Retired From Surrogacy

Good evening all!

I am writing this a year and a half after completing my last surrogacy journey. I am sorry I haven't updated you sooner, but hopefully, I can catch you up... Let's see where I left off... Oh yes, we were waiting for my PAP results. Well, They returned with some abnormal results, which were not concerning. We just needed to keep an eye on it. (I will come back to this later).

After the results were in, we were forwarded to Contracts and more waiting. It happened so quickly from what I can remember. They were fairly basic and straightforward. I am sure at the time it felt like time was dragging. We started planning for transfer, I remember it was scheduled for 5-7 days after we completed the legal. This seems quick, but I have seen it planned with much less notice for other surrogates.

I was finally getting things ready, for childcare, my kids were going to be able to spend time with family while I went on transfer. For travel accommodations, it was difficult to find a hotel for me. I believe there was a big event happening so many places were booked but we found a hotel close to the clinic. (Which is what I wanted.) Flying there was another story, I had weird connections with some layovers, that turned 3.5 hours with no connections, to a 12-hour travel day with connections and layovers... Which I know is very normal for travelling, I was spoiled on my first journey and had no connections to Toronto.

Finally! I am in Toronto. Settling into my hotel room. I ordered dinner for delivery. Enjoyed time to myself, while I enjoyed a little TV and my dinner. I went to bed early. Waking up Early the next day, my excitement was 10/10. I went to the store to grab snacks for my assumed LONG wait. I still had a few hours before I needed to leave for my appointment. My excitement was bursting. Keeping the dads posted all this time, they were anxiously awaiting to get home to get my video call for when the transfer started. Surprisingly my Doctor was on time and I didn't have to wait much at all. I was in and out very quickly. Now I was "Pregnant until proven otherwise."

The waiting game continues. Taking my Medications, Supplements and vitamins daily. Enjoying the last bit of summer with my kids. A few weeks later, I noticed I felt different. I couldn't put my finger on it. I bought some cheap Amazon Pregnancy strip tests. As I waited for them to arrive. I was bracing for a fail. First Transfer Positives Pregnancy Tests are not as common, especially for a second journey. They arrived so quickly (Thanks Amazon!) I couldn't wait I had to take a test right away. But it was evening time when they arrived, I didn't want to chance a false positive. I waited until the next morning. I couldn't sleep, I was tossing and turning all night so excited to wake up and pee on all the tests. (TMI I know... but if you have done IVF, even as a surrogate, you will know this feeling very well). Finally, it was morning. It was time. I read the box 10 times, even though this wasn't my first rodeo. (taking a test as a mom or surrogate.) I got my disposable cup ready and did my thing. I opened the test hands shaking. Knowing at this moment the dads don't know I was taking this test. (sorry guys!) I dipped the test, counting 1...2...3...4...5 I took it out careful not to drip it all over my bathroom counter and place the test down on the wrapper. I started the timer for 5 minutes (yeah for some reason I think it was longer the most tests *shrugs*) and I waited...

Well, this is getting long, I promise to make the next part asap! Stay Tuned!