Finally, the Perfect Surrogate
By: Carolyn Dooley Apr 29, 2015
For various reasons, the first two matches that were sent to us did not work out, but then I received a call from the agency informing me that a lovely, experienced surrogate in Kentucky was available. My heart sank a little because we were hoping to find a surrogate who lived closer to home, as we wanted to attend big appointments and, of course, the birth.
Kentucky seemed so far. We decided to go forward with a conference call to speak with the couple despite the distance. They were lovely and Kentucky didn’t seem so far after all, if it meant getting our baby sooner than later.
A few months later we were set to do the embryo transfer. Kristie, our gestational carrier, flew in, leaving her husband home to watch their children. We had decided we would implant two embryos. After a scare thawing out the embryos, the doctor reassured us and we left the Jersey Shore bed and breakfast we had been staying at for the clinic.
As the doctor performed the transfer, Kristie and I held hands. I can remember staring at the doctor’s eyes as he sat across from me concentrating on his task, willing him to do everything perfectly. Now it was time to wait and pray that the embryos would implant into Kristie’s uterus. Five days after the transfer we got a call from Kristie; an at-home pregnancy test was already faintly confirming a pregnancy.
After that, blood tests were showing high hCG levels—very high. Could there be twins? A few weeks after the transfer, we drove 12 hours to Kentucky for the first ultrasound. The technician right away pointed out our baby, explaining everything she was seeing and confirming that everything looked great. Then she announced that there were actually two babies in there.
This article was originally published online at: http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a10726/why-i-chose-a-surrogate/
RSMC is a full service fertility center and can arrange surrogacy services along with all medical reproductive services.
