Crystal Bowman - Mothers in Waiting: Healing and Hope for Those with Empty Arms

I once heard a movie star mom share her exhilaration at adopting her infant son. When she saw him she announced, Oh, there you are! as if shed been reconciled with a part of her own being. The hole of infertility is like that: tearing a part of our very being from ourselves. So very often we are left alone with our pain. Until now. Here, in the pages of Mothers in Waiting , youll find a part of yourself reconnecting in the stories of others whove experienced this grief. Just like you and just like me. And as you do, youll likely hear an echo reverberating as you rediscover that lost part of your being, Oh, there you are!

Elisa Morgan , Speaker, Author: The Prayer Coin, The Beauty of Broken

President Emerita MOPS International Cohost, Discover the Word

Who am I if Im not a mother? was the heart cry of Karen Granger, one of 30 women who bravely share their stories of hope in these beautiful pages, a question deeply reflecting their common sorrow. There was a season when my heart was so broken by our infertility struggles that I would not have been receptive to these diverse stories. Having admitted my struggle, I want to encourage you that if you are currently in a place of wanting to see a few of the many ways God can bring good from the grief and anguish of your barrenness while gathering a few hard-earned tips on how these women learned to find strength in Jesus through the midst of their pain, this is the book for you! When given to God, infertility always, eventually, leads to joyful resolution, often through some method of motherhoodbirth, foster care, various forms of adoption, stepor sometimes by learning how to embrace Gods unique, personal plan for your life as His daughter without children in your home. As Amanda Hope Haley points out in chapter 9, Gods personal path for you dramatically differs from His unchangeable will for all mankindto know Him. Infertility is sometimes the plan God allows us to journey to achieve His will in drawing our hearts to Himself. That path can be agonizing and seem unending while being endured. As these stories, each written from the after perspective of resolution, point out, the good plan God has for you is written in great love and will ultimately lead to your good and His glory.

Jennifer Saake , Author of Hannahs Hope ; founder/director emeritus, Hannahs Prayer Ministries.

JenniferSaake.com

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE , OREGON

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The authors are represented by the literary agency of Credo Communications, LLC, Grand Rapids, Michigan, www.credocommunications.net.

Mothers in Waiting

Copyright 2019 Crystal Bowman and Meghann Bowman

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-7536-0 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-7537-7 (eBook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Bowman, Crystal, author.

Title: Mothers in waiting / Crystal Bowman and Meghann Bowman.

Description: Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2018.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018028309 (print) | LCCN 2018044054 (ebook) | ISBN 9780736975377 (ebook) | ISBN 9780736975360 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: Christian womenPrayers and devotions. | Consolation. | InfertilityReligious aspectsChristianity.

Classification: LCC BV4527 (ebook) | LCC BV4527 .B68125 2018 (print) | DDC 248.8/43dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018028309

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To our contributors

Thank you for making our vision a reality
by sharing your courageous and heartfelt stories.

Contents

IUIintrauterine insemination: a procedure that involves placing sperm inside a womans uterus to facilitate fertilization. By increasing the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes, it increases the chance of fertilization.

IVFin vitro fertilization: a process that combines eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory. Once an embryo or embryos form, they are then placed in the uterus.

PCOSpolycystic ovarian syndrome: a hormone imbalance that can cause problems with a womans ovaries, making it more difficult to conceive.

REreproductive endocrinologist: a fertility specialist who specializes in disorders of the female reproductive tract.

TTCtrying to conceive

M ichael and Kathy met in college, fell in love, got married, and made the decision to start a family together. Month after month of negative pregnancy tests turned into an unexpected journey of rigid schedules, invasive testing, expensive medical procedures, countless tears, and lost hope.

Does this sound familiar? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 percent of women in the United States ages 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant. Thats about 6.1 million women whose bodies work a little differently when it comes to having a baby. When infertility rules your life, the downward emotional spiral begins. Everyday experiences become painful reminders. A trip to the grocery store can bring you to tears as your eyes turn toward women with swollen bellies or mothers with toddlers strapped in shopping carts. You stay home from church on Mothers Day, and you cringe when you receive another baby shower invitation. It also takes a toll on your marriage as making love turns into making babies.

Its not that you arent happy for other women who have babies; its just that your heart hurts, and your empty arms ache. Probably the worst thing is hearing thoughtless comments from friends and family who should know betterWhen are you guys going to have kids? How long have you been married? And no kids yet? I want to be a grandma. Whats taking so long?and then you hear stories of teen pregnancies, abortions, and neglected children that make your blood boil. You just want to be a mom, and you know youd be a good one.