Interview with a Surrogate: What Forces Women to Become Surrogates
It's not difficult to understand why people turn to surrogacy to have a baby but what drives women to be surrogates? Why do they want to carry a child for strangers? This is the first interview of the kind. Write your questions in the comments below and you'll definitely get the answers from our surrogates next time.
This is my first comment on this blog. So I guess I need to tell some of my background for people to know I'm not new to fertility treatments and can share vivid experience. I'm 38 yrs old.
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed on mild endo. Otherwise nothing we could figure out. AMH 1.6. DH (40) is perfect in every way. Married 2 years, TTC since March 2014. Dx: Unexplained primary infertility.
IVF#1 - Antagonist protocol. 12 eggs retrieved, 6 fertilized. 2 transferred day 3, no snowbabies. BFN. IVF#2 - Microdose flare protocol. 12 eggs retrieved, only 3 fertilized. Day 5 transfer of 2 blasts (grade 4AB, 4BB). We both felt too hopeless to move on with own eggs. Dr felt wrong with them too. Finally were told they were not going to work with IVF#3. He recommended turning to donor egg which actually we did. Though we had to switch the clinic for more affordable one. This way after loads of researches found ourselves at BioTexCom, Ukraine. We got a lovely donor who produced her beautiful healthy eggs for us. They placed back 2 5day blasts of A grade during ET. After that my life changed completely. Here's the Beta rise I've never experienced before:
5/11: Beta 104. 5/13: Beta 201. 5/17: Beta 1085. The 1st san showed one of the blasts vanished. So we ended up with only one but we're satisfied with the outcome. Our baby is due November, 2018. Honestly whilst moving this way we searched for every other option in case we fail again. We got to know about loads of things we've never known before. Once were doing serious researches on surrogacy as this is always the final option to count on. I'm really thankful to BioTexCom guys for providing this very sort of communication. Anastasia is amazing as always explaining things in details one cannot expect with every other fertility center. This is definitely a nice feedback to have for those struggling with all their concerns uneffectively.
Hope this year brings luck to even more people. Thank you, guys, for what you're doing!
Cardially congratulate you with your bundle of joy coming). Our precious Jack Matthew was born 2015 via surrogacy. We were lucky to use own genetic material. I've shared my story in brief below. I've always felt so pained that infertility impacts so many of us..Thankfully we have ART techniques nowadays helping us through..All the best to you and your family.
DeleteThank you! Sending my warm hugs your way, marty bloom. Congratulations with your sweet boy! Yes, infertility pains, but one should seek for options. No right to give up. I've recommended Biotex to both of my friends. A couple of days ago one of them got bfp! I'm so happy! Clinic knows its stuff!
DeleteI remember I was advised to look for answers for those (we were considering donor egg):
DeleteWhat are the live birth rates from the donor-egg program you are interested in? Does the clinic have its own egg donor pool? What information is shared with the recipient about the donor? Do recipients have any choice about donor selection? Clarify what type of screening and counseling is done for egg donors. What are the costs? Do you have to pay the full amount if the donor doesn't stimulate well, if few eggs are obtained or fertilization is poor? Does the clinic freeze extra embryos? Those really help to get more insight.
They may put back from 1 to 3 embryos at a time. And this purely depends on the case and the clinic. The IVF doctor’s expertise in performing ET ranks as one of the most important factors that will determine IVF outcome. Good quality embryos are those whose cells continue to divide at a regular and predictable rate. Known as such that within 72 hours of fertilization they contain 6-9 cells and within 5-6 days develop into blastocysts. Only these embryos are the ones that are most likely to be ‘competent’ in IVF. There are several confounding considerations in determining how many embryos to transfer at a time: The number of embryos that might safely be transferred per IVF procedure should be governed by the age of the egg provider. So, while it would be reasonable to restrict the number of high grade embryos transferred to a younger woman to two, the same restriction would be inappropriate and unreasonable in the case of a woman in her 40’s receiving embryos from her own eggs. Then embryos’ grade is taken into consideration. Also the stage of embryos’ development by the time of the transfer must be taken into account. The reason for this is that blastocysts are far more likely to propagate pregnancies than the earlier, day 2-3 ones.
DeleteAm joining the discussion. Our dr at BioTex explained us that the good news is that hyperstimulation always tends to be worse in pregnant women. It is also true that if it develops after embryo transfer and the woman is pregnant, the pregnancy is more likely to stick. But if hyperstimulation is anticipated, many fertility units delay the embryo transfer as a precaution and freeze the embryos. Once a new menstrual cycle has commenced, the effect of all the drugs will have dissipated and embryo transfer will be safe. Nearly all moderate or severe cases of hyperstimulation are preventable with adequate monitoring of ovarian development, though mild hyperstimulation is difficult to prevent. There are conditions that predispose a woman to OHSS, for example, polycystic ovary syndrome. Other women just respond very briskly to super-ovulatory drugs and the reason for this is unclear. Women prone to hyperstimulation, should be given lower doses of FSH and be monitored carefully during treatment.
DeleteSuch an active blog! Thank you, people, for coming here and discusing things like this. I from my side have got sth to add too.
DeleteOn the surface, banning surrogacy seems to prevent a slew of legal, emotional, and cultural issues. However, there will always be families hoping to grow with no other options, surrogacy is then driven underground. In some countries, surrogacy is an unchecked and dangerous practice. In Ukraine surrogacy is a properly regulated service. Surrogacy laws here seem even more favourable for intended parents then for surrogates. Many countries banning surrogacy start with the belief that it takes advantage of poor, needy women. The concept of surrogacy compensation being exploitative ignores the financial stability offered many of the surrogate mothers post-pregnancy. In some countries, a single surrogate pregnancy can provide the mother a life changing sum of money. I believe that the money given a surrogate can keep her family supported and prevent more drastic and illegal measures, such as prostitution. Frequently there is concern that the surrogate mother will bond with the child and be unable to give it up when the baby is born. But this is impossible due to Ukrainian legislation. Once a baby is conceived it realtes to intended parents only! This was the hugest factor for us whilst seeking the clinic/country where to pass surrogacy treatment. With Ukrainian Biotexcom we were sure to avoid any sort of the hassle!
On the whole, surrogates and intended parents have the opportunity to change each other’s lives. The surrogate carrier gains financial stability and the new parents are given the child they’ve been dreaming of. Ukrainian qualified surrogacy centers are equipped to handle these issues as well as ensure well being for all parties involved. In many cases, countries banning surrogacy drives the practice underground, which only complicates matters further.
Dh and me had been struggling infertility for 7 years. We'd been through 6 failed IUI cycles when one day found ourselves starting ivf cycle. Unfortunately/fortunately it was called off because of 1 additional test to be done. So this 1 single additional test done could have told us 7 years ago that it was not going to happen!!! I couldn't carry pregnancies!! We went for surrogacy at Biotexcom a year ago. Now I'm a 42 yo mom of beautiful twins. I truly don't know what we'd do if no surrogacy opportunity existing..
After serious research done, it became obvious that IP from nearby west European countries (Also as far as Australia and the USA!!) are seeking surrogacy in Eastern Europe more and more. And this is not surprising. Other European countries either prohibit surrogacy or allow surrogacy agreements only the surrogate is unpaid. For those countries that allow surrogacy the laws typically give all parental rights to the surrogate!! This is so until a court process can transfer the rights from her to the IP. In these countries the surrogate has the right to keep the baby if she chooses. But this will never happen in Ukraine. The process is well regulated there. Surrogates undergo serious testing both physically and psychologically to make sure they are fit. Only women who have given birth before are qualified to become surrogate mothers. Agencies/clinics usually do not accept surrogates who drink, smoke, or take drugs. Typical surrogate moms are between 20 and 40 yrs. Prospective parents are given several profiles they can choose from before agreeing to a surrogate mom. As I’ve mentioned above, before going straight for pregnancy, a surrogate would have to undergo extensive medical testing. What tests a woman has to go through depends on the country’s law though. Usually these involve gynecological examinations, blood tests, and screening for various sexually-transmitted diseases among many others. She also has to go through psychological screening. She would usually be given continual counseling by the agency along with the parents. In Ukraine where commercial surrogacy is legal, the surrogate will have zero parental rights over the child!!! Gestational surrogacy cases may require some paperwork so that you can be legally named parents of the child. Biotexcom guides through this as well. I was amazed on hips of papers guys prepare for the exit process! Piles of them!! This treatment plan is worth considering surely.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time we were flying internationally with our ivf baby. And here what we were aware of. ( Just in case anyone needs suggestions). Our baby's doctor strongly discouraged air travel shortly after her birth. He explained that newborns have developing immune systems and air travel might increase their risk of catching an infectious disease. So if travelling with an infant, frequently wash your hands or use hand sanitizer and avoid contact with other travelers. Then take care of baby's ears. Changing cabin pressure during a flight causes temporary changes in middle ear pressure. It can trigger ear pain. To help equalize the pressure in baby's ears, offer your baby a breast, bottle or pacifier to suck on during take off and the initial descent.
DeleteAlso just love their all inclusive plans! One could sign for 5 cycles for EUR 9,900 (EUR 1,980 per cycle!!) for example. Things expected with this one: donor eggs, all medications, transfer from/to the airport and from/to the clinic, accommodation, meals, interpreter services. AND unlimitided number of attempts! It means that in case of failure they’ll be trying again and again until they get the desired result. It’s already covered by the contract so doesn’t require any extra fees. Incredible! I've never happen to see such offers anywhere else. We've paid out of pocket for treatments at the previous clinic. I regret truly 'cause we could save money if applying straight to Biotex. Moreover adding to all mentioned services, they provide also legal service which is extremelly important when undergoing treatments overseas. Biotex offers assisting in getting all documents in civil status registry office and embassy, translations, lawyer service, assisting of a manager at all stages of your program, etc. I truly think we could manage the whole process much better if were more free with research. Anyway I'm glad we got luck though even later than sooner. People should be more naughty with their requirements and always seek for better options.
ReplyDeleteWell, I suppose I should post the same way.
ReplyDeleteI'm Jen, 34 yo. DH: 35. TTC for 4.5 years.
3 BFN IUI- 2011.
1 BFP IUI- March 2012. Terminated. Ectopic 5w6d.
1 BFP IVF- Dec 2013 – MC - Trisomy 16.
1 BFP FET- June 2013 – MC with more complications. Some of the organs damaged. I was said pregnancy was life threatening for me, so we had to move surrogacy route.
Jack Matthew was born 2015 via surrogacy.
We're thankful all our researches led us to Ukrainian BioTexCom. One should be aware of so many factors effecting the successful process. Laws vary from one country to another. For instance, in the UK, it is illegal to pay for surrogacy, although you can pay for the surrogate's expenses. And the surrogate mother is the child's legal mother and can change her mind at any time! A quick google search suggested that it is illegal for fertility clinics to make surrogacy arrangements, and that you would have to adopt the child once born. We also encountered charities or forums which allowed us to meet other parents that have been through a similar process, and who could offer us informed advice. It was awesome. I had never voiced all my concerns but it was always easier to hide behind a screen. I felt both comforted in knowing there were others out there going through this roller coaster journey and pained that it impacts so many of us..There are many reasons to consider growing your family through surrogacy, whether you are a couple who has struggled with infertility, a member of the LGBT community or are looking to expand your family as a single parent.
Before you begin the surrogacy process, it is important to educate yourself about the risks and benefits of surrogacy and ensure that you are ready to fully commit to the process. Hopeful parents considering surrogacy should be aware of the financial and emotional investment required and should ensure that they have the resources to commit to surrogacy and parenthood. If you or your spouse are struggling with the decision to become parents through surrogacy, or if you need additional information before making your decision, consider reaching out to a counselor or surrogacy specialist before proceeding with the surrogacy process. This is vital!!
Congrats with your baby boy! The birth of your baby will usher you into a new phase of your life. Now you are no longer just man and wife. Maturity and wisdom will envelop your behavior and personalities forever. Now you have become a loving mother and a responsible father. Life will keep changing but there is one thing that will remain constant till the day you die – your love for your child. Congratulations for finding something so magical!!
DeleteMy warmest congrats to you.
DeleteWe passed ivf with de last year. And that was one of the crusial moments to decide how many to put back. Finally we transferred 2. You'll probably get lots of different responses. If you're healthy and are okay with twins. I personally believe it's your decision. Obviously, there are risks but many go on to have twins with no issues. For us it was sth like boosting chances. We transferred 2 but only got pregnant with 1. Unfortunately, I lost him very early. Though both they were excellent 5 day blasts. I think for some its a financial decision also. Can you afford more than one transfer, etc. For us, it was just the way it was.
Joining this comment thread. Hi, bravies! I've read your posts here and figured out there is so much in common! Trying to share my story the best. About me: 37 years old, DH 40 years old
ReplyDeleteDiagnosed on Unexplained infertility. (This scarried me even more because in other words there was no obvious reason we faced trouble conceiving). TTC since Jan 2010 naturally. Then after year of trying with no luck we started fertility support with RE in Jan 2011.
5 clomid cycles with good stim response. 1st BFP on 3nd cycle. I thought I was so lucky but miscarried at 8 weeks. My sweet embie developed to 6w3d only..
Then my path continued with 3 x IUI with 2 cancellations due to cysts or hyper stimulation.
We took a break to improve health then decided to go for IVF. Here you know, like thousands of others, we initiated fertility diet, reduced alcohol, started acupuncture & doing yoga.
July 2012- IVF #1- Antagonist protocol. I began stimulation- Puregon + Cetrotide. ER-11 retrieved, 10 Fertilized. ET- 2 good quality 5d blasts- 6 other embies frozen at day5/6 blast stage.
8dp5dt- Took a HPT- faint pink line. 9dp5dtt- HPT- positive. Then actual pregnancy blood test - positive- low beta 46. The following one -again positive but low beta 52!! Doctors were concerned about ectopic. Not appearing to be a viable pregnancy -chemical or ectopic.We were told that there was very little hope..So it actually was..causing more complications to my general health condition. Again took a long break, seems the longest one before continuing strugglings. We wanted another woman to carry our baby. Began looking for surrogacy options, leading us to Eastern Europe for high success rates and affordable prices. Came across Biotexcom. Our surrogate fell pregnant from the very first shot. Those numbers has stuck in my head!!
Aug 22, 2016- Beta 1920- wow its doubling!!!
Aug 28, 2012- U/S- 1 single embryo in uterus measuring 6.6 weeks- Heartbeat!!! Both shocked we finally cought luck!!
Cardially congratulate you on your surrogacy success! May the remaining mons be healthy and happy for the baby and the surrogate. After six miscarriages and years of infertility, we also didn’t give up our dream of having children. Once it became clear that pregnancy wasn’t a viable option, we became interested in surrogacy. This way we could both be genetically connected to the child. we also investigated adoption and resolving without children, but didn't get there. Looking back I cannot understand now how could it happen we thought about even living childless..It was not me definitely! lol. Moreover this is the note from our past, after self educating and months spent on research it turned out that adoption was not faster and easier than surrogacy itself. In most cases even more complicated.. So finally we turned to surrogacy at bio tex com clinic, far away Ukraine in order to have our sweet son now. both don't have a word of complain about treatments in the clinic.
DeleteCongratulations!
DeleteHi all. Just a quick question. Have you, guys, heard about a kind of the maternal blood test which is aimed to predict the possible problems with the growing embryo. Personally I believe this is a groundbreaking new blood test promises to determine a woman’s chance of miscarriage and premature birth with high reliability.
The test, carried out in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, is also said to predict the onset of preeclampsia. This is a pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure. In its turn it can lead to premature birth and, in extreme cases, be life-threatening to both mother and fetus!
Statistics show that about 10 to 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Most of them in the first trimester. About five to 18 percent of babies are born preterm, while preeclampsia affects roughly two to eight percent of pregnant women.
In addition to causing both heartbreak and trauma for families, these complications pose a serious risk to both maternal and infant health. Although the understanding of these pathologies is increasing, prevention remains a significant challenge in obstetrics.
While the tests need to be confirmed more widely, fertility specialists say the results are promising. They continue to pave the way for possible treatments for blood-related pregnancy complications.
Quite a useful thing to operate, isn't it? It's great modern medicine has always sth to offer us who're struggling for a baby.
While there’s a long list of things that need to happen, at the right time, in the right place, in order for a woman to get pregnant, ovulation is definitely one of the most important factors. Among the factors affecting ovulation:
DeleteAge. Hormonal birth control. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Endometriosis. Body weight
Endocrine disorders. One example is the thyroid, which produces thyroid hormones that control the metabolism of every cell in our bodies. Both an overactive (hyper) or underactive (hypo) thyroid can affect ovulation. Sleep disruption. sleep disruption can affect ovulation because sleep may be a factor in the body’s regulation of:
TSH. Luteinizing hormone (LH), which triggers ovulation. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which helps ovarian follicles mature. Progesterone. Or other important hormones that can affect ovulation. One should seek for professional help if has had ttc for a year+ with no joy.
Ladies I have to announce it here!! The dearest friend of mine got bfp after donor egg ivf shots at Biotexcom! So pleased to hear this news, feel lack of words.. She, a brave worrior, spent 6years!! undergoing treatments. And it's here finally, at clinic recommended, where she feels ''heavily'' prego with her baby#1!! OMG, I'm sooo happy!! Do share this joy with me!!
ReplyDeleteTell my best wishes to your friend! May the baby inside grow well and healthy. May the rest of weeks pass smooth for her!
DeleteGuys at biotexcom create miracles. Seems they treat the toughest cases. We'd been among those too. After surrogacy undergone we're happily parenting our baby#2 - sweet lovely princess Amanda Johns.
Nice to hear thiis. Congratulations! I also believe a healthy lifestyle can improve odds of success. It is imperative for ladies undergoing IVF maintain healthy habits. Recreational drugs, alcohol, medications, a poor diet, herbs and certain supplements can all prevent a successful pregnancy. The male partner’s lifestyle also affects the quality of his sperm. Additional factors that can influence IVF success are extremes of body weight and insufficient sleep. It’s recommended that the potential mother gets between 8 hours rest per night. Less stress and more rest.
DeleteLove this video!!! I wish I could watch it just at the beginning of our journey!
ReplyDeleteHere are some facts to introduce myself.
Me (Lindcey): 36 - irregular cycles, inconsistent O, PCOS, IR, empty follicles, HSG clear
DH: 38 - normal
Together since 11/2009
Married 10/2010
TTC #1 since 2/2011
IVF #1: - one beautiful A grade embie transferred.
Beta #1: 158 '14dpo
Beta #2: 254 '16dpo
1st scan '6w - saw a beautiful heartbeat!
DD born 4lbs 1oz, 17" long (36w6d)
TTC #2 since 7/2014
11dpo - Terminated. Ectopic. 5w6d.
IVF #2 - 1 beautiful B grade embie! - miscarried.
IVF#3 & IVF#4 - 2 miscarriages in a row with further complications. Dr told me I my body was not going to endure another mc, not talking about the pregnancy if lucky. We turned to surrogacy in Ukraine, biotexcom clinic.
I'm so sorry to hear about your strugglings. Wishing you the best of luck ahead with your surrogacy plan at biotex. It’s 12th day of my period. So I’m starting stimulation this month. Hurray! Yeap, we’ve been matched with a surrogate mother. and they synchronize our cycles. I have to do ultrasound in 6 days to ensure everything’s fine and I can start stimulation. It’s a long protocol starting from Dipherelin 3.75, one shot.
DeleteNow I know it’s a high doze. I’m a bit afraid of side effects and how I'llfeel. From the other hand, I know that our doctor Elena is one of the leading specialists there in Biotexcom. I hope she knows perfectly well what she is doing.
Oh, luv, lindcey, poor thing you are..you've been through so much! May God bless you on your surrogacy way. Are you using own egg for ivf? What did your dr say, i mean the reasons he suspects you ended up with mc? How's been your way at BioTexCom so far? Hope everything's going on well.
DeleteSurrogates do a great deal for us.
ReplyDeleteI have to share this story with you here for everyone to know how risky the process might be for the surrogates in different countries. A woman I know well, American was carrying the baby for the couple 2+ yrs ago. Discussing surrogacy she used to repeat that newbies should learn from her lesson. I had been on bed rest for a couple of weeks. Her OB added another month to her bed rest. Due to her bleeding and fibroid that was then 9mm long. In her contract she agreed to a $4,000 loss wages cap. Due to bed rest. Unfortunately, she would have reached her cap before the end of that bed rest. Her OB was really concerned that two months before she would deliver. Dr was going to put her back on bed rest. Because she might go into pre-term labor. Due to that fibroid. They all were informed when she went for the screening. Dr told her that her fibroid wouldn't be a problem. But since her bleeding and the hormones I was taking. The homones were feeding her fibriod. So she warned
the newbies not to put a cap on the contract. 'Cause you never know what will happen during your surro pregnancy.
This trouble would never have happened at biotexcom, 'cause all their contracts are well thought out. Their surros are safe with any sort of the outcomes as well as their IP.
Ladies posting above are awesome. I appreciate so much people struggling for their happiness.
ReplyDeleteAll my life I expected that I would have children. After years of failed infertility treatments, my husband and I had almost given up. We didn’t have the energy or emotional stamina to keep trying. I thought adoption was my only alternative until our doctor suggested that we consider gestational care. and it has turned a very painful beginning into a very hopeful future. Here's my story in brief.
me = 39
endometriosis
ttc since 9/2013
1st IUI with just trigger 8/2015 BFN
2nd IUI with clomid no trigger 9/2015
IVF#1: retrieved 8 mature, 6 fertilzed
fresh cycle- transfer 1 grade A embryo/ hatched. On progesterone/ estradiol. Miscarried.
IVF#2-IVF#5 – almost similar results. All early miscarriages. All bfps on dollar store cheapie which never developed into a healthy pregnancy. Each time beta rising then falling down..
Applied for help at bio tex com clinic. Surrogacy. The emotional strength huge as it has been never before..But we did it!
I feel like we're in the best hands ever with them! Got some really important good news today. Feeling over the moon! There are so many crappy moments on this journey. I'm going to revel in having a smile on my face daily. I dare for that flutter of hope to return to my heart. For now I'm going to stay in my happy bubble. Lots of love!
DeleteCouples or women contacting fertility centers for surrogacy usually have a background of a row of unsuccessful treatments. IUIs, IVFs, donor egg IVFs, etc.. With all those failures, they wasted time and money. That’s why the guarantee of having a baby just blows them away. We met a very kind couple from Denmark there in the clinic. They had 8 unsuccessful attempts of IVFs (DE & OE) and trying to conceive for almost 12years. It was so hard for me to listen to their story..God love them poor things. Sometimes it does take this long!! So they switched to surrogacy. They told us they had signed with biotex because they provide unlimited number of attempts for fixed price. In their case donor eggs surrogacy. This was similar to our contract. The only difference is that I'm giving my own eggs. I'm going through hormonal stimulation. Thus, in case it won’t work from two attempts, they will have to shift for donor eggs ( as they cannot stimulate me forever!) So wish me luck.
DeleteThis is just the way we experienced the steps while passing our previous ivf treatment shots. We were doing with a Greek clinic, but weren’t satisfied much with them. Our shots there brought no success. I guess they didn’t investigate our case to the whole. They gave us hope of conceiving with oe, but this route was not ours. In biotexcom they were honest to us and told us about all possible risks of using oe. They studied everything carefully and found the best option for us. Though it took us somewhat longer..
DeleteSeems I'm the only man here by now. Hi ladies! We were considering surrogacy in the US first. Here are the poins which maade us hesitate and then actually change the route. Waiting time for the first try is about 9 months. American law is very strict. At the same time it's too loyal to the surrogate mothers! For example, surrogate mother during pregnancy has the right to demand anything from the future parents. Often it can grow into blackmail. It doesn’t stop even after a child birth!! 'cause under American law surrogate mother is allowed to keep in contact with the child!! This is one of common reasons why people don’t choose America for surrogate program. My wife and I too. Plus cost is the highest in the world – around $150k. It's too expensive! All costs have to be paid by parents. Like cesarean section, the cost of treatment rehabilitation, accommodation and food for surrogate mother. Because of all this reasons we felt we needed some other destination.
ReplyDeleteThat's it! We were doing VIP surrogacy plan (EUR 50k). Here's what we got for this sum of money: PGD services. (It helps eliminate poor embryos and also allows for gender selection.) A pediatrician who saw our baby every day. 24/7 hotline for English speaking pediatricians. They also came to visit us at any time if necessary. Regardless of how far along the surrogate is, if the case of miscarriage, abortion, or death of child, the agency will take care of the cost of paying the surrogate and finding a new one. In case the baby is born premature, the agency pays all medical fees regardless. If you have twins, there is no additional fee. 9am - 6pm nursery and babysitting services available to every day.
DeleteAlso we could attend the birth of DS. (Needless to say, the surrogate in Ukraine has no right to keep the baby after delivery.) BioTexCom provided all the legal support, we're thankful for. 'Cause the exit stage might probably be the most complicated one of all.
I know how hard it is not to be able to share with people around as they are more likely no understand..All my friends got prego in a quick succession. Almost all of them have 2+ kids now when I’m hardly after de ivf with my#1!! But the most destroying thing for me was once being asked by the friend whether she’d better do abortion ’cause her relationship was unstable..I was going insane people were so lucky to fall prego and not wanting to carry a little one! How could this ever be?? I’m sharing my story with you. I’m 39 yrs old. Had 2 cycles ivf with ex. He had low sperm quality. My right ovary never responded to treatments. My last AMH came in 3%. Besides weight 12 stone 7 lbs wasn’t the best to go further with. We went abroad for donor egg cycle once said own eggs were not likely going to work at all. And here’s what we got with the cycles. Our previous 2 — 2 of embies were rated high but neither of them stuck. With my last de transfer#1 we got B grade 2 5day blasts and got prego. The toughest thing is though you never know what to expect with treatments. Noone can rule over things. I’m praying you find your heart peace soon and keep on with going for another try. Everyone’s path is different.
ReplyDeleteI believe the poor response thing and donor not taking her meds are waivers you would likely have to sign anywhere. That’s when having a good doctor and a proven donor (who’s cycled before and therefore knows what she’s doing) comes into play. Whether or not you do a guarantee, I would recommend finding a doctor/clinic you like and trust first. From what I've used to read, a vast majority didn't sound like they trust their current ones very much. Poor response should not happen if it’s a proven donor who’s responded well before and you have a good doctor!! That’s why I highly recommend a donor who’s cycle before so you know what you’re getting into. And so the donor is more likely guaranteed to take her meds. And that she's the best supervised by the clinic. like at Biotex which is absolutely awesome in this field.
ReplyDeleteHere's me, 39 yrs young. TTC 2 years & 9 months. I have a damaged right tube, endo. DH has some swimmer issues. Tried 6 medicated cycles (clmid and follistim) but only 1 IUI and 1 cycle timed BD because I kept Oing on my bad side.. Had two fresh cycles and two FETs. All times using own eggs and dh's swimmers. Meds taken: BCP, Lupron, Estrace and PIO (for FET) Did BCP, Lupron, Menopur and Follistim for fresh cycles. As for the eggs retrieved: IVF #1 - 9, IVF #2 – 15! Fertilized: IVF #1 - 4 of 9, IVF #2 - 10 of 15. 3 & 5 day transfers. 2 embies put back each time. With my BFP (IVF #1 was early loss) I had headaches and mild AF cramps during 2ww. I used FRERs. It's worth splurgin on the big guns when you've put yourself through so much crap! Dr told us there were complications, so it was too dangerous for me to try for pregnancy at all. And that we'd better to look for surrogacy option. The further path soon led us to Ukraine, BioTexCom.
ReplyDeleteMe 40; DH 45. DX - PCOS, endo, one ovary and tube; MFI. Oct 2008: Mike is here! 7lbs 14oz, 20.75 inches; C-Section.
DeleteTTC #2 since Sept 2015. BFN= 3 IVFs. IVF#4 – early mc @6w4d, June 2018. Last IVF #5 (5dt of two 2AA blasts) – BFP!!
Beta #1, 11dp5dt= 295.
Beta #2, 13dp5dt= 825 (doubling time of 32 hours!); progesterone 130.
Last time we were using own eggs at Ukrainian clinic bio texcom. Quite far away from home. But the clinic was doing its best to make our say with them comfortable and the most effective. Now we turned back. Had egg collection on Monday. One ovary retrieved from abdominally (ouchy!!!) 5 eggs collected and 3 have fertilised. Just had the call from embryologist and she described all 3 embryos as text book and top quality. So wish me good luck.
We were also considering Mexico once. 'Cause read somewhere it was going to become new ''Mecca'' of surrogate motherhood for foreigners. Compare to those in other surrogacy friendly countries, Mexico have softer laws. After leaving the hospital, the surrogate mother writes refusal for the child. Then the law prohibits their further cooperation. The cost was $80k. Taking into account the risks, transfer, food and residence. That's why we started to look for other options. Ukraine was on the top list. Mainly, for the affordable prices. (VIP surrogacy package at BioTexCom EUR 50k, which was much cheaper than a single try in the US for ex.) Moreover, the set of services was absolutely attractive. So we didn't want to waste more time on looking for more. Afterall, it took us 1 shot only to conceive DS. We always felt well informed and we were consistently made aware and informed of each process to be undertaken. Here I would like to say our great thanks to the med staff, our beautiful dr and nurses. We were treated with the utmost respect, kindness and understanding during this delicate and emotional journey.
ReplyDeleteIn brief, surrogacy process in Ukraine goes on like this (personal experience!):
ReplyDeleteInitial consultation. It usually contains the following activities: A set of tests depending on the program (fasting is mandatory). Consultation with a fertility specialist who will be in charge of your program (in case of stimulation you will need to have the transvaginal ultrasound check done). Consultation with a manager who will guide you through the program step by step. Signing of contracts. Before any initial consultation you will receive the Guidelines for the Initial Consultation – failure to follow these recommendations may affect the initial consultation in a negative way. Search & confirmation of a surrogate mother, matching process. Waiting time depends on the type of contact. Stimulation & synchronisation stage (about 2 weeks). The cycle of egg donor or the biological mother is synchronised with the cycle of a surrogate mother. According to your contract you have to follow all doctors instruction. In case of self-treatment or violation of the treatment protocol, the clinic may cancel the cycle and terminate the contract. Fertilization day, embryo transfer – the 2nd visit. In case the biological mother undergoes hormonal stimulation and is being prepared for egg retrieval, the second visit may take up to 10 days. If we are talking about surrogacy using own eggs it is not recommended to leave the same day. Flying the following day is fine.The rules for sperm donation are similar as for the initial consultation – a man needs to abstain from ejaculation from 3 to 5 days before. After fertilisation the embryo development is monitored by embryology unit. The embryo transfer takes place on the 5th day. You will receive the protocol of embryo cultivation and transfer within 3 working days after the embryo transfer. HCG test, pregnancy confirmation. The first ultrasound scan is carried out in 2 weeks after the positive HCG test by the doctor in charge of the program. The report will be send the same or the next day after the check.
Pregnancy monitoring. Delivery. Obtaining of the birth certificate for the baby (up to 1 week).
In my opinion, the grade of the blastocyst doesn’t matter as much as proper protocol does. - in case you're doing with own genetic material. And if you're sing donor eggs, the clinic guarantees you at least 3 A grade ones. Had egg collection on Monday. One ovary retrieved from abdominally (ouchy!!!) 5 eggs collected and 3 have fertilised. Just had the call from embryologist and she described all 3 embryos as text book and top quality. The transfer scheduled for day 5. Feeling over the moon! There are so many crappy moments on this journey. I'm going to revel in having a smile on my face every day. I dare for that flutter of hope to return to my heart. Today will be spent tidying up. Renovating home and IVF is a great plan for our mental health..For now I'm going to stay in my happy bubble.
ReplyDeleteLots of love to all!
I took just about every supplement under the sun when I was TTC my #1child at age 35-36. Including Maca and Royal Jelly. I also took wheatgrass, coq10, baby aspirin, b12, EPO, and some others from time to time. I had my FSH tested and it was quite good for my age. I don't know if the supps had anything to do with it (I don't know what the number was before I started taking it.) But I want to believe this. And if I had actual numbers this could have ''evident support'' so to say. So after taking supplemets, I was tested, had a lap done. And nothing was wrong with me. After years of trying, it turns out my hubby's sperm was the problem. (So if your SO is also 40+, he should definitely be taking supps as well.) We're currently looking onto mitochondria donation to give own eggs ''fresh breath.'' Dh is ok now. I think if our first doc was a real expert he wouldn't have made us wait for so long to investigate the issues with dh. So let's say, think twice when choosing this or that fertility expert/clinic/med team. Good luck to all on this way.
DeleteSurrogacy legislation in both countries we were opting (Georgia and Ukraine) is quite favourable for IP. They have specific set of laws to protect IPs’ rights and the rights of SM. Intended mother provides medical certificate proving her disability to carry pregnancy on her own. Restrictions for SMs are also set by law: Age 18-39. Being absolutely healthy and having at least one healthy child.
ReplyDeleteWhat we liked is that SM has no right to change her mind and keep the baby after delivery. IPs are considered to be biological parents of the child. Birth certificate is issued with the names of IPs as parents, no name of SM mentioned. It was very important for us.
Then considering the contract conditions and fees. I found reproductive clinics’ directory on the web with their contact info and websites. Some websites provided service and price info, some didn’t, so I had to email them. The prices were different. The same were the conditions. When considering surrogacy fees, one should ask consultant if the price is final and what extra fees are, if any. Also the number of attempts they provide. Also if medications are covered by your contract. Some clinics assign lower price. But then it is actually doubled with costs of all medications needed. We decided to proceed with Ukrainian clinics, based on positive reviews and surrogacy experience in this country. Besides it was cheaper and quicker for us to travel to Ukraine.
Things can also not be predicted by nature purely..On the one hand, some couples cannot have babies 'cause there're male of female factors. Or even both. On the other hand, others might make the decision they regret in future. For example, ladies get their tubes dilated. The chances of becoming pregnant after tubal ligation are small - around one in 200. The good news is that women who have undergone tubal ligation no longer have to just keep trying and hope against hope. They can turn to IVF for help. My dr at Biotexcom explained that tubes can be either cauterised, cut, clamped or a small portion of the tubes removed. The end result is the same - The egg is still released as normal every month. but it does not reach the uterus. Instead, it cannot travel through the fallopian tube and is reabsorbed into the body. In IVF the resulting eggs are removed from the patient’s body. fertilised with the sperm of her partner or a donor. and the fertilised egg is implanted in her uterus. This means that there is no need to reverse the tubal ligation. Though that is possible in some cases. Tubal ligation is no longer the permanent barrier to becoming pregnant that it once was. With suitable medical advice and experience,IVF can be used to start or expand a family for every woman in the same boat, as well as in many other circumstances.
ReplyDeleteMine were PCOS and thyroid issues. Later adding egg quality and incapability of my body to carry pregnancies. All this led us to donor egg surrogacy route. But we are blessed to have so many options nowadays to cure infertility. After years of struggling we did become parents though the whole path was long and painful. We would never have experienced parenthood on our own if no fertility clinic involved. So having different issues we still have hope – we make our choice and move on.
DeleteIn Ukraine the surrogate cannot legally keep the child after the birth. The child is considered to legally belong to the prospective parents from the very moment conception.Ukrainian law allows to issue birth certificate to intended parents' names regardless of their genetic links to the child. Donor or a surrogate mother has no parental rights over the child, who is legally the child of the prospective parents from the moment of conception.Surrogacy in Ukraine offers the following advantages: the surrogate is legally compensated for her help. You don't have to pass additional legal procedures to obtain court order. You'll not adop your own child. BioTexCom, for example, offers all the legal support throught the treatments stages whithin its surrogacy packages. Prices in this country are also attractive. Varying from 39 to 49k euros for the stated number of shots. If you sign up for ex., VIP 5 shot package, you'll get automatically covered from money loss. This package gives you unlimited number of attempts. In case it's failure to conceive 5 times in a row, they'll refund all money paid back!! Finally, a little piece of advice from me. Even in the womb, babies can hear sounds and movement around them. Starting early, during pregnancy, is one way to interact with baby before they’re even earthside! Record your voices reading a favourite childhood story or singing a nursery song, choose favourite songs for baby to listen to in the womb, or talk to baby via skype or in-person time spent with the surrogate.
ReplyDeleteHope everyone's journey has it's successful outcome in the nearest future.
Great video to watch! Whether a single parent or couple, the parents should be the primary focus for bonding. Whether skin-to-skin time, a bath, or feeding, begin creating your new rituals and routines together, while safely introducing your new baby to the world! Don’t forget to ask for help! Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming for anyone, and having support will allow you to focus on establishing a beautiful relationship with your precious new arrival. There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one. lol
ReplyDeleteHey everyone. I started researching into IVF on YouTube years ago. And I have to say your videos are the very best I've come across in terms of how detailed the information was! Thanks again, ladies, for sharing your stories. I believe this helps others to get some inner strength or the tiniest hope things are going to be ok. I would appreciate if you could also write the names of all the people you've mentioned who helped you. We;re currently working with Dr Elena Mozgovaya, who's absolutely awesome to us and I believe for others. I am so happy for those who've had luck with fertility treatments. And hope for those who're still in the process. updates about how the pregnancies are going for IVF ladies are really inspiring. Also ask your doctors about taking coq10. Because that is one supp everyone seems to agree on. There are many other supplements that can help too that you should research. Melatonin, L-carnitine, royal jelly, wheatgrass, low dose aspirin, DHEA, B-12, etc. Hoping for you, ladies. You can do it.
DeleteOh, dear, I'm so sorry for that you've been through this road! Maybe this is a late message but you should know that stories here differ too much. We have to deal with challenges life gives us. Being brave and strong is always blessed I believe it. I've been working with kids all my life. It was so devastating for me to realize that I don't have my own ones..Started tttc in July 2013 Being fed up with all those thoughts we decided to move on with treatments. Very soon I was told dx: endo. Then years of struggling. 2013 - 1 round clomid - BFN. 2014 - 1 fresh IVF with 5-day 1 beautiful embie - early miscarriage. We took a long break for emotional recovering, though continuing trying naturally. 2016 - biopsy results diagnosed severe endo. dh's results came in healthy. 2016 - another fresh cycle with oe - failure. 2017- starting DE IVf. Our final point was using donor eggs. The decision wasn't easy for both of us, but the desire to win in this waiting game was stronger, much stronger. We flew abroad to Ukraine, signed the contract fo 5 att with refund in case of failure and proceeded with our treatment. Thankfully they've got a large database of donors. So that we could choose the one we liked. Our's was a young healthy lady, very attractive and I thought my baby would be very lovely. And he was and is now. We've got our bfp day 9 after transfer . I couldn't wait longer!! And from that moment our life changed completely. All in all, we spent sums of money on treatments, but it was worth it.I believe you'll all gain success sooner or later. And you definitely will!
DeleteHere are some questions to ask the clinic if you're considering egg donation.=
ReplyDeleteHow long has the service been in business?
Are all donors legal residents? (Illegal aliens should not be used as donors.)
Will the service provide references? How do they recruit donors?
What psychological screening is done on donors and by whom?
What medical screening is done on the donors? Ask to see a blank intake form so that you get a clear sense of the screening process.
What is the number of donors currently available? How long is the average wait for a “match?”
How much information will you be given about the donor? What, if any, information will be given to the donor about you? Will your clinic or doctor work with this particular matching service?
If your donor has already been through medical screening, will repeat tests be required by the IVF clinic? Does the matching service have legal counsel? If so, whose interests are represented? The services? The donors? Should you consider hiring an attorney to represent you?
What is the cost of using the service? Is total payment due prior to match? What fee does the egg donor receive? If the donor lives not at a place, will you need to pay for housing or transportation at the time of ovulation induction and egg retrieval?
If the donor changes her mind, will the service provide a new “match” with no additional fee?
What are financial arrangements if the donor has poor or no response to the stimulation protocol?
Thank you for sharing this list with us. It must be helpful. The clinic chooses donors very carefully. First of all donor should be 18 – 25 years old. Second is perfect physical and mental health. And third requirement is absence of genetic diseases in the donor and her family. Contact of clients with donors is prohibited by law. But we all have desired phenotype! For example, eye color, hair, nose shape etc. After you sign up, they give you access to their donor database which is really HUGE. You cannot see this option usually. This is you to decide who's eggs to use. (If only in some rare cases dr advises on using another candidate.) They've also got a large pole of surrogates. Some of them have already carried 1-2 kids for foreign families. Meaning they feel safe and do come back. A completely good sign to me, isn't it?
DeleteFor couples who are considering gestational carrier the following questions may be helpful =
ReplyDeleteHow long has the program been in operation? Does the program maintain a referral listing of previous client couples?
Does the program recruit its own surrogates? Through what means?
Will they work with a surrogate recruited by the couple themselves?
How are surrogates expenses handled? Is there a cap on these expenses?
Does the program offer medical screening of the surrogate? To what extent? Who does the screening?
Does medical screening include an AIDS test of surrogate and her partner?
What are the costs of surrogacy (gestational or donor)? What is the fee payment structure?
What are the financial obligations incurred by the couple? What is the payment schedule?
How long are the surrogate’s medical records kept?
Does the program offer psychological screening and counseling to all parties? To what extent?
Does the program offer on-site medical services or do they work with local physicians and hospitals?
How many babies have been born through the agency/clinic’s surrogacy programs?
To what extent is contact between the surrogate and the couple encouraged? (By letter, meeting face-to-face, on-going?)
Can the couple be present at the birth?
What type of legal counsel is offered to the surrogate and the couple? Does this include the drawing up of contracts?
Does the program offer adoption finalization services?
What are the fees for informational meetings or interviews?
What are the financial obligations incurred by the couple? What is the payment schedule?
If the surrogate does not get pregnant over a certain number of cycles, what is the clinic's policy regarding refund of fees paid?
In the event that the contract is not honored, what are the financial obligations for the couple?
In the event that the surrogate has a pregnancy loss, what are the financial obligations for the couple?
Does the program have a registry for the surrogate and children to exchange information when the child reaches maturity?
urrently we're preparing for ivf with donor egg. But with all the failures we faced earlier we did lots of research on surrogacy. And here's the thing to share:
DeleteThe process starts with the initial consultation. It is to be scheduled at least 1 week ahead and contains the following activities. A set of tests depending on the program. Consultation with a fertility specialist who will be in charge of your program (in case of stimulation you will need to have the transvaginal ultrasound check done). Consultation with a manager who will guide you through the program step by step. Signing of contracts. First payment and also you will receive the guidelines - failure to follow these recommendations may affect the initial consultation in a negative way. Another step search and confirmation of a surrogate mother, matching process (waiting time also depends on type of contract). After you sign contracts and make the first payment, the medical team starts the selection process that includes: Initial pre-selection by the local coordinator. Consultation of the fertility specialist. Consultation of a psychologist. Legal consultation and verification of documents. Screening for possible addictions (urine and blood tests).This check-up process, including all necessary tests and exams, takes about 1 month. Then stimulation and synchronisation stage (usually about 2 weeks).The cycle of egg donor or the biological mother is synchronised with the cycle of a surrogate mother. In case of self-treatment or violation of the treatment protocol, the clinic may cancel the cycle and terminate the contract. Fertilisation and embryo transfer.This is when donor’s/biological mother’s eggs are retrieved and fertilised by the sperm of a biological father. After fertilisation the embryo development is monitored by our embryology unit. You are to receive the protocol of embryo cultivation and transfer within 3 working days after the embryo transfer. Then HCG test and pregnancy confirmation.The HCG test takes place 2 weeks after the embryo transfer. The surrogate mother has her test in a clinic. The first ultrasound scan is carried out in 2 weeks after the positive HCG test by the doctor. The report will be send the same or the next day after the check. Pregnancy monitoring. Obtaining of the birth certificate for the baby and exit process.
The only problem I faced when going through surrogacy with BioTex was that using stimulating drugs caused me OHS. OHS is common and usually relatively mild, merely causing some swelling of the ovaries. I experienced some abdominal discomfort, felt ‘bloated’, and occasionally there was pain low down in the pelvis. Mild OHS made me feel unwell and seems lasted for two or three days. Our dr told us this occurs in as many as eight percent of IVF cycles. Moderate OHS is less common and associated with more pronounced abdominal discomfort and, sometimes, general pelvic pain. The abdomen may be noticeably swollen and women will feel tired and frequently breathless. In more severe cases there may be general fluid retention, including ankle swelling. Moderate OHS may necessitate a short stay in hospital – usually just for rest and observation. Severe OHSS is rare, but it is serious. Thankfully I avoided this one. All the other treatment steps were ok. Things were going smoothly. They created 4 great blasts for us. Used 2 at once. Both survived. Our surrogate's really awesome woman.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you've faced this. But this could happen in any other clinic. The causes may be different. Starting from meds dosages used. and ending with how the body responds to those meds. I know a woman who's been stimulated. They used smoller dosage first but she didn't seem to repond well. Then they made it higher. That time she ''overresponded''. Dr told her afterwards her body just needed more time to ''wake up''. We all are different. Even doctors cannot predict how we'll react to meds.
DeleteThen I sincerely congratulate you on your double success! Am I right??
May I ask, how did you decide to transfer 2 ? Did you count on twins? Or did you want to boost chances in this way? Thanks.
Hope your journey's going smooth.
This is what I'm certain about - If you want to be a mature IVF patient, educate yourself about the process. This will help you to have sensible expectations of IVF treatment. It will protect you from an emotional breakdown; and from unnecessary tests and treatments.
ReplyDeleteHere's some statistics on the frequency of conception and successful pregnancy: Probability of success using donor egg – 65% (it slightly change with recipient age). If you are from 29 to 59 your probability of successful conception, bear and give a birth is 55-65%. Using your own egg reduces the this probability on 5% every year. By the age of 42 your chances to get pregnant and bear your child with your own egg is about 7%. I don't think we can pinpoint very well specific factors or nutrients that might affect egg quality. However, folate is a good candidate. It helps with cell growth, so it would be nice to take prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid. I'm doing everything I can to ''rejuvenate'' my own eggs for the coming treatment procedure. I already know about the mitochondria replacement therapy method, which sound awesome to me. Let's see what happens in a couple of weeks. We're here to share our journey too. Putting all our hopes in Biotexcom.
I'm an infertile woman. 17 years ago we started our journey to baby. It just wasn't meant to be. Or for some unstated reason I simply cannot have children. I'm 38 this year, which isn't that old, so many would say that maybe I could adopt. But since I had cancer, all thoughts of being a parent have well and truly gone for some time. I simply cant risk leaving a child behind if it comes back. I'm now comfortable in my role in life. I'm not a mama. But I am a wife, a daughter and a sister and that is ok. I do get moments of incredible sadness. But as others say, sometimes you can gain happiness from seeing others happy, that is why I watch you guys, I love seeing you so happy and getting what you want from life. Hope one day I'll be among you too. I'm still producing eggs. Our new doc is trying to investigate their quality. At least she's feeling quite optimistic about so called mitochondria replacement therapy which I think we will use! As I want this baby the most in my life. And I want to see me in him/her. I'm not ready to accept donor egg or adoption which can be also an issue, bc of the cancer I'd struggled once. All this is definitely not the walk in the park. So let's wait and see what life brings further.
ReplyDeleteMy infertility road started with my being 35 yo with PCOS and thyroid issues. Soon after we started ttc we got pregnant but lost the baby. Another 16 months passedwith multiple miscarriages and an ectopic leading to tubes removal. We knew we won’t cope without medical help. After 3 years of trying we turned to a Greek fertility clinic where passed 2 unsuccessful shots ivf. We switched the clinics for Ukrainian Biotexcom where passed surrogacy with donor egg. It was the very first successful round our surrogate conceived our beautiful healthy daughter. I believe we deserve to have her to our lives, because we’d already suffered too much grief and pain we could never think of before.
ReplyDeleteLet me write a few notes from my memory. It’s obvious when we are left with nothing to show for all the time, effort and desire for a baby of our own, we feel emotions that nobody ever mentioned. It may feel like a loss, rather than a failure, and grief. Add to that stress and financial strain, and a failed IVF treatment can lead to serious psychological upsets. And here the first thing to realize is that you are not alone on this roller coaster. It is an experience shared by thousands of couples, and most are not successful the first time. It is quite common for success to require multiple attempts. When IVF fails, though, it feels very lonely, and it may seem as if you lost a child that you already loved. It is critical to turn to your partner in this difficult moment and share every feeling or emotion – as this does make you feel better. Lots of tips shared on board but I find them very personal.
I believe feeling jealous is quite natural in such a position. I'm not so much jealous of pregnant women now. (Actually because I'm already on another side of the journey) BUT through the years of trying I was, any pregnant woman high bump, low bump, big, small would get me very jealous. I used to dread going onto facebook or for days out with my friends as I would get irrationally upset and jealous if someone announced they were pregnant. We tried for 3 years to conceive LO. It really seemed like every day someone else was saying they were pregnant. And the worst ones were those who feel the need to tell the world it was a 'mistake'...
Delete@rebecca, I'm sorry you faced multiple miscarriages..You must be super brave to survive..
DeleteIt's extremelly sad, but there are many reasons why a miscarriage may happen. Although the cause is often not identified. If a miscarriage happens during the 1st trimester of pregnancy, it's usually caused by problems with the foetus. About 3 in every 4 miscarriages happen during this period..This statistics is very sad indeed, our tiny beans face the hugest issues during this very period of time. If a miscarriage happens after the first trimester of pregnancy, it may be the result of things like an underlying health condition in the mother.
Late miscarriages may also be caused by an infection around the baby. This usually leads to the bag of waters breaking before any pain or bleeding. Sometimes they can be caused by the neck of the womb opening too soon.
First trimester miscarriages are often caused by problems with the chromosomes of the foetus. Chromosome problems - Chromosomes are blocks of DNA. They contain a detailed set of instructions that control a wide range of factors, from how the cells of the body develop to what colour eyes a baby will have. Sometimes something can go wrong at the point of conception and the foetus receives too many or not enough chromosomes. The reasons for this are often unclear, but it means the foetus won't be able to develop normally, resulting in a miscarriage. This is very unlikely to recur. It doesn't necessarily mean there's any problem with you or your partner.
Placental problems. The placenta is the organ linking the mother's blood supply to her baby's. If there's a problem with the development of the placenta, it can also lead to a miscarriage.
Several long-term (chronic) health conditions can increase your risk of having a miscarriage in the second trimester, especially if they’re not treated or well controlled.. Infections. Food poisoning. Womb structure. Weakened cervix, others.
How are things going for you now?
Hoping for you and sending my supportive hugs x
I'm sorry for what you're facing. I'd also go to a fertility expert for answers. They'll want you both to pass 'routine' testings recommended to evaluate the most important aspects of fertility: eggs, sperm, structures such as fallopian tubes and the uterus, as well as hormone levels on one or both of you. The results of these tests will assist your dr in formulating the type of procedure that will provide you with the optimal chances of achieving a successful pregnancy. Also one important hing to mention. Packing extra pounds on your frame can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones that influence ovulation and fertilization, reducing your chances of getting pregnant.
DeleteHere's why. Extra fat cells don't just make your jeans feel tighter. They also produce a steady stream of the hormone estrogen. The result? Low, constant levels of estrogen in turn suppress other hormones, most notably LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which are needed to trigger ovulation. One should trust the dr! No self treatment! Trying for a year unsuccessfuly might be a signal. I've read somewhere that in about 80% of couples, the cause of infertility is either an ovulation problem, blockage of the fallopian tubes, or a sperm problem. In 5%-15% of couples, all tests are normal, and the cause is not known. Find a good expert whom you could trust!
Hi all lovely people here. Here's my journey. We passed our treatment in bio tex com. Have absolutey nothing to regret about as were successful with them. With my POF, cysts and aged eggs and after all needed testings we went straight to de. It was a 'success' package for 10k euro. We had 5 attempts to conceive and if not - they would refund all sum of money. That minimized our risks so we moved further. Besides this the meds cost was covered by the clinic, so we didn't have to worry about them. Those were all medications for hormonal stimulation in framework of the program, vitamins, medical expenses and services of medical staff. And some other points.. In the USA for example a couple has to expect to spend an average of $12k for one cycle of ivf. (Furthermore, if they are using own eggs and partner's sperm) This cost vary much from every other case. I'm driving at that for our smaller sum of money we had more chances and guarantees. It took us two attempts to conceive our little one. Best of luck to all on this path.
ReplyDeleteI've been through failed IUI, ICSI attempts. dh's semen is low count and motility. My eggs of no use for ivf, so we went straight onto egg donation. So in our case that was the route leading us to a wonderful baby boy.
ReplyDeleteHere are some of the pros of ivf. IVF is the oldest ART procedure on the block. IVF has been used long enough for researchers to have done extended health studies on the children conceived using this method. So far, no medical problems have been directly linked to the procedure. No link to cancer. Recent studies have shown no connection between ovulation-inducing fertility drugs and cancer. (Early studies suggested that exposure to fertility drugs might lead to a higher risk of ovarian cancer or other cancers of the female reproductive system.) Improved techniques. For example, advances in embryo cryopreservation (freezing) have resulted in IVF pregnancy rates that are about the same for frozen and fresh embryos.
Though the outcomes of IVF vary dramatically, depending on each couple's reasons for infertility and their ages. The percentage of IVF cycles resulting in a live birth (in which one or more babies are born) is the following:
40 percent for women age 34 and under
31- age 35 to 37
21 - age 38 to 40
11 - age 41 to 42
5 - age 43 and over
Unfortunately time never plays on our side..
Good luck to everyone in this boat!
I'll drop into to share a couple of things. I suppose this gideline would be helpful for ladies considering surrogacy. The process starts with the initial consultation. It is to be scheduled at least 1 week ahead and contains the following activities. A set of tests depending on the program. Consultation with a fertility specialist who will be in charge of your program (in case of stimulation you will need to have the transvaginal ultrasound check done). Consultation with a manager who will guide you through the program step by step. Signing of contracts. First payment and also you will receive the guidelines - failure to follow these recommendations may affect the initial consultation in a negative way. Another step search and confirmation of a surrogate mother, matching process (waiting time also depends on type of contract). After you sign contracts and make the first payment, the medical team starts the selection process that includes:
ReplyDeleteInitial pre-selection by the local coordinator. Consultation of the fertility specialist. Consultation of a psychologist. Legal consultation and verification of documents. Screening for possible addictions (urine and blood tests). This check-up process, including all necessary tests and exams, takes about 1 month.
Then stimulation and synchronisation stage (usually about 2 weeks). The cycle of egg donor or the biological mother is synchronised with the cycle of a surrogate mother. In case of self-treatment or violation of the treatment protocol, the clinic may cancel the cycle and terminate the contract.
Fertilisation and embryo transfer. This is when donor’s/biological mother’s eggs are retrieved and fertilised by the sperm of a biological father. After fertilisation the embryo development is monitored by our embryology unit. You are to receive the protocol of embryo cultivation and transfer within 3 working days after the embryo transfer. Then HCG test and pregnancy confirmation. The HCG test takes place 2 weeks after the embryo transfer. The surrogate mother has her test in a clinic. The first ultrasound scan is carried out in 2 weeks after the positive HCG test by the doctor. The report will be send the same or the next day after the check. Pregnancy monitoring. What you can expect during this time: Monthly ultrasound checks from the 12th week of pregnancy. Reports along with video and/or pictures will be send the same or the next day. For trisomy screenings, results will be send within 5 working days. Trisomy 13, 18, 21 – on the 12th week of pregnancy . Trisomy 18, 21 – on the 16th week of pregnancy
Delivery of the baby and obtaining of the birth certificate for the baby (up to 1 week).
Hope this helps.
My story is a vivid example of how one should be time wise with fertility issues. Both dh and me were closer to 40 when started ttc (since Dec 2010).His swimmers were perfect.The problem turned out to be in me. After first year of trying I was diagnosed on DOR. After that feeling miserable, deffective, complete emotional wreck..what else to add..some of you, lovelies, know how infertility sucks..We tried natural cycle with clomid - too many to count! Then IUI shot followed cencelled because of cysts. Another try IUI Sep 2014 resulted in bfn. It seemed we wasted so much time on unappropriate procedures. We really felt robbed for time. Every other month was so precious and noone could say for sure what should be our next more successful step. Taking our previous negative experiences into consideration we decided to switch clinics for an overseas one. Well, needless to add we've tried almost everything possible to change situation for better naturally. I mean healthy dieting for both, doing sports, yoga, relaxation techniques, vitamins, supplements, accupuncture..Though dh's spwimmers were perfect he was my rock of support and shared things with me. I'm so thankful to have him by my side! So coming back to our ivf#1 with a new clinic. On ER in July 2016 they got 4 follies 1 egg only (( The news was devastating I really didn't expect such poor results. On ET day they placed back 1 blast which looked nice they told but it never made home inside me. After further investigation done they advised us looking onto donor eggs. They told us my eggs weren't going to work and we'd have more chances with using another woman's eggs..You don't hear such things every day - hah/ I thought I was going mad. I didn't want my dh be involved with another woman in making OUR baby! The decision was hard and tough and full of concerns for me. It wasn't so for dh as he wants kids so much he doesn't seem to care much how it comes to this world. But for me it was much harder..I needed time to get there and have my mind on peace..Well, ladies our journey continues. We've already had the 1st consultation with the clinic. Moving through the treatment plan currently. Everything seems fine, let's say much better than it used to before. I'm just trying to live healthy life. Dh is awsome.This time I don't know why but I have the strong belief it will work out. I'm not sure I'm doing right sharing my story with you, lovelies, on this very thread. But I wanted to say that seems there doesn't exist any kind of a pill or some sort of a secret using which one can get prego in a cough. This is a timelong hard work for all sides: patients, docs. And finding the best medical centre for you is just vital where you trust people and hope for better. Cases differ much, dear ladies, and I do wish this path is much easier and smoother for more people. And unless we don't give up and keep on moving we can expect changes for better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. We passed 3 ivf shots and 1 FET shot before conceived our daughter. Then we still got 1 frozen embryo left so decided to continue the journey for a sibling. Another FET - bfn, the following ivf#4 - bfn. Ivf#5 resulted in bfp, but at 10wks they heard no heartbeat. (Beta#1 12dp3dt - 110 / Beta#2 18dp3dt- 491 / Beta#3 22dp3dt - 3032 / Beta#4 @8wks - 55,525 + u/s @8wks revealed baby 3 weeks behind + u/s @10wks no heartbeat – misscarriage.) I faced complications which left me beyond conception and carrying pregnancies. We turned to surrogacy as the way out to have a sibling for our daughter.
DeleteBTC has high surrogacy success rates. They post weekly updates on facebook, each week seems to be hugely productive. For us success rates of the clinic was the most important factor of all. Though it's always doubled when undergoing treatments for reasonable prices. Could you tell more as for the package chosen. What were the actual costs? Knowing more about the procedure's specifics, its costs and law support within countries is very useful for those just stepping into..
ReplyDeleteI believe you've made the right choice. Law in Ukraine favours IP more than a surrogate. I love the fact she has no right to keep a baby after delivery which is often possible in other countries. Moreover she cannot claim any rights. The baby is considered to be yours from the moment of conception. The birth certificate is issued with your names, so noone but you are the legal parents of the baby. Besides their surrogacy friendly law Ukraine is valuable for considerably more affordable prices. If it's surrogacy costs vary from 39.900 to 49.900 eur depending on the package (These are the prices at our biotexcom clinic). If it's ivf they offer 1 IVF cycle for EUR 4,900. 2 cycles for EUR 6,900 (EUR 3,450 per cycle). 5 cycles for EUR 9,900 (EUR 1,980 per cycle). It is incredibly cheaper than average cost for cycle in Ukraine. All of the packages include donor eggs, all medications, transfer from/to the airport and from/to the clinic. Also ccommodation, meals, interpreter services. It's worthy trying no doubt.
DeleteAll of our 4 IVF cycles failed to make me pregnant. Here’s the kicker. My infertility technically isn’t that bad. Low progesterone, one blocked tube, and a couple of benign congenial defects. Ovulation was happening naturally but weakly. In fact we had the doctor tell us that we should have been able to get pregnant naturally at least once in the three years we had been trying.
ReplyDeleteI’d like to say I held out hope until after the 4th IVF, but I didn’t. I gave up hope after it. And simply did the 5th so I wouldn’t suffer the “what if’s” later on. We could do more IVF. But even doing a single one more would have stretched our finances to the absolute limit. I already feel bad enough about what we’ve spent on (what I feel is) my defective uterus already. Like someone in a casino I’ve lost enough money on this gamble. My husband wanted to use donor eggs with IVF but he had concede in the face of overwhelming cost and quite frankly didn’t want to pressure me into a stressful situation (Unless we started to investigate overseas option – Bio texcom clinic). My entire lifestyle has revolved around this for almost four years!! A new life starts for both of us...
Nice blog,
ReplyDeleteTo get detailed information about the IVF treatment, Click on Best IVF Centre in Punjab.
Excellent tips. Really useful stuff. Never had an idea about this, will look for more of such informative posts from your side. Got some helpful tips on infertility treatment.
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