Bio mom preg w/ twins and Surrogate preg w/ twins

[pixy0stix]

Childless Kirkland couple gets 'mother of all surprises'

www.komonews.com/news/local/Childless-Kirkland-couple-gets-mother-of-all-surprises-151312945.html

For many women, getting pregnant is a heartbreaking struggle.

A local couple tried to become parents for 10 years. Now, that decade-long wish is finally coming true in the most unexpected way.

This story begins in Indianapolis, Ind., where Amber Pluckebaum is at a doctor's appointment.

"My stomach is so tight," she told her doctor. "It hurts so bad."

Amber is pregnant with twins. And like any excited mother-to-be, she is willing to endure the pain and sickness.

But when the babies are born, her payoff will come in the joy of her best friend, Misty Baker of Kirkland.

"I want her to know what it's like to hold her own baby," Amber said. "And that's really the root of what got me even thinking this."

Amber is Misty's gestational surrogate.

Misty and her husband Brian have been trying to have a baby for 10 years.

"The desire's still the same," Misty said. "You know, it's a longing in your heart."

Past in-vitro fertilization attempts failed and Misty's sole pregnancy resulted in miscarriage.

So the couple went to Indiana - where they used to live and Amber lives now - and created embryos with the help of Dr. William Gentry.

Gentry implanted Amber with the two healthiest embryos, and implanted Misty with four others.

Based on experience, Misty hardly expected success.

But she got it - times four.

"Both pregnant with twins," Amber explained. "I mean, complete and utter shock. I mean the doctor was as shocked as we were."

"Never both getting pregnant with twins at the same time," Dr. Gentry agreed. "I've never had that happen before."

It could be that Misty's pregnancy took because, for the first time, she wasn't worried about her results.

She knew she had Amber.

"She thought her surrogate would be successful, so 'what have I got to lose,' so she was chilled out," Gentry explained. "And who knows how that affects the immune system to protect embryos."

"We really feel like she was the missing piece that not only allowed us to have the children she's carrying but also to have these two," father-to-be Brian Baker said while rubbing Misty's belly.

Now the Bakers are preparing for four children.

Two of the Baker babies will be born at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland.

Misty is carrying a boy, Connor, and a girl, Hope.

Amber will give birth to girls Madison and Victoria in Indianapolis.

Being 2,000 miles apart is heart-wrenching.

"I know these babies know my voice, and they know Brian's voice," Misty said of the twins she is carrying. "And our babies there, don't as much. But they will."

Pregnancy complications prevented travel, but they are connected.

At a baby shower for the Bakers in Indiana, they Skyped from Kirkland.

Amber and her husband Brian say they will always have a special bond with the twins Amber is carrying.

But with their own kids, 6 and 4, Brian jokes, he's glad his baby duties are over.

"I'm done! I'm done changing diapers, I'm done waking up at three in the morning and getting two hours of sleep," laughed Brian Pluckebaum. "Yeah, no problems at all. Here you go, Brian and Misty!"

It is the ultimate gift from a friend.

"I know this was something in my life I was supposed to do," Amber said.

This family will treasure its roots.

"There's no question these children were loved and desired and wanted," Misty said. "And they have been prayed for and they're our little miracle babies."

The two sets of twins are due in June.

[KateAggie]

It could be that Misty's pregnancy took because, for the first time, she wasn't worried about her results.

[EloiseWeenie]

May 14, 2012 11:54:35 GMT -5 KateAggie said:

It could be that Misty's pregnancy took because, for the first time, she wasn't worried about her results.

I hated that part too.

4 babies at the same time freak me out. I hope they have good friends or family that can help them out.

[GailGoldie]

this has happened before.

while you should never tell a woman going through IF to "not worry about it and it will happen" sadly that is what happens when women are relieved of their worry... but it's something that only a situation like this (or adoption, etc) can make happen b/c that's the only real way that worry can go away. I know quite a few women who got pg shortly after adopting after years of IF.

so- again- it's not something you can ever "just do" b/c you can't just remove that kind of emotions... but, it's not uncommon for this kind of thing to happen (getting pg once some worry is gone).

I had twins and that was all I was willing to deal with at one time - 3+ babies at once = crazy to me, but i'm sure they feel quite blessed.

[wawa]

The idea of twins freaks me out so much...I can't even imagine four. I'm glad they are happy.

I am kinda confused about this story though - is doing a double IVF like that common? To use some of them on the surrogate and some on the bio mom?

[teflep]

May 14, 2012 12:02:34 GMT -5 GailGoldie said:

so- again- it's not something you can ever "just do" b/c you can't just remove that kind of emotions... but, it's not uncommon for this kind of thing to happen (getting pg once some worry is gone).

.

It only happens in like 8% of cases....but, it always gets time as someone always knows someone/a friend of a friend/whatever.

[josieposy]

May 14, 2012 12:06:04 GMT -5 wawa said:

I am kinda confused about this story though - is doing a double IVF like that common? To use some of them on the surrogate and some on the bio mom?

I was wondering this as well. Is this something doctors do very often in surrogacy situations?

I thought twins was hard. 2 sets? Oy.

[Deleted]

You know, at first I was like OMG, PICK MY ASS UP OFF THE FLOOR

but the more I read the article, the more my shock turned into anger. Sure, yeah, ya dumb bitch, worry is the reason you didn't get pregnant before. And also plus, I'd like to know how doing IVF like this isn't on the same irresponsibility meter as Octomom. Much futher down, yes but definately on the spectrum.

I hope they all shit their pants at the same time.

[miss1991]

May 14, 2012 12:08:08 GMT -5 teflep said:

May 14, 2012 12:02:34 GMT -5 GailGoldie said:

so- again- it's not something you can ever "just do" b/c you can't just remove that kind of emotions... but, it's not uncommon for this kind of thing to happen (getting pg once some worry is gone).

.

It only happens in like 8% of cases....but, it always gets time as someone always knows someone/a friend of a friend/whatever.

Interesting story. But I would think that them both getting pregnant was because they where both implanted with embryo's, not because she wasn't worried about it. I do think stress play's a small role in fertility but I tried for 8 years for my last and I got pregnant at the most stressful time in my life, when my Mom passed away. Sometime's their just not answer's to these type of question's

[BlackSmoke]

I can't imagine taking care of 4 newborns. Even if I struggled with IF, I don't think I would be very excited to hear I was going to have 4 babies.

[GailGoldie]

i didn't read this article --- i assumed it was similar to what i've read about before - where the surrogate gets pg with twins- then surprise- the bio mom gets pg on her own with twins.... yeah- i agree- odd to transfer 4 embies into 2 women at the same time. But- as we've seen, there are many shitty RE's out there who will do anything.

[cookiemdough]

I don't understand why they implanted all at the same time. Try the surrogate the first cycle and if that didn't work try the biomom again.

I am happy for them that they will be parents. I also hope they are truly prepared for four babies.

[wawa]

May 14, 2012 12:30:10 GMT -5 GailGoldie said:

i didn't read this article --- i assumed it was similar to what i've read about before - where the surrogate gets pg with twins- then surprise- the bio mom gets pg on her own with twins.... yeah- i agree- odd to transfer 4 embies into 2 women at the same time. But- as we've seen, there are many shitty RE's out there who will do anything.

I wonder if this is why they went to the surrogate's home state for the IVF vs. staying near their home. If there weren't any local RE's who would do it this way.

That still leaves the question of WHY they wanted to do it this way.

[charminglife]

I'm happy this couple will finally have the family they want - but the comments about 'not stressing' rubbed me the wrong way. Additionally, why is the surrogate giving birth in Indiana? How is she going to get two newborns to Washington where the bio parents are?

[pixy0stix]

May 14, 2012 12:36:03 GMT -5 charminglife said:

How is she going to get two newborns to Washington where the bio parents are?

I hadn't thought about that. The bio-parents won't be able to come pick them up right away either. Unless they send the dad.

[marie427]

May 14, 2012 12:20:43 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

May 14, 2012 12:15:05 GMT -5 @habbsies said:

You know, at first I was like OMG, PICK MY ASS UP OFF THE FLOOR

but the more I read the article, the more my shock turned into anger. Sure, yeah, ya dumb bitch, worry is the reason you didn't get pregnant before. And also plus, I'd like to know how doing IVF like this isn't on the same irresponsibility meter as Octomom. Much futher down, yes but definately on the spectrum.

I hope they all shit their pants at the same time.

Yeah, I thought this was ridiculous and irresponsible. Why not implant the surrogate, wait 6 weeks, then do the mom? I don't get why it had to happen at the same time. No "stress" and no chance of 4 or more kids.

I know almost nothing about IVF costs, but I'm wondering if they did that because it would have cost a lot more money to store the eggs(?) rather than implant them right away?

Am I even using the right jargon here? I'm not too familiar with the process.

[caden]

May 14, 2012 12:40:51 GMT -5 marie427 said:

I know almost nothing about IVF costs, but I'm wondering if they did that because it would have cost a lot more money to store the eggs(?) rather than implant them right away?

Am I even using the right jargon here? I'm not too familiar with the process.

It doesn't cost that much to store embryos. I want to say $500/yr, possibly $1K. An embryo transfer is at least $1-2K, for the procedure alone, not to mention the drugs and bloodwork/ultrasounds.

I don't understand why this couple did simultaneous IVFs either, but if they can handle 4 then more power to them. The thought of 2 sets of twins years apart gives me hives. 4 at a time and I'd have to be institutionalized. But there are families that are able to hire help and handle it well, so props to them. The "just relax" type comment drives me nuts. I'm also a nutcase over using the term "implant" when referring to an embryo transfer. REs don't implant embryos; that happens naturally. They just transfer embryos to a ute. I know that's nitpicky, but I can't help myself.

[debatethis]

OK, so the article has at least one bit of terminology wrong. Embryos are *transferred*, not implanted.

Second - what kind of irresponsible RE was transferring SIX embies (two in one the GC and FOUR to the bio mom) at the same time?? HAB's right. This smacks of Octomom all over again.

[redheadbaker]

May 14, 2012 12:41:40 GMT -5 @majorwife said:

May 14, 2012 12:39:30 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I hadn't thought about that. The bio-parents won't be able to come pick them up right away either. Unless they send the dad.

if they birth at the same hospital, can't they just drive them home?

They're not giving birth at the same hospital. One mom is in WA, the other in IN.

[earlgreyhot]

May 14, 2012 12:30:10 GMT -5 GailGoldie said:

i didn't read this article --- i assumed it was similar to what i've read about before - where the surrogate gets pg with twins- then surprise- the bio mom gets pg on her own with twins.... yeah- i agree- odd to transfer 4 embies into 2 women at the same time. But- as we've seen, there are many shitty RE's out there who will do anything.

Agree. Maybe they transferred just to use them vs. destroy figuring there's "no way." ten years is a long time. Still odd though. Best of luck to them, they'll need it!