Angela arrived at the hospital the agency had referred her to carry out the required tests for the surrogacy program.
It was a large hospital. She pushed the slide door in , she walked in through the front door with the "ENTRANCE " inscription boldly displayed on it. She met a mid-aged nurse who gave her a little note.
"Give it to Dr. Ralph, his office is on the second floor", The woman said to her.
She nodded and when she was done on the first floor, she had to go to the second floor. She walked down that long hallway, with different turns that led to many different rooms. Some of the walls were painted white, others an auburn color. She got to the front desk and this time she met a younger nurse . She handed the note over to the nurse who asked her to wait for a moment.
The waiting room was very large, it had many different seats and places to sit. She picked a small corner and relaxed herself. She was nervous.
There was a small television, playing doctor related shows. The same corner has some kids toys around it and this huge sand toy pit.
Was she just going to carry his child without having to know the man if she ever got the chance to win the contract? She didn't know about that.
Shortly after the nurse called her to go in.
The doctor's office was larger than the ones she had visited.
"Good day Doctor" she greeted.
He nodded, flashed her a smile and asked her to follow him into the consulting room where she would have to run a series of tests listed in the referral letter given to her by the agency. To her the tests were just too much. As part of the surrogacy process she would undergo screening. She will need some other tests.
The tests include; a physical examination, and a urine examination. In addition to these tests, the doctor will also need to screen her for some common and serious infectious diseases. Most of these are through a blood test, but the doctor will also take a swab of the cervix to look for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The tests in the reference screening letter include the following:
HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, HTLV-1.
"It is also important to check the surrogate's blood type and RH Factor to ensure that her blood type will be compatible with that of the intended father and the baby" The Doctor had informed her.
Finally, the levels of her hormones, like thyroid hormone and prolactin were also checked.
She had been told that before a woman becomes a surrogate, she must be cleared for her own safety as well as for the baby she carries for her intended parents.
The whole process was too rigorous as long as Angela was concerned
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Angel was confused about her decision. She had thought about it many nights.
Was this the kind of life she wanted?
She paced about her tiny room a million times over thinking through her decision. She walked up and down her little hostel room contemplating if she should go ahead with the surrogacy.
The surrogacy form had been sent to her mail two days ago. She didn't fill out the form because it contains many uncomfortable questions about her personal life. She wasn't ready to share such Information with total strangers even though it had the word "CONFIDENTIAL" boldly written on the form.
This whole Surrogate thing lasts much longer than nine months. Starting with fertility treatments and continuing after the birth. She is not even sure if she's ready for all the drama and commitment that comes with it. From the doctor's appointments to communicating with the intended parent, to answering questions from people in her life and so much more, it needs a lot of time, mental focus, physical energy, and emotional stability that will be required.
She thought. She let out a deep sigh.
Her cell phone buzzed
Hello! She picked up.
"Jane?", the voice called out from the other end of the phone. It was her mother.
Your father had an attack yesterday and we've been trying to reach you, the doctor says he would need surgery, say $10,000 for it. Where to get such an amount of money from?"After she was done with the call she quickly scrolled through her email. She filled out the form sent to her and submitted.
The questions made her uncomfortable but she didn't mind. This was her father's life we're talking about and she could do anything to save him. She doesn't know if she's ready. What else could she possibly do?
She took her time to answer the questions correctly. This was so tiring. Would her mother be happy when she gets to find out? Her mother would possibly say it's against the teachings of God. This was her only chance to save her father, they would be rich afterwards isn't? He thought about the whole process, the idea of caring for another man's child overwhelmed her. She could possibly run away with the baby.
She chuckled at the thought of running away with a man's baby.
"What in God's name am I going to do with a baby?". Nothing of such was going to happen. School can wait. She thought her father had sacrificed too much for her. This was the only way she could help. Getting a job was totally out of it, the pay wouldn't suffice the bills she had to pay. She wouldn't be the first to have a child outside marriage and would definitely not be the last. Maybe when she's done having a baby she could continue her studies from where she stopped or relocate to a totally different city to save herself from all the embarrassments. She thought for a while then walked Into the bathroom to take a cold shower, just maybe it would help her brain cool off.