I am new to this site and I am glad to see that I am not the only one involved in a surrogacy, it is very comforting. After 5 years and multiple IVF failures my sister-in-law offered to try to carry for us. It took just one time and we are pregnant with twins.......we are due in December. I find it difficult at times with my emotions...especially after we met our OB GYN, he did not even want to know my name. I feel better to know that there are now people I can talk to. I am looking forward to hearing from you!!

Are you planning on inducing lactation? With twins you probably need to get started on the protocol ASAP because there is a chance that they may come early!! You might ask your sister-in-law to pump so that you have enough time to help build-up a supply. I have a daughter through surrogacy and we are getting ready for a fall transfer with frozen embryos. Anyway, Welcome and Congratulations on the twins!!!

Welcome and congrats. I don't know if finding another OB is an option but I would sure want someone who is goign to embrace the whole family and not just the one who is carrying the baby.

Let us know if we can help you in anyway with the protocol and breastfeeding.

Hey Ladies,
Thanks for your support. I started the regular protocol about 2 months ago for lactation and I have just started to pump. We are at almost 29 weeks and I know these little ones are coming early.....we already had some pre-term labour signs. It is funny as soon as I stopped taking the birth control pill I started to get my period and I am curious whether this will effect things......I have been pumping only 2 days, I do not see anything yet, but I am sure it will take awhile. We are getting really excited now.......we went to register today!!

It is totally normal to get your period when you stop the bcp's. That was the last time I got it while I was bf, but some women get it back earlier. Good luck!
Jennifer

Just wanted to stop by and say HI - I am a new member and so happy to be here!!

Sandkov - I am a newly expecting IM too. We are almost 8 weeks expecting twins. Do you plan on supplementing at all? How is the pumping going?

I plan on inducing lactation as well, but, can not start the protocol until i am off lupron (which I am currently taking as a treatment for endometriosis until surgery in November).



Just wanted to wish you well!

Another question...I just started pumping and I seem to have a blister forming...is that normal. I am scared that it will pop and become infected. I took a break tonight, I am not sure what to do.

Duck,
Yes, I will supplement so that I can have a hand feeding the twins. I just hope that this works out, I did not know about this until late in the game and I am scared that I left it too late. This pumping thing is not easy.
I was on lupron before.....it seemed to help. I also had surgery, have you had it before? Thanks for your well wishes.....you will have to keep and touch and tell me how your twins are doing!!

sandkov - that sounds very painful (the blister - ouch!). I know that I use these amazing blister bandaids on my feet that totally save them - made by banaid - I wonder can you use them in the same manner - I know it may feel weird but it may keep you able to pump?

I've had 3 surgeries in the past, but, I've not had one for a decade in order to conserve my eggs, so this one is a long time comming and I am so excited about the possibility of no longer being in pain

Whst setting are you pumping on? YOu want to keep it at medium no higher. Make sure your nipple is not getting pinched against the horn. You can also use a little olive oil inside the horn so it glides a bit. Just a tiny bit.

Blisters are all gone! I seem to be used to it now. I have been getting a bit of milk, it has now been a week. I just switched to the pump n style, I was using the freestyle.

I was never told the surgeries would affect my egg supply and my supply went down after the surgery I had......but we were able to squeeze one good round out of me and we put them in my sister in law and now we are pregnant!! Sometimes, I wonder if it would have taken in me but then I think about if we used the eggs in me and they did not take at all, we would not be waiting for the arrival of our son and daughter...oh did I mention we are having one of each.

Sandkov - So glad that the blisters are gone and you are getting some milk! how exciting! It's too bad they never told you about the risk to egg supply with surgery - they explained it to me when I was young (19) but I choose to have a surgery because of the pain, but that was a decade ago, I've needed another surgery for the past 3 years but, we really really wanted a family so we've put it off till now.
It's so nice that your SIL is your GS! How nice of her . One of each - that is so exciting. We won't know the sexes for quite a while yet.

Hi there,
I am so interested to read your posts - so exciting to both be expecting twins! that is fantastic.
I hope to be in a similar situation next year. I am from New Zealand and can not have kids due to a radical hysterectomy at age 22 from Ovarian cancer. Anyway, we have an amazing surrogate and egg donor on board, and are applying to the ethics committee.... we will know by christmas whether we can go ahead with the IVF!
Anyway, such a long way off, but I am so excited to think I can breastfeed our child. I have concerns over going off my Hormone replacement therapy. May I ask did you women take HRT before starting the BCP? If not, do you know anyone who did, and how they reacted. I am trying to find a woman who had complete surgical menopause, was on HRT and then successfully breastfed. Anyway, lovely to hear your stories. Good luck with the pumping!
Dianne

Dianne there is a menopause protocol I would check that out. Good luck with your IVF approval.