On August 9, 2008, my alarm went off at 5:30am as I had been instructed to call the hospital to find out what time I would be going in for a scheduled induction. They told me to be there between 7:00am and 7:30am, and we would get things started. Time to get up and get moving... As I went in to shower, my nerves kicked in and I began to panic. I started shaking all over and couldn't stop until I was covered in hot water. Once I calmed down and had gotten out, I asked my DH, "Can I do this?! I suppose it's too late to change my mind, right?" He just chuckled and said, "Of course you can, you've done it twice before and you're going to get that epidural and be just fine."

Anyhow, we got to the hospital, I got all hooked up to the IV's and monitors, my IP's arrived, and my OB came in and checked me (I was dilated to a three and 70-80% effaced). He broke the first bag of water, and started the pitocin shortly after 8:00am. I was having pretty regular contractions that were starting to make me uncomfortable within a couple of hours, and my BP was running higher than preferred, but they weren't terribly concerned. About 11:00am I got my epidural, had dilated to between four and five, and things were moving right along. I think it was around noon that my IP's really began to realize this could go fast or it could go for hours. My DH and I had to chuckle since my IP's had been trying to nail an exact time down for almost nine months.

Shortly after noon my IP's decided to get something to eat and my DH and I were managing to get some rest when I suddenly woke up shaking worse than I had that morning. It was like I was having my own personal earthquake, and the nurse kept putting warm blankets on me. Apparently I was flying through transition, and although I had the epidural, my body was reacting as if there was nothing blocking the senses. Sometime between 1:30pm and 2:00pm the shaking stopped and I knew it was getting close because I was feeling a lot of pressure. When the nurse checked me again she said my cervix was gone and she was calling the OB asap - it was time.

My IP's were going to see their babies!

Because we were having twins, the delivery was to be in the operating room in case the need should arise to do a c-section, although there was no concern for one at this point. By the time my IP's and DH were suited up, the OB arrived, and I was moved to the OR, it was almost 2:30pm. The OR was packed with extra nurses, a pediatrician, a second OB, the anesthesiologist, and the rest of us, and we were ready to go. At 2:47pm, little Braeden came into the world weighing 5lbs.13oz., and was 18 inches long. I'm pretty sure he was crying before he was all the way out, and he was absolutely perfect! My IP's were standing at my head just holding each other crying and my DH told them to go over to where the baby was and he started taking pics of them. It was wonderful!!!

The other twin was still quite high (-2 stage) and her water had not broken yet. In addition to this, my OB and the other OB were working at keeping her head down. Finally she started to move a little, my OB was keeping her in position by himself, and he thanked the other OB for her help and she left. While my IP's and DH were oogling over Braeden, my OB, a nurse, the anesthesiologist and I were just passing the time waiting for more pitocin to kick in and stronger contractions to start so we could get that little stinker out. Shortly my OB began to feel a hand that wouldn't stay out of the way, and he was having a hard time monitoring her heartbeat. It kept dropping and then he couldn't even see it on the u/s. They started to give me oxygen which helped her, and we waited again. What happened next was anything but uneventful...

The second bag of water broke, and almost immediately her heartbeat dropped way down. She was in distress, she was still high, and it was time to get her out. My OB tried to use the vacuum, and then the first thing he saw coming out was her cord. The casual atmosphere of the room turned into a scene right out of ER. The doctor jumped up, told everyone, "We need to crash her!" Which meant there wasn't even time to up my slowly wearing off epidural, they were putting me under. He turned to my DH and IP's and said, "Go out of here, and take the baby with you!" He called the second OB back in, and by this time they were putting a gas mask on me. My vein collapsed and they lost the IV that had been going so they had to start a new one, which I'm pretty sure the second OB just held in place herself for a while. The last thing I remember before going out was hearing a couple of things crashing to the floor in everyone's haste to get this over, and hoping the baby was going to be OK. In just about ten minutes, the nurse poked her head into the room where my crew was waiting and told them that at 3:27pm Brittany had entered the world weighing 6lbs.1oz, 18 1/2 inches long and was doing just fine. As was I.

I was moved to a room a couple of hours later, and while I was groggy I was able to see my family and the new family I had helped create. My DH was there, of course, my parents were there with my kids, my DS (who is four) climed up onto my bed to give me a snuggle, my DD who had waited in the waiting room almost all day was hugging me, my IP's were there each holding a baby. All was well in the world.

Tuesday and Wednesday my IP's and I spent together in the hospital. Each morning when they arrived they would go to the nursery, get the babies, and head straight to my room. The perfect little family convoy. It was wonderful to have that time to hang out and visit with them and see how perfectly they all fit together. It was also nice because it gave my parents an opportunity to get to know my IP's and my kids a chance to see the babies when they visited each day before the new family went home on Wednesday.

I was released from the hospital on Friday after a four-night stay, and have been moving quickly down the road to recovery.

The emotions and feelings I have experienced over the past year are almost indescribable. I set out on this journey knowing that I wanted to help a couple have a family who could not otherwise, and yet also knowing that I was doing it somewhat for me because I so enjoyed being pregnant yet my family was complete. What I did not realize before was what a profound impact this journey would have on me. I have felt a joy that is beyond what I could have ever comprehended before. I am so grateful to my IP's for trusting me with their precious cargo and allowing me to be their surrogate. As to my own family, I cannot thank them enough. Their sacrifices and support have meant the world to me, and I am so lucky to have them.

This has been an experience I will cherish and treasure for the rest of my life.

What a wonderful journey you've been through. Thanks for sharing and good luck in the future if you decide to persue this again.

Very encouraging to read. I look forward to being a surrogate some day and reading about your journey brought tears to my eyes. I hope to someday give this beautiful gift to another couple one day.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us.. what a beautiful experience

wow, very touching. I'm glad you had such a great journey. You sound like a wonderful person.

thank you everyone. The twins just had their 2nd birthday and are doing great! I feel so blessed to have helped bring these beautiful children into the world.

awww, that's great! My son is about to be 3.. they grow so fast! Hope you are doing well!

They do grow fast.. I see now that you have twins of your own on the way! CONGRATS!!