If you’ve done your research, spoken to your surrogacy agency, and talked to some other surro moms, you probably feel well prepared for your surrogacy journey. One thing you may have not given a lot of thought to, however, is there are a lot of needles involved. It can be pretty daunting.
Why so many needles?
For some medications, injections are the best or sometimes the only way they can be administered. Medications are prescribed to gestational surrogates to synchronize your cycle with that of the intended mother, to prepare your uterus to accept a pregnancy, and to sustain that pregnancy. The reproductive endocrinologist or OB/GYN will discuss which medications you will need.
Common medications include Lupron which will be administered subcutaneously each day, typically for about three weeks, and progesterone which is given intramuscularly, usually daily for two to three months. You may be surprised to find the injections aren’t as difficult as you expected once you become accustomed to them.
How to make injections a little easier.
Injections are uncomfortable – there’s no way around that. But here are a few ideas from surrogates who have been there and know what works. Typically, you’ll give the injection yourself, or you can enlist the help of your significant other or a friend.
Whether the injections are subcutaneous – directly under the skin – or intramuscular – administered into the muscle – begin by numbing the area if you choose. Check with your doctor first, but any topical numbing agent containing lidocaine should work. Alternatively, apply an ice pack to the area for a few minutes before giving or receiving the injection.
Subcutaneous injections are typically administered by pinching the flesh, usually your belly, hip or thigh and injecting the medication into the area just below the skin.
Intramuscular injections are given into the muscle. Some surrogates suggest warming the medication by keeping the vial close to your skin for a few minutes. It’s also helpful to relax the area as much as possible and pull your skin taut before injecting. Gently rubbing or massaging the area can help to ease discomfort and help the medication to distribute. Placing a heating pad over the area for a few minutes can help.
If you have any questions about medications or anything else you may be wondering about the process of being a gestational surrogate, contact the specialists at Surrogate Solutions.
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