We are a couple in Pennsylvania. We got married on August 1998. We tried many times to conceive but is not successful so far. We decided to go with gestational surrogacy on October 2011. The term "gestational surrogacy" refers to a treatment process, in which another woman ("gestational surrogate") undergoes the embryo transfer process, and then carries the pregnancy to term. The intended parents are involved with the pregnancy, are typically present at the birth, and take over parenting responsibilities immediately thereafter.
After many failed attempts, we cautiously hope it will work this time, so we decide to wait until 12 weeks of pregnancy to make the announcement to our closest family members include our parents and make an official one to our extend families on Christmas Day 2012, just 2 days ago.
We've been working with Sai Kiran Infertility Clinic in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Dr.Samit Sekhar, Chief Embryologist, and the crew have taken good care of us. Without him, we think we almost give it up. Mr, Anjani Kumar is our case manager and he is very helpful, and Alexis Thomas, the US coordinator also very response to answer all our questions and concerns.
Here's a quick timeline so far:
October 17, 2011 - We contacted Sai Kiran Infertility Clinic ( KIC ) for more detail information about Gestational Surrogacy. Alexis Thomas followed up on my message I left earlier, we had a great conversation and she forwarded all our questions to KIC staff for clarification.
October 18, 2011 - Anjani gave us the case number and all our questions were answered. We decided to go with KIC. We know we are in good hands.
October 22, 2011 - Wire Transfer completed.
November 18, 2011 - KIC received the shipment in good condition that we sent on November 11.
December 28, 2011 - Transfer taken place into 1 surrogate - 2 week wait started.
January 12, 2012 - The pregnancy test was negative. First Indian surrogate fails. Decided to have 2 surrogate’s to have more chance. Anjani urged to stay positive and we feel encouraged and up-beat about next process.
February 24, 2012 - Transfer taken place into 2 surrogate’s - 2 week wait started.
March 5, 2012 -The pregnancy test was positive on one surrogate mother. The beta HCG levels are 54.34 mIU/mL. Need to confirm 2 days later. We are very anxious, hope this time it will work.
March 7, 2012 - The 2nd surrogate tested negative to the pregnancy test. More anxious about first surrogate mother and still waiting for the test.
March 7, 2012 - Sadly, the Beta HCG values on first surrogate have come down to 20.24 mIU/mL. Seems like a case of spontaneous miscarriage and can happen in 15 to 20% of all cases.
April 30, 2012 - Transfer taken place into 2 surrogate’s - 2 week wait started.
May 18, 2012 - Unfortunately, both are negative. Doctor will check for rising values as sometimes it can rise later, but the values are now less than 2 mIU/mL. VERY SAD day.
July 25, 2012 - Transfer taken place into 2 surrogate’s - 2 week wait started.
August 7, 2012 - The results are negative. This is the failed seventh surrogate attempt.
October 1, 2012 - Dr. Samit did a Blastocycst transfer to try something different than the routine. 2 week wait started.
October 12, 2012 - We are on the moon - The beta HCG values are 203.6 miu/ml. Doctor will be checking for a gestational sac in 7 to 10 days and heartbeat in 15 days
October 19, 2012 - The beta HCG values are rising so it’s a good sign. Its was 594.2 miu/ml
October 22, 2012 - There is a gestational sac measuring 0.76 cm seen on scan. We are thrilled.
October 29, 2012 - Heartbeat detected, we are so HAPPY. Here is the number form our twin. Yes. IT IS TWIN
Fetus a
Average ultrasound age ga : 6w1d
Crown-rump length : 0.52 cm
Heart rate- 150 – 170 bpm
Fetus b
Average ultrasound age ga : 6w0d
Crown-rump length : 0.45 cm
Heart rate- 150 – 170 bpm
November 16, 2012: 8 week update from Anjani
Fetus a
Average ultrasound age ga : 9w1d
Crown-rump length : 2.48 cm
Heart rate- 150 – 170 bpm
Fetus b
Average ultrasound age ga : 9w0d
Crown-rump length : 2.29 cm
Heart rate- 150 – 170 bpm
December 1, 2012 - 10 week update from Anjani
Fetus a
Average ultrasound age ga : 10w6d
Crown-rump length : 3.95 cm
Heart rate- 150 – 170 bpm
Fetus b
Average ultrasound age ga : 10w6d
Crown-rump length : 3.98 cm
Heart rate- 150 – 170 bpm
December 12, 2012 - 12 week update from Anjani
Fetus a
Average ultrasound age ga : 13w0d
Crown-rump length : 6.81 cm
Heart rate- 130 – 150 bpm
Fetus b
Average ultrasound age ga : 12w6d
Crown-rump length : 6.64 cm
Heart rate- 130 – 150 bpm
December 12, 2012 - Received the Double Marker Test from Dr. Samit. We are very happy.
Trisomy 13/18 + NT and Trisomy 21 risk is < 1:10000
December 25, 2012 - 14 week update from Anjani.
Fetus A
GA :15w1d
BIPARIETAL DIAMETER : 2.98cm
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE : 10.68cm
ABDOMINAL CIRCUMF : 9.22cm
FEMUR LENGTH : 1.69cm
TRANSV ABD DIAM : 2.89cm
ANT-POST ABD DIAM : 3.18cm
ESTIM FETAL WEIGHT : 114g
Heart Rate130-150BPM
Fetus B
GA :15w0d
BIPARIETAL DIAMETER : 2.77cm
HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE : 10.88cm
We are cautiously optimistic, but with 2 failed IVF-cycle attempts in US and 7 transfers to young and viable surrogate mothers in India also fail we know lots of things can happen. We've been quietly following everyone blogs and we want to wish everyone a happy, joyous, and prosperous 2013!
