Pregnant Woman Told that she was Carrying "Handicapped" Twins, Refuses Abortion, Gives Birth to Healthy Girls

Teresa Neumann : Feb 12, 2008
Dan Irwin - New Castle News

The mother drank from her "Jesus cup" during pregnancy. "The tests were wrong, the doctors were wrong, the genetic counselor was wrong, but my God was right. If I let Him lead, He would show me the way. And He did."

(New Castle, Pa.)—About two years ago, when doctors informed mother-to-be Bobbie McIlwain that the twins she was carrying were handicapped, they proceeded to encourage her to have an abortion. Bobbie and her husband Jeff, however, refused to even consider it.

"I was determined that God had handpicked my babies for me, that these were the ones I was meant to have," said Bobbie. "He must have thought that I was going to be a pretty special mom to give me such a special delivery." (Contributed Photo/NewCastleNews)

According to a report in New Castle News, the McIlwain's were able to endure the dire warnings only with the help of their faith and their family.

"I'm not going to lie," she said. "My decision to carry the babies was easy, but my daily walk was not. I thought if I had to smile at just one more person and tell them I was fine, I was going to pull my hair out. You'll find that everyone has an opinion, and always wants to tell you what is best for you, and what is best for the world. I would just smile, take my little sip of Jesus from my cup, and just say thank you."

Determined to remain upbeat, despite the increasing pressure and dire warnings from her doctors as her due date drew closer, Bobbie said she had to deny herself any pity parties. "I have to remember, [to tell myself] do not tell God how big your storm is, but tell the storm how big your God is...I refused to let one thing steal my happiness."

In August of 2006, Emily Grace and Ava Marie were born. Though Emily was born with a bilateral cleft lip and an incomplete palate, surgeries have corrected it. Ava Marie was born perfectly healthy with no signs of Down syndrome.

"She [Ava Marie] came out screaming because I really think she had something to say to those doctors," said Bobbie. "The tests were wrong, the doctors were wrong, the genetic counselor was wrong," she said of her pregnancy ordeal, "but my God was right. If I let Him lead, He would show me the way. And He did."