Happy 4th of July from NYC!

Happy 4th of July! It is so wonderful to read all of the good news in Blogland, from the great scans and egg retrievals, to the new BFP's, to the recent births and to people's journey's coming full circle.

Well the good news is that Brian and I are working hard to save money for treatment and we have a plan! I will be doing IVF again under my insurance coverage in September/October and I will be shipping my frozen embryos and Brian's sperm to India using Greg at Core Cryobank. If our embryos don't take, then we are prepared to use an egg donor and I am at peace with that. I have been inspired by so many of you who have come full circle in your journeys and you give me the strength to keep on going even though our first journey to India was unsuccessful.

Oh and we have decided on a clinic a pretty darn good one at that. Now it's just a matter getting the rest of our money in order before we officially get started, as we wanted to have a large chunk of change in the bank and not just the money for the initial transfer and program fees. Have a Happy Fourth of July!

Feeling Like Katniss

Katiniss Everdeen- Independent, Strong-Willed, and a Survivor Against All Odds... Katniss often struggles with her inner-self as many of us on this journey called infertility do. But one thing is for sure, when life throws obstacles in your way, you have to get up and fight. Things went well with my regular RE and most importantly we have a plan!

My May To-Do List
*Have my FSH re-tested (Hasn't been tested since last year)
*Have my AMH tested
*Deposit the hubby's swimmers at our RE's clinic
*Reach out to Core Cryobank

Just like the Dandelions in The Hunger Games symbolize hope for Katniss, India is a symbol of hope for us. This journey through infertility can be fearful but if you have hope...

 “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear“

Searching...

Hello Fam!

I know it has been a while since I have posted, but work has been busy, busy, busy! After the new year, I started searching for a new clinic and I am taking my time as I want to make the RIGHT choice! This time, I am only looking at clinics in Mumbai and New Delhi!! With lots of prayer, I believe God will allow me to make the right decision. I want to cycle in August, and I have an appointment next week with my regular fertility doctor in NYC to discuss if I will do a cycle in NYC and ship my embryos to India, since I have insurance coverage or just go to India and do a fresh cycle. Family, feel free to chime in...

I want to send thoughts and prayers out to Bernadette, Scarlett and Hayden as well as Jill...

Avey and Hari, I am glad things are progressing ;)

Temmy you are almost there!

Allie thanks so much for checking on me ;)

New Year= New Clinic...

The hope of a New Year brings with it so much anticipation. So much can be accomplished in a year if you reach for your dreams and try. IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, DUST YOURSELF OFF AND TRY AGAIN. For several reasons things did not work out with our original clinic in Ahmedabad, India. With that being said, we are most definitely looking to switch to a clinic in MUMBAI or NEW DELHI and self-cycle in August. Flights on Emirates are reasonable during this time. Brian will be depositing his swimmers in March/April and then we will have them shipped from NYC to India. We are sending enough swimmers so that if our Self-Cycle does not result in a BFP we will be ready to move ahead with a DE cycle. Wishing all of you a prosperous 2012!

On Lupron...

I can't believe how time has flown by since Thanksgiving, and in 2 weeks I will be headed to India. I had my baseline appointment and first ultrasound with my Dr. in NYC and right now I am on Lupron. My Dr. in NYC and my Dr. in India have been in contact recently regarding the progress of my cycle, and all is good!

Lupron prevents premature release of eggs from the ovaries. Lupron is a very small daily subcutaneous injection given just under the skin. Now I am waiting for a bleed since I am off BCP's, so I can start Follistim, the medication that will grow my follicles where the eggs are contained.

My appointment with Travisa is at the beginning of next week. I am so thankful I live in New York City. I will be going into the Travisa office in person and my Visa should be processed for same day pick-up later that evening!



Praying I start stims by Friday...

Dubai Anyone?

FLIGHTS BOOKED!!!


Hello Fam,

I know it has been a while since I have posted, but after months of researching the most cost effective options for my trip to India, I finally purchased my tickets and I will be flying out at the end of December. I will be flying from New York City to Dubai and then on to India. Flying into Dubai first saved me $900 on flights! I will be spending 2 days in Dubai and I am really looking forward to that.


My doctors in New York and India have been communicating and planned my IVF Calender to a T. I begin Birth Control Pills November 22 and my first Ultrasound and Baseline are December 10 both in New York. Praying I grow lots of follicles for my Egg Retrieval in India. There has been so much great news lately and I want to send a huge CONGRATS to Temmy, Jeff & Kevin, Bernadette and Rene'!

Next item on my Agenda, hotels and my Tourist Visa!

Something's Coming...

Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something’s coming, something good,
If I can wait!

Something’s coming, I don’t know
what it is,
But it is
Gonna be great!

~Leonard Bernstein- Westside Story



So, it looks like Something Great is Coming: I will be in India towards the end of December. I have a consult this week with the IVF Nurse at my clinic in New York who will create my IVF Calender for November/December and order my IVF meds. I will start my IVF here in New York and fly to India for Egg Retrieval with Dr. B. My clinics in India and New York have been great and have been coordinating to God willing make this cycle a success.

Sending out a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Bernadette and Duane on their BFP!!!!!

The EYES are the Window to the SOUL

The Eyes are the Window to the Soul ~Leonardo DaVinci

The Eyes have so much symbolic meaning dating back to Biblical times. In Christianity the Eye of God is depicted hovering over a tent, which is symbolic of the Tabernacle - the temple of the faithful. The eye here represents the omni-present spirit of God peering into the soul of the faithful - ever watchful over those who serve.

In our Dreams the meaning of eyes indicates an opening into a new dimension. This is symbolic of your vision clearing and focusing in on a new direction. It may also indicate your ability to see past what is common and spiritually arrive to the point where your inner vision perceives all things in their divine glory - even the simplest of things become inspired with an exquisite quality inherent in all nature.

Earlier today I received a few Gestational Surrogate Profiles from the Foreign Patient Coordinator at my clinic. I must say emotions were invoked in me today, as I began looking through the profiles of the women who would ultimately be responsible for caring for my baby for 9 months. There is something amazing about looking into someones eyes, when someone looks at your eyes its like they can see everything you've done. They can see compassion, joy, pain, laughter, anger, and hope.

I looked into the eyes of the Gestational Surrogates that were sent to me, looked at their typed profiles (all of them were healthy, fertile and had at least two children) and then looked into their eyes again. I immediately was drawn to one particular Surrogate and in her eyes I saw hope and compassion...




Sending out a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Kerrie and Mark, today is Baby Cailyn's BORN DAY!!!

Zen-Like

zen. noun. Complete and absolute peace.

It has taken a while to get to this point, but I am finally here. I can finally say that although I have been on a long and difficult journey trying to stay pregnant I am at peace about using a gestational carrier. My Dr. here in the U.S. has diagnosed me with an immune issue where my body is attacking its own cells and I have had a total of five miscarriages in a row in the past three years, but on a positive note we seem to make great quality embryos that make it to the blastocyst stage. I could undergo extensive immune treatment here in the States, but Brian and I agreed that we have no idea what type of impact or long term side effects these drugs will have on my body or overall health. What's more I am honestly tired of treatments and I am tired of putting my body through miscarriage after miscarriage. I have tried everything from Predisone, Dexthamethasone to Lovenox. The only reason I would undergo IVF again is strictly to create more embryos to transfer into a Gestational Surrogate.

Regarding India, we have finally chosen a Dr. and clinic!!! We have 9 frozen embryos, and we will be shipping them to India via Greg at Core Cryolabs at the end of the summer. Although I can't seem to carry a baby to full term, I am thankful for the gestational surrogacy options in India that will still allow me to have a biological child, even if he/she grew in my heart. Congrats to Chai Baby and Gemma on the birth of their adorable twins, and congrats to Sequined Saree Dreams on your recent Big Fat Positive!

Surrogate Surge!

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban welcomed daughter Faith Margaret via Gestational Surrogate this past December and they are among a new wave of parents who realize Gestational Surrogacy is a viable way to have a biological child.

On Christmas Day, Elton John and partner David Furnish became fathers to a baby boy.John, 63, and Furnish, 48, reportedly consulted with another celebrity couple, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, about the joys and pitfalls of surrogacy. Parker, 45, and Broderick, 48, used another woman's womb to carry their twin girls, Marion and Tabitha, born in June 2009.

More recently, actor Neil Patrick Harris, 37, and his partner David Burtka welcomed fraternal twins -- boy Gideon Scott and girl Harper Grace -- by a surrogate last October. Earlier, in July, Portuguese soccer star and international sex symbol Cristiano Ronaldo, 25, became dad to a baby boy with the help of an unnamed American woman he paid to be a surrogate.

Finally Gestational Surrogacy seems to be gaining social acceptance and I think Nicole sums it up best when she says, "Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret," the family says in a statement. "No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier."

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6





So, for the past couple of weeks I have been soul searching and praying about what our next steps should be. We have 7 frozen embryos from our recent fresh IVF cycle, which ended in my 5th consecutive miscarriage. We also have two frozen embryos from a previous fresh IVF cycle done last year, so that's a total of 9 frozen embryos. In my heart of hearts I can tell you I am tired of going through miscarriage after miscarriage. They are physically and emotionally taxing on the body. In my heart of hearts I can tell you Brian and I are realists and as we are about to kiss our mid thirties good-bye we know that we are truly blessed to have these embryos that have been frozen at the blastocyst stage.

Brian has told me that he feels my pain and can't stand watching me go through loss after loss. I have the option of going through an FET here in the USA, but why? The last FET I did last May ended in miscarriage after two strong betas. I know that anything can happen and miracles do happen but, I have decided to listen to my body for now. I have decided to step out on FAITH and pursue Gestational Surrogacy in India.

Does this mean that as a woman I don't want to experience pregnancy? Of course not. Is it the end of the world if I don't? Absolutely not!! What is most important is becoming a parent whether our embryos grow in my womb or in my heart. Since my body keeps rejecting my own tissue, in the future I have the option of pursuing Donor Eggs (where the eggs of a younger fertile woman and Brian's sperm are transferred into my womb) to experience pregnancy up until the age of 55. At this point in our lives, Brian and I realize and both strongly agree that Gestational Surrogacy is going to give us the best option of trying to have a biological child.

I believe God has placed a desire in my heart to have children. I believe I will have children although it may not be the way that I planned. Lord knows I did not plan on pursuing Gestational Surrogacy in India. When one door closes I believe another door opens. I have contacted Greg from Core Cryo Labs and he was very prompt and detailed with his response. I know with him my snow babies will be in good hands. I have an appointment with my Fertility Dr. to discuss my next steps and I am going to tell him I am stepping out on FAITH through a new door, a new door of opportunity in India....

A View to a Search

I can't believe it has been 8 months since we have started this blog! Within that time, our research into the various IVF/Surrogacy clinics has given us a beautiful VIEW from Northern to Southern India.



Here is a SNEAK PEEK into the locations of some of the clinics we are strongly researching and some of the unique landmarks within each city:


New Delhi, India

Baha'i Lotus Temple

Mumbai, Maharashtra India

Victoria Terminus

Ahmedabad, Gujarat India

Ashkardam Temple

Anand, Gujarat India

Anand Milk Union Limited Complex

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh India

Charminar

Chennai, Tamil Nadu India

Makka Masjid

Stay Tuned...

Long Time No Post...

While continuing our research on all of the clinics in India, Brian and I have had quite the rough 4 months. We had frozen embryos left over from our IVF in February and underwent a Frozen Embryo Transfer in May.

The Good News: We got PREGNANT
The Bad News: I MISCARRED once again at 6 weeks and this makes 3 MISCARRIAGES in less than 12 months


In our hearts we know we are coming to the end of our journey with my own eggs and moving closer to Surrogacy in India. As a woman, I just had to give it my all before moving on to a Gestational Carrier. In my heart of hearts I am at peace with my journey as we continue to move forward....

National Infertility Awareness Week in the USA

National Infertility Awareness Week is a movement to raise awareness about the disease of infertility which affects 7.3 million Americans and of course this disease impacts couples all over the world....

It doesn't matter if you are male or female. It doesn't matter if you suffer from PCOS, Endometriosis, Azoospermia, Poor Sperm Morphology, Autoimmune Disorder, Premature Ovarian Failure, Uterine Fibroids or other Medical Conditions. It doesn't matter whether you are undergoing treatment using Timed Intercourse with Clomid, IUI with Injectable Medications, IVF, Donor Egg IVF, Donor Sperm or Gestational Surrogacy. We are all bound by a common thread and desire to become parents. We are one Community and Together We're Better....

Celebrities and Gestational Surrogacy

Celebrity Gestational Surrogacy has become a common place in the world of Hollywood, and in my opinion is bringing some much needed attention and acceptance to the infertility/gestational surrogacy communities.

According to the National Survey of Family Growth, CDC 1995, approximately 6.1 million women and their partners in the United States are affected by infertility, i.e., 10% of the total reproductive-age population. Gestational Surrogacy is a wonderful option for couples who face various infertility problems. Some common reasons for using a Gestational Surrogate/Carrier are: the absence or malformation of the uterus, a known medical condition that makes it impossible for the woman to carry a pregnancy, multiple failed IVF's with healthy embryos and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. Gestational Surrogacy is a succesful infertility treatment that allows couples to have their own genetic child.

Now here are some Celebrities that have used Gestational Surrogates:


Angela Bassett & Courtney Vance
Angela & her husband Courtney went through 7 years of failed fertility treatments including IVF before turning to The Center for Surrogate Parenting in Encino, California. They were blessed with boy/girl twins Bronwyn Golden & Slater Josiah.

Sarah Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick
Since having given birth to her 6 year old son Parker, Sarah had been unable to carry a subsequent succesful pregancy to term. Sarah & her husband Matthew turned to Gestational Surrogacy and were blessed with twin girls.




Marisa Jaret Winokur & Judah Miller
After surviving a battle with cervical & uterine cancer, Marisa & Judah turned to a surrogate to concieve their son Zev. In an article for People Magazine Marisa encouraged others who are struggling to concieve by stating, "You can find a way to do this. If you want to have a baby, you can adopt, there’s in vitro, there’s surrogacy. With my surrogate, its a whole different world. There is no, like, ‘Is she going to change her mind?’ It’s my egg, it’s my biological child…This is the most intense time of my life."



Dennis & Kimberly Quaid
When Dennis' wife Kimberly suffered from at least 5 known miscarriages, they turned to a "Gestational Carrier" as Dennis Quaid likes to say and are now thankful to have twins Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace.




Ricky Martin
Ricky who recently came out on his website for the benefit of his own self-acceptance and his family, had twin sons via a Gestational Surrogate in August 2008.



Katey Sagal & Kurt Sutter
Katey suffered from medical issues after the birth of her two older children from a previous marriage but when she married Kurt Sutter who did not have any children of his own, they turned to a Gestational Surrogate and baby Esme' Louise was born.




Laurie Metcalf & Matt Roth
After the birth of their son Will 11 years earlier, Laurie & her husband turned to Gestational Surrogacy to concieve their daughter May in July 2005. Laurie also has an older daughter named Zoe from a previous marriage.



Kelsey & Camille Grammer
Kelsey & his wife Camille turned to the Center for Surrogate Parenting when they were unable to conceive a child together becasue she suffers from a form of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which her doctors said could present serious health risks if she attempted to give birth. They decided to turn to a Gestational Surrogate to help them build their family. Their daughter Mason Oliva was born in 2001 and their son Jude Gordon was born in 2004.




Chris Meloni & Sherman Williams
Chris & his wife had both daughter Sophia and son Dante with the help of a Gestational Surrogate.



Joan Lunden & Jeff Konigsberg
Joan has three grown daughters from her first marriage concieved naturally. When she remarried in 2000 she and Jeff wanted children together becasue he had none. After 5 failed IVF attempts, Joan and Jeff turned to Gestational Surrogacy and have been blessed with two sets of twins. Joan has become a spokesperson for Gestational Surrogacy.




Taylor Dane
Songstress Taylor Dayne embarked on her journey toward single parenthood in 2001, after her twins, Levi and Astaria, arrived via a Gestational Surrogate. Taylor used her eggs and had a friend donate the sperm.

Why India?

U.S.= Only for the Wealthy?
In the U.S. the cost of Gestational Surrogacy can be daunting. In the U.S. Intended Parents must cover the costs of a Agency Fess (unless they use an Independent Surrogate or are blessed enough to have a family member or friend carry for them) Surrogate Fees, Fresh IVF cycle or Frozen Embryo Transfer, Medical Expenses, Travel Expenses, Legal Fees, Maternity Clothing and have extra money in escrow in case there are any complications that arise from the birth. Total Price Tag: Anywhere upwards of $70,000 +

Panama
My grandparents are from Panama and I have Panamanian blood, so naturally when I found out that Panama was joining the commercial Surrogacy route through Planet Hospital I was excited to do some research. The Planet Hospital program in Panama is through Dr. Mario Vega who is the Medical Director of the Punta Pacifica Reproductive Center. Pros: I am part Panamanian, I speak Spanish, Panama is only a 2 hour flight from the U.S., Dr. Vega is highly educated and did a Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship in New York. Cons: The Surrogacy program in Panama is brand spanking new and I am not feeling being anybodies guinea pig, and finally the cost through Planet Hospital is $36, 500 for me since I am using my own eggs.

Thailand
Thailand is currently trying to give India a run for it's money in the world of commercial Surrogacy. The prices seem comparable to that of India so I thought it was worth doing some research as any consumer should do to become informed. Pros: Thailand is a beautiful country, plane tickets are slightly cheaper than flying to India, Surrogates in Thailand tend to be very healthy because of their diet. Cons: Surrogacy in Thailand is not that established, the legal issues of Surrogates are not that clear, many potential Intended Parents in forums I came across have complained about agencies/brokers trying to take advantage of them, I could only find information on one doctor with great reviews for IVF and two hospitals that are known for specializing in Surrogacy.

The Ever Growing World of Pro Surrogacy in India
Commercial Gestational Surrogacy became legalized in India in 2002. The cost comes to about $25,000, roughly a third of the typical price in the United States. That includes the medical procedures; payment to the surrogate mother, which is often, but not always, done through the clinic; plus air tickets and hotels for two trips to India (one for the fertilization and a second to collect the baby). Pros: India is known for having skilled medical professionals. The Indian clinics are making it even more convenient for International Intended Parents knowing that at times the lifestyles of other cultures can be quite hectic. You can start your IVF cycles in the U.S. with your own fertility doctor so your stay in India is minimal. If your husband can't be there you can ship or carry his sperm to India or if you guys have frozen embryos you can ship those to India as well. Surrogacy Law is governed by contracts and under guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research, surrogate mothers sign away their rights to any children. A surrogate’s name is not even on the birth certificate. Surrogates help foreign couples achieve the possibility of having a child biologically related to both or one of the Intended Parents and the Surrogates are able to earn an income to provide a better way of life for their families. Cons: Once the baby or babies are born, the process to bring them back to the United States in our case and getting their U.S. can be quite overwhelming. On top of getting a Passport and an Exit Visa for your baby you have to fill out various forms at the U.S. Consulate and this process can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks.

The Biblical Aspects of Surrogacy

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. Psalms 113:9


The ideology and practice of Surrogacy is not something new. Surrogacy dates back to ancient Biblical times. Today parents who desire a child but for whatever reason can't carry a pregnancy to term have the option of using a Gestational Carrier/Surrogate. In Gestational Surrogacy the eggs from another woman, the Intended Mother are implanted in the Surrogate along with the Intended Father's sperm. Gestational Surrogacy requires the use of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) but it gives couples the opportunity to both have a genetic link to their child. Of course during Biblical times and before God gave man the know how to invent IVF Traditional Surrogacy was the norm and the Surrogate would use her own eggs in conjunction with the sperm of the Intended Father.

One of the oldest examples of Surrogacy in the Bible can be seen in the book of Genisis with Abraham, who fathered a child by the servant woman Hagar. Genesis 16 talks about how it was his wife Sarah's idea because she was not able to bear children, and quotes her as telling Abraham “And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.” (Gen 16:2, KJV). Of course we know the story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar was not without trials and tribulations. Sarah became jealous of Hagar and Hagar did not want to give baby Ishmael to Sarah to raise with Abraham. Ironically these are some of the issues seen in Traditional surrogacy today.

Another example of Surrogacy in the Bible comes from Jacob and his wives Rachel and Leah. After Leah had given birth to four sons, Rachel remained barren. She became jealous of Leah and gave Jacob her maidservant, Bilhah, to be a surrogate mother for her. "she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her." (Gen 30:3, KJV)Bilhah gave birth to two sons: Dan and Naphtali. Of course we know that story had its trials and tribulations also.

Another Biblical precedent for Surrogacy can be seen where Mosaic Law provided for levirate marriage, where a man would impregnate his dead brother’s widow and bear children on his behalf (Deuteronomy 25:5 ff.; prefigured in Genesis 38, and God punished Onan for his refusal to do so; valid in Christ’s day (Mark 12:19)). Ruth was a surrogate mother for Naomi in a sense, because Ruth gave birth to Obed (fathered by Ruth’s husband Boaz) who was called ‘a son born to Naomi’.

The most magnificent example of Surrogacy in the Bible, and one that did turn out well, is Jesus Christ. The gospel tells us that Jesus was born of a virgin, fathered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-35). That scenario clearly puts Mary in the role of being a surrogate mother for Jesus.

The struggle for many Christian couples who are infertile is what does God's Laws say about reproductive technology and Surrogacy? Many pastors are against Traditional Surrogacy because they consider it adulterous. However, Modern or Gestational Surrogacy would not be adulterous for Biblical purposes because the intention of the infertile couple would be to use their own egg and sperm and the Surrogate would just be the carrier.