NEW BEGINNINGS

So basically we had to start from the beginning again. The previous surrogate’s results weren’t good.

So back to step 1!!!

Fortunately a very nice new surrogate came along and all I can say is so far so good. We are at the last phase of the evaluation cycle and everything was looking really good.

However, a misunderstanding between the surrogate and the clinic has been the cause of having to start the evaluation cycle again  L

All I can say is that it was a simple misunderstanding and all that this means is a slight delay.

If it goes well, then we can start legal. Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks.

Amanda.

WHO KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO BE SUCH A BUMPY ROAD!

I am still waiting. I think my lesson this year is going to be ‘Be Patient’.

I do have another surrogate but she is still in the middle of her screen. The first phase when fine (ultrasound etc…) but one of her blood results wasn’t good and now we are having to repeat the blood tests.

I am feeling anxious as basically if the blood results come back negative again, the doctor advised that it was up to me if I wanted to continue or not.

The issue is the IgM value which is positive and should be negative. This means that she is currently exposed to the CMV virus which could cause problems during the pregnancy.

So before we move to the evaluation cycle, I need to make a decision when I get the blood results. Hopefully soon.

Amanda

STILL WAITING

I thought I’d better write a short post.  Still waiting for the right surrogate to come along.

From my short experience so far, all I can say is that you need to be patient. There are a series of steps that you have to go through and basically can’t go to the next step until the previous step is successfully completed.

So here I am at the initial ‘selection phase’: agency selected, clinic selected, agency retainer revised and approved and no in the middle of the process of selected my surrogate. Any doners that are required would also be selected here.

No rushing into things if you want this to be a success.

Amanda

OH NO! I WASN’T EXPECTING THIS!

Terrible news, my surrogate didn’t pass her screening. I can’t believe it.  I can see that you can’t get emotionally attached to anyone until her screening is over and all papers are signed. I hope it doesn’t take to long to find another candidate.

She was very nice, but unfortunately my ivf doctor recommended that I look for another candidate.

Really upset!

Amanda

A FEW DAYS WAIT

The clinic and the team have to screen the surrogate and / or doner. They have to make sure there is no medical reason which can reduce the success rate of the whole cycle.

As I already mentioned, the want- to- be surrogates are all very keen to be a surrogate, but not all can be candidates.

The egg doner (if required) is just as important as egg quality will be one of the key points to the success of the pregnancy.

In the meantime, I will review the agency retainer agreement.

Amanda 

MY FIRST CONVERSATION WITH THE SURROGATE

When I spoke to my surrogate on the phone, I must say I got a really good impression.

If both the surrogate and the intended parents like each other’s profile, the first conversation between the two parties is organized via the agency. You can meet the surrogate in person if you wish but since I am an international client, we had our first conversation on the phone.

I gave her my reasons for having taken this decision and to be honest, she was very understanding. I asked her why she had decided to be a surrogate. It must be a bit weird have a new life growing inside of you and knowing that once you give birth 9 months later that baby isn’t yours. I honestly think  it’s very brave.

Amanda

THE FIRST STEP

The agency’s main mission is to find the best surrogate for you.

The waiting period in my case has been around 2 months. First of all you receive her profile information via email and you also have to fill in a questionnaire for her to review as well.

The questions are subjective, there is no right or wrong answer, it’s just a reflection of your opinion and thoughts on the whole project.

If both parties agree, the next step is a call with the surrogate, intended parents and the agency. You can also ask for a personal meeting with the surrogate but of course this is more difficult with international clients.

It is a mutual agreement between both parties, that is, the intended parents choose the surrogate, but she will also have to choose the intended parents.

The agency plays a key role in the success of the project.

Amanda