Miracle baby

30 weeks…

Babies are blessings, and if there is ever a day we are reminded of this in full force, it is today, when so many celebrate a baby whose conception and birth were nothing short of a miracle. Calm down, calm down. This is not a religious post, but we simply cannot talk about babies, on this day, without acknowledging the significance and parallel. Anyone who doesn’t feel all the wonder that babies encompass has likely not spent years trying, praying, hoping and wishing for a child. Maybe you haven’t experienced a pregnancy loss, and/or the disappointment of the dreaded ‘Not Pregnant‘ indicator on a home pregnancy test. Honestly, I wish that for everyone who wants a baby of their own. Unfortunately, that isn’t the reality for some…

Per the Center for Disease Control as of 4/18/18 (https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm), ‘About 6% of married women aged 15 to 44 years in the United States are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying (infertility). Also, about 12% of women aged 15 to 44 years in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term, regardless of marital status (impaired fecundity).’ These statistics are staggering, but one ironic side-effect makes the numbers even more devastating if you are one of the 6 or 12% experiencing infertility: Though you are in good company with your frustrating struggle, you likely feel completely alone…I know I did.

For so many couples, the road to baby seems endless and sometimes impossible. I’ve never hear the word ‘miracle‘ used so frequently as I have since being involved as a gestational carrier. In almost every correspondence with this family, they thank me for giving them their miracle baby- one they tried, hoped, wished, and prayed for for over 10 years. With some folks wanting to expand their family, a gc becomes their final source of hope- their last-ditch, all-in effort…And the bond between the intended parents and carrier is almost magical. On the day of my embyro transfer with this baby, the air was electric and the energy was so positive. The pic for this post was one of many taken before and after the embryo was transferred to me. We drove back to the hotel, and while we sat and reflected on the day and what it could possibly mean for them, I scrolled through the pictures I took and came across the one used for this post. I was amazed to see what appeared to be the image of an infant nursing! My breath caught; I was in awe. I just knew it worked and that as of that transfer an hour prior, I was carrying their miracle baby. In 9 short weeks, it will be their turn to carry this sweet little girl. Until then, stay tuned while my family grows another…