Tag: IVF

God Did it Again — Another Victory Over Infertility!

Posted on by Evangeline

overcoming infertilityVictory over infertility is not too hard for God (Genesis 18:14)!

This is a letter that testifies of God’s goodness and His willingness to work on our behalf. It is from Camille, a reader of my blog. I pray it encourages you to not give up on God’s promises of fertility. Her story starts back in 2014.

An Overcomer

Back in November my husband and I decided to start the process for IVF.  This was after trying 3 unsuccessful IUIs before I ever read your book. So we thought we would go for it and if it was God’s will, it would happen for us.

We both believe that God is the giver of all life and we found a wonderful fertility specialist. What was so special about him is that when we met with him, he was very open and passionate about his belief in God being the orchestrator and creator of life and that his role was “helping setting the scene” from a medical standpoint for God to do his work. This was very important to me as sometimes these doctors do get the notion that they are in control and see themselves as God.

We went through the process of taking a lot of drugs and ended up having 9 eggs retrieved. There were 4 that survived. They implanted two and that is how we got our little boy and we have two more frozen embryos that we plan to have implanted in another 1.5-2 years.

My pregnancy was amazing. I had very little nausea and vomiting. I worked up until last my 39th week.  We have been blessed beyond measure. Our friends and family who have prayed for us this entire journey had 3 different baby showers for us. We have been provided with more than we could ever need for this baby and things keep coming. When God blesses you, he always go above and  beyond!

Reading A Seed of Hope

My husband and I read your book and it was so encouraging.  I would re-read certain passages over and over again when doubt and fear crept in. When I purchased your book, I posted something on your website/blog I believe only one time (I cannot remember what I posted). However, the day that you contacted me via email was a very interesting day. I was talking with my best friend about my struggle with infertility.  She and her husband had just given birth to my god-daughter through IVF and while I was extremely happy for her. However, I thought, “Why isn’t God not making it happen for me?” You see, I felt I had done things the “right way.” Coming from a family of teenage mothers, including my own who had me at 15, I waited. I went to college, found a God-fearing and loving husband, and we purchased our dream home. I went back to school to get a second Bachelor’s degree and we traveled the world. We certainly were ready!

However, on this particular day of talking with my best friend, I was so down and depressed. Usually she knew the things to say to keep me encouraged because she had gone through the same thing, but on this day, nothing was working. I think it made me more upset because I had gotten to a point where I felt she could no longer relate because she  had her baby. That’s another story.

Fighting Anger and Depression

I remember going to Wal-Mart to get some household supplies after getting off the phone with her and when I came out it was pouring down raining. With no umbrella and getting completely soaking wet, I looked up to the sky and said to God, “Come on… are you serious?” I was so full of anger and depression. However, when I got home, I had an email from you! Now I had never spoken to you and am sure that I had only posted on your blog just one time. This was a sign to me that the Lord hears us and He sends people our way (sometimes even strangers) to show us that He is still with us even when we think He is not. I have used this story as a testimony.

I’m sorry I wrote so much, but I really wanted to let you know how much you and your book has meant to our lives. You following up with me is another reminder of the importance of telling our story of God’s greatness and continued blessings. Please know that you are making a difference and that the Lord is truly using you to change lives.

If God did it before, He’ll do it again. He’s no respecter of persons. Keep your hope alive!

Hope is Having Only Positive Expectations. It is powerful and has an eternal purpose (1 Corinthians 13:13). The purpose of hope is to give you greater inner strength. It serves you no matter what you’re feeling or experiencing.

I pray that Camille’s story of victory over infertility will give you hope!

overcoming infertility

Rosie’s Story of Overcoming Infertility

Posted on by Evangeline

Overcoming infertility can feel like an impossibility. But it’s not. Even though it is very discouraging and difficult to get through, it is possible to overcome it. Hearing the stories of others who have done just that can spur us on to persevere to victory.

I met Rosie through the A Seed of Hope Fertility Support Group that I started on Facebook. Her season of infertility was very similar to that of so many women today. I’m thrilled that Rosie shares her story as an overcomer of infertility… as an encouragement to YOU. Remember that nothing, not even infertility, is too hard for God (Genesis 18:14)!

Our journey started off like most married couples. My husband and I got married in 2012 and right away we talked about having a family. Soon after, we realized that God had other plans. We spent many nights praying and thanking Jesus (in advance) for our little miracle.

Our months were filled with tears, disappointment, depression and going to counseling.

Infertility had become very draining on our marriage. I quickly realized that we needed help. In the midst of it all, we seemed to always keep God first. It wasn’t easy. For 3.5 years we struggled to conceive. We began to go through infertility treatments.

Infertility Treatments

Our journey became very much a financial strain on our marriage. I went through three surgeries and 4 failed IUI’s. While walking this journey, I grew very weak and distant from so many. I continued to just seek God’s face and thank him for our miracle.

After our last failed IUI, we prayed about In Vitro Fertilization (“IVF”).  We were told by our specialist that IVF was our only option and learned it was going to cost us over $12,000.00. We didn’t have this kind of money. For several months, we began to seek God and pray about it.  We felt moved by God to proceed. We began to raise money in May of 2015 — started a GoFundMe account and hosted a golf outing. By August of 2015, we had raised $9,000 with God’s help (we knew this was God). We never thought it would be possible! But, GOD MADE A WAY!!! By October of 2015, we began our IVF treatments.

Overcoming Infertility!

In November of 2015, we learned that we were pregnant, not with one, but two babies!! Wow, what a blessing it’s been from God! Our little twin boys are now a few months old. We are so excited about our little miracles and feel so blessed to be where we are!!

To those still struggling, please don’t lose hope. God will make a way!!! Everything is in his timing. Just when you think that there is no way, He will make a way!!

-Rosie Marlatt

Request to join A Seed of Hope Facebook group so that you are encouraged through connecting with other like-minded women!

The Goddess of Fertility and Me

Posted on by Evangeline

I know what you’re thinking…Goddess of Fertility??? Before you think I’ve really lost it, let me introduce you to a new friend I met as I was preparing for the National Infertility Awareness Week, #NIAW.

Donna McIntoshRecently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Donna McIntosh, the Goddess of Fertility. Donna, who personally experienced infertility, has made it her mission to help couples understand the role NUTRITION plays in overcoming infertility. She holds a Master’s in Holistic Nutrition and has a background in massage therapy. Donna believes that sub-optimal fertility is often related to sub-optimal health. She seeks to empower both women and men to positively influence their fertility with their food and lifestyle choices. She also acknowledges the spiritual aspect of infertility.

Donna’s individualized services and programs are all virtual –  meaning it doesn’t matter where a client lives.  She consults via computer and phone, either individually or in groups. She has worked with people in many U.S. cities as well as in London, England. Donna also works as a consultant with various IVF clinics in southern California. Take a look at her free report available on her website at The Goddess of Fertility.com.

I hope you’ll enjoy our interview where she explains how she got the name “Goddess of Fertility” and shares some specific tips that may help you.

 

DISCLAIMER: The opinions and statistics stated by Donna McIntosh are not expressly endorsed by Evangeline Colbert. Consult your medical professional.

Overcoming Infertility

Posted on by Evangeline

Here’s an article from UPTOWN Magazine,  Overcoming Infertility, that I hope you’ll find informative and encouraging.

By Bryna Jean-Marie
Photography by Sumner Dilworth

If 40 is the new 30, then 30 should be the new 20. However, most women’s biological clocks are still ticking to the same beat they did in the 1950s. And fellas, before you flip this page, fertility isn’t a slam dunk for you either. No matter who has the physical challenge, both share the emotional one. Thankfully, reproductive medicine has come a long way.

Many of us are claiming an extra decade to focus on ourselves before we consider marriage and starting a family. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—often this time is used to knock out grad school, fast track it up the corporate ladder, or become financially solvent. For the first time, more babies are being born to women over the age of 35 than to teenagers, according to the Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C. However, says Dr. Thomas Vaughn, founder and director of the Texas Fertility Center in Austin, “Patients read about women becoming pregnant at an older age and assume that they, too, will have no problems conceiving. Couples do not realize that fertility begins to decline when a woman is in her early thirties.” Thankfully, couples do have options when their biological clock is thumping.

A couple is considered to have fertility problems when they have been sexually active for one year without using any contraception and has been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant. (It is recommended that couples seek help after six months of trying if the woman is over 35.) According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the total percentage of affected women, including those who are unable to carry a baby to term, is virtually the same between black and white women. But when it comes to using alternative
methods of conception, the roads begin to part.

Health scientists are still piecing together the reasons why more fertility challenged African-Americans are not undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or considering surrogacy or egg donation. Contrary to popular belief, preliminary studies indicate that money may not always be the top deterrent. Religious
beliefs and other factors often play a significant role.

For those trying to make it happen by any means necessary, there are options—and an exhaustive amount of material and research to sift through. The Watleys believed in miracles—and IVF proved to be theirs.

Read More…