The Complexities of a Surrogacy Journey: Alex and Brooke’s Story
The Complexities of a Surrogacy Journey: Alex and Brooke’s Story
When people think of surrogacy, they often picture a woman carrying a baby for someone unable to have a baby on their own. While the concept seems straightforward, the reality involves a detailed process filled with emotional and logistical challenges.
Understanding the Need for Surrogacy:
Surrogacy typically begins with intended parents (IPs) who cannot have a child through traditional means. For Alex and Brooke, this was due to a medical condition preventing Brooke from carrying a pregnancy to term. Determined to start a family, they embarked on the surrogacy journey in 2019.
Egg Retrieval:
Egg retrieval is the initial phase, requiring about a month to complete. Once a woman’s cycle is charted, she administers hormone injections twice daily for 10–14 days to stimulate egg production. The process culminates in a procedure to collect the eggs.
For Brooke, this phase was manageable, as she was comfortable with self-administering injections. Though she experienced hormonal mood swings, bloating, and some discomfort, these side effects were minor. What she said tripped her up a little bit was about a week AFTER the egg retrieval when the gas that was pumped internally to help with this process had to leave her system – that was the worst.
Monitoring follicle growth through ultrasounds helped ease Brooke’s anxiety, as she could track the process in real-time. Knowing that it only takes one fertilized egg to make a baby, it begs the question of why so many eggs are retrieved, typically 13-14 each time in this case. Fertilized eggs must then survive five days to undergo genetic testing (if chosen) and be deemed viable for transfer.
Embryo Viability and Storage:
At the end of their first retrieval, Alex and Brooke had four viable embryos—a significant milestone, though still an emotional rollercoaster due to the uncertainty of the process. Once viable, embryos can be frozen and stored for up to 20 years. Genetic testing also reveals the embryos’ sex, allowing IPs to make decisions about their future family if they desire.
The First Transfer Attempt:
For their first transfer, Alex and Brooke selected a female embryo. Unfortunately, the pregnancy did not take. Brooke recalled having a protective maternal instinct that something wasn’t right, and though the outcome was disappointing, it did not surprise her. This experience also introduced an unexpected emotion: loneliness.
Challenges in Finding a Surrogate:
The path of surrogacy is often long, with IPs waiting for an agency to accept them and then for a suitable match with a surrogate. Alex and Brooke’s first surrogate match fell through due to medical issues, forcing them to restart the process. The waiting period, during which IPs have little control, can be isolating.
Despite these hurdles, Brooke remained resolute, knowing that perseverance was part of the journey.
A New Chapter Begins:
Alex and Brooke were thrilled to meet Megan, their new surrogate. This meeting marks the beginning of the next phase of their journey. Stay tuned as we follow their story through the Match Meeting and beyond as they work toward their dream of having a baby!
This glimpse into surrogacy highlights its complexities, from medical procedures to emotional resilience, offering a deeper understanding of the remarkable journey IPs and surrogates embark upon together.
*This story is about one intended parent’s egg retrieval and embryo creation. Every journey differs depending on the fertility clinic and the client’s needs.
Become a surrogate!
If you would like to learn more about this lovely family or to see if you may qualify to become a surrogate, please click here! You can also give us a call or text us at 608-514-9150. We would love to talk to you about surrogacy!
Written by Cindy Joers
