Our Profile

When I decided to pursue surrogacy I did a bit of research and found an agency that was run a little differently than most, this agency focused on matching intended parents with surrogates in a personal way. Initially I filled out an application and then began emailing back and forth with the director of client relations at The Surrogacy Experience, Tina. She had been a surrogate herself (twice) and was very open with me about the process, we discussed my fears and the fears of my family. After I convinced my husband that I was serious and that this idea wasn't as crazy as he had thought, I proceeded with the daunting task of paperwork...medical records, background checks, blood work and a home study (we got a nice visit from Tina). This process took a good month before we could create our profile and ultimately be matched with a compatible couple.

I often get the question "Why did you want to be a surrogate?". I came across our profile today on my computer and I feel like it pretty much sums up the reasons. It feels like so long ago that we created this, it's neat to think that because of this little profile Sara and Jonathan chose to take our family on this incredible journey with them.

I have heard it is hard to read the profile if you're not on a PC so I have pasted the text below the profile. 

My name is Desiree Driscoll, I am 31 years old. My husband, Johnny and I have been married for nearly 8 years. We live in a very small town in Iowa where we are raising our 3 children; Cadence (6), Easton (3), and Tenley (1).

I grew up in rural Clinton Iowa with my parents and 2 sisters. My mom stayed at home while my dad worked as a train engineer. I am very close with my sisters and mother whom live about 3 hours away but sadly, my father passed away from cancer when I was a senior in high school. My husband was adopted when he was a baby and we have a close relationship with his adoptive parents whom live just up the road from us.  I met my husband when I was a senior in high school and we both graduated from the same college. I got a teaching job shortly after graduation and my husband started a lawn mowing and landscaping business. I received my master’s degree shortly after giving birth to our first child and I have been teaching 4^th grade for 8 years. 

My family enjoys being outdoors and playing sports. My husband and I are very active, he plays basketball, I run, and we both play softball. I love to take pictures, bake and watch movies. I am a member of a Relay for Life team which raises money for the American Cancer Society. I am passionate about teaching and being a mom.

I have been looking into becoming a gestational carrier ever since I had our first child. I loved being pregnant and couldn’t imagine a day when I would be done having babies. Well, that day came; my husband and I decided that 3 children was the right number for us. I always told my sisters that if they could not carry a baby, I would do it for them. My older sister is now pregnant with her second child and my younger sister is pregnant with her first. Realizing they would not need my help, I still had the urge to help someone else.

The potential of being matched with intended parents is so exciting. I hope that I can help a family have a baby of their own and appreciate the opportunity to give someone the greatest gift I have been given in this life.  Open communication is important to me, and I would like the intended parents to be involved in as much of the pregnancy as possible.  I am excited to share this experience with the intended parents.  After the birth, I would enjoy receiving updates and photos.

33 Weeks

The count is down to 5 weeks or less before the babies arrive. My belly is growing steadily and I still feel good, my oldest daughter (6) let me know that my shirt was just too small the other day..apparently it isn't socially acceptable for a teacher to wear a belly shirt..who knew? :-) 

Yet another snow day today, we are all ready for winter to be over, it scares me to have nights like last night with blizzard conditions and impassable roads...not sure how we would have made it to the hospital if these babies had decided to come early. Also, Sara and Jonathan surely wouldn't have been able to get here with weather conditions as they were. It's good to know that in 5 weeks it is March, spring is literally right around the corner!!

Friday I had the first of our (now weekly) non-stress tests. At my OB office I sit in a nice comfy chair while they put heart rate monitors on my belly to monitor the babies. They are looking for 3 changes in heart rate within an hour (it's a bit more technical, but that's the basis of it) the babies should have accelerations when they move. The active baby boy "passed" within 5 minutes and Baby Girl took her time and passed within about 40. 

I can't wait to see if their personalities in utero match their personalities after they're born. I would guess the boy to be super active (a lot like my son), and the girl to be very chill and passive.

All hooked up. ⬇️

In 4 days we get to see the peanuts again via ultrasound, I can't wait to see their mom again and to see how much they have grown in a month. Sara is going to spend the weekend in Iowa. We are all very excited!

32 Weeks

6 weeks to go, feeling good. I felt a lot of growth this week, the babies are definitely getting bigger. In a week and a half Sara is coming to visit and we get to see just how much they've grown at our final scheduled ultrasound. 

My son (3, nearly 4) has been really "into" the babies recently. He randomly puts his hand on my belly, kisses them goodnight and asks me more questions about Sara. Today he asked why Sara's tummy was broken and I explained to him again that she had been sick. He usually responds to my explanations by running and playing with his toys, but I can tell he just needs time to process and absorb. I always make sure he knows that the babies will not be coming home with us. 

I talked with Sara today and she suggested my family plan a trip to come to New York, late May, to visit them and see the babies. The babies will be 3-4 months by then. I loved this suggestion, I think it will help me to say goodbye after they are born and it will help my kids, knowing it won't be long before we get to  ride on a big airplane and visit Sara, Jonathan and the babies soon.  

Here are a couple of 32 week pictures. 

31 Weeks

 Monday we were 31 weeks, time is going fast and each week is so precious as these babies gain weight and get ready to meet their parents. 

I am feeling confident about labor and delivery, I trust that my body knows what to do and I have a wonderful midwife/doctor team. 

I am a little nervous that I will go early and that Sara and Jon won't make it in time, I want so badly for them to see their little ones enter the world. Those of us who have been there before know what a profound moment it is to see your child take their first breath...and to hear that first cry. 

Sara will be back on the 31st for our final scheduled ultrasound, we will also have an appointment with my OB and a social worker from the hospital to work out a birth plan. I can't wait for her to feel these little kick boxers in action...they are in constant motion, it seems, these days. 

Here are a couple of 31 week pictures.

My birthday is today and my principal at the school I teach at went all out with my twins themed treats. 

Double stuffed Oreos

Double chocolate chip cookies

Cupcakes with 2 peas in a pod on top

Bird nests with 2 eggs in them

Baby Carrots with "dill" dip....to name a few. 

Feeling lots of love and support from my friends, family and coworkers. 

8 Weeks Left!

I had a level 2 ultrasound today to check on the growth of the babies, it went so well!!! 

Each baby is measuring approximately 3 pounds, I have 6 pounds of baby in me...that's just amazing. In 8 weeks these babies will hopefully be 6 pounds or so. 

Their positions haven't changed and probably won't, but the perinatologist said we have a good chance of being able to deliver vaginally. They will induce at 38 weeks because the risk of one or both of the babies not thriving outweigh the benefits of keeping them in for 2 more weeks.

Below are comparison pictures of 28 weeks and 29 weeks.

28 Weeks

29 Weeks 

(You can see the top of my belly really popped out) 

I will be 30 weeks on Monday. 

We will have one more ultrasound at 34 weeks (in 4 weeks), Sara will come for that one and we will discuss a birth plan. I can't wait for her to feel these two little ninjas in action! 💙💜

Thought I'd add a 30 weeks shot. ⬆️