My name is Sharon and I live in Rochester, NY. I am a gestational surrogate for friends of ours in the Tampa area of Florida. As NY laws are not surrogate friendly, we are doing everything in Florida including hiring the lawyers and the RE and the birth. I do have a contract as we didn't want any hard feelings or any financial problems because of the impending pregnancy.

I have been married for 15 years and have two wonderful children, a girl, age 4, and a boy, age 13. The difference in ages is due to secondary infertility which is a long story in itself. But after our little miracle was born, we knew our family was complete. When we heard that our friends wanted a biological sibling for their daughter who is only 18 hours younger then our own daughter, we decided that we could help as I had no problems caring a child. I know how it feels to want a sibling to complete our family and fear that it may not happen.

As it stands for me and my journey, it has been a series of ups and downs: My first transfer was Feb.22 and it failed. We did a fresh cycle with three embryos all grade A and had to do another fresh one as we had no embryos left to freeze. August was the set date due to my IM's problems and the RE doesn't want to stimulate her so soon after the last transfer. The waiting was the worst part of this process!

I look forward to sharing my story with you all and welcome all questions and comments! I think that you will find this diary as fascinating to read as it is for me to write!

Sharon

Abbreviations you'll come across in this diary:

• AI traditional surrogate, but the abbreviations are actually for artificial insemination
• GS gestational surrogate
• SM surrogate mother
• PIP prospective intended parents
• IP intended parents
• IF intended father
• IM intended mother
• AF period (Aunty Flow)
• DH dear husband
• U/S ultrasound
• RE reproductive endocrinologist
• ED egg donor
• HPT home pregnancy test