We left off last time finding out that I was indeed carrying a wee human being for my IPs. We went to a cautiously happy place finding out that the wee one was indeed able to stick around. Then we started the testing. While there was screening done prior to transfer we all know life is full of possibilities. So we went on the trek over the past three months of checking all the parts, bells, and whistles. Information is surely knowledge here, and my IPs wanted to know if their beloved babe would be facing any hardships that they should know about ahead of time. So we all waited for the proper weeks to arrive for the proper blood test to be drawn, we visited maternal-fetal medicine for a scan at 13 weeks, and we waited again for the proper week for the next blood draw. All of the screening done on this kiddo showed us what my gut already knew. Then we went on to the "big one." The scan that most everyone looks forward to, but sometimes that scan doesn't just lead to a gender reveal. It can expose life changing, or even life ending conditions. My IF was able to join me for this scan (more on that later!)
After all of the testing, and scanning, and consulting we sat down with the doc in the maternal-fetal medicine office. This baby is beautiful. This baby is healthy. This baby is a little stubborn. This baby has scheduled naps that one should not interrupt with an ultrasound. This baby has two very happy parents and one proud surrogate. Plus, the maternal-fetal medicine doc put the cherry on top with the statement, "We have great views of this little one since there's not a lot of you to look through." At a time when I'm feeling so much larger than my normal self (those meds in the beginning are no joke!) that statement really made me feel pretty darn good.
Being we have such great views, all sorts of blood tests, and plenty of movement now I think we have all exhaled a bit. To be clear, my exhale is more of a thankful one for my IM who understandably is going to hold her breath until she holds her sweet baby in her arms. It's so easy to take a healthy and easy pregnancy for granted, but for others like my IM they live through their darkest days just hoping to make it to that sweet baby smell. It has been a reminder to me to be thankful. To look at my children who were born healthy and be thankful, to know my children aren't missing siblings they never had a chance to meet and be thankful for that, thankful to never have felt the incredible pain of losing a child I so desperately wanted, and so incredibly thankful that my IPs have chosen me to trust to grow their sweet baby.
Before we had the anatomy scan my IF and I were taken on a tour of the hospital. I have given birth at this hospital before, but it has been 5ish years so there have been some changes! We ran into one moment that made me give a nurse "the look," and that is when they told me I would have to sign the birth certificate since I would be considered the legal mother until the DNA test came back. First, I laughed...I told them we have no doubt that this baby is not mine. Second, I let them know that I give birth to blondes, and this baby will surely be brunette ( I know, I know this isn't sound science, but it's what was making me laugh at the moment.) My third thought I kept to myself since it was my Taurus personality reeving up for a delivery room stand, and letting them know I would be refusing to sign the birth certificate. Now I wasn't preparing my battle for fear of being "stuck" with this little one. My first thought was thinking of another woman signing my child's birth certificate, and to say it kindly there is no way in Hades I would willingly go along with that plan out of respect for my IM. Of course one email to the agency, and particularly my case manager Mary, and this was all cleared up. The proper parents will be able to be on original birth certificate. After the tour we sat and had a quick coffee and snack break, and had a chance to just sit and chat. I still can't get over how incredible my IPs are. We get along and chat like we've known each other forever. They are so thoughtful and genuinely care about not just me as their surrogate, but as just me and for my kids.
Now we wait some more...I do believe there will be more belly changes to document. In fact...I have some clothes on the way from two clothing mail delivery services that will be super cute for belly pictures in the future. Can't wait to share!!
