As we celebrate the good standing of all prenatal tests, we find ourselves both joyful and anxious in anticipation of the 18-week anatomy scan. “Wombmate” is definitely making her preferences known, especially when it comes to certain smells and foods. Despite these aversions, daily 30-minute morning walks remain a cherished routine, thanks to the flexibility and encouragement from my new job. Working remotely has also granted me the luxury of cooking more often, providing healthier options for my growing appetite.
Our anatomy scan brought mixed emotions: the joy of seeing our baby girl and the discovery of suspected clubfoot. This finding necessitated further confirmation at a Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) facility, along with a standard echocardiogram, a common precaution for IVF pregnancies. Amidst these developments, a moment of pure joy arrived on Christmas Day, just shy of 23 weeks, when I felt Wombmate’s first gentle kick—a truly special and emotion-filled holiday gift that brought immense happiness to the parents.
The support from the New York Surrogacy Center has been invaluable, with best wishes before each appointment and the welcoming environment of monthly support groups, helping me navigate the hormonal and physical changes with a sense of community and care.
As we usher in 2024 with hope and optimism, we edge closer to our MFM appointment. The results confirmed the presence of clubfoot, a single umbilical artery, and a shortened cervix. While the superstition of things happening in threes crossed our minds, these incidental findings, though concerning, suggest that our baby girl can still live a healthy life post-birth. With more scheduled sonograms and continued monitoring, we remain hopeful and committed to providing the best possible start for our little one.
