“PROMISES, PROMISES”

Yesterday, in my daily devotional reading, the author was talking about promises. Have you ever been disappointed by someone who had promised you something?

A lot of us have claimed promises from God and wonder from time to time if he has forgotten about us and begin to feel abandoned and disillusioned. We do not understand many times how God works, but from my experience with waiting on him, I have surmised that that he makes us wait so that we can come to a place of total dependence on him, when our efforts to take matters into our own hands fail, because we do try and  they always somehow does not work out. I believe this wait is part of his divine preparation process for us as well, to be mature spiritually and otherwise to receive these promises.

The author went on to focus on Abraham and Sarah, most of us know that they were not able to have children and Abraham had been promised by God that he would make him the father of many nations. Well, that promise took a very long while, 25 years to be exact (Gen. 21 v 5).

I too had claimed God’s promise to make me a mother and my wait took over a decade. Did I wait patiently on God’s promise? Quite the contrary. I was conflicted within, became even angry at God at times and even attempted to take matters in my own hand by exploring Invitro Fertilization (IVF) and adoption. (Gen.15 v 2) accounts that Abraham did not wait patiently either, he questioned God about his childlessness and even went as far as fathering a child through one of Sarah’s handmaiden (16 v 15).

Is any of you currently in the position myself or Abraham and Sarah was in. Well, we are proof that God does fulfil his promises. You might be in the waiting process and is conflicted, disillusioned and growing impatient, take heart and be encouraged by our stories.

image by: http://www.healthymale.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/infertile-couple.jpg

SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT INVITRO-FERTILIZATION

A doctor fertilizing a woman's eggs

Many of us who are dealing with infertility or have dealt with infertility, after exploring all treatment optionswith no success, will find that invitro-fertilization will be our only solution to having children.

I myself, have explored this option and got only to the counselling section, but soon after, had to abandon the process because of how exorbitant the costs were. As a result of me not having much knowledge about IVF, my blog does not include any posts about the subject.

I was doing some research the other day for appropriate material to write about, and came across this article in Medical News Today, advising that it is recommended that 15 eggs be retrieved from a woman’s ovaries, in one cycle for the invitro=fertilization process, to ensure a greater success rate of a live birth resulting.

Anyone one finding this information of particular interest, can visit the link below for more on this subject.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/224988.php

From the article

“Fertility doctors should retrieve about 15 eggs from a female's ovaries in one cycle if they want her to have the best chance of giving birth to a child after assisted reproduction technoloqy, researchers at the University of Birmingham, England wrote in the journal Human Reproduction. The authors found there is a strong link between live birth rates and the number of eggs that need to be recovered in one cycle.

The live birth rate peaked when approximately 15 eggs were retrieved, and remained about the same at between 15 and 20 eggs, and then dropped.”

image by: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/acupuncture-hypnosis-infertility-3.jpg 

A BIG THUMBS UP TO THE 'VIEW' ON ABC!!!!!!

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand
Psalm 127: 3 & 4

"HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

When I heard yesterday that the daytime program, The View, aired on ABC at 11:00 a.m. every morning was dedicating their entire program today to infertility, I was so excited. Yes, I have conquered infertility, but I was still thrilled to hear this and the reason for this is, for the decade plus that I struggled with infertility, I always wondered why no forums were dedicated to this condition. Why no television programs ever aired anything of this kind. I was soon forced to believe that, it was because infertility was such a private and personal issue that people kept it to themselves and therefore it never became necessary to have such programs.

What I found out when my infertility finally was made public, was that so many persons had suffered or are struggling with this condition and sadly, for most of my decade long struggle, I suffered alone because I did not come across anyone with whom I could identify. It was only towards the end of my struggles that I found two such persons, and it made such a big difference, because I knew then that I was certainly not alone. After I started this blog, a year ago, a whole world of persons struggling with infertility suddenly opened up to me and I so wished that I had tapped into this when I was struggling.

I also found out on today’s program on The View, that most of the hosts had some struggles with infertility. Barbara Walters, owner of the show, had three miscarriages and adopted her daughter after the third. Another host almost died from an ectopic pregnancy and another did treatments, including Invitro-Fertilization and now has a son, and yet another for a short while, struggled with infertility caused by Celiac Disease, (a condition which result, after eating products containing gluten) http://health.yahoo.com/digestive-symptoms/celiac-disease-symptoms/healthwise--hw192337.html. This brought home to me in no uncertain manner, how different we are on the outside, but how similarly we struggle inside.

Among their guests was Bill and Guilliana Rancic, (formerly Guilliana DiPandi), who has their own show, ‘Bill and Guilliana’ which airs on the style network. They were invited to share their struggles with infertility caused by a condition where Guilliana’s uterus is pushed to the side. Her doctor said he had never seen anything like this before. I attempted to do some research on this, thinking that anything could be found on the internet, but found nothing.

It struck me how this couple and others who were guests on the show spoke so comfortably and easily about their infertility and I felt at peace, because infertility is finally getting the attention it deserves. So many of us suffer emotionally with this condition and dared not to talk about it for fear that we would be judged or made to feel that we were less than.

I want to give a big thumbs up to ABC and Miss Walters. So many must be grateful to you, (I know I am) for carrying this program. We have indeed come such a long way. Infertility does not have to be a secret that we hold on to for dear life any longer, as there is a whole world out there of people who struggle in this regard who are offering support to countless others and it is amazing to see how many are being helped and you just made that world even bigger.

Be encouraged therefore, and until next time, keep clinging to hope.

SUBJECT: HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH???????

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand
Psalm 127: 3 & 4

"HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

I was going to post on something totally different today, but as soon as I was about to begin, I overheard on the television nearby, that the Duggars, of ‘eighteen kids and counting,’ which hears on The Learning Chanel (TLC), welcomed their nineteenth seven weeks ago.

The problem though is, the child was born prematurely, weighing only one pound plus and is still in the intensive care unit at the hospital she was born. Michelle, the mother, developed preeclampsia, (a common complication in pregnancies, when a pregnant woman is plagued with high blood pressure after week 20 of her pregnancy) and so they had to do an emergency C-Section, within 30 minutes, to take the baby.

As I watched this poor little thing lying there in tubes, who did not ask to be here, I wondered to myself, how much is enough? Nineteen kids from one woman, isn’t this too much, for medical reasons and otherwise? I read that they are leaving it to God to determine how many kids they have and strongly believe that children are a gift from God. I must say that, myself and many others believe that too, but we do not go around having nineteen children. I honestly believe that this is God’s way of telling them to stop now, enough!!!!

This is not a good story for couples who are struggling with infertility and hoping to have even just one. They are doing everything in their power to make this dream become a reality, the fertility drugs, the invitro-fertilization, the herbal treatments, you name it, and this lady just have them without much effort it seems. She must have been at the front of the line when God was handing out fertility, no, seriously, and I was somewhere towards the end.

I know if I did not have my son, I would be even more annoyed with this couple, but I am annoyed nevertheless, because I see a precious life hanging in the balance, because of no fault of her own. I am led to believe that she will pull through, God will allow her to live, because she deserves to, but he wants us to be wise and pro-active as well, and if we are not reflecting this in how we conduct our daily lives, he will step in and save us from ourselves.

I wish this little angel all the very best and I pray that she will continue to grow from strength to strength, so that soon, she will be home with her family where she belongs.

Share your thoughts on this story. Are you with me on this?????

Catch you next time, and until then, remember, "HOPE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE"

PREGNANT WITH SOMEONELSE’S BABY

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior’s hand
Psalm 127: 3 & 4

This story has been in the news recently about a couple who became pregnant through invitro-fertilization, with what was supposed to be their fourth child, only to find out very soon into the pregnancy that they were pregnant with another couple’s baby, as there was a mixed up with the embryos.

The worst part of this is, she was given two choices, one to terminate the pregnancy or to give the baby to the rightful parents when its born. They are understandably in a lot of pain and I can just imagine how emotionally traumatized the wife is, because she is the one carrying the baby and is, I am sure trying everything in her power not to create a bond. This has to be difficult, if it is even possible.

When asked what will be the hardest part of this process for them, they replied, the birth, which is supposed to be soon. The wife says all she asks of the couple to whom the baby belongs, is to give her some time to say hello and goodbye to the baby. I could not hold back my tears at that point and after a while, the television was no longer visible and I immediately began to envision myself in this very difficult position. Can you imagine after struggling with infertility for so many years, I became pregnant through invitro-fertilization only to have this happened to me. I am so sure I would have found a way to keep this baby as I do not think I would be able to give it back. I would have to secure the services of the best lawyer, once I can afford it, to fight this.

It seem the couple is pursuing legal action in this regard and I really hope that, as difficult as this is for them, they will be able to find some peace and eventually closure.

They will not be able to become pregnant again because of medical issues the wife has, but luckily they still has embryos and is contemplating using a surrogate to have another child. I really hope this will work out for them as this will help them deal with the some of the emotional pain.

My thoughts and prayers are with them.

If you were in this couple’s shoes, how do you think you would deal with it? Your comments are welcomed and until next time, keep clinging to hope.

Follow the link below to see the complete story

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32950836/ns/today-today_health/?gt1=43001

Can you believe the ‘Octopulet Mom’??????

I was not going to say anything about this issue as I think it has now become redundant, but everyday something new comes up and so it continues to be in the news. You must by now have heard of the ‘Octopulet Mom,’ she already has six children via Invitro-Fertilization and went back for more, got eight and so now she has fourteen, while some women are hoping that their IVF would just work, even once.

My heart goes out to women who cannot have children, those who are frustratingly trying and those who want just one more so that their only one can have company to grow up with. These women I am quite sure are financially able to take care of children, mind you maybe not fourteen, but the amount that they desire to have, and are robbed of this opportunity. While women, like Nadya are allowed to have so many and is in no way able to take care of them. I understand that her doctor is under fire for implanting so many embryos, as it is illegal altogether or illegal in some states.

You cannot help but wonder why good things happen to bad people. I term Nadya bad people because she has made some bad decisions and does not seem to have any remorse, as she desperately tries to rationalize the reason for her actions, which she said is because she is an only child, she feels she must have a lot of children. By all means have them, but if you can take care of them. This woman is a single mom, has no job and will soon have no place to live because she is behind on her mortgage.

I heard that she has been offered a roll in a pornographic movie so if she decide to accept it then I guess that is her way of seeking to take care of her children, since she has refused help that was offered to her. The problem with that though is that it will certainly further mess us these children when they learn that their mom is involved in things of that nature.

I once had very low tolerance for some of the shows on television featuring families with a lot of children. The difference with these though, are that they actually get compensation for these shows and so they are able to live comfortably. John and Kate Plus 8 I am alright with, as this couple previously had twins and went back for just one more and got six. Before I had my son, I could not watch these shows as they would just make me more sad, angry and depressed. Now I am able to watch some of them and I marvel at how they keep things together.

I want to say to my readers who are childless because of infertility, do not let women like Nadya cause you to lose focus. Pray for her, she sure needs it and pray that people’s heart will open up to these children and give them the help they need and the Mom will see it necessary to accept this help.

I continue to pray for you in your efforts to have a family. Catch up with you next post.