Next Step in Surrogacy: Lupron Shots

This morning a momentous occasion occurred. We took the next step in the surrogacy (IVF) procedure. I gave myself the first shot of Lupron.

The first step of this whole process began on September 30, 2010, when I took the first progesterone pill. Taking the progesterone caused my body to have a menstrual cycle, which I don't normally have. Unlike previous times when I've taken progesterone, I felt remarkably non-hormonal and didn't observe any mood swings. This was a relief.

The second step involved starting birth control pills, which I've been on for one month. Thankfully, I haven't noted any side effects from them either. No weight gain, nausea, or mood swings. Years ago when I took birth control I experienced mood swings and weight gain. I will continue taking birth control for six more days, while also injecting one dose of Lupron each morning.

Lupron is a drug that is used (in my case) to suppress my own ovulation. Since the eggs we are using are my sister's, we don't want my ovaries to release any eggs. I will take the Lupron for exactly two weeks. The day following my last dose, I will begin applying Vivelle dots (estrogen patches) to my abdomen. After about 8 days of estrogen, I will have an ultrasound to check the lining of my uterus to make sure it's thickening properly. The estrogen patches will be changed every two days until the end when my sister's eggs will be retrieved. In the last week before the transfer, I will also be taking a estrace pill (more estrogen) vaginally. All of this estrogen is to prepare my endometrial (uterine) lining to receive the egg(s).

It's all getting closer and more real now. The transfer should be around December 2-3, 2010. Wow, it's hard to believe it's so close, only about 33 days left. The whole thing is so exciting! I don't think I was this excited when we were trying to conceive using Clomid back in 2008. It's different knowing that this is for Val. I'm actually starting to feel a little anxious. You know that feeling when you're in your bathroom waiting for the pregnancy test stick to finish doing its thing and give you the news. That's sort of how I'm feeling even now. I'm hopeful, nervous, and excited.

I'm doing everything I can now to keep myself healthy. I've backed off from drinking coffee and have cut out all caffeine. I'm not eating processed foods, but mostly fresh fruits, veggies, lean meats, lower-fat dairy, whole grains, etc. I've dropped from 198 to 178 and am glad to have another month to lose more weight. I want to be at the healthiest weight I can be so that pregnancy is easier and healthier.