.png)
Medical Screening
After we signed and notarized our surrogacy contract, the next step was medical screening. This blog post will be separated into two parts: medical screening and travel. The travel section will include details about my trip from Minnesota to the fertility clinic in Connecticut and the medical screening section will include an overview of tests that the Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE) analyzed to approve me for surrogacy and upcoming transfer.
Travel
The fertility clinic that we are using is CT Fertility in Trumbull, Connecticut. So for medical screening, I had to fly from Minnesota to New York. Then, I took an uber to my hotel in Connecticut. The next day the hotel shuttle brought me to the fertility clinic. Here is some pictures from my travels:
My agency set up all of my travel accommodations for me. It was such a relief especially since I was traveling solo. My coordinator booked my flights and hotel room. In addition, they mailed me a travel advance to cover my travel expenses including my food and my uber rides. I left the day after Christmas. Marty drove me to the airport and dropped me off. I had a direct flight from Minneapolis to New York. Once I arrived, I scheduled an uber to pick me up from the airport. My driver was an immigrant from India. He told me about his life, culture, and family. We had plenty to talk about during the one and half hour car ride to the hotel.He told me about the fast pace life in New York City and I told him about the relaxed/comfortable feel of Central Minnesota. I was surprised to find out he had no idea where Minnesota was. So, I explained it to him. Once I arrived at the hotel, I checked in, unpacked, and called Marty. The hotel served a baked potato bar with some sides so we Skype over dinner. Then I headed down to the pool. For those of you who don't know, swimming is one of my favorite activities. It was relaxing and felt great after a long day of travel. After swimming, I headed back up to my room to Skype Marty and say goodnight to the twins. I took a shower and tucked myself in for a solid night's rest (which is pretty rare with one year old twins).The next day was medical screening at the fertility clinic.
Medical Screening
Medical screening includes a review of prenatal and delivery records, blood work, normal pap smear results, and a saline sonohysterography (saline ultrasound). When I originally signed up with my agency, I was given a long list of to do's. On that listed included medical release forms for my OB/GYN since the RE must look over those before you are approved. In addition I had to have a pap smear. So late last winter/early spring, I scheduled an appointment to get my first pap smear. The results came back normal.
About a week before medical screening, the fertility clinic sent over orders for Marty to go in and do blood work and urine analysis. This screening is for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), drugs, and alcohol. This ensures that I will not catch any STDs and that Marty is not doing any drugs. The fertility clinic is ensuring my health and the health of the future baby I will be carrying. About 5 days later all of Marty's labs came back free and clear.
At the beginning of the medical screening appointment, our RE looked over all of my medical records and asked me some follow up questions. Then, I went with the nurse to do labs which included blood work, urine analysis, and vital signs. This screening is for STDs, blood count, hormone levels, vitamin levels, drugs, alcohol, and RH factor. In addition to Marty and I, getting blood work our IPs and their egg donor were also screened. Ensuring the best possible health for their embryos/future babies.
Once I had completed the basic lab work then I was prepped for a saline ultrasound. During a saline ultrasound, the RE is checking for fibroids, polyps, cysts, or scar tissue in my uterus that may affect transfer. If you want more information on a saline ultrasound click here.
After the RE had completed the ultrasound, he told me that my "uterus is perfect for making babies!" Once I was done, I headed back to the airport and back home. The only thing we had left was to wait for my blood work to come back. About a week later, we received the email we had all been waiting for... My labs came back perfect and we were cleared!
We have schedule a transfer date for March 12th and I begin medications on February 1st.
Stay tuned for a blog post all about my medication protocol, organization, and experience.
Thanks for joining our journey,
Comments