Liza Diño and Ice Seguerra have begun their journey of conceiving a baby via in vitro fertilization (IVF).
IVF is an assisted reproduction medical procedure wherein egg cells are harvested from the ovaries and fertilized with the sperm in laboratory tube.
If the cultivation is successful, the fertilized egg is then implanted to a surrogate.
In this case, Liza will be the surrogate and Ice, a trans man, will provide the eggs.
Yesterday, January 24, Ice underwent the first step of the IVF process, which is harvesting the eggs.
Liza, who accompanied her husband to the hospital, expressed her emotions in a post.
She wrote, "Today is THE DAY. Ice's eggs are going to be harvested after a 12-day 'turok sa lubot' (butt injection) process.
"I'm here at the waiting room, and ngayon lang siya nagsisink-in sa akin. We are really doing it!!!
"And today marks the first phase in our journey to have a baby.
"For the last 12 days, I tried to normalize everything. I went with him sa first day ng injection niya but after that, we both went back to our daily routine and isang beses ko na lang ulit siya nasamahan.
"It's not because I'm not excited, we've been looking forward to this since the time we got married... "
Although apprehensive, Liza was also hopeful, "... although laging nadedelay or kapos kami sa funds so kahit sinasabi ko na mangyayari siya, parang dream lang. Parang pinoproject mo lang yung pangarap mo.
"But within the walls of this clinic, may navalidate ako sa sarili ko today... may fear ako sa hospitals. Grabe yung aversion ko.
"Ang lamig ng pawis ko ngayon and sitting here right now sa waiting room, while he's inside, I'm asking myself if I ever made him feel that I wasn't there enough kasi di ko siya nasasamahan.
"But I'm so proud of him. Sobra. When we had our check up and we finally made that decision na this is the right time sobrang full on commitment ang binigay nya.
"Since last year October, Ice has been preparing himself for this day. He started taking Estrogen pills to prepare his body for the process.
"Siya lang yata ang transman na nagte-take ng estrogen (hahaha!) but he is determined, WE are both determined..."
Liza and Ice's plan of having a baby also has brought joy to their loved ones.
Liza's daughter, Amara, is finally getting her wish to have a sibling.
Ice's parents, Caridad and Decoroso, are excited to finally welcome a grandchild of their own.
PRAYERS AND POSITIVITY
In a separate Instagram post, Liza looked back on Ice's early struggle with producing eggs.
The post read, "It wasn't easy actually. For the first 4 days, Ice's eggs are not growing and his right ovary is not producing eggs significant enough to be harvested...
"So natakot kami ng slight kasi baka hindi enough yung maharvest and for a time ako yung natatakot na baka hindi magrespond yung body niya sa meds.
"But ito na nga, finally, nagstart mag-grow ng eggs nung mga 6th until we got to this day.
"Sobrang salamat talaga Lord kasi naniniwala kami na if it's meant to be, mangyayari at mangyayari."
Liza continued to ask for prayers.
"Ok. I'm rambling I know. Pasensiya na guys. Matagal-tagal na rin akong hindi ganito ka-candid.
"I mean, I used to be a lot more open and vocal about my feelings, but a lot has changed since I became a public servant.
"But at this very moment, I'm shamelessly asking for your PRAYERS and POSITIVITY para maging successful yung harvest process nya.
"Salamat sa lahat ng sumuporta sa marriage namin ni Ice at sa naniwala na we can live our lives like normal families.
"This is a big step for us and I just hope that everyone gives their love and support."
And, finally, the good news.
Liza's caption read, "Successful procedure!!! Thank you Lord.
"They were able to harvest 3 good eggs from Ice.
"Yung iba daw maliit na talaga. Tamad na daw kasi magproduce ng eggs ang ovaries ni Ice.
"Hala! Feeling ko narinig ng ovaries ni Ice yung sabi niya na ibebenta na niya kasi unused.
"Haha! But at least we were able to retrieve 3.
"At dahil diyan, may nursery rhyme na kami! Hit it love!"
Liza and Ice have a hashtag for their journey: #projectzazababy
READ: Liza Diño, Ice Seguerra to try having a baby via IVF in 2019