Hello All,
My husband & I live in Canada and have been trying to have a baby since we were married in June 2005. Not a long time compared to some, but a very intense time!
We were knocked down very soon in our journey when 6 weeks after our wedding I went to emergency with severe stomach pains and had to have a ruptured cyst, a second cyst, and my appendix removed. I was diagnosed with endometriosis and thus began our battle against INfertility.
We were sent home to try the "natural" method for 6 months but when nothing came from that we were sent to a specialist in a larger center, approx. 4 hour drive away. Many pokes & prods later I was scheduled for another surgery in Dec. 2006 to un-block my fallopian tubes, as well as removing my new cyst & hopefully some scar tissue. The HSG (dye test) showed the blocked tubes but unfortunately also seemed to give me a severe infection. This led to my surgeon being thrown into a great fluster on the day of surgery when she discovered the large lump that was now easily felt…and seen!...on my stomach. I was so naïve in the beginning! I had been losing weight rapidly throughout the fall and just thought I could now feel the cyst that was currently there. Who would have thought that they were growing a 15 x 20cm abscess inside one of their ovaries?
That finally over with we were now advised to try IVF (since the fallopian tubes were still blocked…forgotten in the effort to save my ovaries…and my life!).
Our first IVF attempt was March 2007…the second in June 2007. After the second cycle it was discovered that fluid was building up in the blocked tubes and "washing" back through the uterus. This was considered the most likely cause of the failure since our embryos were "grade 1" and no problems could be discovered with my uterus ("pristine" was the word the specialist used!).
A third surgery was booked for Sept. 2007 and went off much less dramatically this time! Just to make us more hopeful, the next IVF cycle was SUPER as well - maybe things were finally going our way! We had two grade 1 embryos transferred (as usual) and had a remaining FIFTEEN to freeze. But, since my story continues I'm sure you have figured out our results.
2008…a new year, a new hope! 4th IVF was Jan. 2008, 5th was July 2008. With a little midnight trip to emergency in April due to one of my two current cysts (yes, I grow them like there is no tomorrow!) in between. Our specialist believes that ovulation aggravates my cysts so I am now on Synarel to suppress ovulation.
After our April scare we started considering what other options we might have. I asked a friend if she would be our surrogate - she instantly accepted - and then her husband forbid her from doing it. We started discussing adoption and are now pursuing adoption from China (which has an approximately 3 year waiting list). We also asked my sister-in-law about being our surrogate - she thought it over (seemingly) very carefully and agreed. She let us know that although she & her husband had some reservations he was leaving the decision up to her & she was fully committed…until the 11th hour, when she changed her mind.
That brought us to January 2009…and two friends who have also had difficulties in some way or another letting us know that 2009 will be their year (twins in July, singleton in August).
So now, since finding a surrogate in Canada is so difficult, we are considering India as another source of hope for us. We are currently investigating about 6 clinics and have received emails from all, although have not talked to any on the phone yet. At the top of our list is the Akanksha Infertility & IVF Clinic in Anand, and the Malpani Infertility Clinic in Mumbai. We are also checking out Dehli IVF, as well as "services" that book & arrange everything for you, such as Surrogacy India, Become Parents and Medical Tourism.
I discovered Nikki & Bobby's website while investigating and think it is a WONDERFUL service! It is so helpful & comforting to hear from & receive advice from "real people" who have "been there, done that".
I would also love to hear from anyone living in Canada that has gone to India for surrogacy. We are hoping to plan a trip for May of 2009 but will have to see what works out and what God has planned for us next! Feel free to email me at: kareninfertile@hotmail.com
Good luck & God Bless to all those out there still trying!!!
"The glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time you fail"
