Ellise's Birth Story

As time goes by, people's way of thinking changes. Here we were, the perfect family of four. Or so we thought. Our boys were growing: Michael was 12 and Matthew was 9. My husband was becoming more successful in his field and I decided to pick up my studies and finally finish my degree.

It then hit me; I wanted to have a baby more than ever before. I remember contemplating the thought for a couple of years; my husband thought it was crazy and impossible. Crazy because we had pretty much planned our lives for the next few years, and impossible because he'd had a vasectomy a few years earlier.

We considered adopting and at the time, found that costs were a little too steep for our means. Christmas of 1999, my husband asked what I would like for a present, and I said that I would like more than anything to have a baby and hold HER in my arms by Christmas of 2000. He knew that I'd been dreaming of this for a couple of years and without any hesitation he said "YES!".

We looked into getting a reversal of his vasectomy, and his procedure was set for February 10, 2000. The doctor warned us that not all reversals are successful, and that if my husband's were, we would still have to wait to develop some healthy sperm. He said that this could take up to a year.

On April 12th, I did a pregnancy test and by the Grace of God, I was pregnant. Two days later I was bleeding and rushed to the hospital. The doctors there said that I was already losing too much blood and to stay and have a D&C (cleaning of my uterus) to take out the remaining fragments. I refused and went home and prayed. We called our friends and family to pray for us.

Three days later we went to another very reputable hospital. I didn't tell them what my diagnosis had been at the previous hospital, but went on to tell them what I was going through. The doctor did a vaginal ultrasound and said that there was nothing there. He then asked that I be transferred to the hospital part of the clinic to have a D&C done just to make sure I would not come across any complications later on.

I refused again. He said that if I went home, it would just get worse. Of course my faith was bigger than any diagnosis. I proceeded to leave and told him that if I did feel worse, I would be sure to return. Two days after that a good friend asked me to see her OB/GYN. With hope in my heart, I did.

Before I continue, I want to mention that throughout that time, my boys would constantly lay their hands on my belly and pray for their sibling. Tears would start down their cheeks and they would tell me not to worry because everything was going to be all right.

I visited my friend’s doctor and told him about both diagnoses, and about my symptoms. I was still experiencing cramping and slight bleeding. He immediately did a vaginal ultrasound and there she was. A beautiful tiny sack that looked like a comma and in the middle, a heart beating. I had never been in such awe. I looked at my husband and he was already in tears. All he could say was, "There goes another Guevara."

We had other complications during the pregnancy and at delivery but today I can sit here and say that Ellise is truly a special gift from God. She is now nineteen months old. We are expecting our fourth child, so we will have two of each (pre-vasectomy and post-vasectomy). All I can say is never give up, even if all the odds are against you.