Lessons Learned While Trying to Have a Baby: Tender Mercies

{God often grants us the most tender of mercies in the midst of our darkest trials; the difficulty is to notice the light in the darkness.}

“The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works (Psalms 145:9).”

Due to the dismal results of our second clomid cycle as well as some technicalities within our insurance, our doctors decided to move forward with in-vitro fertilization (IVF). (Note: Normally a couple would go through at least three clomid cycles before attempting IVF, usually including an intra-uterine insemination (IUI) during the last clomid cycle. An IUI consists of placing the sperm directly in the fallopian tubes. The difference between IVF and IUI is in IVF both the sperm and ovum are extracted from the body, fertilized, and then put back in the womb as a fertilized egg. With an IUI, there is no fertilization just placement of the sperm.)

It takes several months for your body and your doctors to prepare for IVF. As we waited to begin this process I learned that my grandmother was in the hospital and that she was going to pass away. The family gathered at the hospital and each person had the opportunity to spend a few moments with her before she passed. Unfortunately, being across the country, I was unable to be there. However, as days passed I learned that several members of my family, in their last moments with Grandma Ivins, had told her that her first task in heaven was to get me a baby. Grandma would smile and nod that she understood.

I am so amazed and humbled to be surrounded by such wonderful family members who, in their last moments with their beloved grandma, were thinking of me and my needs.

As you know, our story has a happy ending. As we went through IVF and later found out we were pregnant I have felt my grandmother close at hand and know that she helped give me this baby. Although it is hard to be without her I know the Lord worked through her to bring a new life into this world.