**Couple’s Ten-Year Journey Through Pregnancy Loss Ends with Joyful Miracle**
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For Ranim and Fuad Haddad, the past decade has been marked by heartbreak and resilience as they navigated the challenging landscape of pregnancy loss. Living in Alsip, Illinois, the couple experienced the loss of two babies, alongside numerous additional miscarriages, which took an emotional toll on their hopes of starting a family.
Their journey began in February 2015, just seven months after their wedding, when they learned they were expecting their first child. Initially excited, their joy quickly turned to sorrow as Ranim endured a miscarriage — the first of many. In total, she experienced at least 20 pregnancy losses over the years. Ranim, now 36 and a stay-at-home mother, described the painful cycle of anticipation and heartbreak, recalling, “Our biggest problem was that they couldn’t find the problem.” Despite repeated consultations, medical professionals were baffled as to why Ranim’s pregnancies were unsuccessful.
The couple sought various avenues for support, only to be met with more uncertainty. In 2018, medical advice led them to try in vitro fertilisation (IVF), resulting in the creation of several embryos. However, after a miscarriage following the first embryo transfer, and a failed second transfer, Ranim reached a breaking point. “I need a long break. I can’t keep doing this,” she expressed, opting to send the remaining embryos into long-term storage.
Unexpectedly, in the spring of 2020, the couple discovered that Ranim had fallen pregnant naturally. Their excitement reached new heights when they saw their baby’s heartbeat during the ultrasound, an experience that felt miraculous after repeated disappointments. However, just days after a gender reveal which designated their baby as a girl, calamity struck: Ranim’s waters broke prematurely, and she was soon faced with the unfathomable situation of planning her daughter’s funeral after the baby, named Miracle, was born still on 12 August 2020.
As their grief deepened with yet another miscarriage following this loss, the couple found themselves lost and searching for answers. Ranim stated that her regular obstetrician could no longer assist them, leading her to seek the expertise of Dr. Susan Gerber, a specialist in maternal-fetal medicine.
Under Dr. Gerber’s care, Ranim underwent a series of tests that, once again, provided no clear answers. “I can help you get pregnant, but you have to be ready for anything to happen,” Dr. Gerber cautioned. Determined to persevere, Ranim fell pregnant again in 2021, only to face another devastating blow when they learned their baby boy had a rare condition known as sirenomelia. The couple chose to continue with the pregnancy, believing in the possibility of a miracle. Tragically, Samuel was born on 2 February 2024, but he passed away shortly after his birth.
The couple, undeterred by their heartbreaking losses and the unanswered questions surrounding their fertility, decided to make significant life changes, including moving to a smaller apartment and starting new jobs. Ranim and Fuad remained hopeful, and in February 2025, Ranim fell pregnant again, embarking on a new journey with Dr. Gerber’s close monitoring.
Throughout this pregnancy, Ranim experienced regular ultrasounds and assessments, with each appointment revealing encouraging news. As the end of her pregnancy approached, complications arose, prompting the need for a cerclage procedure and hospital admission. Despite fears and health concerns, Ranim’s determination saw her induction at 37 weeks.
On 1 October 2025, Ranim and Fuad welcomed their son, Emmanuel, who weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces. As Ranim cradled him for the first time, she described it as the best feeling of her life. The relief and joy that flooded through her were palpable. “I was scared because he didn’t cry for the first 15 seconds, but when he did, I just kept saying, ‘Thank God,'” she recalled.
Now approaching Emmanuel’s first birthday, Ranim not only celebrates the joy of motherhood but also cherishes the lessons born from her struggles. “Don’t ever give up,” she emphasised, wanting to convey hope to anyone facing similar challenges. She has learned that it is vital to hold onto hope, even in the face of overwhelming despair.
Dr. Gerber, who has closely observed Ranim’s remarkable journey, concluded that her case is exceptionally rare, noting, “She’s had more losses than I’ve ever seen a patient have and go on to have a healthy, liveborn, full-term infant.” Reflecting on their experience, Ranim and Fuad now embrace each day filled with the love and joy that Emmanuel brings.
Through their resilience and tenacity, the Haddads exemplify the power of hope in the face of adversity, providing inspiration to others navigating the difficult path of infertility and loss.