The forms...

It is amazing how many forms we had to sign to start this process. It really got me thinking ethically about stem cells and research and all of the things that go along with this human life and technology story.

I was reminded of a friend of mine in CA that had to make a decision about what to do with her frozen embryos she ended up with after she was successful with twin boys. They did not want any more children because of their ages and the clinic needed to do something with them. I do not know what they finally decided, but it is such an amazing, empowering (almost too empowering) and emotional decision.

We had to sign forms to authorize the clinic about what to do with any of our embryos if there were any remaining. We had to indicate who would own them if one or both of us died or if we got divorced. Luckily Miles didn't want to have to make the decision, so he signed them over to me. In case of my death, I think we signed them over to my mom.

I know that now after having children and understanding what so many people go through with infertility, there is no question that I would either choose to use them myself or donate them to a couple who was unsuccessful using their own egg/sperm. At the time, I could not comprehend the raw emotion and the enormity of this decision. It is humbling. And I am actually grateful that we didn't end up with any embryos after our own procedure. Such huge, huge issues.