Christopher's Birth Story

I just wanted to share how lucky I feel. I first met my couple in August last year, Sarah came to my house with an arm full of photographs and a heart full of hopes. We spent hours that afternoon talking about our families and our lives, we just clicked so well. My couple already have a son who at the time was 7 and I could see he was the centre of their lives. They had books of photographs and each one was a picture of love - I knew that first day that I wanted to work with them.

A few weeks later hubby and I met them and went out for a meal, at that point we were all sure about working together.

A little while after that we his our first stumbling block. The clinic Sarah and Steve were using would not accept me. I was thought of as too much of a risk as I was young, not finished with my own family and had suffered raised blood pressure with my previous pregnancy. Sarah was not sure what to do, she wanted to work with me but was worried for me. After talking for a while I left the decision with them, I assured them I knew what I was doing, I knew the risks but in the end it was up to them - the most important thing was that they got their child. I am very pleased to say that they decided to find another clinic and we went ahead.

The other clinic gave me the go-ahead provided I talked things over with their two psychotherapists and that they thought I was mentally prepared. After two long meetings going over every little detail I was passed (as was my hubby and Sarah and ).

Sarah had her eggs retrieved on December 5th last year and I had 3 wonderful embryos transferred on the 8th. I got my first faint positive only 4 days after transfer but it was so faint that I did not believe it. I got a definite positive 10 days after transfer and it was an amazing feeling. Sarah and Steve did not want to know the results of any home tests so 14 days after transfer we went to the clinic for a blood test. Seeing Sarah's face when the nurse said it was positive was one of the most wonderful moments in my life, I can still picture it now.

I was really sick for the first part of the pregnancy but I still felt wonderful knowing how much the child I was carrying was wanted. I was quite tired too and I do think my son suffered because of that but I think over all he will have gained - I hope he learns that real happiness comes from thinking of others and that some sacrifices are worth making.
Over the pregnancy my couple made me and my whole family feel very special. We got together regularly and talked on the phone often. Sarah in particular was very involved in the pregnancy. She came to every visit, felt kicks and recorded stories for me to play to baby. I was quite prepared that she would feel jealous about the pregnancy but she was just great.

Before trying surrogacy my couple had been through a lot. IVF treatment, miscarriages and a lot of heartbreak. I don't think they could believe that it was going to work out for them this time. They held off telling people they knew until after 20 weeks and then gradually told family and friends. When they had told people they then called me to let me know how delighted everyone was - they always made me feel good about what I was doing.
Towards the end of the pregnancy they became anxious to greet their longed for child. I felt a certain amount of pressure as I knew they wanted their son to spend time with baby before going back to school but everyone accepted that baby would come in his or her own time and there was nothing I could do.

The school holidays came and went and the focus became the safety of the baby. Induction was booked for 10 days after due date but we all hoped things would happen before that on their own - they didn't.
The induction was actually great. I felt calm and in control pretty much all the time. sarah was there for a lot of it and was very calm (she is a nervous person by nature).

When my Sarah and Steve held their baby it was wonderful, that moment was beautiful and I knew every day of sickness, every night of heartburn, every minute of labour was worth it.

Even since the baby was born they have been great. Sarah and I still talk a lot on the phone. I have seen baby twice so far and I am sure I will see them again soon. They even named their son after mine - wow.