KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana |"Gift of Hope" baby born!
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By Britney Glaser - bio | email
LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - "Good things come to those who wait," you know the saying, and it couldn't ring more true for one Lake Charles couple that has waited five years to have a baby. Now we meet one of Southwest Louisiana's newest residents and we catch up with his parents, who we first introduced you to nearly two years ago.
It's been a long road for Rachel and Tony Bourque to see their dreams of parenthood finally become reality. "It's almost like it's not real yet," says Tony.
When in vitro fertilization was the only hope for this couple to carry a biological child, the "Gift of Hope" program through Dr. John Storment at the Fertility and Women's Health Center of Louisiana made this pregnancy possible. Out of dozens of couples applying for a free in vitro cycle, the Bourques were chosen. Dr. Storment says, "Their commitment number one to each other and their faith is very strong. Number two, they have a very good medical case because they don't really have any other choice but in vitro."
Rachel was implanted with two embryos in February 2009 and two months later, little Jagger Dean made himself known. Fast forward seven months and...let's just say several people are ready to meet this baby!
Weighing a whopping seven pounds, Jagger Dean Bourque became one of Southwest Louisiana's newest residents Wednesday, October 28th. "To see him, to know that he was in me is so neat now," says proud mom Rachel, "and how he fit in there and all the different little moves that he does, I can now see it."
Tony and Rachel agree that finally holding their son is even more amazing than they imagined. "It's been very emotional," says Tony, "we fought back the tears. I think we hugged each other for a little while and then just kind of took it in."
"It's amazing," adds Rachel, "I mean, it's emotional and it's everything you could think of and more."
With a c-section and a few diapers down, Tony and Rachel are ready to face their next obstacle head on. "Now, it's what do we do once we get home!" says Tony with a huge grin on his face.
It looks like this new family will be just fine!
*Rachel has traded in her job as an elementary teacher in Lake Charles for a new role as stay at home mom. Tony is the pastor at Water's Edge Gathering and has already used the miracle of Jagger's life in his sermons.
*As for the "Gift of Hope" program with Dr. Storment, applications are accepted in the spring and we'll be sure to let you know when that time comes around again.
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