It has taken me awhile to decide what I wanted to say about my transfer experience, and I think that is because the experience was so quick and easy, but also emotional and long anticipated.
In the days and hours leading up to the transfer, I felt full of nervousness and excitement. I was always a little worried that something would go wrong and the whole thing would be called off. My husband could testify that I was a little bit grumpy as a result.
Luckily nothing catastrophic happened, and we dropped the kids off with a sitter and sat in the waiting room of the clinic texting the dads, who were even more excited than we were. Everything went by in a whirlwind. I changed into a stylish blue surgical cap and took medication to relax my uterus, which also made me relaxed and loopy. We got to see the dads again on Skype and learned that there were 2 perfect embryos waiting for me. The procedure requires a full bladder- which means that I had to pee really bad the whole time (by far the worst part).
I got wheeled back for the actual transfer, which my husband said took literally 5 minutes. A nurse, doctor, and embryologist were all there as the embryos were placed in my uterus through a thin catheter. I felt a little awkwardly exposed but everyone was nice and professional and I was amazed at how smoothly it all went.
After that I had strict bed rest for an hour at the clinic, and then for the rest of the day and the next day, I stayed on bed rest in a nearby hotel. Initially I really wanted to go home for bed rest, but I’m glad I stayed in the hotel (for the delicious room service if nothing else!).
Right away, I had a sense that things were happening. I started feeling some cramps. A few days later I was crying in the kitchen over a mess. Then I got a squinty line on a pregnancy test… then a darker line… and then positive blood tests! There is nothing better than sharing such long-awaited happy news with two proud and happy dads.
Surrogacy is a long and exciting journey, and Nicole has invited us to join her for hers from start to finish. Follow along as Nicole shares important milestones and her thoughts along the way.