Tuesday, October 29, 2013

6 months later ...

Our twins turn 6 months today. Our little girls are healthy, happy, and growing every day. Both are increasingly interactive and comfortable with us, especially with mom because she spend more time with them than dad.

Nicole can roll over by herself and keep lay on her stomach for a while. She also have good fine motor by bringing her hands together, play with them,  and reaches for toys.

Natalie is a bit slower, she need to help to roll over and does not have good skill with her hand yet but we think she will catch up with Nicole soon.
 
Mom also was introducing them some solid food 2 week ago

Natalie is better eater, she get her homemade soup prepared from mom. It is well cooked rice with chicken , pork and some vegetables. Nicole does not so tolerate so she would only tried Rice cereal at the moment.

Last Thursday, C. from Early Intervention  and K. from First Step visited them. After the evaluation, Natalie is eligible for the program and an Occupation Therapist will visit and help us every 2 week. Nicole skip this step (hooorahhh), but we register her to the Tracking program.

Look back, We feel so lucky and blessed. Every time we look at our angels, we could not feel anything but happiness and joys that they are bring to us.

Here is some updated photos
 



Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Natalie and Nicole at 3 month old

They are doing very well. The weight gain is perfect. They are very easy in feeding and slepping.

Here is some photos to mark the milestome.



 

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Hyderabad - Day 18

Our babies were discharged from Lotus Hospital on their 17th day after birth. Natalie was weigh 1555g and Nicole was weigh 1580g. We took them to photo shop to take passport pictures but they were too sleepy and close their eyes all time, so we took their  passport pictures at our service apartment by Dad's smart phone and developed at photo shop.

The DNA test at US consulate on 5/21/13. It was a hottest month in India (more than 40 C degree). Natalie and Nicole were doing fine, they were sleeping most of the day long except feeding time. We had an follow up check-up at Lotus Children's Hospital and Natalie gains 115g, Nicole gains 164g in 1 week. Natalie sucks 25 to 30ml for each feed. Nicole is a lot better, she sucks 35 to 40ml.

Their doctor said Natalie and Nicole do not need to see doctor again because they doing well, and be healthy babies. We are so thrilled to hear that.

Dad doing grocery almost every day, and Mom is taking care of the cooking, washing babies clothe, blanket, preparing the formula. We each feed babies at the same time, Dad mostly feeds Natalie and Nicole is very happy with Mom.

We may have the DNA test result next Tuesday, We already male an online appointment for Consular Report Birth Abroad and apply for our babies passport.

After that is The Indian Exit Permit with the help of Sai Kiran and mostly from Anjani. We think we a closer step to get home.




 

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Hyderabad - Day 5

We arrive Hyderabad 5 days ago. Air India was so messy, they delay us 3 times in that trip and the time delay is 13 hours. We suppose get to Hyderabad at 7:45 AM and we can get there at 9:55 PM.
The first thing after get rid of our luggage in hotel is we went staring to Lotus Children's Hospital to see them. We almost cry to see them, they are so weak and small.

Both Natalie and Nicole are very premature, they get out at 32 weeks . Each weights only1555 and 1545 gram respectively. Today marks the 12th day from their births. Both lost some weights and only today their weights are back to the birth weight.

We come to the hospital to visit them everyday. Each was fed 35 ml for every 3 hour but they only can suck about 14 ml, the rest was nasal feeding ( the tube go to their stomach stay in their nose all the time)

Their doctor said they may need to stay in "High Dependence Unit" for at least 2 more weeks. If they still in the womb, they almost 34 weeks.

Keep touching and holding them are the most happy moment in our lives, there is nothing that we can trade for them, how lovely they are and how much  we love them.

Thai is have some works done for his company. Ngan is reading "What to expect the first year" book.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Twin Girls

We have 2 baby girls :)

It is just 32 weeks. They come a bit early and we completely do not expect, but we are so happy to know they are healthy, do not need any support.

Ngan make a phone call immediately to Sai Kiran and talk to Anjani, he confirmed everything is great.  Both Thai and Ngan will make the last wire transfer, some arrangements for final exams in her school and plan to leave for our babies by the end of this week.

Here's the message from Anjani:

" Congrats! You have twin girls, each weighing 1600 gm. They are a bit small but there are doing fine, as they don’t require any support.
But they would be under observation and medical care for a week to 10 days.
 You should take the latest flight out to reach here. "



Wednesday, April 10, 2013

30 Weeks

The time now become very fast. We received the report from Anjani today
The message is so nice "All is good with your surrogate and babies. Here’s the scan from 6th"
So we may have from 5 to 6 weeks from the delivery. We hope our babies will cooperate and stay there with D, our surrogate.

Here is some detail about them on the report:

Fetus A
GA :29w3d
BIPARIETAL DIAMETER : 7.46cm
ABDOMINAL CIRCUMF : 25.27cm
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE : 27.48cm
FEMUR LENGTH : 5.76cm
TRANSV ABD DIAM : 7.75cm
ANT-POST ABD DIAM : 7.28cm
ESTIM FETAL WEIGHT : 1487g
Heart Rate : 130-150BPM

Fetus B
GA :29w6d
BIPARIETAL DIAMETER : 7.44cm
ABDOMINAL CIRCUMF : 25.7cm
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE : 27.36cm
FEMUR LENGTH : 5.79cm
TRANSV ABD DIAM : 7.6cm
ANT-POST ABD DIAM : 7.9cm
ESTIM FETAL WEIGHT : 1541g
Heart Rate : 130-150BPM

The preparation at this time:
  - We received the Indian Medical Visa, so this will ease the FRRO process later to apply for Exit Permit for our twins.
  - These 2 Ted and Phil's Cocoons has arrived, we cleaned them up carefully to avoid any allergens
  - Two infant car seats also arrived, we tried to mount one in our van and did it successfully after struggling a bit with the manual.
  - Order the DNA kits from Genetica Lab in Ohio, they will send the kits around 20 April ( 1 month before babies delivery estimate date)
  - Thai send the introducing letter to Hyderabad Consulate to introduce ourselves and ask them to hold our DNA lit when it arrive to their post.
  - Thai research the consulate and FRRO processes and prepare all paperwork so we can quickly bring the babies back to US.
  - Thai  filled out applications for our children’s Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), US Passport and Social Security Card. He filled out everything and only leave the rest as  DOB, gender.
  - Ngan has prepared diapers, baby wipes, babies cloths, bottles, pacifier,…
  - For the formula, we decided to buy them later in India and do not bring any.
 
  We will nor book the flight and accommodation at this point and we will wait until hear the news from Dr. Samit or Anjani.

Ngan friends from QCV will have a baby shower for us on May 11
 

Friday, March 29, 2013

27 Weeks

We received the report from Anjani. It is a great Easter Friday we both off from work. The first thing after I wake-up is checking for Anjani update.
Fetus A weight 1187g (~2.6 lbs) and fetus B weight 1189g, the scan show at 27 weeks 5 days. This is a good developing and balance for the twin. They are not much different in measurement. We are shoping on Amazon to buy 2 cocoons. and 2 infant carseats. Thanks God help us get to this point. We continue to pray everyday for our surrogate and twin all good.

Monday, March 4, 2013

TIFFA Scan Received

We received the TIFFA ( Targeted Imaging for Fetal Anomalies) scan result today from Anjani. All is good. We also have 24 week payment to make today.

Ngan ordered some onesies on Amazon last night. She also shop at CVS yesterday and saw some good deal on Newborn Diaper and bought 300 number1diapers and 100 number 2 diapers.

Made a Google search and knew that the scan is ultrasonic visualization fetus in detail. Ultrasound is the main diagnostic tool in the prenatal detection of congenital abnormalities. It allows examination of the external and internal anatomy of the fetus and the detection of not only major defects but also of subtle markers of chromosomal abnormalities and genetic syndromes. Although some women are at high risk of fetal abnormalities, either because of a family history or due to exposure to teratogens such as infection and various drugs, the vast majority of fetal abnormalities occur in the low-risk group. Consequently, ultrasound examination should be offered routinely to all pregnant women.
The scan, which is usually performed at 18–23 weeks of pregnancy, should be carried out to a high standard and should include systematic examination of the fetus for the detection of both major and minor defects.

The report indicates :
  . Twin live foeti with separate placenta and separating amniotic membrane noted.
  . Cervix - 3.5 cm
  . Internal os is closed.

  Twin A
    - Cephalic presentation i.e. the baby is delivered head first. This delivery presentation is the safest and most common
    - Grade 1 for fundal posterior
    - Amniotic fluid - adequate
    - FHR : 154 bpm
    - EFW : 574 grs

   Twin B
    - Breech presentation i.e. the baby enters the pelvis with the buttocks or feet first as opposed to the normal head-first presentation
    - Amniotic fluid - adequate
    - FHR : 138 bpm
    - EFW : 554 grs

    The estimated deliver date is June 27, 2013
    Twin Fetuses Tiffa as followed:

    . Fetal head is normal. Cerebral ventricles are normal in calibre
    . Fetal spine shows normal
    . Four chambered view of heart is visualized and is normal
    . Gastric bubble is visualized. Bowel echoes are normal
    . Fetal kidney and urinary bladder are normal
    . Anterior abdominal wall is normal
    . Limb survey is normal
    . Face survey is normal

The result is:

    . Dichorionic, diamniotic twin live fetus at 22 to 23 weeks of gestational age
    . No obvious congenital abnormalities

Thursday, February 28, 2013

New guidelines that apply to foreign nationals seeking an Indian surrogate

We both had India Tourist Visas taht obtained from October 2011, but there is new Guideline from India for Surrogacy. After consulting with Anjani, our case worker from KIC, by sending him an email to ask. He confirmed that we need to re-apply for Medical Visas. Anjani sent some attachements in his response email and we need to sign the Agreement of Surrogacy and send back to KIC to fill out the remain and noterize it before we can apply for the Medical Visas.

Here are the guidelines that apply to foreign nationals seeking to proceed with an Indian surrogate taht we see while google it:

1. Tourist visa is not the appropriate visa category and such foreigners will be liable for action for violation of visa conditions. The appropriate visa category for commissioning surrogacy is a medical visa.

2. The foreign man and woman intending to commission surrogacy should be duly married and the
marriage should have sustained for at least two years Please also note that current Indian laws do not recognise gay marriages.

3. The couple commissioning surrogacy should be in the possession of a letter from the Embassy of the foreign country in India or the foreign ministry of the country stating clearly that:
         a. The country recognises surrogacy;
         b. The child/children to be born to the commissioning couple through the Indian surrogate will be permitted entry into their country as a biological child/children of the commissioning surrogacy.

4. The couple commission surrogacy is required to furnish an undertaking that they would take care of the child/children born through surrogacy.

5. The couple should produce a duly notarised agreement between the applicant couple and the prospective Indian surrogate mother.

6. The treatment concerning surrogacy should be done only at one of the registered ART clinics recognised by ICMR.

7. The foreign couple before leaving India for their return journey would require exit permission and should be carrying a certificate form the ART clinic concerned regarding the fact that the child/children have been duly taken custody of by the foreigner and the liabilities toward the Indian surrogate mother are fully discharged as per the agreement.  A copy of the birth certificate(s) of the surrogate child/children will be returned by the FRRO/FRO along with photocopies of the passport and visa of the foreign parents.

You are therefore hereby ordered to ascertain all the above mentioned details before
commissioning the surrogacy cases of foreigners and not to accept any case for surrogacy
if the conditions of no. 1 to 7 of this letter are not fulfilled by the foreigner.

Contravention of this order may hold you liable for legal action under the Foreigners Act
1946. Also you are hereby informed that because of noncompliance of this order on your
part if in future any complication arises in respect or surrogate baby’s nationality
and their parenthood, you will be held responsible for it.

Further you are directed to provide list of foreigners with the details of their nationality, visa, passport, etc. who have already registered with you for commissioning surrogacy to this office. Notably, same-sex couples, single individuals, unmarried couples and couples who have been married for less than 2 years fall outside these guidelines. Moreover, if the international couple’s country of origin does not recognize surrogacy, then the couple would also be in violation of the Indian guidelines. And the penalty for proceeding with a surrogate arrangement in contravention of these guidelines? Imprisonment. Under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946, “If any person contravenes the provisions of this Act or of any order made thereunder, or any direction given in pursuance of this Act or such order, he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine”

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Happy to have 22 week report

Wow, we received the scan report from Anjani today, even it is not TIFFA images( that we guess is 4-D ) and the report is more than 1 week old , but the numbers for both fetuses are great and we can not be happier .

We worry about our surrogate and our little ones every day. We keep praing for them.
The pregnancy is uneventful so far and we wish it continue that way.
So at this point we guess our babies is near to week 23.

Fetus A
GA :21w3d
BIPARIETAL DIAMETER : 4.98cm
ABDOMINAL CIRCUMF : 16.83cm
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE : 18.74cm
FEMUR LENGTH :
TRANSV ABD DIAM : 4.99cm
ANT-POST ABD DIAM : 5.42cm
Heart Rate : 130-150BPM

Fetus B
GA :21w4d
BIPARIETAL DIAMETER : 5.17cm
ABDOMINAL CIRCUMF : 16.8cm
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE : 18.86cm
FEMUR LENGTH : 3.64cm
TRANSV ABD DIAM : 5.06cm
ANT-POST ABD DIAM :
Heart Rate : 130-150BPM

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Triple Marker Test result received - All is good

We received the triple test result today from Anjani. All is good.
We really not expect to received it but we are glad to have good result, even though we still love our babies no matter how the test come back.

We answer Anjani email by saying our big thanks to him, Dr. Samit and all KIC staffs who are working tirelessly to help us. We continue to pray everyday for D, our surrogate, our babies, as well as all babies at KIC to have uneventful pregnancies.
 
Here is an excerpt extracted from http://kidshealth.org/

Between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, expectant mothers usually are offered a blood test called the multiple marker test. Sometimes called a triple screen or a quad screen, depending on the number of things measured, it also might be done in combination with blood tests and an ultrasound in the first trimester.
For the multiple marker screening, a sample of blood is drawn from the mother to measure the levels of:
   - hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is made by the placenta
   - estriol, which is made by the placenta and the fetus
   - alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is made by the fetus

Monday, January 21, 2013

18 Weeks - Half way through

We have entered week 18. We received the scans from Anjani. We always love to read his first message "All is good with your surrogate and babies. Here’s the scan from yesterday." .
That make our blood pressure drop :)

We feel very grateful and lucky so far. We keep continuing to pray for D, our surrogate, our babies, as well as all babies that KIC help for all intend parent like us.

We are waiting for Triple test at week 18 and TIFFA after week 20. That mean we could receive the Triple test soon.

We make the wire transfer to KIC on Saturday, but Monday is President Day so bank official told us they will make the wiring process on Tuesday, 22nd.

Anjani also replies our questions about the Visa type that we need to have before we can go to India , hopefully in May 2013. He think we had signed up earlier, so the new rule will not affect us, that mean we can use our existed Tourist Visa, and do not need to apply for Medical ones.
But the FRRO has not given the official answer yet, so we are not completely sure how thing will change.

Monday, January 7, 2013

16 Weeks

We received another scan on Friday from Anjani. We love to see his email with the opening sentence "All is good with your surrogate and babies" and there are 4 images and 3 video of ultrasound and some detail numbers of our twins.

Also, we received the update about the new regulation of obtaining the Medical Visa for intend parents from Sai Raj Jaiswal, the Head- Legal & Accounts of Kiran Infertility Centre. Ngan responded by scanning and send him our Visas that we get 1 year ago, they both have Type T ( Travel Visa). Jaiswal advised us to wait for few more days so he can verify with FRRO about this issue.

Here is some infor of our twins:

Fetus A         
GA : 16w4d
BIPARIETAL DIAMETER :   3.49cm
ABDOMINAL CIRCUMF : 10.46cm
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE : 12.95cm
Heart Rate : 130-150  BPM
                      
Fetus B        
GA :16w6d
BIPARIETAL DIAMETER : 3.55cm
ABDOMINAL CIRCUMF : 11.26cm
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE : 12.71cm
Heart Rate : 130-150 BPM