thirtyfive needles.

Surprise! I have not completely abandoned the blog. 

Sometimes when you're a surrogate you get to try new things. Like getting needles placed every so carefully all over your body.

The baby growing plans are back in full swing. Things are finally back on track and we'll all gearing up for another shot at making this work. In order to up the chance of success we're trying new stuff, like acupuncture. I'll let you look up all of the good information about the specifics, but the quick rundown goes as follows:

Having acupuncture done weekly a month before the transfer is awesome for the uterus and can dramatically improve the odds of success. In addition to the four weekly treatments, it is advised to have two sessions the day of transfer - one before and one after. 

So today I had my first one! I've had lots of people ask how it went, and the only thing I can think to say is: weird! I am all for alternative medicine, it is right up my alley. I love this kind of 'east-meets-west' practice. I went into the appointment with a ton of excitement, and I certainly was not disappointed! My experience was awesome. Awesome and weird. 

Was it painful? No. Painful is not the right word. Most I didn't even notice, some just felt sharp, and then the only thing I can think to describe other ones is it felt like I was hitting my funny bone. 

What did it entail? Because it was my first appointment I had an hour long intake interview where I was asked a lot of lifestyle type questions. This case I'm sure is a little different than lots of other appointments because we were not treating a specific pain or problem... more like supporting the energy channels. After that I changed into some sweats that they so kindly provided (attn: not a good day for skinnies) and got settled on the table. Randy (the fantastic acupuncturist) then came in and got my arms propped up on some neat pillows and put a nice warm blanket around my bare feet and then another one up on  my torso (my shirt was pulled up a couple of inches above my belly button for the needles) so I'd stay warm through the treatment. 

Then he started at my feet and worked upwards. I had three needles in each foot, and three in each leg (the leg ones felt the weirdest!!). Then he came up to my arms and put two in each hand, and three in each arm. Then he put about six in my tummy, five on the crown of my head, and one in each ear. I had needles everywhere! After all of the needles were placed he made his way around and tweaked them all a little... this might have been my least favorite part. Again, it didn't hurt, but it was a really odd feeling. Thankfully it was short lived and then he let me lay with the soft music and lights for a while to relax. I thought it would be harder to relax just knowing that I had needles everywhere, but those little guys must have been doing their job because I just laid completely still (body and mind) until he came back to take them all out (which I couldn't feel at all).

What did it feel like after? Randy said to expect to feel spacey, relaxed, and  maybe energized... At first I felt normal, then I got in the car and the rest of it made sense. I was just in a mood where I could close my eyes and leave them that way for a while. I wasn't necessarily tired, just content to sit with my eyes closed. Luckily, I had Yos to drive me home. 

We drove home and picked up my brand new box of medication!! It feels really real that we're starting all over again. Instead of feeling discouraged at the second attempt, I am feeling really positive and hopeful about it. I think (hope!) Jack and Jill are feeling the same way. I'll admit that I am a nervous nelly. I try to worry things the right way. It's like somewhere in my subconscious I feel as though I can worry my uterus into perfect condition. I can worry those little embryos right into a baby or two. Realistically I know this is false, and this time around I am leaving anxiety where it belongs... Outside of the realm of my thinking. It will be better for me, and it will make a better environment for the little embryo(s) to grow and thrive. 

Things are getting exciting around these parts and I promise to be better at stopping by to tell you all what's up. On a non-surro note, my baby turns three on Tuesday... so bittersweet.

Until next time,

Carmen