everything that's coming.

Wish us luck!

The Deed Is Done

We did insems 3 days in a row, with the last being the day after my O date. I ended up with two days of positive OPKs, which was unusual. Not sure if that means anything.

Not much more to update than that. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with V&S because I was working a lot. I actually had a work trip pop up during my predicited fertile time so they flew into the QC and the next day we headed to Des Moines separately. We did get to have dinner a couple nights and it was nice to catch up. We hadn't really been talking so much since their last visit -- not because I didn't want to of course, we've just all been very busy with work I think.

I got my BFP with Nora at 10DPO, so I think I'll start testing around that time this go around too -- not likely I'll get a positive any earlier and I don't want to make myself crazy with negatives -- so 8 days til testing! Stay tuned.