"From Machon Puah"

Sometimes, Miracles DO Happen

Shani & Binyamin M. married in 1992. They were young and hopeful at the time, embarking (like all new couples) on what they planned to be a long and fruitful journey together. In their early 20s, they were filled with the excitement and hope of building a family together.

A year passed for the newlyweds, who were getting to know each other and did not mind being alone. Yet, in the back of their minds they began to wonder.

A second year passed and still Shani did not get pregnant, but they waited patiently for things to happen. After 3 years of marriage they could wait no longer; they consulted a doctor to see if there was something wrong.

The doctor diagnosed Shani with hormonal problems that were affecting her fertility and sent them to a specialist. Their specialist prescribed medication to restore her body’s natural balance and hopefully help her become pregnant. Without success.

At that point they consulted the Puah Institute. After seven years of marriage, years that had become agonizingly long in the absence of children, Puah and their doctor together advised Shani and Binyamin to try IVF.

Shani went through cycle after cycle of IVF treatment without success. Additional years passed and further experts were called in. Upon further investigation it was discovered that Shani’s eggs were considered weak and that they may never successfully get pregnant via IVF. Other options were raised in the hopes of success, Shani and Binyamin had had enough. Discouraged and emotionally drained by the years upon years of single- minded focus on building their family, they decided that they needed to move on. They told Puah that they intended to give up. No amount of persuasion would move them from this decision.

This story could end here. It doesn’t. The Puah Rabbi was not satisfied with the outcome. He gave the couple time to mentally recharge themselves and then he reached out to them. A couple of more years passed and they still would not be swayed. So he contacted the Rabbi of their community. He suggested that the Rabbi join him in encouraging Shani and Binyamin to continue trying. They succeeded.

Shani and Binyamin returned for to Puah for counseling. Although the odds were against success, in consultation with their doctor, their Puah Rabbi advised them to resume IVF treatments. The first two cycles were failures and the pressure to consider other treatments or give up yet again began to mount.
Additional specialists were called in and with encouragement from PUAH, they agreed to continue IVF and pray. Lo and behold, B"H Shani became pregnant the next cycle. After a full term pregnancy she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. After 14 years of marriage, countless hours of despair and crying to HaShem for help, Shani and Binyamin were no longer a couple. They were finally a family.

About 8 months later she decided to go back for IVF and once again became pregnant. B"H, last year she gave birth to a healthy boy. And their family grew a bit larger.

Although we cannot rely upon miracles, we have often seen that steadfast determination, such as that of the Puah and community Rabbis makes the difference. We cannot explain why it took so long and why suddenly Shani and Binyamin achieved success not once - but twice. It is cases like these, cases in which we know that there is only one source for any success we may have, that give us at Puah the encouragement and motivation to keep moving forward.

The Puah Institute is based in Jerusalem and helps couples from all over the world who are experiencing fertility problems. Puah offers free counseling in five languages, halachic supervision, and educational programs. Offices in Jerusalem, New York, Los Angeles and Paris. Contact: (02) 6515050, (Isr) - 718-336-0603 (US) puahonline.org

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