We need to celebrate National In Vitro Motherhood Day!!!
The women I am describing here are not ones who climbed Mount Everest, or who swam the English Channel, or who flew across the Atlantic Ocean. No, the women I am referring to here are the unnoticed, and unappreciated resilient women who are on a non guaranteed quest to birth their own child via in vitro.
These women and their families are riding an emotional roller coaster for the entire journey in the in vitro process. The peaks and valleys of their mental state and their heartaches are too numerous to count.The tears these women, their husbands and parents shed could fill an ocean. The money they spend could replace all the gold in Fort Knox.
My precious daughter, Dana, just went through her second round of an unsuccessful egg fertilization. When she went through her first attempt, I didn’t realize all the details of what she was actually experiencing. I knew she had meds to take and she gave herself shots daily; as well as having numerous trips to the doctor for ultrasounds and blood work. I sat with her as she waited for her first retrieval to be done and was also with her when the doctor reported that the eggs were not viable. But I never really realized what the entire set up was all about, until this second attempt.
The picture above is how my organized child sets up her daily agenda for taking her meds.
When I saw it; my eyes widened, my mouth fell open, my heart sunk, and my mind was overwhelmed. I couldn’t believe she had to go through this elaborate process every day. I was so proud of her and so amazed at her focus and determination to achieve motherhood. Going through in vitro is definitely not for the faint of heart!!! These women are so strong and brave. Many women go through this process over and over and over again. I guess the hope of having a child out weighs the heartache and disappointments because they are desperate to conceive their own perfect bundle of joy.
Dana and I had everyone we know praying for this miracle to come to fruition. I firmly and passionately believed that this time, God was going to answer our prayers. When I got the news of the embryo not surviving; my heart was shattered. My mind was numb and my tears flowed profusely and uncontrollably. I understood the true definition of weeping. I’m sure my angel girl felt the same way and then some. We were definitely saddened by this disappointment and delay. Tears and sadness are normal during difficult times. After all, we are but mere humans.
However, we trust God and we know; He always has a plan and he wants what’s best for us.
Dana and I both have strong faith and trust that God is a Sovereign and a loving God.
He is a miracle worker. He is the great Physician and He creates life.
We believe He hears our prayers and He will answer in His perfect time and in His perfect way.
He can heal our broken hearts, comfort us and strengthen us in our time of weakness.
We will walk by faith and wait on God to “Show Out" on Dana’s behalf.
The word says, "Delight in the Lord and He will meet the desires of our hearts."
We wait expectantly for Baby Bates to make his/her most welcome debut.
We praise and serve a good, good God!
I am thankful for Dana's bible study friends and the infertility support group
that she has been connecting with through this journey,
as well as, those who have traveled the same path before her.
I think she was better prepared for the outcome than I was because of all the
love, advice and concern of these brave and beautiful women.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all....
After 4 years, my friend birthed her first baby on her third attempt of doing in vitro.
She created this master piece representing what assisted
her into this precious time of motherhood.
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