"A Special Miracle"

After an emotionally draining, roller coaster year of trying to have a second baby, we went on our annual vacation with my husband's family. This year, our trip was to Disney World in Orlando. I suspected I might finally be pregnant when I hadn't started my period, but I had been so irregular that it didn't necessarily mean anything. I decided to take a pregnancy test...POSITIVE!

We were both happy and relieved. Our daughter was the first person who we shared the good news with. My husband and I asked her, "What have we been hoping and praying for a long time?" She guessed it was a baby. "Mommy's pregnant?" she asked. She knew how important this was to our family because she had been involved in the process by attending doctor's appointments with me, seeing me take the medication, and viewing a few sonograms.

Eleven years ago, my husband and I were married. We met each other at a youth group staff meeting in a Denny's restaurant while both in college. We lived in Southern California at the time, where we both grew up. About five years ago, we moved to Texas as a result of a business transfer. I have a financial background and work full-time as a manager for a large computer distributor. My husband recently completed his Master's degree in ministry. I had always been irregular with my periods and after six months of trying to conceive, we knew we needed help, so we used a fertility drug. I became pregnant after just one month, so the first time was relatively easy. We had our first child, a daughter, in December 1992.

Unfortunately, the second time was much more difficult. We waited a few years and in the summer of 1996, tried on our own to have another child. Nothing happened. We tried the fertility drug again. Nothing happened. We tried ovulation kits. Nothing happened. We tried almost everything, with no response. I felt so frustrated and wondered, "Is my body going to respond to anything?" It was such an emotionally draining time. My whole life and schedule seemed to be about monitoring my body and becoming pregnant.

When my obstetrician/gynecologist felt like he had tried all he could at his level, he referred us to an infertility specialist. My husband and I went together for the first appointment and took many evaluation tests. After that, the first phase we went through involved stronger medication that I took by injection on a daily basis for almost a month. We would watch the follicle development via sonogram. The first time after the procedure, I had not become pregnant yet. Since I had developed several cysts due to the developing follicles, I learned that I had to take a month off. After another month of the procedure, I went through the same process again and it finally worked! I became pregnant after a total of about a year and a half of trying.

I think I felt a little less anxious because we did have one child, but it was still a very frustrating period. My husband was a great support to me the entire time and helped me to try to remain patient. Another source of support was from IVPCARE, who provided the medication, vials and injection supplies. Before I used IVPCARE, I went to a regular drugstore pharmacy and found it to be such a hassle. Especially with working full time, traveling to the pharmacy so frequently was very inconvenient. With IVPCARE, the medication was always delivered to me where and when I needed it. The company, along with my physician and his staff, were wonderful, supportive and positive the entire time. My daughter was also great.

I administered the injections myself and the shots didn't really hurt, but it sure helped when she would count to three for me!

Our son was born in April 1998 and weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces. Now, I'm happy and completely satisfied with my daughter and son. He's a good baby. Because we went through so much to have him, I spend time just watching, absorbing and appreciating him. Life is a special miracle! My advice to anyone who is going through a similar experience is to keep trying. Not everyone reacts the same way. Just keep focused on the goal, your baby, instead of what is happening day by day.

A Message From "Dad"

I was officially ordained into ministry in May. Both of our children attend the day care associated with my church, so I fortunately get to see them throughout the day. In a few months, we will be moving to Oregon where I will be the pastor of a church. My wife will continue to work, but from a remote site out of our home. Our daughter will attend school and our son will have in-home care.

When a couple is trying to have a baby and it isn't easy, husbands go through a hard time too. My role was to be supportive. It was difficult for me to see her go through so much. Each time we tried something new, her hope would build up, then the rug was pulled out from under her. She had to find somewhere soft to land and then go on again. I often felt helpless that I couldn't take the tests or shots for her.

My advice to other spouse's in this situation is to know your wife well so you can understand what she is going to need, whether it's a hug, a word or silence. Everyone is different and requires support in a different way. It is important to pay attention and be sensitive. No matter what you are going through, she is going through more.

Now, it's a relief that the difficult time is over and we have a family. Our son is a great little boy and always so happy. Our daughter, who had been asking for a baby brother or sister before we were even ready, is overjoyed with her brother. She is an incredible big sister and helps with the diapers and pacifier. You can see that her little brother loves her; he likes to just stare at his big sister.