It Takes a Village to Make a Child

"It takes a village to make a child" are the words that I heard out of the male ultrasound tech as I walked in the operating room for my embryo transfer at my IVF (Invetro Fertilization) clinic with wide eyes and looked around at the 5 MEN in the room. I immediately started laughing at the funny yet very true words this experienced man spoke.  I am not one of the fortunate women who was able to make a baby with my husband the normal way.  It has involved FAR more people than I ever expected--my infertility doctor, my OBGYN, multiple nurses, ultrasound techs, embryologists, the moral support from family and friends, and of course my husband, Jacob.

After months of blood tests, ultrasounds, oral pills, hundreds of needle pricks, and emotional highs and lows  we finally have completed our first cycle of IVF.  In light of my last post about my hesitations about going through IVF, I should probably explain why we chose this route.  Both my husband and I spent much time in prayer and researched our different options when IUIs (insemination) and natural trying didn't work.  I was leaning towards adoption and really thought this was what God was leading us to do, but Jacob wasn't ready to stop trying for a biological child.  This left IVF as our only choice, and after learning about the ability to save all of our embryos through freezing and/or adoption we chose to go through with it.

So here we are 3 years down the road from when we first started trying and I am happy to announce that the "village" has successfully made a baby!!!  Although modern medicine and the many people I mentioned above were involved, I still give 100% credit to the Lord for creating this child in my womb.  What a miracle!  

When my nurse called me yesterday with the blood test results, I immediately burst into tears of joy.  I just couldn't believe the news.  I have been preparing myself for weeks to hear, "sorry Rachel, but the test came back negative."  The splendid surprise sent me through the roof with joy.  I was blessed to be surrounded by 3 ladies from my Bible Study Fellowship who came over to help me clean and prepare for a Christmas Party at our house.  As I hung up the phone with my nurse, one of the ladies said, "let's build an alter."  We all knew exactly what she meant and immediately formed a circle and cried praises to our Lord.  We are studying Genesis and have recently completed the story of Noah's faith, obedience and gratitude as he steps off his boat and immediately builds an alter and praises God.  What a mighty and gracious God we have!