This week has been all about surrogacy and the birth of my final surro-son. I’ve not hardly even mentioned that my twins had a birthday on Mother’s Day or any other cool stuff. But with posting this birth story, I will be done. Retired even. How exciting! Of course, as long as I continue to get updates on my surro-children then I will have updates to post. It’s all really quite bittersweet. I’m so happy to be done, but then last night I was a little sad thinking that I would not ever be pregnant again. It’s the closing of one chapter of my life and the beginning of a new one. That of “just mom.”
My surrogate “journey” has been nothing less than perfect. I could not have asked for better intended parents. I don’t think I’ve ever known more generous, thoughtful and just plain nice people. Their entire family even. They paid attention to every detail and I really think we will remain life long friends. It’s a very special relationship to me. I know in the deepest parts of my heart, that little baby J. is one lucky little dude to be born into this family. He will be so cherished…as it should be.
The one thing I missed out on with my first surrogacy was seeing mommy’s face when she got to meet her children. Their was no point in letting the parents in the operating room since the three babies would be whisked away quickly. It was decided early on that this delivery would be a repeat cesarean section and I knew from the very beginning, that Shannon was the one who was going to be with me at the birth. I told Bob early, too that he would not be in the OR with me and that I wanted that “moment.”
On Monday, we arrived at the hospital at 8:30am to check in for a 10:30am surgery. Shannon could not have stop smiling if she tried.
It wasn’t long after they got me hooked up to the monitors and started prepping that they told us I could have both Mike and Shannon come in with me. We were thrilled! I think Mike was a little scared.
While we were prepping in the labor and delivery room, a party was gathering out in the waiting room. Shannon and Mike’s parents were all arriving, my mom, my husband and their oldest daughter were all on pins and needles. Our anesthesiologist came in to tell us (in a very long winded manner) that he was going to use an epidural on me instead of a spinal. Since I was also having my hernia repaired, he explained that he could make the epidural last longer if he needed to where a spinal only worked for a fixed amount of time. I told him I really didn’t care…as long as I didn’t feel it. 
At approximately 10:45am, they took me into the operating room and put Mike & Shannon in a holding room. They started getting me ready and administered my epidural.
I really don’t like epidurals.
Does anyone?
I have a few wonky vertebrates that makes it hard to place the catheter in my spine. It posed a problem during my twins delivery, too and the anesthesia never worked. Ever since, I’m afraid that it won’t work again. But after some “off color” jokes, poking around, and breathing excersises the doctor got it placed. Apparently, an epidural takes longer to take effect, too. So my IP’s nervously waited in their holding room for about 45 minutes (they were told it would be 20).
It was torture for them!
Finally. They brought my IP’s in.
Shannon sat near my head, Mike stood behind her. I reached out for Shannon’s hand. We held hands and she rubbed my arm. Quite nervously I must say. She was rubbing it really fast back and forth. It was kinda funny and I smiled to myself as I watched her. Always asking me if I was okay. Mike stood above us peering over the blue drape. I threatened him that he better photoshop out anything he got on camera. We were all joking and talking while we waited (for what seemed like) an eternity for the doctor to deliver the baby.
Then I heard a very tiny noise that almost sounded like a baby. I looked up at Shannon and asked “did you hear that?”
Her eyes got big as she listened. Suddenly the room burst full of a big healthy baby wail. Shannon jumped up, her eyes big, tears on her face. I started crying. She was jumping up and down as they showed her her beautiful baby boy. Shannon quickly came back to be at my side. Sat next to me and asked if I was okay. I told her I was FINE – go see your baby!!
Shannon never once forgot I was there or forgot to take care of me.
The nurses quickly showed the baby to me as they started to clean him up and check him out. I heard them ask Mike to cut his cord.
My anesthesiologist kept asking me if I was ready to go to sleep. He was going to give me some relaxing/sleepy meds so that I could nap while the next team of doctors repaired my hernia. I kept telling him to wait. I wasn’t ready to go to sleep yet. I was too happy watching my IP’s.
The nurses handed baby J. over to his mommy and she immediately came to show him to me. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. She was so happy. Daddy was so proud. Shannon and Mike had their healthy baby boy in their arms. Finally.
Month’s of being so nervous just erased off their face as they looked at their beautiful baby boy.
Little J. was born at 11:38 am weighing 8 pounds 10 ounces and being 21 inches long.
Shannon has spent the past several months trying to induce lactation so that she can breastfeed baby J. I do believe it’s working! Moments after he was born, he was latched on to his mommy eating his first meal. This to me is just amazing! I had a hard time nursing my own children. I lacked the dedication needed to make it work. But I am in awe of Shannon. It has taken months of discipline and dedication to achieve milk and I just think it’s so special that she will get to have this time with her baby. She is such a wonderful mommy!
The surgeons went on to repair not one, but three very large hernias in my abdomen. I was kind of in and out of sleep but heard them talking about “calcification.” I have no idea what that even means. My surgeon never came to speak with me while I was in the hospital and my OB went out of town the next day. I hope to find out what it all means and what my long term prognosis is on Tuesday when I have my follow up appointment. So I spent just two days in the hospital. My nurses were phenomenal! I had no complications and came home Wednesday evening.
Baby J. was discharged Tuesday afternoon. They brought him to my room several times so my family could say “hello.” They stayed at a nearby hotel until I was discharged and so they headed out of town on Thursday morning. They are staying at the grandparents house until this weekend when they will get to take their baby home to his beautiful fireman nursery.
Surrogacy is amazing. To be able to say that “I did that” is the coolest thing ever.
I did that.
Welcome to OhRheally?, My name is Rhea and I share stories of life raising 3 sons, my experiences as a (recently retired) 
That is so amazing. I seriously have tears in my eyes. You are amazing!! I could only imagine how you felt being able to do that for such wonderful people!
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Rhea, I’ve said it before but I’m going to say it again. YOU ARE AN AMAZING WOMAN!
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Yes you are amazing , and that was so beautiful it made me cry. Your Awesome Rhea
Rhea you are so amazing. What a great birth story! I look forward to pictures of little J in the future from his parents. You are such an inspiration!
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what a beautiful story
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What a BEAUTIFUL post!!
He’s so incredibly handsome and I am SO glad you got those precious moments seeing your IPs with their son – that is the BEST!! 
.-= Rebekah´s last blog ..Big Day! 13 Weeks Prego, Nuchal Screening & First OB! =-.
I’m in tears! What you’ve done is so incredible!
Rhea I am in tears reading your story. You are such a wonderful woman! To give yourself to this family is amazing. I have been thinking about Surrogacy a lot the past couple years and wish I could. Of course due to my history of preterm labor, I can’t. But it is truly amazing! I wish more women could do this! Seeing Shannon and Mike’s faces are totally worth it!
.-= Gena´s last blog ..Mother’s Day with The Morris Bunch =-.
I think that what you did is amazing! I can’t imagine how that must feel. I would have loved to do that for someone, but I had to many complications with my own babies. I think you are an amazing person, and you should be so proud of yourself. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Monica´s last blog ..Sugar Free?? =-.
Rhea,
No one writes more beautifully and lovingly than you. What an honor for us to have spend time with you and gotten to know you, Bob, the boys and so many family members. Please take time to recover completely and then enjoy your four handsome guys. Many Hugs.
I’m BAWLING over here; I was in the delivery room when our birth-mother gave birth to our daughter. It’s SUCH an emotional, crazy experience — so glad BOTH of you got to be involved in the birth and witness each other enjoy it.
.-= Rachel — Following In My Shoes´s last blog ..Dear Face … =-.
What a amazing, beautiful story. I too have tears in my eyes. You are amazing!
You just made me cry, in a totally good way.
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Oh wow, what a great story, I love happy baby stories. You are such an amazing woman, and writer!
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Amazing! No other words…
Omg Reah, you are truly amazing! I wish the new parents the best. Take care of yourself! You did a great job babe!
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What a great story Rhea! You are an amazing angel to give this couple a precious gift! Wishes for baby J a long and happy life. And fast gentle healing for the tummy of yours!
.-= Faythe´s last blog ..Wondering wizards… the mystery goes on! =-.
YOU DID THAT!!!! Congratulations, my wonderful friend. And I totally cried too. You’re amazing and beautiful. And to give your IPs that experience is wonderful. I’m in awe that you’re so amazing. If you ever want to come out of retirement, let me know.
You are awesome girl! I loved reading and even started to tear up. You totally inspire me.
This is an amazing story, indeed! I’m so glad you’re doing well and so is baby J!
.-= Kasey@All Things Mamma´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – This Is Why =-.
I’ve told you before, and I’ll say it again…I’m so darn proud of you! You are amazing! You gave the most wonderful gift anyone could ever receive.
.-= Sky´s last blog ..Yoursphere.com Test Drive Mom =-.
What an amazing story. You have me crying over here once again Rhea…….
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You *did* do that. Congrats to you, Shannon & Mike!!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Home sweet home =-.
OMG, I seriously can’t stop crying!! I’ll say it again – U R AMAZING!
You, my friend, are SuperWoman. And you have the most generous loving heart to do this for a family that cannot have their own.
I bow to your awesomeness.
.-= Shan @ Last Shreds Of Sanity´s last blog ..Brandy’s Battle: Can You Help? =-.
Here is me months later reading. Again incredible. I have tears in my eyes. They sound like AMAZING parents.
I love reading birth stories. I tear up every time! It’s a feeling almost indescribable looking at your couple, who just moments ago were just “a couple”, now are parents because of your help. I remember looking at my couple in the recovery room, each with a son in their arms, looking at each other, looking up at me, back to the babies. No words were needed. Amazing feeling. Congrats again!
You are a superwoman, I must say! Its do difficult to part with a baby you have been having for 10 months, all of a sudden! n not to mention the after effects of a caesarean section, that you readily agreed to! You are one brave lady!
Have a gr8 day!