Our screening process began with tests and psychiatric evaluations. It took about two weeks to finally get the call back from the psychiatrist that I had been cleared and was ready to go live on the surrogate database. I thought it would for sure take a few months to be matched with IPs considering the research I had done and from friends who have gone through the process in the past. I was matched a few days after going live and was in complete and utter shock. We got to look at our IPs profile before making our final decision to proceed. I loved everything about them. They had an amazing history and knew exactly what they were looking for without being unreasonable. They live in another country so having a close relationship is not going to be very easy but because I always envisioned myself having backyard bbqs and family outings with my IPs I am definitely going to put my best foot forward involving them in everything I possibly can. They happen to live 30 miles from the city where my BFs grandma grew up which I thought was interesting and yet a bit bizarre. What are the odds that these IPs would pick me and yet out of all places live so close to a place that grandma knows so well. They seemed like they would be a perfect fit so we decided to go forward with them. We signed our match agreements which meant it was time to get to business.
I got an email about two days after our match had been finalized from an attorney who was going to help me with the paper work required by the agency in order to begin medical screening. Talk about killing trees, I got a contract from my attorney that was about 50 pages full of rules and regulations that my partner and I must follow. We edited the contract what felt like a million times and waited about 2 weeks to get a final draft. You basically go through the contract with an attorney he makes suggestions on changes you should make and you either agree or disagree. I printed out the first draft and made revisions I felt comfortable with.
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| You might not be able to see all 56 pages but that's how long my contract was! |
About a month and a half after we matched we finalized our contracts and were ready for medical screening.
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| Not the best picture but I took this right before my RE came in to begin screening. |
I always save the best for last. My medical screening appointment was just peachy literally. No matter how much you research and educate yourself you can never be completely prepared. So I went in to have my blood drawn, do an ultrasound and have my hysteroscopy. Everything was fine until she had to do the dreaded invasive procedure. For one it was painful, it literally feels like there is a ton sitting on your uterus. The pressure for me was unbearable. It was uncomfortable to say the least. Oh and did I mention messy. They basically fill your uterus with water and go in through your cervix with a small camera to see what your uterus looks like and where they will be implanting the embryos. I should have gone prepared with some dark pants on and a pad but that definitely was not the case. I had on light gray work pants and when I walked I could feel small drips of water coming out. I had to go to the pharmacy which was downstairs in order to fill my birth control because they wanted me to start taking it that night. By the time I made it the pharmacy, walking slower than a snail, it looked like I had wet my pants. I was mortified. The pharmacist was nice enough to expedite my order and have me out of there in less than five minutes. Then my OCD kicked in and I had to do my research on the side effects of my BC and also find out how long it had been on the market. I am very sensitive to medication and I noticed my moods began changing a few days after taking the pill. Luckily I was able to become aware of the side effects I was having and have some control over my reactions. I can be pretty moody as it is so being on BC is a bit difficult for me. Not to mention everyone else in my household. The last time I took BC was about 4 years ago and I experienced everything from weight gain, acne, mood swings, and fatigue. This time around has been a bit different and have only had minor mood swings and fatigue so I am crossing my fingers and hoping it will continue that way.
I'm getting ready to begin my injections and will be going to injection training on the 23rd of January. We are hoping for a February Transfer.
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