I had my tubes tied in December of 1992. I was in a very bad marriage and did not want any more children with my ex-husband. I divorced and remarried in 1996. I desparately wanted to have a child with my new husband. We started researching on various options in 1998 after we had relocated to New Jersey from Iowa. We contacted a reproductive facility in February of that year. They presented IVF to us. My husband had underwent a semen analysis prior to our consultation and we were told that his sperm count was so low that there would be no way for us to conceive naturally, even with a tubal reversal. Our desire was so great that we decided immediately to proceed with IVF and all that was involved; ie, hormone injections, cost, and the uncertainty of success. We were convinced by the nurses and doctors that we were the 'ideal' candidates given the fact that I had successfully conceived previously and that I was young. What could go wrong? They were going to conceive the embryos in the lab and put them right where they belonged, in my uterus.

We were devestated when the procedure failed. We hadn't had time to deal with our loss when they had called to inquire where there first payment was! Unfortunately, there is no money back guarantee with IVF.

It was then that we searched for other alternatives and we came across Dr. Levin's website. It was too perfect! He was in Louisville. That's where I am from and where my family is. We e-mailed him and he promptly responded. We decided, however, that we still had 5 embryos that were in cryopreservation and we did not want to forget about them so we proceded with another try in the summer of 1999. This time, we were cautiously optimistic. Rightfully so, because again, we were let down. So, after spending over $20,000 in medication and hospital payments, heartbreak, and the loss of 7 embryos, we decided that somehow, someway, Dr. Levin would be our final attempt.

He requested a semen analysis from my husband and he said that the numbers didn't look good, but we agreed that it only takes 1 sperm to achieve pregnancy. He gave us back our hope.

I had the reversal done on July 17, 2000, Dr. Levin's birthday! It was our first face to face meeting. This was the man who would change our lives. The procedure went well, without complications. Everyone at the hospital and anyone involved with Dr. Levin's practice was sincerely nice. I believe they enjoy their job because they realize the impact that they are having on people's lives.

I went in 3 days after the procedure to have my staples removed and Dr. Levin gave me a hug and wished us well and asked that I keep in touch regarding my progress.

In September I began to get discouraged (I am very impatient). I e-mailed Dr. Levin to see if there was anything different that I could try. He suggested that I use a program called Cyclewatch which monitors your cycle via your basal body temperature to determine ovulation. I was skeptical. I started the program on my next cycle in October.

I became pregnant in November and our child is due in August! He was very patient with me when I was concerned about the pregnancy being ectopic. He took time out of his evening to call me at home (long distance)and reassure me that everything would be fine.

I know that GOD is the ultimate reason for our blessing, but Dr. Levin was his instrument.

Abigail Marie was born on January 3, 2003 @ 4:02 am, weighing 8 lbs 4 ozs.

We never imagined that we would have 2 babies, never mind becoming pregnant when our Claire was only 8 months old! The pregnancy was uneventful except for my diagnosis of Group B Strep which would require an antibiotic IV drip during labor to prevent the baby from becoming infected. The last month I had started to dilate slowly until on my last doctor's visit I was dilated to nearly 5 cms. I knew that once she was ready to arrive there would be no time to wait. I couldn't have been more right! Fortunately, my mother arrived from Louisville for her month long stay with us 3 days prior to my due date.

When labor did finally begin shortly after 2:30 am, I wasn't sure that it was the real thing. I called the hosptial and they suggested that I come in. As luck would have it, it had snowed that night and Vince had to clean off the car. By the time he had finished, there was no doubt that this was the real thing! Once we were on our way, my contractions went from 5 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart within only a few contractions. We finally made it to the hospital at approximately 3:45 and I opted to walk to the elevator rather than take a wheelchair thinking that it would hurry things along. The IV drip had been prepared for me, but there was no time to administer it. By the time I got to the delivery room there was only time to get my clothes off. Our Abby was born with fluid on her lungs due to her coming so fast. Fortunately she suffered no ill effects from the GBS. She was given a steady dose of antibiotics for 72 hrs as a precautionary measure. When the drip was removed, she developed jaundice. On the fifth day of our stay, I told our pediatrician that we were taking her home that day and she agreed.

Abby is doing well now and our family is complete. We are so blessed and yes, it does get overwhelming having an infant and an under 2yr old, but I know that we would be miserable without them and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I pray that all of Dr. Levin's patients have the same success that we have had.