Week 36 - Delivery Date Confirmed!

On Wednesday of this week, we reached the Week 36 milestone. Margarita (my surrogate) had a manual examination this morning and both she and the baby are doing great. The baby has moved to the head down position and continues to maintain a strong and steady heartbeat. At 36 weeks, the baby is gaining weight at the rate of about an ounce per day. She now weighs approximately 6 pounds. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath.

At the end of this week (Wednesday, February 20th), the baby will be considered full-term. And today, Dr. Vega confirmed that the delivery (via a cesarean section) will take place on the evening of Tuesday, March 5th. I will be in the O/R for the procedure and will assume sole custody and responsibility for the baby once she is born (with support from my pediatrician and nursing staff). Following the delivery, the baby will remain in the hospital nursery for approximately 72 hours (or 3 days). Her release date is dependent upon the release date of my surrogate. Under Panamanian law, the baby cannot be released from the hospital until the surrogate is discharged.

During her stay in the nursery, I will have access to the baby for several hours per day for feedings, visitation, general care and cuddles. Naturally, it would be nice to take her home within 24 hours, just as the process here in the US or Canada dictates, but I'm actually feeling comfortable and appreciative that she will spend her first 3 days under the watchful eye and care of the nursery staff and my pediatrician. I'm not at all nervous about taking her home, but I believe a little extra time in the nursery will help give me the added confidence and peace of mind for when I finally do. And what a truly amazing day that will be! I'm emotional just thinking about it and so VERY excited!!! I'm also especially grateful for Michelle (Saulnier) Blankenship, who will be by our side for the trip home and our 1st week as a family.

Earlier this evening, my colleagues at work hosted a second baby shower. I received lots of beautiful gifts for my little girl in addition to the most amazing outpouring of support! We had lots of fun sharing stories and child experiences, in addition to a little fun where the team tried to guess the baby's name. However, I didn't relinquish from my position, as I am waiting to share her name on her birthday. This evening was a great way to end Week 36. As always, I am beyond grateful for the love and support from so many. The celebration this evening was incredibly special and once again reminds me how fortunate I am!

18 days and counting...

Carolina, Juli and I @ tonight's Baby Shower admiring the beautiful handmade blanket and flowers from my friend, Abby!

 

 



Week 34 - Tentative Delivery Date!

I am now 34 weeks and 2 days into this roller coaster journey. This week has been one of many ups and downs. Today, however, has been full of positive energy and continued great results from Panama. And right now, that's all that really matters in life. My little girl is just 4 weeks away from being in my arms and I am more excited than ever!

Margarita had her bi-weekly ultrasound this morning and things continue to progress just as Dr. Vega would hope. The baby weighs 5lbs 5oz and is maintaining a very strong heart beat. At 34 weeks, her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. As of today, Dr. Vega anticipates the c-section will take place on Monday, March 4th (sorry Gaynor and Helen). Margarita will have another ultrasound on February 15th, and at that time, Dr. Vega will confirm the delivery date. EXCITED barely scratches the surface to describe the emotion I am feeling right now!!

Earlier this week, I completed my final Newborn Care class at Seattle's Swedish Medical Center. That too was an emotional experience sharing my story with a room full of strange new parents-to-be. Normally, I'm not shy, or at a loss for words, but I did feel a bit nervous meeting the group. There were Moms & Dads from all walks of life in attendance, including; 2 mixed-race couples, an Indian couple, a Spanish couple, an Asian couple, three Caucasian couples (one of whom were late teens or early twenties) and finally another single Dad, just like me, expecting his first child via a Surrogate. Race aside, we all shared a common dream and instantly, my nerves were washed away as this room of complete strangers quickly became friends, sharing some of the most intimate details of their lives; each one of us appreciating the other's story. It was a wonderful evening and I took home the prize for the best swaddle (in addition to so much support)!!

Travel plans to Panama are officially confirmed as are all the accommodation logistics for our stay. I will depart Seattle on Friday, March 1st with a return date pending on or about April 14th. Our return date will depend 100% upon the Canadian Embassy's ability to expeditiously process our DNA test, Citizenship Application and Passport Application. Once all the official documents are approved and in my hands, we will be free to return to the U.S. The Embassy estimates 4-5 weeks to process all of the paperwork. I suspect this will be our greatest hurdle, but remain optimistic that the bureaucratic processes in place will deliver. I've done absolutely everything possible to prepare, including a meeting with Citizenship & Immigration Canada this coming Monday in Vancouver.

During our stay, I've rented a 2 bedroom condo within a 10 minute walk to the hospital and the Canadian Embassy. We'll have all the comforts of home, including some special out-of-town guests who have graciously offered to travel to Panama all the way from Canada and the US to help out!! First to arrive will be my dear friend (aka big sister), Michelle, who will be visiting from Sarasota, Florida. Michelle is a registered nurse and will arrive 2-3 days after the baby's birth to assist me on the trip home from the hospital and all those sleepless nights ahead. Having a medical professional in house, will definitely help alleviate any anxiety or fear those first few days. Michelle keeps me calm and I am beyond grateful that she will be there for me, just as she always is! Michelle plans to stay 8 or 9 days and will likely overlap my other visitors by 2-3 nights.

On March 15th, my sister, Kim, and her husband, Tim, will arrive from Prince Edward Island. As parent's of two children, Kim and Tim are veteran parents and will provide me additional help and support until March 23rd. Kim is "Mommy extraordinaire", so I know we'll be in very capable hands. Tim is an awesome Dad, and rumor has it, very handy in the kitchen. Panama offers an abundance of fresh seafood and the local fish market is very close to the condo, so I'm looking forward to some interesting culinary dishes, between feedings, diaper changes and cat naps. I'm so happy to have family there with us and so very appreciative for every bit of support I've received over the past year. It's the only thing that got me through the longest days!

Finally, Margarita is doing great! Thanks to the great team of doctors, nurses and nutritionists, she continues to gain a healthy amount of weight and is taking very good care of herself as her regular labs, examinations and ultrasounds have been perfect. I've recently spent a lot of time contemplating ideas for a special gift to present her once the baby is born. This is certainly not a requirement, but something I very much want to do for her. I received lots of great ideas from friends, but ultimately decided to check with my doctor and the clinical psychologist who supports Margarita. And they all agreed it was a good idea to ask Margarita herself, so they did, and apparently, she has been saving for a laptop for her oldest son, who is now a senior in high school.

Margarita's goal and incentive for becoming a Surrogate, in addition to helping someone like me become a parent, was to provide a better life for her children. She specifically cited a goal of supporting her eldest son with his college education next fall. Now, in addition to paying his tuition, she is saving money to buy him a much needed laptop. She could have wished for something for herself, but instead, she continues to give to others. I've been so incredibly touched by this stranger; this beautiful woman, who has given up so much of her life over the past 9 months to give to others. She is a blessing and a great example of why doing acts of kindness for others is so incredibly important. I told her to save her money for something else...this one is on me.

 

HERE SHE IS...