My Intended Parents have sadly suffered the loss of a parent and that was the reason for the lack of communication.

:-(

15 weeks.

I think tomorrow makes 15 weeks.

I've started sleeping with a big pillow propping up my shoulder/belly/hip/knee. As a stomach sleeper my biggest "hardship" is when I can no longer sleep face down and have to try to sleep on my side. I delay the inevitable as long as I can, with pillows and more pillows!

It's been two weeks since my last email from the Intended Parents. In my last email to them I asked about their plans regarding inducing lactation and did they want to use my milk for the first few weeks after birth (before they fly home to Germany). No response. Maybe breast milk is a taboo topic in Germany - I don't know. California is so liberal we can generally talk openly about ANYTHING. Needless to say, I'm a little bit uncomfortable with being pregnant with someone else's children and losing contact with them.

I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation.
:-)

Nothing To Report

I know I should be posting more often, but I don't have much to say at this stage. The meds were very interesting and gave a lot to talk about, but I'm off all meds now...

I've just begun the second trimester and my energy level is pretty much back to normal. My waistline has swelled just a little bit, mostly due to lots of cheese and crackers during the first trimester, and maybe a little bit due to my growing uterus. But I don't feel the babies moving yet and won't expect to for a few weeks. I just feel... normal.

The heat wave in San Diego has abated. I think we hit 89 F. ;-) Lovely San Diego.

Appointment with Dr. Biter

I had my first appointment with Dr. Biter today. He lived up to his reputation in both the good and the bad. It's known that the wait time to see him is usually around an hour. :-( This is because he never rushes through an appointment, in my case he even chatted for a few minutes with my overly talkative 5yo. The good is his wonderful bedside manner (no rushing) and his belief in a woman's ability to birth naturally, even in the case of twins (given that mom and babies are healthy and in a good birthing position).

Here's today's ultrasound pic of the twosome. Both heads are on the left, with the bodies to the right.

Here's a 3d picture of one of the babies. The other wasn't positioned to get a clear pic. I hope you can see it as clearly as the original printout: head, body, arms and legs. Amazing!

Home Sweet Home

I'm home! We had a great time traveling and playing, but I think we're all happy to be back home.

I'm feeling well. :-) Today is 12 weeks and BabyCenter says the twins are now the size of limes. I can feel how my uterus has grown and it's beginning to be uncomfortable to sleep on my stomach. Here's a pic from BabyCenter.

Graduation!

Today I graduate from the care of our IVF doctor to that of an obstetrician. And no more shots! I have one delestrogen tonight, but that is the last! I will continue Prometrium (oral) until Thursday; Vivelle patches are done.

I will see Dr. Biter for my first regular OB appointment on July 13th. !! Dr. Biter has a wonderful reputation in the San Diego area as THE doctor to see for women who want a natural birth. He is nicknamed "Dr. Wonderful" and referred to as a 'midwife in doctor's clothing'.

We are going on a family vacation for the next week - traveling north to visit family and hit waterparks along the way. :-)

Double Dose

I saw Dr. Smotrich again on Monday, an extra appointment because I've had issues with ongoing but intermittent spotting. Both babies are developing fine and are doing the wiggle dance. It seemed that any increase in my activity level (just extra walking, nothing crazy) caused spotting. Dr. Smotrich checked to be sure that the babies are fine and doubled my Progesterone dose to 2cc daily. This has stopped the spotting. :-) I know some surrogates begin weaning off medications at 10 or 11 weeks. I'm 10 weeks and INCREASING my meds! I will see Dr. Smotrich again on Monday the 28th and will find out about the weaning schedule. I have no idea about his typical protocol.

If this had been a singleton pregnancy I would have pursued a homebirth with a midwife because I believe a healthy pregnancy has the sweetest ending in the comfort of my own home. But, twins does complicate the issue and my insurance does not support a homebirth (very few do) so I've asked for and received a referral for a high-risk obstetrician who is supportive of vaginal delivery of twins. I know he will have a list of criteria that must be met and will find out more after our first meeting/interview (to be scheduled).