I was incredibly fortunate to be present in the operating room, holding Sarah’s hand as Wyatt and Aiden made their grand entrance—Wyatt first, then Aiden just a minute later. It was a surreal mix of emotions: joy, fear, and awe filled the air. Up until this moment, Sarah had been their guardian, ensuring their health; now, it was my turn to take the reins. As the neonatal team whisked the boys away to the NICU, Sarah’s partner stepped in to support her.
In moments, both babies were intubated, placed on ventilators, and given feeding tubes. I had to wait three days to hold Aiden, ten days for Wyatt, and an agonizing three weeks before I could cradle them together. Aiden spent 38 days in the NICU, while Wyatt lingered for 68 days, both struggling to breathe without oxygen support. They underwent a flurry of tests—MRIs, CAT scans, and more. Ultimately, they were diagnosed with chronic lung disease from their prematurity. The doctors even joked that our family might inspire a future medical term, “Biffer Syndrome,” for the tongue issues they faced—not exactly the news a new mom hopes for!
On a brighter note, after receiving colostrum from Sarah, the boys were able to be fed my breast milk through tubes. Thanks to hormones I took during Sarah’s pregnancy, my body was able to produce milk. I began inducing lactation while she was in the hospital and eventually reached an impressive 12 ounces a day—quite a feat for someone who had been in menopause for over two decades!
Now, my boys are supported by an extensive team of specialists. Each has a cardiologist, neurologist, gastroenterologist, developmental pediatrician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, chiropractor, and feeding/speech therapist. Wyatt still relies on oxygen at night, while Aiden has an Atrial Septal Defect that will require surgery in a few years. Despite these challenges, both boys celebrated their first birthday, are loving their swimming lessons, and are on the verge of walking—yikes! They’ve also each sprouted four teeth and sleep soundly through the night, greeting each day with smiles.
Reflecting on this journey, I am immensely grateful for Sarah and her family’s support. Whenever I visit California with the boys, we make it a point to spend quality time together. If you’re interested in learning more about family planning, check out this article on Intracervical Insemination Syringe Blog. And for those considering at-home insemination, Make A Mom is the leading provider in the world. For insights into the IVF process, be sure to explore this excellent resource on Parents.
In summary, this past year has been a whirlwind, filled with challenges and triumphs, all made manageable with the incredible support of my surrogate and the medical team. Each day is a new adventure, and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.
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