The Western world celebrates today as Mothers Day. This is one day on the calendar that I used to dread. I'd see children kissing their moms, celebrating... and all I could think about was how I so desperately wanted to become a mother myself. I remember many past Mothers Days when I would shed tears because the deep longing in my heart to become a mother seemed to be up against insurmountable odds. Today, my story has changed. Allow me to share my miracle story with you.
My husband, F.E.Benson Idahosa II, and I met in Benin City,
Nigeria when I was 13 years old; our fathers (Archbishop Benson Idahosa and Gary
Whetstone) were friends. I’ve referred to my love for Feb as “love at
first sight” because very soon after we met, the sparks of love began to
flicker between us.
After many years, my dream came true when I was 28 years
old; Feb made me his wife! I was the happiest woman on earth and smiled ear to
ear all through our courtship and wedding day. I was so excited to be his wife!
The next thing I couldn’t wait for was to be the mother of his children; I
wanted so badly to carry his baby.
During the first year of our marriage, pregnancy didn’t
happen like I expected. Subsequently, I convinced my husband to go with me for
a fertility check-up. He thought it was silly because he was so sure that we’d
have our kids. Eventually, just to pacify me, we went for the check-up.
To our surprise, they did all the testing and came back to
us with tormenting news. They told us that both he and I had very serious
fertility issues and that we would never be able to have a child without
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The doctor looked at us both in our eyes and told
us that we were 99.9% infertile.
My world felt like it crashed down on me. It was a journey I
never expected to undergo. My husband on the other hand had steadfast faith and
kept reassuring me, saying, “We will have our children! God promised it, He
will do it!”
Following the logical path of thinking, we decided to embark
on the journey of IVF. The next year, we gathered our money together from some
investments we made before marriage and went for our first treatment. After
$25,000, injections, surgery and so many stories that ought not to be told, we
did our first embryo transfer. 2 weeks later, so full of hope, we went back to
see if we were pregnant and my world crashed again; it didn’t work!
We repeated this process several times over the next few
years, each time ending in disappointment.
The more treatments I did, the puffier my tummy began to
look. Well-meaning friends and family would see me and think that finally I was
expectant! They would rub my tummy and give me hugs of congratulations… all the
while, I knew my uterus was empty. Empty! And trust me, I sooo longed for a
baby.
After four failed IVF attempts, my husband and I decided to
find another hospital which had a statistical track record of better outcomes.
We went to New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell University. This time, IT
WORKED!!!!!
I was finally pregnant! Hallelujah!
I carried that pregnancy like someone carrying an egg with a
spoon; very delicately… although we were based in Nigeria, I refused to travel
back during that pregnancy. I followed every instruction and went for every
doctor visit. I was ready to be a healthy mom with a healthy baby.
On July 3, 2007 after a long labour and eventual CS, I gave
birth to the most handsome baby boy. He had a full head of hair and to this
day, I can remember that feeling when they brought him to me and we looked at
each other, eye to eye. We quickly announced it to our family and to anyone and
everyone. Across the globe there were celebrations and outbursts of
thanksgiving! He was the first grandson born to the late Archbishop Benson
Idahosa!
The doctors asked to monitor him overnight in the NICU
because he was born via CS. We were so excited to have him that we didn’t give
it a second thought. Early the next morning, the head nurse came to my hospital
room and asked us to rush to see him. She told us that he was having trouble
breathing and sustaining a blood pressure.
What happened next, one could never have prepared for.
We watched our miracle baby die.
Benson Idahosa III, lived for only 12 short hours.
The first time I held my miracle baby in my arms was when he
was dead.
Throughout the grieving process, we discovered that there
was a grace upon our lives that man can never give. We cried desperately; deep
tears that I never knew I was capable of crying. Simultaneously a faith unlike
anything that I ever experienced began to billow in our spirits. As dark
as that time was, our resolve had never been stronger. We knew that we knew
that we knew that we would have our children.
We buried our long-awaited son on July 9th.
During the burial service, Bishop David Huskins prophesied
over us saying, “Within a year from today, God is going to give your family a
cause to rejoice.” At the time, I was reluctant to receive this prophecy,
knowing our arduous journey of infertility treatments.
We returned to Nigeria with empty arms but hearts full of
hope and prophetic promises.
The doctors in New York told us that we couldn’t attempt
another IVF for a year, so, we began to fit back into our life routine. We also
began to embark on a project that the Lord had birthed in our spirits during
the height of our pain; to open a hospital for women and children in Nigeria.
We were awakened to the fact that if this could happen to us in America (where
we had everything humanly available to attend to our baby), how much more is it
happening in Nigeria where many medical facilities available are sub-standard,
to say the least. The dream for Big Ben’s Children’s Hospital (BBCH) was
birthed.
By November of 2007, I still had not gotten a period since
the delivery of my son in July. Figuring it would eventually come, I didn’t
give it much thought; however, one morning, on a whim, I decided to do a check.
I had drawers full of home pregnancy tests and I just decided to take one. To
my surprise, it read POSITIVE!
I was pregnant again, and this time,
completely NATURALLY!
God had worked a miracle in our lives! We travelled back to
America for medical care.
The morning of July 9, 2008 (exactly one year after the
burial of our first son and the prophecy) I gave birth to a healthy, handsome
baby boy! To God be the glory!
Feb Jr. is our son’s name and he is alive and doing very well.
He is in elementary school and excels in everything.
God answered our prayers and kept His promise toward our
home!
When Feb Jr. was 2, I started being concerned as to why I
wasn’t getting pregnant again. We wanted a sibling for our son. We went back to
the doctors for testing and they told us that we were worse off than before.
While they acknowledged the miraculous nature of Feb Jr.’s conception, they
told us, “Nobody wins the lottery twice.” I was convinced that we should try another IVF,
which I did. Sadly, it failed, just like all of the others before it.
I returned to Nigeria and within two months, I got pregnant
naturally! Naturally, I say, naturally!
On November 14, 2011, we gave birth to yet another son,
Nathaniel Benson Idahosa.
“Nate” is a 4 year old already, and is an
exceptional joy to have in our home.
While still breastfeeding Nate, birth control was the
furthest thing from my mind. I assumed that I had natural birth control, only
to discover that I was PREGNANT!
AGAIN! Another natural conception to the Glory of God!
Judah Benson Idahosa was born on January 2, 2013 and is now
a thriving 3 year old with the energy of 100 men!
God has given us our heart’s desire. We are raising three
boys, all naturally conceived. Our marriage and love for each other has been
strengthened through the journey of infertility and infant loss.
God is faithful to His Word! He will always do as He has
promised in our lives. He never fails His children. Though it may seem like
it’s getting worse and it may feel impossible, keep your eyes on Him with
expectation. He is the giver of life and never fails. Whether He does it naturally or via medical intervention, He is the one that does the miracle, and He will provide yours as well.
My prayer for you is that you will follow the path that God
has for you and that your prayers will be answered as God has planned, in Jesus'
name!
I am currently the Senior Pastor of CGM, Church
Unusual in Benin City. You can keep in constant touch with me through:
twitter: @IdahosaLaurie,
Facebook: Laurie Idahosa,
Instagram @IdahosaLaurie.
You can also get continuous encouragement by subscribing to this
blog.
Tenk God for a life changing story..
ReplyDeleteWow! Your story is inspiring Ma'am.
ReplyDeleteYou are a blessing to womanhood. God bless you
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring story. Halleluyah!!!
ReplyDeleteWaow!!! What a wonderful testimony!! It all worked together for your good. Praise God!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome
ReplyDeletewendu
GREAT
ReplyDeleteWow what a testimony thanks for this beautiful piece, at least now i can relate with some one and dat i am not alone in this world, God will give me my miracle baby someday
ReplyDeleteI thank God for his faithfullness.The good lord that helped you will definately complete mine In Jesus Name.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful testimony. Please permit me to share it on my blog.
ReplyDeleteAwesomely Awesome God!!! I will wait on you until my change comes. My faith has been strengthened with this Testimony.
ReplyDeleteHe is still same God.I key into your testimony. I trust that by the reason of this testimony ,God we give me my MIRACLE CHILDREN TOO IN JESUS NAME.AMEN.thank for your encouraging and educative tesimony
ReplyDeleteWaoooh, Our God is indeed awesome, and He continues to be faithful. Great testimony
ReplyDeleteWaoooh, Our God is indeed awesome, and He continues to be faithful. Great testimony
ReplyDeleteHello Laurie
ReplyDeleteThis is God at work. Your testimony will stand the test of time. Will reach out to you via Facebook inbox on documenting this for posterity via INSPAYA. God bless.
Thanks
EVB
evangelistbee@gmail.com
INSPAYA.ORG
Waoooo.... Jesus is too good
ReplyDeleteGod is faithful to His promises.
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie,
ReplyDeleteI need to read testimonies like this to believe there's hope for me. I've been told by 2 fertility docs that I can only conceive by IVF. Shocking because I have 2 natural born children from a previous relationship and my husband has 2 from his previous marriage. My heart breaks with each negative pregnancy test because I'm 38 and my biological clock ticks louder everyday. I go from resigning to the fact that we have 4 healthy children and I should be thankful to thinking that we really want one of our own and it would be such a blessing from God to have one more. I'm so happy you got your miracle boys. I pray for my miracle everyday. Thank you for sharing.
I watched your testimony on inspaya. Then I goggled your blog to read it again. You have encouraged me never to give up on God. My testimony is loading.
ReplyDeleteI listened to you giving the testimony at Faith arena, Benin City. Im not surprised, we must keep trusting the God of Papa. He will always answer.
ReplyDeleteKey Facts of Ovulation:
ReplyDeleteAn egg lives 12-24 hours after leaving the ovary
Normally only one egg is released each time of ovulation
Ovulation can be affected by stress, illness or disruption of normal routines
Some women may experience some light blood spotting during ovulation
Implantation of a fertilized egg normally takes place 6-12 days after ovulation
Each woman is born with millions of immature eggs that are awaiting ovulation to begin
A menstrual period can occur even if ovulation has not occurred
Ovulation can occur even if a menstrual period has not occurred
Some women can feel a bit of pain or aching near the ovaries during ovulation called mittelschmerz, which means "middle pain" in German
If an egg is not fertilized, it disintegrates and is absorbed into the uterine lining I recommend you Ovulation Calendar through this you get instant of knowledge about Ovulation .
This is a refreshing testimony.
ReplyDelete