Hello Hormones!

Good news! My hormones are working well. Just what everyone wants to hear, right? I'm not a big crier unless something is happening to one of my loved ones. Since the babies have been born I haven't really felt the need to just let go with a good ol' "Steel Magnolias" kind of cry. And then last night hit. 

I think the cumulation of stress about the babies' early arrival and their roller coaster of health, the shock and recovery of a c-section, along with having to go to my parent's home and sort through the belongings of my dad and say goodbye to their house (it is sold, closing later this month) finally hit and just came exploding out with lots of tears. Since then, my emotions have been more at the surface than usual for me. I'm allowed. 

Today, I am a bit more sensitive than usual, but I'm okay. I'm not crying over every little thing, but snuggles and hugs are definitely on the menu for me. 

A nice thing today was a visit with B & R and the babies. The babies are 8 days old today, or at the 33 weeks gestation. The girls and I went up to the hospital to drop off milk from the past couple of days of pumping and to check on everybody. I enjoyed seeing the babies today and hearing about their progress. They look so good! The boys are both eating right around 1 oz each per feeding. They aren't needing the blue bili lights right now and have started some physical therapy to work on range of motion and flexibility. They look so good! 

Tired Cohen after his PT session

Brady taking a nap after lunch

Other good news is that in the last couple of days I have lost about 6 lbs of pure fluid. My little sausages, er feet, are looking a lot better than they have in the past week. I'm not quite back in my pre-pregnancy clothes or weight yet, but I am pretty stinkin' close! While my tummy has a bit to go, I'm not worried about it as I'm not allowed to do anything strenuous on my abs yet. So, with the almost 8 pounds of baby weight, plus the 6 pounds of water weight, plus however much other stuff was taken out of me during the delivery, I'm close to where I was 8 months ago. 

I'm feeling pretty good, so that is also a blessing. My tummy does still hurt a bit, but I am staying with my ibuprofen and Tylenol until the pain is almost all gone. I am not taking the big pain meds anymore, and I am very thankful for that. They made me a bit lightheaded, so I'm not missing them. 

Not a bad update, all in all. Hormones are on overtime, my feet are feeling and looking better, and most importantly, the babies are doing wonderfully well! Thank God for little miracles!

What a Difference a Week Makes!

Last Sunday I was pregnant. This Sunday I am not! So much has happened in one amazing week! 

Brady and Cohen have had their ups and downs. That will happen with premature babies. Overall, they are doing so very well! 

Cohen under his bili light.

Brady wearing his designer bili mask.

On Thursday, my OB came in to discharge me from the hospital. She talked with me about the delivery and how I was doing. We talked about what to expect as I heal from a c-section. She also talked with me about having another baby, either as a surrogate or one of my own. She said that she would be okay with me having another one and I would be a good candidate for a VBAC, but if I were to carry twins again it would be an automatic c-section. I was glad to hear that I could safely carry again. This was a concern of mine this week.

The pumping is going really well. I've been able to not only keep up but get ahead of where the boys are with their feedings. 

One big thing that has changed in the past week is that I almost have a waist again! With my past two pregnancies I was back to my "normal" clothes in about a week. Well, this recovery has been a bit more challenging just because of the c-section and carrying twins, so I wasn't expecting to be back to my prepregnancy right away. However, I'm starting to see my waist coming back to where I know it to be.

The other crazy thing is that for the past 5 days I've been experiencing some swelling in my legs and feet. That's right, I am now the proud owner of cankles. Ouch! I've been told that because of the large amounts of fluids I was given before, during, and after the delivery is the likely cause of the swelling. It should go away sometime in the next week or so. In the meantime, I'm accepting that my shoe selection is drastically limited to just my slip on BOB's and some day I will be able to wear other shoes. 

Shawn and I had quite a bit of fun on Friday night. We went to a musical and ran into a bunch of people we know after the show. Some had heard I was pregnant, others knew I was a surrogate and had delivered on Monday. It was fun to see the many reactions of people as we chatted with them. One person came up to us and offered her congratulations. She said "wow, twins! Life is really going to change, huh?" I replied, "no, not really." She gave me a look that said I must be delusional, and said "well, with two little girls and now twin boys, you are bound to have many changes come to your house." I just said no, it shouldn't change our house much. I waited for her look of confusion to cross her face and then said "you know I'm a surrogate, right? We aren't keeping to boys ourselves." 

We had quite a few conversations like this after the show. They gave us good laughs that evening!

I've been able to see the boys several times since leaving the hospital. The hard part is that I'm not supposed to drive right now as I'm on several pain meds. As soon as I'm off the big guns, I should be back behind the wheel and able to visit the babies a bit easier. 

B & R have been great, sending me pics of the boys every day and letting me know how they are doing. It's been so nice receiving these updates so I can see them even when I'm not actually there to visit.

I hope to see the boys a few times this week. It's so amazing to see how they change every day. They are amazing little miracles!

An Update and Questions Answered

Questions have been coming in from some family and friends, so I thought I would offer an update on the boys and me and then share some of the questions and answers I have been receiving. 

First, the boys. I was able to spend several hours with the boys today. They are in an actual room, well, two adjoining rooms actually. The NICU currently has three sets of twins, so after the set currently occupying the twin room vacates, Brady and Cohen may get that room. Its a larger room where they can be in the same area and not have a partial wall separating them. They both have spent the day under the blue billi lights and are doing well with them. They both have had their feedings increased; Brady is up to 12mL every 3 hours, Cohen is up to 10mL every three hours. (If you are wondering, 5mL is equal to 1 teaspoon.)

I spent the first part of the morning in Brady's area and enjoyed watching him kick and move. Wow, is that little boy active! Later in the morning, I was in Cohen's room for a good chunk and was treated to him fussing and spending quite a bit of time with his eyes open and looking around. I was given a good treat and was able to hold him for about 45 minutes. He is such a snuggle bug and settled down so easily. What a little sweetie!

Snuggling with Cohen for the first time.

I've been told to rest this afternoon and can go down to see the boys again this evening if I'm feeling better. 

When I came up from visiting the boys, my nurse and I discovered that I had a little bit of drainage and a significant increase in bruising around my incision. It's nothing that should prevent me from going home tomorrow nor is it unsafe for me. It's just an indication that I probably bent or rose in a wrong way, and now I need to let it calm down. The pain meds are working, but I've learned that I need to stay on top of their schedule. I've done a pretty good job of that today and have been feeling better today than yesterday. 

On to the questions and answers I've apparently missed blogging about, I'll try to fill in some of them. They may seem a bit random, but I'll see what I can do. 

On Monday when I arrived at the hospital, R had not arrived yet. Shawn and I had our girls with us, but as the nurse was taking care of me, R arrived soon after. R offered to stay with the girls so Shawn could be with me. B was not yet in the state, but was making arrangements to get here ASAP. Unfortunately, that meant that B didn't get here until 2pm due to flight schedules. 

Neither B or R were present in the OR when the babies were born. Things happened too fast with Brady's delivery to get R in the room to watch the birth, and as Cohen's delivery was an emergency c-section and I was knocked out for it anyway, Shawn was required to leave the room and wait in the hallway. 

After I woke up, Dr Wagner explained what happened during Cohen's birth to require the c-section. Apparently, after Brady was delivered, Cohen was still very high in the uterus. The contractions were very gentle and were not strong enough to bring Cohen down, so they gave me Pitocin to strengthen the contractions. Meanwhile, Dr Wagner and the bedside nurse attempted to manually move Cohen by reaching inside and pushing on my belly. What ended up happening was that Cohen did move, however, he moved transverse, which is sideways. Because of the Pitocin, my uterus contracted so much that Cohen wasn't able to be moved and was basically held in that transverse position. This required the c-section. 

The first time that I talked with B & R, I told them I would be willing to attempt to provide breast milk for a time for the babies. I have started pumping while in the hospital and am happy with the production I am getting right now. The boys are being fed the breast milk through their NG tubes. No, I don't know how long I will be pumping, it would be easy to say that I will pump for 6-12 months. I would love to be able to pump that long and provide milk for the boys. It's so good for them and it is good for me as well. However, I haven't pumped for twins and I don't know how my body will respond to keeping up with this demand. I'm optimistic and will pump as long as I am able. 

I have had a couple of people ask if I have or will breast feed the boys. The answer to this is no, I will not. That particular act is a very personal, bonding act, and I wish to not cross any boundaries as a surrogate. I am not their mother, nor do I want that responsibility, and I know that actually nursing them would cause my emotions a lot of confusion. By pumping it protects me emotionally from crossing the proper relationship boundaries I will have with the boys. 

How have things changed with us? B & R, Shawn and I have all been through a lot these past 8 months. We have had a lot of extremely happy moments, a couple of stressful times, and a lot of fun. I think we all would say that we have all made lifelong friends and look forward to watching these beautiful little miracles grow. 

Getting to Know You

Today has been a busy day all around. Not "running errands" kind of busy, but more of a "let's find out what kind of meds I need to get through life" and "who are these amazing little people who have joined us" kind of busy.

On the meds front, I am amused by the differing of opinions on medication and pain management. Most of the nurses have encouraged me to stay ahead of the pain and keep up the pains meds. The nurse I had today was encouraging me to go as long as I can to try to not depend on the meds. I think I am going to listen to the other nurses and stay ahead of the pain. It's not every day that I have a body part cut open and then sewed back together. Yeah, I'll stick with the pain meds. As long as we have that figured out, I'm good. 

As for the boys, what amazing little people they are! They are so adorable and so sweet. Shawn and I went down to their room in the early afternoon. B & R were out at the time I arrived but the nurse introduced herself and invited me to come closer. I was so excited to see that Cohen no longer has the C-PAP and is on regular room air. He also was able to have his OG tube removed and just has an NG tube. He looks so good without the facial apparatus! What a little cutie! It was so amazing to see his little face looking so good. 

Sweet Cohen without the C-PAP.

The nurse finished up what she was doing and asked if I would like to hold Brady. Of course I would like to hold him! She encouraged me to sit down, gave me a pillow and a blanket, and proceeded to untangle Brady from all of his wires and tubes. She handed him to me and left me to spend some time with him. 

Getting to hold Brady for the first time. 

I've held small babies before, but I do think that Brady is the smallest baby I've held. We asked the nurse what his length is and she reported that he is a little over 17 inches long. Cohen is also a bit over 17 inches as well. (Annalies has dollies at home that are about the same size as Brady and Cohen!) Brady was very awake for a while and just looked and listened to us chatting. He settled down after a little bit, but he is a busy little guy! He is just so precious and I am so glad that I was able to hold him for a time. 

Brady making faces at us

I've got to admit that holding Brady and seeing Cohen without the C-PAP was so amazing. These events rank way up there to holding my girls for the first time and the feeling of pride and awe every parent knows. I am so glad they both are okay, and here for us all to meet. How amazing to see such miracles with your eyes! 

Brady did need to be put under the billi lights. He has a mask to wear to protect his eyes and then they turn the bright lights on to reduce any jaundice. Jaundice is pretty common with premature babies, so no worries with his newest development. 

Shawn just came back to my room after bringing some milk to the boys and he reports that this evening Cohen also was given a billi light to ward off jaundice. This development won't prevent the boys from being able to move to a family room tomorrow. This will give them a bit more of a permanent room where B & R can put some things for the boys in a location that isn't so public. Right now they are in a room/cove that has a curtain across the front to separate them from the nurse's station. This room will have a glass wall and a door that can close. Very important and helpful to give them a bit more privacy for some family time. 

Tonight, R & B brought us dinner. We had a nice picnic in my room and chatted for a couple of hours. It was great to spend time with them and just talk. I do like knowing that they will be here for a little while and I will not have to say goodbye on Thursday when I leave the hospital. I do know that they will have to go back home eventually, but I'll probably be back at work around that time and we all will be needing to find our new normal. I'll cross that bridge when we get to it. 

I've told Shawn that since I am feeling okay, if he needs/wants to go to work tomorrow, I should be okay. I will need him here with me on Thursday for my discharge, so he might as well go in while he can. I think that I might go visit the boys and B & R a few more times tomorrow. Maybe I'll deliver the milk to them myself instead of sending it with a nurse. We will see how I am doing and then I will go from there. 

It's been an exciting day with so many great developments with the boys. I look forward to seeing what fun accomplishments they cross tomorrow! What amazing little miracles they are!

Unexpected Miracles

Sit back for a long story! Caution: may be a bit TMI for some people.

At a little after 2 this morning I was awakened by some pretty whopping lower back pain. I apparently cried out and woke up Shawn. I decided to try to use the bathroom and see if that would help with the pain. It was a major ordeal just sitting up, but once I was sitting the back pain went away and I had some lower abdominal pain. Hmm...

I used the bathroom which did help me feel better and went back to bed. Again, very difficult with pain. As I tried to find a comfortable position, I experienced a contraction. Nothing horrible, but just made me take note. As I was laying down I kept getting bursts of pain in my lower back, but they did not feel like contractions at all.

Sometime around 3:15, I decided to take a shower and see if the warm water would help my body relax. It did help with both the back and pelvic pain and I thought things were looking up.

After I got out of the shower, all of the pains were back. I sat on the bed (it hurt too much to lay down) and told my husband that I need to go to the hospital.

I quickly called my OB and told her what was going on. She said that she would see me at the hospital.

Shawn and I then started calling the people who we had lined up to take care of the girls. At 4 am we were unable to get a hold of any of the six people we had lined up! I was getting frustrated and was in more pain than ever so I suggested that I just drive myself to the hospital. Shawn quickly nixed that idea so we decided that we should just take the girls with us.

I climbed in the car while Shawn bundled the girls up and brought them out to the car. Natalie thought it was great that she was coming with us and was pretty excited for the adventure. Annalies was just tired, stunned, and pretty quiet for the whole ride.

As Shawn was loading the girls, I called R's phone and got voicemail. Then I called B's phone and let B know I was on my way to the hospital. B asked how I was doing and I responded with okay but in a lot of pain. B said they would be on their way!

I called the Agency's after hours number and told the person who answered that I was on my way to the hospital. She responded with "well, let's hope it's a false alarm and we will talk with you later."

The entire ride was rather horrible. I was definitely contracting by this point and I felt like I was contracting more than not. A couple of times during the ride when the contractions were really bad I considered telling my husband to go to a closer hospital, rather than my OB's hospital. But then the contraction would stop and we kept going. I also noticed that I wasn't feeling pressure to push, so I took that as a good sign. Each mile brought me closer to pain meds!

Once we arrived at the hospital, Shawn pulled up to the emergency entrance and ran in to get a wheel chair. Shawn and another person came out and helped me out of the car and into the chair. I was wheeled up to the maternity triage area where they were waiting for me.

My nurse, Nancy, was great. She helped me get into a gown and checked me out. With a look of surprise she said "I need someone else to check you, too." She grabbed another nurse and told someone else to call Dr Wagner. The other nurse confirmed Nancy's suspicion and they told me I was fully dilated with the bag of waters bulging.

Things started going fast at this point. An OR nurse came in to get my info and see where I was, Dr Wagner came in to check me and did an ultrasound to see which position the boys were in. Nancy hooked me up to an IV to get a bunch of fluids and some meds in me. Labs came in to draw some blood. Shawn came in to check on me and he announced that R was here and watching the girls while he checked on me.

During all of this I kept asking for some pain meds. Many people told me that other things needed to happen before I could have an epidural or any other pain meds. Grr. Not happy.

I was quickly wheeled across the hall to an OR and I met the anesthesiologist. He kind of questioned the epidural as I was completely dilated and pretty much ready to go. I told him I didn't care what he gave me, I just wanted pain meds! He went with the epidural as that is what Dr Wagner wanted and I waited for the meds to kick in.

Before I knew what was happening or even before the meds kicked in it was time to get Brady out. I pushed for about 10 minutes and out Brady came at 5:53 am! He started crying immediately which was a wonderful sound to hear! His little cry was such a reassurance to me, this precious little baby who has been causing so much trouble was crying and okay. 

After the nurses cleaned him up, they were about to whisk him away to the NICU. Before he left, I requested to see him for a minute. Such a tiny little pumpkin, all puffy and pink! 

After Brady left, Dr Wagner kept doing her thing down at the business end of me. She was using ultrasound to make sure Cohen's position didn't change. He was up rather high in my abdomen and Dr Wagner and the nurses needed to move him into position. They started me on Pitocin to help get some stronger contractions going to help move Cohen down. Thankfully, the epidural was kicking in a little bit and I wasn't feeling the contractions much.  Dr Wagner was doing everything she could, both internally and externally to move Cohen down. (Honestly, all of the movement of Cohen hurt a LOT! I could have used a lot more pain meds.)

Once Cohen finally came down, he was angled rather funny and refused to change to a more labor-conducive position. He was positioned in a transverse position with his shoulder coming down first. 

As Dr Wagner continued to try to do a version and move Cohen into a head down position for about 45 minutes, she finally had to stop. That is when she informed me that she needed to do a C-Section for the health and safety of both me and Cohen. I asked her about the version and she said that he's now wedged in my pelvis with his shoulder trying to deliver first and he's unable to be moved.

Things became very active at this point. A ton of people came into the room as the overhead speaker announced "C-Section, operating room 1." I was introduced to the new anesthesiologist and two nurse anesthetists as a bunch of other people came into the room. 

The anesthesiologist asked how my pain level was and I told him that I was okay right now but the epidural didn't work during Brady's birth. He gently told me that since the epidural didn't work, he would need to put me under using general anesthesia and I would sleep during the procedure. 

As things got set up around me and they got me prepped, I was told that I would be going to sleep right before they started the C-Section. In a matter of a couple minutes I was asleep. It was around 6:45 when I was out.

I learned later that Cohen was delivered at 6:50 am. He was curled in a little ball inside. He has one little bruise on his left leg from being turned inside me, but otherwise he had an uneventful delivery, I've been told.

I remember waking up in the recovery room and I asked how Cohen was. No one seemed to know but they said they would call up to the NICU and find out for me. A little while later a nurse came down from the NICU and she brought Shawn with her. She let me know that both the boys were doing well, at that time they both were getting a little assistance with breathing, but she said they were doing well. I asked about their weights and it took a little bit of looking until she found them for me. Brady was born 3 lbs 10 oz, Cohen was born 3 lbs 12 oz.

The boys are doing well. I was able to go down to the NICU and see them tonight. B & R were with their babies when I was wheeled into their room. I'm so amazed at just how precious these little guys are. They are so tiny and so perfect in every way. 

Brady is off all assisted breathing and just has a NG tube (tube in his nose) to assist with feedings.

Cohen originally was on a ventilator, but has graduated to the C-PAP. His breathing is improving as well. Cohen has an OP tube (tube in his mouth) to assist with feedings.

I snapped a couple of pics of the boys while I was visiting. Enjoy the pics of these amazing little miracles!

Brady resting in his bassinet.

Cohen all swaddled in his bassinet.

Staying Busy While Staying Down

I've learned an important lesson this week: there is a huge difference between staying down at home and staying down while out. 

This week, unfortunately, required me to be down while out more than the previous weeks. Specifically, I had to drive several times for some distance or sit upright for quite a while. Both situations, I've learned, are rather uncomfortable for me at this stage of the pregnancy. Yesterday's drive has put me in bed with quite a bit of back pain and Tylenol to try to relieve it. Hopefully, pain free movement will come soon as Shawn works all afternoon and I'm home alone with our girls.

As far as I know, I only have a couple of things outside of the house this week, and I will be bringing a pillow along for some back support. Lesson learned!

Brady and Cohen are still busy little guys, in spite of my awkward upright sitting. I'm blaming Brady for finding my rib and pushing on it whenever I'm sitting. Wow, is he trying to move that thing! When both boys are vying for prime foot placement under my ribs they apply so much pressure to them that the back side of my ribs ache! And I've learned that it's next to impossible to push back a foot when it's under a rib!

I'm pretty sure Cohen is still head down. He's being good, other than fighting with his brother for foot placement. :-)

Brady has been moving a lot. I'm getting jabs from his arms a lot more (they are more around the mid section of my belly, rather than up high or down low). I'm actually amused by those movements as they are more unexpected than a kick.

Last week I asked my OB about a maternity belts for some added support. She gave me a prescription for one and sent me across the hall to pick it up. I've been wearing it pretty much non-stop, except while sleeping. I do feel better with it and I feel like it's helping keep the boys from sitting so low (and hopefully stop them from causing trouble down there!) 

For this week, my plans are to keep things as quiet and easy as I am able, be glad that we are hitting the 32 week point, and lug a pillow along any time I need to leave the house. :-)

I had a nice feeling of love and support yesterday while chatting with a couple of my cousins. I was asked if I would like a baby shower. I said, no thank you, showers are to help prepare for the babies and since I have no plans to keep them, I didn't think a shower necessary. She then asked if I'd like a party to celebrate the pregnancy. Hmm, that's a bit different. I said I would love to get together with people that I love after the babies are born and we all can catch up and relax. I'm pretty sure this idea was what they all wanted to hear because the next thing I knew I was hearing about mani/pedis, mimosas, desserts, and a lot of fun! Knowing my cousins, as soon as they hear I've given birth they will start planning the party! My cousins and I are very close and I love them for the support they are giving me.

Learning with little miracles.

31 weeks 5 days 

Babies on Trial

Last night I joined six other surrogates, four parents who have had children through surrogacy, and a lawyer at a Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. It was an amazing experience! 

We arrived at the Capitol at 5:40 for our six o'clock session of which we were second on the agenda. Another surrogate found a bench for me to sit on instead of having to wait in line. I was contemplating sitting on the floor, so the bench was a great option. Another surrogate who is 39 weeks pregnant sat with me and we passed the time together. We both had brought snacks and a bunch of water with us and enjoyed our own little picnic on the bench. 

The evening session was scheduled to start at 6, however, we were warned that the previous session was running late so we might have to wait a bit. A bit turned in to an hour and forty five minutes so we finally got into the room at 7:45. The Senate committee was taking a 20 minute recess for them to get a bite to eat. What I've discovered is that, to the Senate, a 20 minute break is equivelant to "I'll be down in a minute, honey!" 20 minutes my eye.

At 8:20ish the committee finally reconvened and started with the first proposed amendment. It was interesting to see how the whole process works. Republicans on our right, democrats on the left and a whole bunch of aids, pages, lobbyists, clerks, and who knows who else sprinkled throughout the room. 

I was completely unimpressed with the whole process. I feel like no matter what kind of testimony either side presented the committee members already had their minds made up. I wittnessed a couple of the members eating, checking their smart phones or tablets, or talking with others around them during various testimonies. Tell me how this is fair and giving the people of Minnesota a voice? 

After over an hour of testimony and debate, the first item on the agenda finally wrapped up and it was our turn. 

Our lobbyist had prepped us for what was to happen and when. Our lawyer, the senator who was backing our amendment, and the first person to testify went up to the table. After introducing the amendment and the reasons behind it, the testimonies began.

Before I get in to the testimonies, I'll breifly paraphrase the amendment.

1) currently, the law in Minnesota states that if a woman births a child the child is hers, regardless of genetic relation. The amendment allows that if the woman is under contract to carry a child for another, the parentage upon birth will immediately go to the parents, not the surrogate. Currently, the parents have to adopt their own child(ren) after the birth simply because the child(ren) was birthed by another person. The amendment would eliminate this step.

2)If a couple enters into a contract with a surrogate, both members of the couple would be considered the parents, despite any genetic material used. If a husband/wife couple has a surrogate and they use the husband's sperm but a donor egg, this amendment would say that the child born to the surrogate is both of theirs. (A case currently being debated in Minnesota is the direct result of this. Husband/wife used his sperm and a donor egg. Three days after finding out the surrogate was pregnant, the husband passed away. The courts now have to decide what to do with the child as the wife has no genetics vested in the child).

I'm sure I've missed some of the finer points, but you get the gist of it. Basically, the amendment would offer some more protection to surrogates and parents and help make the process easier and less expensive for all involved.

We had two surrogates who gave testimony and three different parents who all shared their stories. When the surrogates spoke, all of us surrogates were requested to stand and be recognized as surrogates in favor of this amendment. I was amused by the reactions of those around us as two very pregnant women and four others stood up. There were murmurs and smiles around the room. *warm fuzzies!*

Next came the opponents. There were only two of them present. As the first opponent was speaking, she managed to infuriate and aggravate every one of the surrogates present. (Hasn't she been been told not to tick off a pregnant woman?) According to her, surrogates are "uneducated, underprivileged women who just rent out their womb for profit." Not even kidding. (Coincidently, of the 7 surrogates present, 6 have bachelors degrees or higher, 7 are employed full-time, and 6 of us are married.) We managed to not say anything but each of us exchanged looks and eye rolls with one another as she tried to portray us as money grubbing, uneducated, women incapable of making informed decisions. 

To make a long story, well, shorter than the 50 minutes our session took, the Senate committee PASSED our proposed bill, allowing it to go to the Senate floor by a vote of 5-3. Unfortunately, opponents of this bill are going to the Senate floor this morning to request that this bill go back to yet another committee, thus stalling it in committees which would cause it to die this legislative session. (Feel free to write to your Senator this morning and ask them to NOT allow this to go to another committee and just proceed with a floor vote. I can give you the info on how to do this if you would like.)

We were all very excited last night (at 10:30) when we finally left the stifling hot Senate room. We are confident this bill is a very good step for the future of surrogacy and there are a lot of us who are working hard to make this happen! 

Looking out for future miracles. 

Proud surrogates after the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing