The title of this article might sound familiar because it is part of the lyrics of the William Gaither hymn “Because He Lives”. The lyrics for that verse read:
How sweet to hold a newborn baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain day because he lives.
It is also a timely opportunity to announce the birth of my newborn son Jacob*, born on the date of my last article – 11 May! Born in the early hours of the morning, he arrived after his mum laboured for some 14 hours. The journey of pregnancy has not been without challenge, but we all rejoice now at the birth and arrival of our newborn baby.
Years ago, I was reading the medical/scientific process of a baby forming within their mother’s womb. At almost every step of the journey, so many things could wrong. Given our journey was also an IVF initiated process, we were fully aware of what could wrong. The starting point of an egg being successfully fertilised is not a guarantee. And then, having been successfully formed, the embryo is grown for up to 6 days before being frozen. A lot of embryos don’t make it past this stage, and couples going through IVF often are given the news that of the 10+ eggs collected, maybe 6 embryos were fertilised (day 1) and then 3 survived to day 6. All these numbers are made up, but my experience is not too dissimilar…
Timing is really critical for IVF. The whole process has to ride on the natural cycle of a woman’s period and her ovulation cycle. The science adds and stimulates the release of multiple eggs for the egg collection process. Further, additional hormones are necessary to help the uterus lining to thicken enough to create a hospitable environment for receiving and being implanted with the embryo.
Embryos are also tested and graded for quality. At this point in the IVF journey, couples get to decide which embryo gets implanted into the mother’s womb. No information on the biological sex of the embryo is shared to avoid gender selection biases. Also, Australian standards don’t permit more than a single embryo to be implanted at a time. It is possible for a single embryo to split and result in twins, but that is nature at work.
The process of the embryo implanting into a mother’s womb is also out of control by science. Thus ensues the long seven week waiting period. Bookending the IVF and transition to pregnancy is the seven-week pregnancy test. Before this definitive milestone, weekly monitoring of hormone levels help to give an approximate indicator of potential pregnancy.
For my wife and I, back at Easter 2022, we had our seven week pregnancy test scheduled for the Monday before Easter. All the signs had pointed to her body being pregnant – the weekly monitoring of hormone levels suggested a successful embryo implanting. However, at the appointment, the ultrasound of the embryo showed no growing life within the womb. The phenomenon of blighted ovums is the single leading cause of miscarriage. Called an anembryonic pregnancy, it is a situation where the fertilised egg implants and a gestational sac forms and grows, but the embryo within fails to develop.
Easter 2022 was a time of sadness as we dealt with that loss and lack of success. Fortunately, we succeeded in the next IVF cycle and fast forward back to present day. We celebrated Easter 2023 knowing our unborn child was well on the way; even with this, we guarded our hearts and continually submitted the pregnancy to God for his divine protection to ensure he reached full term.
Psalm chapter 139 verse 13 is an unshakable truth that IVF and any scientific research submits before: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” It is indeed the breathe of God in our lungs, that we can praise Him back and rejoice that every newborn baby is a sign of Him working within us literally to form us in the womb.
Even the pregnancy itself is not without danger or risk – the critical symbiotic relationship of placenta and baby is a key factor in ensuring a healthy development for the baby. As the life support, a healthy size placenta ensures oxygen and nourishment to the forming baby. The growth of organs and limbs up until 32 weeks pregnancy is super important. Nowadays the medical support available increases the chances of a pre-term baby surviving, but NICU facilities are so important to help children in that situation breath. And then there are also things that could result in disorder or conditions.
Having endured the process of IVF, including the first miscarriage, indeed that moment of delivery is a moment of pride and joy. It is so precious and reassuring to know that God and His perfect plan for each of us began from the womb. Pregnancy and birth are but the starting points of our lives – we have the rest of our lives to nurture and raise the baby into a God-fearing and God-loving child of God.
Jacob, my son can face uncertain days and his future will unfold. As new parents, we daily seek God’s wisdom and calm assurance that He will guide us all in this journey of life. At our church’s Mother’s Day service, we watched online as our friends had their newborn babies dedicated and we joined in the prayers.
*Name changed to protect privacy.