My experience with Good Morning America regarding military surrogacy.

Taryn, Elizabeth, & Myself following GMA interview.

Elizabeth Vargas recently interviewed me for a piece on military wives as surrogates for Good Morning America.  The story was based off a editorial article a NPR reporter wrote for November's Glamour magazine, that I was also interviewed for, but only authorized a brief "anonymous" comment to be released due to the article's overall unfavorable tone regarding surrogates. 

Originally, our segment was meant to air on an episode of another ABC show, 20/20, thus the reason Elizabeth Vargus conducted our interview.  However, when we arrived for the actual interview, the show's producers and Elizabeth mentioned our interview may get pushed to a feature piece on GMA, due to the more timely issue of school bullying. 

Regardless, we were thrilled to get the opportunity to share a part of our story with the public, but more importantly, it gave me a chance to reunite with the family I helped  more then 5 years prior!

• Here is the recorded from TV GMA footage when it aired (sorry about the quality)

• Here is the GMA site where it was once posted, but no longer works: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/video/military-wives-supplement-income-surrogacy-11889300

• And here is the editorial piece that goes along with it for the ABC News website:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/military-wives-surrogates-car...rying-babies-love-money/story?id=11882687

•  My Review:

It turned out better then I expected, knowing the controversial nature of the piece. But, it still didn't highlight the points we elaborated (over and over again) in our interviews - which are that in ALL of my contracts (and I think most surrogate contracts) my couples were ALWAYS responsible for any bills that came out of my pregnancies for their babies, whether insurance paid or not.

In the end, Tricare didn't pay a dime of my care because I was so open and honest about being a surrogate and my contracts reflected that my couples were the responsible parties (as they should be...because ultimately, we wouldn't be pregnant otherwise). Furthermore, if ANY military surrogate tries to misuse/mislead/hide, or abuse the covered benefits of maternity care during her pregnancy for a civilian couple, by hiding that she were a surrogate (in the case of Coleen, also featured in the media piece) or write into their contracts that their couples are not responsible for payment of their medical care (CRAZY to even attempt, IMO) - Tricare considers that beneficiary fraudulent and will not only retract the payments from her maternity care, but she can face some VERY serious ramifications of her medical benefits being taken away from her.

I wanted the public to take away from the piece that a surrogate should NEVER, come away from a pregnancy for another couple in debt! - Tricare beneficiary or not; regardless of how desperate she may be to try to help a couple! Let's not to discount a surrogate's ultimate compassion for her couple and the huge expense the surrogacy process can be for infertile couples, but the surrogate's (and her family's) financial future should always supersede her desire to cut costs for the couple she is helping as their surrogate!

As a surrogate, make sure your contract reflects your couple's full responsibility during your care, then, if Tricare pays (or not), the surrogate has some legal recourse. And just as importantly, the intended couples of military dependents should be aware that the possibility exists that a surrogate pregnancy may not be fully, or even partially, covered through Tricare's policy - get a supplemental policy from the beginning, or arrange ahead of time with the surrogate's medical care providers and hospital that private pay may be necessary (IPs should plan accordingly).

...OK, enough ranting, LOL

• Here are a couple pictures from my trip to Delaware for the interview, and a reunion with the family I helped...all-in-all, it was a VERY memorable experience! 

(click here to view all my photos from trip and interview)

Dinner in Delaware with the family I helped in 2006.

Having fun with my now 5 year old, surrogate son, Kyen.

It's Showtime!

My 4th Surrogate Baby's Birth Story - Alexander

Our story starts on Labor Day weekend 2006, when my IM, Sabina replied to a classified ad I placed on a surrogacy website looking for a new couple to help. My 2nd couple, Taryn and JD were enjoying their now 6 month old son, Kyen, to the fullest and weren't yet ready to start on a sibling project to add to their family. So, after a few emails with Sabina and hearing how she and husband, Richard, struggled for years with infertility and early miscarriage - I knew I'd found my third couple. Although they lived in southern California, and I in Oklahoma, we had an instant connection and thus our friendship began. Sabina had even been to my rural home town many times (in western Oklahoma) for business - quite the small world, huh? Richard already had two older children (a teenage daughter and college age son in Florida) and I could sense how adding another member to their family would be a cherished experience. My husband and I met them a month later in CA for my medical evaluation by their reproductive endocrinologist - Noel and Richard got along very well! So, after contracts were signed, I flew back to CA in early December for the embryo transfer. We transferred 3 embryos (see video below) & I flew back home after a day of bed rest in their home. I shared the news of our pregnancy via an email card and pictures just before Christmas - what a gift!

Fast forward to Friday, August 17th, through another uneventful and almost textbook pregnancy - I received a phone call the evening before, from the hospital in OKC where I was scheduled for an early morning induction, telling me that too many women went into labor naturally and they wouldn't have a room for me that morning. Of course I was quite upset because my couple had arrived the day before eager to meet this baby - who they had named Alex, almost from the moment of conception (whether a boy or girl). Not to mention, I had a sitter from a local service scheduled for Friday morning and afternoon to care for my 3 year old son while my two older sons were at school, my husband and mother had taken the day off from work, and I had a professional photographer hired to take pictures of our special delivery. I was determined to get into the hospital and made several calls that morning to the L&D nurses and my OB, letting them know we were going to have a baby, THAT day, come hell or high water!

I was already having quite a few contractions and at my last OB check, 4 days prior, was very favorable for induction at almost 3cm dilated and over 50% effaced. I called my IPs, who were staying at a local hotel, to meet me, my husband, and mother (who had just arrived in town) at a local mall to walk around a bit in hopes of self starting labor - so the hospital would HAVE to take me! We walked around for a couple hours, doing a bit of shopping to distract us from the morning's disappointment. Just as my IPs arrived to eat lunch with my husband and my mom (I couldn't have anything to eat or drink since I was still technically scheduled for an induction - hadn't had anything since midnight the following day), the hospital called me on my cell phone said to come in, they had a room!!

My husband, mom, and I left for the hospital, while my IPs stayed at the mall to buy Richard a belt - LOL. We arrived at the hospital at about 1:53pm. Soon after, Sabina and Richard, as well as our photographer, joined us. I gowned up and the nurses began my IV. Turns out we'd have the same nurse, Virginia, who was present at Kyen's delivery a year before - I thought that was neat...she was training a new nurse who was assigned to us as well. My mom explained to Sabina how the fetal monitor worked and they stood next to my bed listening to the baby's heartbeat and told me when I'd start to have a contraction (they could see them building on the screen before I felt a thing. Probably because I'd gotten so used to the hardening feeling of the prior months' braxton hicks, false labor, contractions).

At about 2:04pm, the "devil drip" was started - very slowly. I didn't want what happened during Kyen's labor to happen again - cranked up to 124 units of Pitocin for several hours before I was able to get an epidural, which was VERY painful! I told the nurses to make sure that the anesthesiologist was walking down the hallway to my room before I was given a higher dose (I was only on 4 - 6 units for an hour, so it was a very small amount). I was still having regular contractions, even without the medication, coming about every 5 to 7 minutes (thanks to my morning walk and likely dehydration). We were given paperwork to fill out...and because we had a pre-birth order (PBO), approved just the week prior, I never needed to sign anything stating I was the mother of this baby and Sabina's name, and fingerprints, went on all the papers we were given. I also had my first cervical check, near 2:30pm, and found to be making progress - now 4 cm.

My husband and Richard, sat and chatted away on the couch, while my mom and Sabina felt of my belly - telling Alex he had been given his eviction notice. The baby started having hiccups, and my belly was moving quite vigorously with each one. Sabina and my mom took turns watching and feeling my stomach as it bumped up and down with each of Alex's movements...it was a cute! We were all getting very excited to meet this sweet baby. While we waited for my OB to come in and break my water (she was finishing up her lunch), we made bets about what the baby would weigh. I had guessed he'd be close to what my first surro son, Cole, weighed (8lb 3oz) - since they were both induced at almost the exact same gestation (38 wks) and their Dad's were large at birth (9 - 10 lbs). My IPs, mom, and husband guessed Alex would be larger, like 8 to 9lbs.

By 2:47pm, my OB had made her way in to break my water. I was effaced to nearly 75% and 5 cm by that time. Dr. Hughes was introduced to my IF before he left the room (he'd also go outside during my internal evaluations - the girls stayed). The water was clear when broke, and I was able to get up soon after to use the restroom. The anesthesiologist was called to come to my room and I was told he'd be there after he finished up a c-section. Noel, my mom, and I started making plans about who would go pick up my sons since we only had the baby sister scheduled until 3:30pm and she couldn't stay any longer to watch them at our home. So, my mom decided she'd go and pick them up and bring them back up to the hospital, since she didn't want to miss being with me, in case something happened and I needed her support. She's always attended my other deliveries - except Cole's in TX...and I wouldn't dream of not having her there. We weren't worried about the older boys being present for the birth since they were both at their younger brother, Topher's delivery. But, our 3 year old had never witnessed a birth before. We all agreed, that he was old enough and could be contained in the corner with his 10 and almost 9 year old brothers...it might also give him some closure since he's been so attached to feeling my belly every night to soothe him and to see that the baby would be out, safe with his parents. He never really understood where baby Kyen (my surro son born the year prior) had come from - even though we showed him pictures, etc..

As we sat and waited for my epidural, I found that with each contraction I was having a feeling of weakness move over my body - almost as though I would faint. Instead of only feeling the tightening and pressure from the contractions, I could feel myself getting more and more dizzy each time a contraction would start to build. We thought it might be my blood pressure - but it was fine. So, my nurses had me try laying from side to side, to see if it would improve things. I never got sick to my stomach, but I could tell I was experiencing some dehydration or low blood sugar effects from not eating for so long. I've never had this happen at any of my other inductions (probably because I've always got in to the hospital at the times I was scheduled - early in the morning). I had little doubt that getting bumped to an afternoon induction this time created the problem. My IPs wandered back and forth from the couch to watching the baby's heart rate and my contractions on the monitor. After feeling a little better, between contractions, I made sure to freshen up my makeup, LOL - had to look my best when I met my surro son. :)

At about 3:18pm, the epi man arrived! So happy to see him, we joked through the procedure about how he could stick me anytime, etc.. This anesthesiologist did a wonderful and quick job. I only had one contraction as he was administering the epidural - quite a pleasant experience (unlike others in prior deliveries, when I would have back to back contractions, trying to stay still, in so much pain). I was now only feeling waves of dizziness, without the tightening of my belly with each contraction...it was quite a unique labor for me. I guess they're right in saying that every pregnancy and labor experience is different. Once I was comfortable - we visited some more and watched TV and the fetal monitor...waiting for my mom to get back to the hospital with the boys. We took this time to take some pictures too.

Just after 4:45pm, my cervix was checked again and I was found to be 6 to 7cm and nearly 100% effaced. My mom returned with our sons and I was given a popsicle to try to help me feel better - I was a bit nauseous too by this time. Mom took my boys back and forth from the cafeteria for snacks to keep them occupied. I got a call from my sisters shortly after 5:15pm. My younger sister, Jennie, and nieces, as well as my twin sister, were on their way to the hospital (2 hour drive) and we knew they likely wouldn't make it to the delivery. But they wished me luck and my twin asked our mom to please call her when it was time to push so she could try to listen in on the birth. So, I decided since everyone else was here and ready, that I'd do what I could to relax and lay from side to side in bed...hoping it would speed up the dilation process - as I've found it helpful in prior labors. I was able to get a 5 to 10 minute nap too. And just as my IPs decide to head down to the cafeteria for a quick bite, the nurse came in my room saying that she noticed a pattern of what looked like head compressions on the monitor. She checked me and I was nearly complete with the baby engaged at a zero station. The nurse thought it would be a bit longer before I'd be ready to push, but I wasn't quite sure. Because just as soon as I sat up in bed, while the nurse was getting some things typed into the computer, I felt instant rectal pressure. "Yep, this is it," I said as I placed my hand between my legs and could feel the swelling from the baby's head starting to crown! I yelled to my husband to get my IPs back in the room it was time to push!

It was just after 5:30pm when the nurses began breaking down my bed. With each contraction I felt more and more pressure and as though the baby would just slip out. Little did I know, this baby would take a bit more then a slight push to deliver. Sabina and Richard quickly made it back into the room and I watched them from the corner of my eye as they held one another close. My IM became emotional at this point and started to shed a few tears looking away from us - knowing her long awaited son was about to be born. I had to wipe away a couple tears as well. The boys were in their prospective corner standing on the couch by the window. My oldest son and mom had "video footage duty" and stood to the side and foot of my bed to try and capture all the commotion of the room. My husband and the photographer were to my right with their cameras in hand too...this would be a well documented event, for sure! I was getting nervous that my OB wouldn't make it for the delivery when I saw her assistant arrive gowned up and ready before the doctor was even in the room. But, just in time, Dr. Hughes finally arrived - sporting the Oklahoma State crocs I bought her as a delivery gift (both she and I graduated from OSU). Later, she told us she just didn't have time to put on the scrubs we'd also included - but she was wearing the appropriate black and white, which was close enough...we just wanted to get Alex here and didn't even notice anyway. :) My IPs were standing near the baby's warmer. Another nurse was called into the room to care for the baby, they called her a baby advocate (I guess that's the updated lingo for what they call a baby nurse nowadays). I had a little argument with my OB's assistant when she placed a blue towel on my stomach, setting me up as though the baby would be placed there after arrival. But, I quickly set her straight and Virginia, the nurse at Kyen's birth, helped get Sabina a couple towels and blanket to catch her son (she rightfully needed to be the first one to hold her baby)!

It was time to push - my OB had me start just as a contraction was coming to an end. So after a push or two, we stopped to wait for another to come before I resumed pushing. After about 3 minutes, I started to bear down again and counted 1, 2, 3...I hadn't needed to count through a push since my third delivery (1st surro baby) in 2000, they'd usually come in an easy push or two - no counting required. But, here I was pushing through 2, now 3, and 4, full count pushes! My OB kept saying I was doing great and the baby had lots of hair. I gave the last two pushes everything I had - I could hear Sabina say, "Almost darlin'...your almost there." I gasped between my last push, "Gosh he's huge!...I think I'm going to change my vote." Everyone laughed and Sabina called me a cheater...ha. I could see my doctor maneuver downward as I was still pushing and then she told me I could stop - Alex was here!! I immediately started to cry seeing the baby being lifted to his Mommy. And as she giggled with emotion, Sabina bent down to hold her precious son for the first time, saying "Heather, you did great!" She was so happy!! The doctor put on the cord clamp when Alex decided to have his first pee - and we all laughed! I couldn't believe how big he was and I said so immediately. Still in his mother's arms, the baby let out his first cry... that's when the tears started for me again - hearing Sabina's "Awwww", and pulling Alex closer as his Daddy snipped him lose from the cord that nourished him for 9 months. It was another beautiful moment...nothing can describe the feelings in that one little piece of time. It was 5:47pm.

The baby was handed off to the baby nurse as everyone in the room rushed to that side of the room. My mom was bawling along with me. I wiped my tears and Sabina reached around some equipment from across the room to hold my hand and tell me, good job! Richard and Sabina took a moment to hold one another as they watched the nurse with their son at the warmer. Pictures were taken and finally the baby was lifted up for all of us to see - obviously no longer warm and happy, he took the opportunity - again - to pee, LOL. Alex was a beautiful baby boy with so much dark hair! His apgars were a healthy 8 and 9. Richard was such the proud Papa sporting his custom, baby foot, stamped t-shirt and Sabina couldn't stop smiling.

I had a bit of a problem with Alex's placenta sticking to the top of my fundus, so my OB found it necessary to manually extract it. It was quite a scary time, because I've had the same thing happen after Cole and the twin's deliveries...but, thankfully this time I was able to avoid a D&C since it came out in one piece. I had quite a bit of bleeding initially and swelling that quickly improved throughout the rest of the evening. And ended up with a 2nd degree laceration as well - ouch! But it was very much worth it...especially to see the baby being cleaned off, wrapped and given back to his doting Mom. And as she handed Alex to Daddy for the first time, they embraced one another...it was quite the intimate moment, and thankfully also captured by our photographer (since the delivery, I cherish these pictures most of all, as they document best why I love being a surrogate). Once I was mended and cleaned up, we said goodbye and a huge thank you to my OB. Then I was handed the baby by Sabina. Everyone had already said they knew he was bigger then 8lbs, and I started to believe them when I held him for the first time...he was so solid and heavy - for 38 wks gestation, I was very proud! My IPs both took the time to thank me before Alex was taken to the nursery to be weighed. I quickly asked the nurses to order me a dinner tray - because I was now feeling even more fatigue, dizziness, and a headache starting to develop. My younger sister arrived with my nieces with gifts for the baby and a beautiful flower arrangement for me. Meanwhile, in the nursery, Alex weighed in at a whopping 9lbs 9oz and 21 1/2 inches long - wow! The biggest baby I've had so far - my middle son now second largest at 9lbs 2oz. Sabina then had to feed Alex some sugar water since he was so big.

Later my twin sister, Angie, arrived with her kids - she had sent over, earlier in the day, a potted mum plant for me. And when my IPs returned from the nursery with the baby they opened more gifts from her. I felt great after my dinner and was given a hospital pump to use to express milk for the baby - which I had offered to do for as long as possible & my IPs happily accepted. I've always volunteered to do so for my other sets of IPs, but they felt I had already given so much of myself and politely refused. Sabina and Richard were exhausted by this time, and since they felt the baby was in good hands in the nursery, decided to go on to sleep in their hotel (which they did the following night as well). My family had already gone home for the night, but Angie decided she would stay and help me a long as I needed her - which was close to 11pm by the time she left. I tried to go to bed, soon after, but needed to get up every 2 hours to pump for Alex. I didn't express much that first night, but did much better at it then I originally thought I would (about 1/2 oz of pure colostrum - which the nurses would take to the nursery and mix with Alex's formula)...much better then when my youngest son went to NICU as a newborn and I had only gotten a drop trying to pump for him.

The next day, the nurse woke me up at 6:45am because the floor was again full and they needed my room. So I was moved to the c-section wing where I got a much softer bed, but I was very much ready to get released so I could sleep in my own bed...the hospital was just way to busy and I didn't feel I received very good care this stay either. Sabina and Richard came up to the hospital by 10:00am and I was given a bracelet by the nursery. I didn't have one previously and had an upsetting time earlier in the morning while I waited for my new room...the nurse asked if I wanted to feed the baby his 7am bottle, but I wasn't allowed to, even after he was brought into my room, because I didn't have the stupid bracelet! But, at my IP's insistence the staff was made aware that they wanted me to have just as much access to Alex as they had...which was nice of them & I appreciated very much. Then just as Sabina and Richard went to lunch outside of the hospital, I was brought in the baby by the nursery...they called first and said they were busy and wanted to know if I now wanted to feed Alex. Of course, I agreed and spent a couple hours holding and caring for my sweet little surro son. My OB also stopped by to check me over and give me the OK for an early release from the hospital - everything looked great and, other then feeling pretty sleepy, I was recovering at record speed (she said, I'm superb at bouncing right back as though I'd never even had a baby). Sabina and Richard returned from lunch with a cute little flower arrangement and chocolates for me - they had given me a digital camera the day before (which got a lot of use, LOL). And later Alex was taken to get his circumcision. They opened the gifts I got them for the baby - a couple outfits; a birth certificate football; and a teddy bear that plays womb/heartbeat sounds and lullabies - that I played to Alex through the pregnancy hoping it would soothe him when he was home (as these toys did when sent with my other surro babies). My husband and youngest son arrived with a bubble tea and "delivery gift" for me - Noel had replaced the blue opal in the ring he bought me in Cozumel...it had fallen out earlier in the year & the new stone was beautiful! Waiting for my official discharge, we spent another half hour in the room with the baby and my IPs before saying goodbye to them for the day - I was feeling pretty exhausted.

Early Sunday morning, Oklahoma received a flash flood. On our way to see Sabina and Richard for breakfast (as I was also taking the opportunity to pump in the car - hoping to get more milk for the baby before they left for CA that afternoon), we had to drive through 2 ft of water (it was door high), at three different portions of the road where we live - which was very scary - but I was determined to see my IPs and Alex again before they had to leave. Thank God we made it through without the car stalling and getting stuck! We had a nice brunch and I gave them another gift - a digital picture frame preloaded with all the pictures I've taken throughout our journey, as well as video and a few songs that played along with the pictures. Then we headed to the hospital to see Alex where he was released to go home (well, technically, he could have been discharged the day prior, but his parents didn't feel comfortable with him in the hotel or flying with him the same day he'd had his circumcision).

We spent a few hours visiting and I was able to hold their sweet boy one last time. Alex is such a laid back baby with an easy temperament. I told him that I loved him and how I'd miss them. Sabina had dressed Alex in the outfit I had given them at the baby shower a month before - which was such a special gesture. My sons took pictures and video, and said their goodbyes to baby Alex too...my tears swelled when Cameron, and later Chandler, rushed to the baby's bassinet to hold his little hand. After loading up a diaper bag, Sabina (reluctantly) road down to their rental car in a wheelchair with Alex in his car seat on her lap. She'd earned this special moment that many women cherish - taking their baby home from the hospital...after such a journey to parenthood, it really must feel surreal.

They loaded Alex into their rental car, and I stepped in to kiss him goodbye and told him to be a good boy for his parents - he had been such an angel throughout the pregnancy and delivery for me, so I had little doubt he'd continue to be. I didn't let my tears fall until I hugged my IPs (as I always do when having to say goodbye). Sabina gave me a big squeeze, tears swelling in her eyes too. She said one last - thank you - and hurried in the the car, as I watched them drive away for the airport. We'll miss them & someday hope for a visit out to CA with the boys. I reflected on our journey on the way home - wiping away tears, I felt the warmth of inner happiness to have helped yet another family - what a blessing surrogacy has been in my life!

Kyen's Birth Story

Friday morning I woke up by 3:30am, kissed my sleeping husband and sons goodbye, and drove myself to the hospital by 4:30am.

I was hoping to arrive early enough to be fully admitted and ready for the scheduled 5:00am induction...we wanted this show on the road. I made it to the L&D floor by 4:45am (couldn't believe I beat Taryn and JD - who were staying in the hotel right across the road from the hospital). I changed into my gown, took a few pictures, and I was hooked up to the IV fluids by 6:00am. Not long there after I started receiving a bag of precautionary antibiotics and the Pitocin drip began. Taryn and JD made themselves comfortable and we hung out for a bit.

Taryn's family arrived and we all visited for about an hour or so waiting for my OB to come in to break my water. My parents and Grandma came up to my room just before the Dr got there at 8:15am. They had stayed in town overnight to be there with me for my induction. I was having contractions by the time my membranes were ruptured, but 12 minutes apart. And I was dilated between 2 and 3cm still only 50% effaced. Baby was high, at a -3 station, but low enough to be engaged - thankfully we did not have to worry about his cord prolapsing.

I was very quickly allowed out of bed and hooked up to a portable, wireless fetal heart monitor (very cool - got'ta love technology). By getting out of bed we were all very hopeful that my contractions would pick up and each half hour the Pitocin was increased to help things along as well.

At 9:00am, I was already beginning to feel that the baby had come down a bit and my contractions were definitely starting to increase in frequency - but not yet in intensity. My husband arrived at the hospital near 9:45am after getting the sitter acquainted w/'Topher and our older two sons off to school for the day.

Taryn, JD, my husband, and my Mom paced the halls with me.

We had people coming and going in and out of the room often - the mood filled with lots of excitement and anticipation of when baby Kyen would make his appearance. We began taking bets on how much he'd weigh - most of us confident that he'd surely be over 8lbs. My Dad was the only one of us who felt he'd weigh less - turns out he was right and won our pot of money.

By 10:00am I was really starting to notice the pain of the contractions, needing to stop in the hallway to breath through most of them. My OB saw us in the hallway and checked the dose of Pitocin I was receiving - stating that I was on quite a lot at that time already (near the amount she'd cut off administering any more). I walked a bit and rocked in the rocking chair hoping to have made some progress since I was now really feeling the strength of being in active labor. Each contraction had me stopped and breathing through the pain - fairly intense cramping at this point.

The nurse checked me and said I had made it to 5cm, but was almost fully effaced. I requested the epidural very quickly after this check of my cervix. They mentioned that the anesthesiologist would be in as soon as he finished up with an emergency C-section (the nurse hoped he'd show up by 11:00am). There were five OB patients (including myself) being induced on this morning, yet only one Dr there for anesthesia. We were a bit put off after learning this information. I had several emotional moments by this point, and just after - kept the Visine close. (I'd be damned if I had to see my little surro son come into this world through cloudy contact lenses).

I had given up walking the hallway by 11:00am, and tried to patiently wait for my epidural through the contractions that were coming on much stronger by this time and nearly 3 minutes apart. My Mom and husband coached me through each one. Taryn would step in to help when one of them needed to leave to get me something or call the nurses in. I was extremely thankful to have them there with me. The contractions had me feeling so tense, I just couldn't get comfortable enough to stay on top of them so they pain wasn't so bad.

The only thing that helped me get through was to moan and lean on the shoulders of my husband and mom while hugging them tightly. This was comforting, but not enough to feel I was relaxing enough to open up my pelvis.

At one point I was only able to sit on the bed with my mom in front of me coaching me to breath (apparently I was holding my breath) and my husband held me on the bed because the pain was so intense I felt like sliding off and away from the cramping. The only way I can explain the pain to them was that it felt like a charley-horse (multiplied by 10) all around the lower front of my stomach. I could tell there was no more, or at least very little, amniotic fluid around the baby to help ease the pain of the contractions...this was as dry a labor as they come.

Poor Taryn, JD (and everyone else in the hospital within earshot, for that matter), they had to sit around the room listening to my moans (many times low screams). Several times I noticed people left when a contraction would start. It must have been hard to listen to. I did catch Taryn, on a few occasions crying as she watch me in pain - wishing it could be her instead. I felt awful, but there was nothing any of us could do at this point, but try to be patient and get me through the contractions the best we could. Everyone was eager to get the baby here, but this was not something any of us expected (that epidural should have already been on board so I could be comfortable).

By 11:30am, I was getting very frustrated that the anesthesiologist hadn't arrived yet. I probably had everyone in the room bother the nurses after each contraction to see where he was.

A nurse came in after DH literally yanked her to my room (my assigned nurse had to help with the emergency delivery) and demanded they turn off the Pitocin to see if it would help space out the contractions from coming so often (every minute now) while we waited for the anesthesiologist to arrive. After doing so, she told us that another emergency came up and it would be another hour or so before I'd get my epidural. "$hit!", was all I remember saying. But, my husband told me later that I was also begging her at this point to give me anything to help with the pain. But she refused and instead put an oxygen mask on my face. If nothing else, this served to muffle my screams (getting much louder now) and of course it helped oxygenate baby and I better.

I remember screaming out in pain saying, "No! No! No!". I don't know why I was so vocal this labor. It was an incredibly painful experience and I think it took me back to when I delivered the twins without medication because I went to fast to get an epidural. I was afraid the same thing would happen again, I suppose. The nurse checked me once more and found me to be about 7 cm and fully effaced, but still not progress enough that I felt warranted all the pain I had just endured (for a couple lousy centimeters)!

It was 12:25pm before the anesthesiologist finally arrived in my room. Apparently my husband forced the nurses to order the on-call doctor to come take care of me. The doctor clearly wasn't very happy to be called in, but I sure loved seeing him...even if he was upset and irritated. I finally had my epidural and tried to compose myself soon after. This was the only time I asked everyone but my husband to please leave the room, so I could gather myself a bit (and primp for all the pictures we'd be taking now that I was pain-free). ;)

As soon as I had the oxygen off my face and comfortable, I immediately noticed the baby had moved down and I felt as though I was sitting on his head (duh, I was). My IPs and family came back into the room and I felt between my legs. Sure enough, there was Kyen's head just starting to crown! We called for the nurse to get my OB there quickly! She checked me and verified that I was indeed complete and baby was at a +3 station.

I noticed I was VERY swollen too. I guess I was sitting just right and the combination of the pressure from baby's head made me swell quite a lot...more then any of my previous births. I knew I wouldn't be requesting a mirror for this delivery.

At 12:40pm the OB arrived with her assistant. They had my bed broke down and raised way up high in the air so the doctor could deliver me standing up. I was nearly 4 feet up 'cause Taryn stood almost even with a full face view of my neither regions...lovely, I'm sure. But you couldn't tell she was bothered by it in the least - her son was about to be born.

JD stood to my right, next to his wife and the baby warmer. My husband was also there shooting pictures and video (and handing me cameras when I requested them - yes, I took full advantage of the view I had of the emotions in the room). Taryn's uncle and Dad stood to my left and her aunt roamed around, trying to get a good view.

Each one of Taryn's family had someone on their cell phones waiting to hear as their new relative came into the world. My Grandma came in just as I was beginning to push and walked right up to be next to me. I didn't realize until later that she was next to Taryn - wanting to see everything closely as she did w/my last son's birth. My twin sister (also a surrogate & pregnant with a sibling for her NY couple), and her 4.5 yo daughter finally arrived just in time to help capture the moment too. They and our mom stood to the back of the room with video cameras in hand - each on opposite sides of the room.

Everything was perfect. I started pushing. First push - Taryn says while the tears stream down her face, "Oh wow, I see dark hair...here he comes!" JD is all smiles, "...like his mama" and claps his hands proudly. I was told to stop pushing while the doctor suctioned the baby's mouth and nose. My OB says, "Okay Heather, big push".

And the next contraction I pushed again. Someone in the room says, "Oh, he's big!" and I hear my mom say, "Come on Heather! Go Heather!" Through my own tears I can see Taryn with her arms out ready to catch her son. Everyone in the room is crying along with us now. Kyen came sliding out at 12:53pm and I'm told to stop pushing - he's here!

JD reaches over to cut his son's cord. Taryn cries out, "Awe, he looks like his Daddy" and in the same instance JD says, "He looks like his Momma!" :) Everyone quickly moves to the side of the room where Taryn places her son in the warmer and the nurse cleans him up. Kyen really starts to cry (music to my ears 'cause my sons had respitory issues - not my IPs little ones though, TG!) The cell phones were raised in the air capturing the sounds of the baby's first moments and the emotions of the room! It was beautiful! "Happy Birthday baby, Happy Birthday!", his Mommy kept saying while taking pictures of him laying there.

My husband leans over to hug me as I cry on his shoulder (I had several emotional moments like this one - it was all so overwhelming). Taryn calls over to me from the corner where the baby was and tells me how cute he is and asks if I'm OK. I still had not delivered his placenta and we were all holding our breaths that it would deliver without complications. And it did (just 10 minutes later)! My OB was very reassuring and knowledgeable. Holding it up for me to see - the entire placenta, in one piece. What an emotional relief!

One by one everyone came to hug me and thank Noel and I for helping bring Kyen into the world. I loved seeing everyone so happy with how the baby looked and how healthy he was.

I got a few glimpses of baby Kyen in the warmer and I knew instantly

(as did my husband, sister, and the nurse) that he may not be as heavy as we all thought he might. Turns out we were correct. Once they got the baby in to weigh him, he was only 7lbs 13oz and 19.5 inches long. Still a nice, healthy size though for a 38 week gestation. Taryn was relieved he didn't come out walking and talking already. ;)

He was first lifted up for JD to hold and after a few quick pictures he was back in Mommy's arms. :) We took a few pictures of them and all of us together. Then Taryn let me hold the little miracle. He had the most petite features and such dark black hair - tons of it! My Grandma was so funny, saying he was very pretty and how she thought he was a girl and didn't know why all along she thought that. I told her, I didn't know 'cause I don't often bake baby girls...LOL.

Before saying goodbye to my parents and Grandma, that afternoon, we had several visitors. Angie's intended parents from NY, showed up with their daughters (the youngest of which was Ang's 1st surrogate baby) bearing flowers for me - so sweet! Kathleen had given Taryn (the day prior at lunch) a beautiful crocheted blanket she had made for Kyen. After exchanging the gifts, Taryn had also bought a gift for my sister's little surro son-to-be, my lunch arrived and everyone took turns holding baby Kyen.

Noel had to get home to our sons and I spent the rest of the afternoon resting and ogling over the baby. Taryn and JD went back and forth from the nursery to get Kyen bathed and fed.

We weren't sure if the hospital had enough empty rooms to allow my IPs to get their own room with the baby. It turns out they were able to find a smaller one on the opposite wing where the C-section patients stay. Which was fine with Taryn and JD. And the following night (once I was released to go home) they were able to stay in my larger room.

Our legal paperwork for the pre-birth order was sent successfully through so my couple's names would go directly on the birth certificate. Taryn and JD filled out all the paperwork (I took pictures, LOL) and received all documents as they would if they had given birth without the use of a surrogate. We were very pleased with how well we were treated and taken care of. Kimberly, another intended mom who belongs to my surrogacy support group and lives in the OKC area, arrived and we visited with her. She bought the baby a sweet little stuffed lamb. That evening LaDonna, another friend from TOSS, came by to visit us as well. It was nice having them there to meet my new little surro family and support us. :)

Later that afternoon my husband came back up and brought our sons to meet Kyen. They stayed long enough to watch Taryn and JD open our gifts to them - a digital picture frame; a little Oklahoma t-shirt, baby bib w/Kyen's ultrasound pictures, and a military baby onesie for Kyen; a teddy bear that they can hang from his crib that plays a heartbeat sound (so he'll have something to remember of me and hopefully soothe him too); a blanket I crocheted that matches the colors of the nursery, and a personalized lamp for the nursery with a picture of us at Kyen's baby shower with a poem that says, "Precious one so small so sweet, dancing in on angel feet, straight from Heaven's brightest star, what a miracle you are." And I received a very nice purple sleep mask (Taryn knows how I can't sleep without one) filled with Lavender (she loves Lavender - it's so relaxing), a bar of homemade Lavender soap, a pretty little necklace that says "love, faith, & trust" (very meaningful), and the most beautiful vase that depicts a family of five from a shop in Newark that I saw when we went shopping (she went back and bought it for me - so nice).

Speaking of gifts, my sister-in-law and family sent over some beautiful flowers. Noel and the boys brought up a vase with three of my favorite flowers too. My twin sister gave me a nice card and baskets I've been wanting as well as giving my IPs a sweet baseball bear and outfit for Kyen (she bought the same for her little surro son - they'll be twins like Ang and I - LOL). And my former intended parents, Stacey and Anthony - and surro kids, sent me a dozen yellow roses with the nicest card. And they sent the baby a nice little basket of goodies that Taryn thought was so generous of them to get.

I've felt terrific since the birth of Kyen. I did end up with a few "cosmetic" stitches, but I was rarely sore and never felt a single after-pain (unbelievable). Rarely did I need an Ibuprofen and I only took one Tylenol with Codine when the night nurse handed it to me in the middle of the night. She thought I'd want it since my epidural would fully wear off by morning and I could avoid feeling any pain by taking it.

My back was a little achy, but that was more then likely from the epidural or a combination of my muscles being so tight during labor (every muscle was so tense - rock hard at the time).

Taryn and JD didn't sleep well that first night, I don't think they've slept well since Kyen's birth - but, they are loving it! ;) I was released to go home after 24 hours post partum. First time, ever! It was great! I didn't get emotional saying goodbye to them there at the hospital because I knew they had another day in Oklahoma and I'd be back up to visit the following day.

I had to take tons of pictures and video the day following, once Kyen was released from the hospital and back at their hotel across the street. It would be the last time I'd see them for a while. Taryn and JD were already using the web cam to show off their new baby to family back in Delaware. I had burned off all my pictures and video for them to have and gave them my bracelets from the hospital as a keepsake too. The boys held the baby and Taryn's uncle brought in a bottle of champagne for us to toast the baby's safe arrival and journey home. We had some laughs and I thought how I'd miss them and all the times we shared together through the pregnancy.

I swaddled my little surro son up in his blanket and held him close taking pictures with everyone in the room to remember these last moments in Oklahoma with them. Quietly I said goodbye to the sweet angel sleeping so soundly in my arms. I kissed him telling him to be good for his parents just like he'd been for me the past 9 months I grew him in my belly. Saying goodbye to his parents was hard - I only broke down once while hugging Taryn. She's been an incredible friend and so strong through all that we went through together. I'm in awe of her! She and JD thanked me again (their whole family did several times) and I gratefully told them how enjoyable it had been for me and how much of a pleasure it was for us too!

They flew home the following day - the baby did VERY well on the plane and they are now home and happily in love with their new little one - a bit colicky, but growing like a weed - This week - April 3rd, at 3wks old, Kyen weights 10lbs 2oz already.

It's been an amazing surrogacy! The pregnancy couldn't have gone better. My couple and their family welcomed us with open arms and I thank God for the miracle of finding them and being able to help them the way I have. Another blessing born into a fabulous family. This journey is over, but there will be more to come. I know we'll remain close and even hope to make several trips up to visit and vacation with them. Maybe even try for a sibling in the future. ;)

***Update - Mother's Day 2009***

After my latest surrogacy journey for a CA couple, a year following Kyen's delivery - I unexpectedly became pregnant with my own daughter (4 years post-vasectomy). My twin sister stepped in to take my place as the Dayton's surrogate, but after several failed embryo transfer attempts they moved forward with a local surrogate. And I'm pleased to announce they are expecting a new baby boy in August of this year! Kyen is now 3 years old...adorable as ever, enjoying "school", and excited to be a BIG brother!