Betsy, I didn't get your email, but noticed your post. Thank you for inviting me to join over here! I didn't know where to post since I am not ttc but am going through fertility treatments for another couple.

Lisa (((hugs))) if any of you ever needed a surrogate, I would do it in a heartbeat.

So a little about me for those of you who don't know me. I am happily married to my dh Kevin, we have 3 beautiful children that God has blessed us with. I am a L&D nurse part-time, which I love. After watching my sister struggle with infertility, my friends here on conception-tips struggle, and my patients lose their babies that they had tried so hard to have, my husband and I have decided to help another couple have a baby.

I met my IP's (intended parents) on a surrogacy board that I was browsing for information regarding gestational surrogacy. They are a wonderful couple. They have a 4 year old son and have been trying to give him a sibling. Through that they have done medication, IUI, and IVF 5 times. They have been pregnant 5 times and lost 8 babies including 3 sets of twins, one at a time. Her RE finally said her best chance of having a baby is surrogacy. We have spoken on the phone a few times and emailed almost daily. They are flying in to meet my family this Saturday. Last night I talked to the nurse at the RE's office and got my schedule. I have a phone consult next week with the RE.

Here is my schedule...

August 18th ob/gyn appointment for pre-cycle blood work
August 21st start bcp when AF arrives
Day 5-10 of my cycle have saline ultrasound
September 13th start Lupron
~October 18th transfer in California

Anyone live near Laguna California? Maybe we can meet up while I am out there for a week in October

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Kristy- I'm so glad you posted over here. I am fascinated to learn how this process works. I bet you are excited to meet the IP's. So, this will be the IP's egg and sperm and your womb, right?

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Claire, thank you. Yes, it will be their embryo. I am just growing him/her and then giving him/her back to his/her parents.

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Kristy, I can't believe how fast they have worked out the schedule. Did they freeze embryos before with IVF or will the mom have to go through another retrieval? How many will you transfer? So exciting.. and such a selfless thing to do.

Really quick, cause I’m at work =) hehehe

Kristy – I sent it via myspace – that I can have open at work, since we are working on advertising on there.

As I mentioned in my e-mail to you, (that you will read shortly)

I think this is an important facet of our world – and I think it’s important for all of us (and I use the world ALL collectively which includes this whole board) to learn from your experience and this new perspective of a resolution to Infertility and to support you and the couple as only we know how. =)

Thank you for including us on your journey. Can you start a new thread,(didn’t check if you did already) cause I’m sure there will be a ton of questions and it would be cool, to have it in one place so someone new can find it easier.

Kinda like back in the day when IUI/IVF was new to the board and currently Lauren’s DE thread.

Okay bye =)

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I see there is a new thread yay!

Kristy-I posted in the other thread that I am so excited for you! I am also excited for all of us who can learn through your experience. I am really curious to learn about the emotional aspects of surrogacy, since that would be my major concern if I was to ever consider it.

BTW, I used to live close to Laguna, Cali (my parents and family are still out there) and you will have a great time visiting.

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Kristy I look forward to following your journey through this and letting DH read and hear about it, this may be the last option that we have since he does not like the idea of adopting. Again I admire you for doing this for them. You are an angel on earth for sure.

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Kristy, I am so thrilled that you are going to keep track of this journey.

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Kristy~ I am in AWE of you. You are amazing. What a gift to give another couple. I cannot WAIT to follow your journey!

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Rac, thank you for my own thread

Betsy, again, thank you!

Bina, I do wonder what the emotional aspects of this will bring, but I think in the end, blessing a mother and father with their baby will be totally worth it. I was also concerned about my children. I didn't want them to think I would give them away if they didn't behave or something. I have asked Sydney and Alex how they would feel if I could help my friend have a baby. I explained that her tummy was broken and she couldn't have a baby so her doctor is going to put her baby in my tummy to grow and then when it is born we will give the baby back to its mommy and daddy. They both are okay with it.

Christie, my IM (intended mother) will be doing a fresh cycle. However, we are possibly doing a dual transfer. Since this is a fresh cycle, her body will be primed for transfer as well. In her past 5 IVF attempts, she has produced 3 perfect embryos. I will get two and she will get the other to increase her chances of having a baby. She realizes she could end up with 3+ babies and she is fine with that, she just wants a baby. She has had every test known for infertility including a MRI on her uterus and it never showed anything besides PCOS which shouldn't cause repeat m/c. During her last D&C her ob/gyn used a camera to look into her uterus and possibly thought he saw a uterine band or septum. She is having surgery later this month by her RE to see if she does and have it repaired if found. This could possibly correct her infertility and allow her to carry a baby. The possibility is so slim that her RE still recommends a surrogate. At first I was a little hesitant at a dual transfer but after talking more to her, and hearing how heartbroken she is from losing 8 babies, I understand her reason for trying every option. I would have to do the same thing. What could it hurt, nothing, she just might end up with a houseful of babies

Lisa, thank you. I am glad my journey may inspire someone else to use surrogacy to have their baby.

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Kristy - Oh wow you just answered a few of my questions. I was wondering about your kids and how many you were going to let them transfer. Ok I came up with another. Will they find out the sex of the baby? I am so excited for the parents and you. Giving gifts is always so much fun, this is the gift not many get to give. What a blessing.

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Kristy - wow, this is just amazing, fascinating, awesome.

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Jenna, Kelly and anyone else I might have forgotten thank you all. It is great to have such close friends to share this with.

Laura, ask all the questions you want, I don't mind at all. Yes they plan on finding out the sex. I will also need an amnio due to her age and her RE's advice.

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kristy-wow, it truly sounds like you have thought of and covered all parts of this decision. You are truly doing something incredible. I only wish you well in this journey. Please keep us updated.

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All I can say is WOW! May God bless you and the IPs!!

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Dana

Thanks Vicki and Dana. I am very excited to be able to do this. It breaks my heart to watch people struggle with infertility, and while I can't save the world, I am glad to help one couple grow their family. Who knows, I do it again

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Kristy - Another personal question. How old are you? Feel free to not answer. Have you had a amnio before? Freaks me out just thinking about it.

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