Cycle Week 2

Time is flying! Friday I had blood work done to check my levels. Everything looked nice and low, just what they were expecting!  I feel GREAT! I was starting to think maybe I wasn't getting any of the lupron in my needle or something because I was thinking I would be having hot flashes or headaches by now. I hope I dont jinx myself! But all in all no side effects, yet! Except my husband says I am little more irritable. HA. Sorry honey! 

Wednesday my husband and I stopped the doxycycline tab. Tomorrow I lower my Lupron from 10 units to 5 units. I also start the delestrogen injection on Monday & Friday evenings in the backside. My husband received training at our Friday appointment. Injecting the oils is totally different then injecting the lupron. A little nevous! Although I have received many tips from past surrogates on how to make it easier. Heat! Heat Heat! As a massage therapist I have this amazing heating pad called a Thermaphore to heat up muscles before working on them. My friend told me to heat the area before and after, even heating the oil a little before helps it to thin out and inject a little more smoothly. I gave my husband some nice tips to massage the area too! Hoping to avoid knots and bruising. He is a little nervous but I think deep down he cant wait to poke that needle in for being a little more irritable these last few days! 

Noon: Prenatal Vitamin

Eve: Delestrogen Injection, Lupron Injection & Advil

  25 Days 

until Transfer Day

Getting closer .. So excited! I love meeting new surrogates and others that are supportive of this journey! It is so fun to connect and hear their story. Women supporting women is powerful! So thank you!

love,

Ashley Dawn

Cycle Week 1

This first week has been great with the medications so far. I ended Birth Control on Friday and will stop Doxycycline on Wednesday. Less pills for more injectionsHaven't had any side effects and hoping that it continues to be this healthy. 

AM: Doxycycline

Noon: Prenatal Vitamin

Eve: Doxycycline

Bed: Birth Control, Lupron Injections & Advil

 32 Days 

until Transfer Day

This last Thursday I was able to Skype with the Intended Mother. We have emailed for a few months now but had not Skyped since our inital interview. After meeting the Intended Father a couple of months ago in person, I hoped it would be just as natural as meeting him. And it was! It was so great to just chat about the small things and then about what the future holds. I am so grateful to have her as a mentor through this first process. She has been through IVF five times. To say the least she is an expert and a trooper! She has made me feel more confident in the larger injections and the possible side effects. I have no doubt that this is going to work out just the way it is suppose to. She is absolutely beautiful inside and out! She reminds me of what my littlest will look like someday with her long gorgeous auburn hair!

I saw this cute sign hanging in a store the other day and searched for it online to share. I couldn't help but think this is exactly what surrogacy is all about. My helping heart will bring such amazing happiness to a deserving family where a mother, father and three sisters are waiting to share their love. 

love,

Ashley Dawn

You've got mail!

MAIL-MAIL-MAIL

BEGIN THIS MONDAY 

1/12/15

Couldn't have been more excited for the knock at the door this morning! Everything has been very smooth up to this point. It feels so natural and going by so fast. I cannot believe things get very real on Monday! Transfer day Feb 19th is just around the corner! So excited for M&M and their family!

So what is all this medication for?!

Birth Control:

For the past month birth control was to monitor my cycle and of course precaution to not become pregnant on my own! Friday the 16th will be my last pill.

Prenatal Vitamins:

As with any pregnancy these vitamins are vital to providing proper nutrients to myself and the babies as well as help prevent conditions/deformities. 

Doxycycline:

An antibiotic for my husband and I to take for the first 10 days in the AM & PM. This helps fight infections that may occur. I will take them again the week leading to the transfer in the AM & PM. 

Aspirin:

This helps continue proper blood flow to the uterus. Maybe take the edge off the injections… ha!

Lupron:

This is my first injection! It is subcutaneous; the fatty layer under the skin, to be injected in the tummy area. I grew up with two older diabetic sisters, so this doesn't scare me very much. The side effects on the other hand will be fun! A friend that went through this process last year told me we get a little sneak peak of menopause! Yippie!!!! 

1ml insulin syringes 14 days @10 units, then 18 days @ 5 units. 

After the last few weeks things get a little deeper… Intramuscular Injections!

{STAY TUNED} 

THANKS FOR FOLLOWING!!

love,

Ashley Dawn