Blog #16: Making friends in the waiting room and confirmation of pregnancy via ultrasound!

Today was the day – the ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy and hear the heartbeat of sweet Sven, my surrobabe!

Absentmindedly flipping through an old issue of People Magazine, I found myself listening to the conversation of a couple who were also in the clinic waiting room. Same sex couple. Speaking French. At a reproductive clinic. They must be here for a surrogacy!

Speaking up, I introduced myself to them. They were incredibly kind and gracious and were visiting Portland to create embryos and to meet with Northwest Surrogacy Center. I knew it! So glad they’re working with NWSC. Chatting for almost 5 minutes, I raved about my experience so far and wished them the best of luck. They had not been matched with a surrogate yet but I knew whoever got to work with them was a lucky woman.

Walking back to the exam room, I was almost teary with excitement for them. Can I help the whole world have babies? Everyone should have the family they want.

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Johan and Anders’ faces popped up on the iPad and the clinic coordinator briefed them on today’s procedure. They were at home in Sweden but could experience the appointment thanks to Skype.

I did not feel pregnant, but last week’s three blood tests showed my hormone levels increasing. I was glad today’s pregnancy test was via external ultrasound; I was tired of being pricked by needles for blood draws.

The coordinator left the room to get the doctor, so I spoke briefly with the guys via Skype while we waited. It was a bit awkward for all of us. Besides the fact I’m not comfortable on video, we still barely knew each other, yet I was pregnant with their baby. How do you begin those conversations?

The doctor came in and covered my belly in warm gel and began the ultrasound.

Oh PLEASE let there be a healthy baby and a strong heartbeat! Come on, Sven!

As the doctor adjusted the settings on the machine, the rhythmic tone of baby’s heartbeat greeted our ears. At the same time, a little speck of a baby showed up on the ultrasound monitor. We did it! We made a baby and it stuck! Hi sweetie!

“And here’s the baby, congratulations to everyone. These numbers look great.”

While the doctor took other measurements and updated his notes, I looked over at the iPad to see Johan and Anders’ reaction in Sweden. Even though they were across the world and on a computer screen, I could see tears in their eyes as they watch the ultrasound monitor and heard the heartbeat. They wore huge smiles but didn’t say a word as they took it all in.

After wiping off the ultrasound gel and helping me sit up, the clinic staff left the room to give me and the guys privacy. They were talking excitedly to one another in Swedish and then turned their attention to me.

“Great job! Thank you! How are you? Do you feel pregnant?” they fired off their questions. As I began to reply, we lost the audio connection. I don’t own an iPad and rarely use Skype, so my attempts to fix it were futile. It could not be fixed on their end, either.

I shrugged my shoulders and threw my hands up in the air.

That’s universal for feeling helpless, right?

They smiled and shrugged. We all waved goodbye and ended the call. Shortly after, the clinic coordinator came in and we reviewed the results from the ultrasound. Everything looked great. I would continue my medications for a few more weeks. The coordinator shook my hand and then hugged me; this was my last visit to the fertility clinic! Even though I would remain under their care until the 10 week point, as long as everything continued to go well I would not have to visit them again.

One more step complete!