Another emotional milestone has left Jessica Menkhausen and Derek Manion in tears as they await the arrival of their baby.
You may remember Menkhausen underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment on live TV last September as part of #BornTODAY, a weeklong series focusing on babies. After battling fertility issues, including two ectopic pregnancies, for the past nine years, she wanted to share her story with other women who were having the same challenges.
Jessica had her eggs harvested at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Following that, Manion’s sperm was injected into Menkhausen’s eggs in a petri dish and implanted into Menkhausen. The couple found out in October that Jessica was pregnant.
"We're just so ecstatic, so overwhelmed with joy," she said.
Recently, it was time to find out whether the couple was expecting a son or a daughter.
If the baby turned out to be a girl, they decided to name her Chloe Leigh Manion. If they were expecting a boy, they would name him Pierce Nathaniel Manion.
“I've been hoping for a boy from the beginning but ultimately, whatever God has blessed us with will be a blessing,” Menkhausen said.
Finally, the moment had come. Twenty weeks into the pregnancy, a sonogram would reveal the sex of the baby.
It’s a girl, the doctor announced as blurry images of the fetus’ face appeared on screen.
The couple cried as they got the news and watched the sonogram monitor.
“The most important thing is (the baby is) healthy, so God gave us what he wanted us to have and daddy's little girl,” Menkhausen said.
If all goes as planned, Chloe will arrive in June.