Finding Womb For Baby

Hello everyone! My name is Laura Pollard. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for nearly seven years, and together we have three boys (5yo, 3yo, and 18mo).

I began my journey with Surrogate Solutions last year in late October. The application process was very much a “hurry up and wait” type of game, as much of the process of becoming a surrogate is. I knew when I was in high school that I would embark on this journey eventually, and when I was done having my own children, I was ready to take the plunge.

In December, I was approved and ready to find a match. Initially, I was so eager to find a match that I thought I was willing to have any sort of a relationship with the Intended Parent(s). When Lauren Palm reached out to me to discuss what I was looking for in a match, I had a realization that I wanted the Intended Parent(s) to be very active in the journey and that I preferred to carry for IPs that were relatively close to my location.

In mid-December, after reading quite a few profiles, I had a match meeting with a couple who was within an hour’s drive from me. The potential match didn’t work out. I felt disappointed that we weren’t as compatible as we seemed on paper, but I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason.

In late December, Lauren sent me some additional profiles to view. I was interested in meeting with a couple who lived about three hours away from me. They agreed to meet with me. We had our Zoom meeting with Lauren and Christina. Within the first five minutes of the meeting, I just KNEW they were it for me. We talked about my kids and pregnancies, and we talked about their struggle to have children due to unexplained infertility and a congenital heart condition (TAPVR). We talked about hobbies, pastimes, pets, and the undeniable love we all have for Mexican food. All that chatter brought us to the not-so-comfortable topics: termination, selective reduction, etc. Fortunately, we all stood on the same side of the fence.

Immediately after the meeting, I texted Lauren and told her I was all in if they were. I was standing on the island in my kitchen when I heard my phone ding. It was Lauren telling me that they too agreed they were all in with me. I remember crying tears of pure joy. A short time later, I was given their contact info. The rest is history.

I am incredibly close with my Intended Mother (let’s call her “A”). “A” has become one of my very best friends and someone I could count on. We’ve shared a lot of tears, but there have been many more laughs. We have figured out how to hold each other up when one of us is down. We both know when we need to do nothing but listen to the other one and not say a word in return. Some days are hard, and that’s okay because we get through them together.

My Intended Father (shall we call him “B”?) is a great guy. He is calm and collected, and let’s face it, “A” and I need that sort of voice of reason at times (haha). They have supported me nonstop, and they have shown me a gratefulness I’ve never experienced before. They have been there through absolutely everything.

In January, I started the medical screening process. I had labs drawn, a hysteroscopy was performed and completed a mock cycle. I was approved by the clinic to be their surrogate. We were given a transfer date of 4/4/19. Unfortunately, a few days before the transfer was supposed to occur, an error was discovered which led to a new transfer cycle. We were then given a transfer date of 4/29. Fortunately, everything went well, and we were able to do the transfer on that day.

On 5/8, I went in for my first beta. It came back POSITIVE. I returned to the clinic for the second draw, and the value had more than tripled. We were all thrilled! On 5/22, I went to work and experienced a heavy bleed at 5 weeks and 6 days pregnant. I was diagnosed with a large sub-chronic hemorrhage (SCH). We were told that this occurs in roughly 40% of IVF pregnancies. I was put on bed rest and pelvic rest. I began getting weekly ultrasounds that didn’t yield incredibly comforting results, but their little guy remained doing well.

On 6/4, I was released from the care of the fertility clinic and into the care of my local OB. On 6/13, at 9 weeks and 1 day pregnant, we had our first appointment with my OB. For the first time in what feels like forever, I finally felt at ease. The SCH showed signs of improvement. Baby boy looked WONDERFUL. We were able to see some fingers and toes beginning to form on ultrasound, he measured a day ahead, and his heartbeat was strong.

Surrogacy isn’t easy, and it doesn’t always go the way you envisioned it. While this hasn’t all been cupcakes and rainbows, it has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I am eternally grateful to be able to carry this sweet boy for one of the most amazing couples I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I have gained an incredible experience, but I have also gained a branch on my family tree that most people never get to have. “A” and “B” have become invaluable to my family, and I’m looking forward to delivering their sweet babe and having a fantastic lifelong relationship with them.

With the right match, the ups in this journey are so much higher and the downs are a bit easier to work through. I am forever indebted to Surrogate Solutions for matching me with the most perfect match. I couldn’t have asked for anything better, and the relationship my Intended Parents and I have is making this journey that much more valuable. From the sleepovers to the adventures, to “A” giving me my giant shots when we’re together – we’re all completely in this with each other.

“It takes a village to raise a child. Sometimes, it takes a village to make a child.”

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