What will you do?(8)

Evening is falling when Suzanne finds William. The doctor has just told her she is not pregnant and, indeed, could not become pregnant. Something is wrong with her body. She has been told her womb is fine, but she has no eggs that could live. A tear is in her eye as she says to William having children is natural. It is what all couples should do. It is what God wanted when he said ‘Be fruitful and multiply.’ William says ‘I love you no matter what. We’ll see what options there are.’

After three weeks, at the recommendation of their family doctor, William and Suzanne visit a specialist at a city clinic. The specialist offers several options. ‘You can, of course, go home and accept this is nature’s way. Or you could adopt. Though this would not be your child genetically, no doubt you would grow to love the baby. Or we could try an assisted reproductive technique. We’d take eggs from a donor and fertilize them with William’s sperm. At that stage you could choose the sex of your child too, if you want. We would then pick the best few embryos and insert them into Suzanne. The ones that grow best will be kept in the womb.’

On the ride home, the couple decide they should go ahead. Suzanne says ‘At least our baby will have part of our genes and I will be able to feel him grow in me. That way he is part of both of us.’ ‘Let’s pray about it, but I think this is a good idea’, William responds ‘and if you want, we can talk it over with the pastor.’ ‘No, not yet, let’s keep this to ourselves, at least for now’ she replies.

After eight months, though still not pregnant, the couple have an argument about who should know what. William says ‘Sweetheart, this is simply how some people have children nowadays. Of course we can tell your parents and mine...and, of course, we will tell the baby when he – and the doctor said he could select the sperm so our child should be male – when he is old enough.’ Suzanne replies ‘There is no way we are going to tell anyone about this. It is between us and the doctor.’

It is two years later, driving home from the specialist having been told once again that the procedure has failed, that William asks Suzanne if this is not God telling them the whole thing is wrong. They have spent a lot of money and have even been told by the doctor that he could allow them only one more try. Once again Suzanne is crying. ‘Should we adopt? There are babies in our country and throughout the world who need parents. We could love a baby, I know.’ They drive home in silence.

What issues does this story raise?

What will you do?

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