First Trimester Screening & Ultrasound

Well, I was supposed to see my OB on August 9th, but that OB was put on leave and my appointment had to be rescheduled. I was able to go to my other appointment on August 10th though for what I thought would be a CVS test. The appointment was at a fetal monitoring clinic that sees patients who may be a higher risk during their pregnancy and because of the intended mother's age and the fact that this is her egg, the fetus could be a higher risk of some genetic disorders. The doctor's office I visited provided us with an in-depth ultrasound and a meeting with the intended parents (IPs) and a genetic counselor to determine what screening tests and/or diagnostic tests the couple would be deciding to proceed with. Prior to this, we had agreed on the CVS test, however, after speaking with the genetic counselor the couple decided that the risk of miscarriage from the CVS test was too high and that they would feel more comfortable starting with the regular blood draw screening test first. 

I had blood taken for the state screening test, which will compare the blood results with the ultrasound and a second set of blood test results from the 2nd trimester. If any of the results appear abnormal, then the IPs will decide if they want to proceed with an invasive diagnostic test, like the CVS. But at that point it would have to be an amniocentesis. The CVS test can only be done up to 13 weeks, 6 days and I am already 13 weeks, 3 days at this point. An amniocentesis can be done between 16-22 weeks. 

The genetic counselor also suggested a new test that just came out this year, called the Mother 21. This test, unlike the state screening test that only detects 70-80% of babies with down syndrome (and a couple other rare genetic disorders), the Mother 21 is 99% accurate in detecting those disorders. And it's just one blood test. So my IPs also wanted this test, but the nurse said the lab wouldn't accept the lab slip without my insurance card attached, despite the fact that my IPs wanted to pay cash for the test. We opted to not have the test run that day, and not give up my insurance card, so not to raise any red flags to my insurance company - especially since I have not seen my OB yet. I have checked with CSP (Center for Surrogate Parenting, the agency I used for this surrogacy) and am waiting to hear back, but they said I was right to not offer the insurance card. Hopefully the agency can work something out with the lab that runs the Mother 21 test, and it can be processed as a cash payment and not through my insurance. This new test can be done up to 20 weeks, so there is not as big of a rush to get this figured out yet. 

Also at the appointment last week, the intended mother (IM) had blood drawn to see if she was a carrier of the following disorders: Cystic Fibrosis, Fragile X, and tay-sachs. If she is a carrier of any of those, then they will take blood from IF to see if he is also a carrier, if so, then they will test baby (via amniocentesis) - if IM is not a carrier, or she is, but IF isn't, then it is fine and no further testing is necessary. Those results will be ready in about a week or so.  

We also had a 3D/4D ultrasound as well. It went GREAT! Baby looks terrific, measuring a day ahead for size! Weighing a whopping 2 ounces and is 2 and 1/2 inches in length. :)  The fluid behind the baby's neck was also checked, because if there is too much fluid that can be a red flag of down syndrome. But the fluid looked great, just as it was supposed to. Yay! Also, the doctor surprised us all by asking the IPs if they wanted to know the gender....

IT'S A BOY!

Here are some of the ultrasound photos. I didn't get any of THE "boy" shot, but I definitely saw it! Haha! These first two are the 3D images...

And then the regular 2D views...

The intended father (IF) was ecstatic! I had no idea he was secretly hoping for a boy. The doctor said at this point, it was fairly likely that the baby was indeed a boy. I guess if they are wrong in identifying the gender at 12 weeks, it's usually the other way around - told a girl, but really a boy. So it was really nice to see the parents so happy with the news. 

After the appointment, all three of us went out to dinner to celebrate the great news. I am so thrilled for them. I know we still have the blood tests results to wait for, but I am hopeful that everything will be OK and that in about 6 months I will be able to give my couple a very healthy, happy, baby boy!!! 

Up next: finally get to see a new OB from my regular medical office near me on September 4th and will have the second blood draw for the state screening test then. And just waiting on word for that Mother 21 blood test, I would need to go back to the fetal monitoring clinic to have that one done.

~The Baby Fairy

Progesterone Blood Test

Well, I had my blood work done on July 25th, and the results weren't great. My progesterone level was on the low side of "normal", so the doctor wanted me to stay on the progesterone injections for another week and get my blood checked again after that. 

I was bummed, but pushed through and did another week of injections. I had my blood rechecked on August 1st. And HOORAY! The results were better this time around. And the best news is I was able to stop all medications! No more needles for me.

I have officially graduated from the fertility clinic's office and am all cleared to be seen by my OB. The only supplements I still need to take are these prenatal vitamins. 

 

Two pills/day, a prescription prenatal vitamin and an omega 3 supplement, both of which I can definitely handle a lot better than daily injections. :)

Another step closer in this amazing journey. I am beyond happy for the couple, and I hope the good news continues with our next appointments. 

Up next... I see my OB on August 9th and the very next day I have the CVS test on August 10th at the high-risk pregnancy clinic! Fingers crossed for good results!!!!

~The Baby Fairy 

Ultrasound #2

We got another sneak peek at baby on July 11th! At this ultrasound appointment I was 8 weeks & 3 days pregnant. Baby is measuring right on track (1.67cm), and has a good strong heart beat (170 beats/min).  Both intended mother and intended father got to be there, and it was so emotional for them. Their journey with conceiving has been a very long roller coaster for them, I feel so blessed to be able to help them achieve their dreams of becoming parents!

 

I have been feeling really good for the most part, despite lots of trips to the bathroom! I did have one little episode of morning sickness though, but it was for lack of not eating soon enough. Babies can be picky, and you need to eat when they tell you or else you pay! So I have been trying to eat small meals, VERY often, throughout the day to keep my tummy happy. So far it has been working. I am still taking the daily progesterone injections, the doctor said I would need to take them until 10.5 weeks or so. They are definitely not my favorite part of the day, but it's a necessary evil. We don't want this baby going anywhere! 

At this last appointment the doctor also informed the parents of the prenatal screening tests and what options are out there for them. Because of the intended mother's age, the couple opted to go for a prenantal Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) test as her age does put the baby at an increased risk for a genetic disorder. The CVS test is a prenatal test that detects chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, as well as a host of other genetic disorders. The doctor takes cells from tiny fingerlike projections on the placenta called the chorionic villi and sends them to a lab for genetic analysis. The main advantage of CVS over aminocentesis is that you can have it done earlier — generally between 11 and 12 weeks of pregnancy, although some testing centers will do it as late as 13 weeks, 6 days. (For an amnio, you'll have to wait until you're at least 16 weeks pregnant.)

I am not nervous that the CVS test will hurt (from what I've read it seems to be a simple procedure, similar to a pap smear). I am just nervous that something may be wrong with the baby. I feel like none of us can breathe right now until we know that the baby is OK. But for now, things all look great! So we need to celebrate that and embrace this part of the journey. 

At this last doctor's appointment with the couple's fertility doctor, I was also told to schedule an appointment with my regular OB. So we have two appointments to look forward to: my OB appointment on August 9th and the CVS test with a high-risk pregnancy doctor on August 10th! 

Up next... I will have my blood checked on July 25th to check my progesterone level, if it is high enough I can stop the injections at that time. Fingers crossed!

~The Baby Fairy 

Sharing the News

The IVF process can be a roller coaster, and I was extremely lucky to have been successful after just my first transfer. Knowing about how rare first time success with IVF can be ahead of time it made me want to wait to share the news with my oldest son, who is 5 1/2, until we saw positive results on the ultrasound. (My youngest child is only a year and a half, and will probably not be able to comprehend much of what is happening throughout this pregnancy.) On the evening after my ultrasound, my husband and I carefully explained to our son that I was helping another couple start a family of their own, because they were unable to do so on their own. I also explained that, unlike his baby brother, this baby would not be coming home with us after he/she was born. And that this baby would not be related to us, and he was not the baby's big brother. My son said, "I know, I know." But think got real quiet for a couple seconds, and said, "But..." (This is where I panicked, and wondered what his little brain could be thinking at this very moment.) "But... will I still be able to see the baby??" my 5 year old asked. "Of course," I replied. He said, "Ok, GOOD! Because then I will know if it's a boy or a girl!" It was so sweet. I should have known that he would be completely fine with the idea. Although I am sure we will need to remind him throughout the process, especially as my belly grows larger, that we are not giving up our baby - that this baby was never ours to begin with and we are simply giving him or her back. 

My 5 year old wasn't the only person to learn about my news last week. I ended up telling three other people, as well as making this blog "public" on the same day. Guess I was still feeling all the excitement from the ultrasound. :) 

~The Baby Fairy

Ultrasound #1

There is ONE bun baking in my oven!!!

So for all of those who thought twins, nope! Just one healthy baby growing in there. I was able to share the first pregnancy ultrasound with the Intended Mother (IM). It was awesome to see her reaction to the little heartbeat flicker on the screen, and to be able to even HEAR the heartbeat as well! Such a fun experience. Unfortunately, the Intended Father (IF) couldn't make it, because of work. But he was able to hear the doctor tell us the good news via speaker phone. The baby is a whopping 5.2mm right now, and is measuring on track for being 6 weeks & 3 days pregnant. My estimated due date is February 17th - a Valentine's baby! So sweet. :)

I had blood work as well, and my estrogen level was high enough that I am able to stop the patches now. However, I have to stay with the Progesterone injections for another 3.5 weeks. I asked the nurse about the numbness I was feeling at the injection site and on the outside of my legs, and she said I was injecting them too low. Oops! So hopefully injecting higher will help with the numbness, but she did say it may take a couple months for the feeling to come back completely.

After the appointment, the IM and I had lunch together. It was fun to get to know each other better, we talked about everything from reality tv shows to working together on a possible sibling project in the future for this baby. That will take some time to consider, so we'll see how this one goes first. I am so happy for the new parents-to-be. Looking forward to the next 8 months!!

Up next... we'll get another peek of baby via ultrasound on July 11th!

~The Baby Fairy

Blood Test #2

My second hCG level check was done on Monday, June 18th (17 days post transfer). And this time, I didn't get a call from the nurse around the afternoon like before. I was impatient and wanted to know my number! So I picked up the phone and called myself, and a different nurse called me back a couple hours later with this: 

3,176!!

My hCG level had doubled just over every 43 hours! THIS IS GREAT! And again, I got to be the one to deliver the good news to the couple. The IM was shocked and very excited! The IF had no idea what that number meant! Same with my husband as well. We explained that it was a good strong number. We scheduled an appointment for the first pregnancy ultrasound for the following week. It would be a long week and a half of waiting to see what exactly was going on in there. With my hCG level doubling so well, some people wondered if maybe there would be twins in there??!!


Up next... ultrasound results!


~The Baby Fairy

Blood Test #1

On Monday, June 11th (10 days post transfer) I went to have blood work done. They would test the level of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in my blood. HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy that is made by the developing placenta. An hCG level of less than 5mIU/ml is considered negative for pregnancy, and anything above 25mIU/ml is considered positive for pregnancy. That afternoon, I got a call from the nurse, my level was: 

222!!

A great number! And the nurse even let me call the IM with the good news. She was very excited and thrilled that the number was so high. Now we have to wait one week, for the second blood test. In a bout 85% of normal pregnancies, the hCG level will double every 48 - 72 hours.

Up next... wait for blood test #2!

~The Baby Fairy