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Surrogacy Match Meeting
We have officially been matched with our intended parents (IPs) & the meeting was more than I could have expected!!
Late last week, I received their profile from my agency. It included their background, how they met, challenges they have overcome, their hobbies, some expectations for the journey, and a sincere thank you for considering them. Marty and I read it over very carefully and with great thought we agreed to a match call.
Over the weekend, I read over their profile, what felt like a thousand times. I really wanted to get a good feel for who they were as individuals and as a couple. Everything that was included in their profile seemed to match exactly what we were looking for. So I was very optimistic for our meeting.
After the weekend, our facilitator contacted me that she had lost her voice so she wanted to reschedule for Thursday. Then on Tuesday our replacement facilitator called to let me know that Thursday she would not be at work and asked if Wednesday would work. Of course, I agreed right away! I was just excited to meet our possible IPs sooner than expected.
Yesterday morning, I was nervous and excited. I had so many questions running through my mind. What if they do not like me? What if I do not like them? Will the conversation go smoothly? Will they have the same expectations as I do for our journey? etc. However, my concerns were quickly settled once we began to talk.
We had the conversation over conference call with our matching coordinator. She facilitated the questions and then we answered. The conversation was smooth and easy. It came naturally and was like talking with close friends.
Our IPs are friendly, considerate, humble, funny, and compassionate. They have vibrant personalities and are very true-hearted. They are on their second surrogacy journey and are excited to expand their family.
Within the first 15 minutes of our conversation, I knew they were a perfect match for us. How you ask??
When I was explaining our support system, I mentioned that my family, Marty's family, and our friends are all very supportive. I explained that we have already discussed surrogacy with everyone and have answered any/all questions. I told them that overall we have a very big support system. Once I was finished, my intended fathers (IFs) reminded me that in addition to our family here, I will always have them. They explained that they will be my support through everything and that we are in this together.
At that moment I knew they were PERFECT!!
During the Match Meeting these were all the basic topics we discussed:
Introductions including:
Names:
Ages:
Where you are from and where you live?
General lifestyle:
What you do for work?
What you do for fun?
Why you are needing a surrogate/wanting to be a surrogate?
Support system:
Surrogate will discuss pregnancy history.
Surrogate will discuss the physician/clinic/hospital she worked with in previous pregnancy(ies).
Surrogate's lifestyle changes during her pregnancy(ies) including diet and exercise.
Parents' expectations from the surrogate during pregnancy including eating habits, activity level, and lifestyle.
How much contact is ideal for each party during pregnancy and after delivery and ideal methods of communication.
Comfort level regarding the number of embryos that will be transferred.
How both parties feel about multiple pregnancy and selective reduction.
How both parties feel about invasive testing during pregnancy, including amniocentesis.
Each party's thoughts on termination if a malformation is indicated during pregnancy and is the surrogates comfortable with the view of intended parents?
Surrogate's comfort level with the parents being in the delivery room?
Surrogate comfortable with pumping and providing breast milk after delivery if requested by intended parents?
Does either party have timing restrictions that would delay the first embryo transfer, or a deadline on how long they are willing to commit to the process? Assuming no major changes in circumstances, are all parties committed to more than one embryo transfer attempt, if required?
Overall my IF's and I are very excited to move on in the process!!! The next step in our surrogacy journey is completing our legal contract. With the timeline we have been given and if everything goes smoothly we should have the embryo transfer in December or January.
Thanks for joining our journey,
-Mama Bear
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