Eleven failed pregnancies and dreams of a large family. The story of Alicia Dougherty from New York

The stories of mothers with many children are always different but equally filled with love, warmth and happiness. Women who dreamed of a big family most of the time, give their children the best things. With a smile on their face, they can cope with difficulties, so their life path is truly worthy of respect. Unfortunately, Alicia Dougherty’s motherhood story was filled not only with joy. The woman and her husband Joshua had to experience the loss of an unborn baby several times and fight the urge to give up on the dream of a large family. However, a life full of surprises decided to give the pair what they desperately wanted, a large friendly family. Read more at newyorka.

A thorny path to desired motherhood

Alicia and Joshua Dougherty from New York always wanted to have a big family. Still, the woman’s disease, endometriosis, prevented her from having a baby for nine years. Alicia suffered eleven miscarriages during this time and the woman was devastated. Doctors told her that she would not be able to have children. Almost resigned to this heavy verdict, the New York spouses decided to adopt 15-year-old Alex in 2010. For this, they had to fly from the metropolis to South Dakota. Nevertheless, the couple was excited that they could give a bright future to the adopted child. They still remember the moment the teenager walked into his room in their New York apartment for the first time. He was so happy that instantly started calling Alicia and Joshua, mom and dad. It was a pleasure for the Dougherty couple to watch the sincere emotions of the child. Even though there were some upbringing hardships because it was their first parenthood experience. 

Six days after Alex moved in, a true miracle happened in the Dougherty family, Alicia became pregnant. That was the first time she managed to have a baby and that is how Zoey appeared in the family. Shortly after the birth, the couple chose to adopt another child, so James soon became part of their family. Alicia was over the moon when she found out she was pregnant again. The woman’s second pregnancy was also successful and she gave birth to a wonderful son, Dash. Later, twins Jordan and Jason joined the family. Initially, the couple registered interim custody of them and, three years later, officially adopted the twins. 

It is surprising that right after the couple gave the foster kids a warm-hearted family, Alicia learned the joyful news she had never dreamed of before. So, after the twins’ adoption, the woman became the mother of the boy Bodhi again. After his appearance in a large family, the spouses took 12-year-old Patrick and 10-year-old Bree in care. Then life presented  Dougherty with another healthy pregnancy, which resulted in a beautiful girl, Harlee. 

What is it like to raise ten children? Experience of the local woman from the metropolis

Alicia told that she is extremely pleased to be a mother of ten children, but, of course, there are challenges. With the arrival of children, the life of the Dougherty couple made a U-turn. They had to replace the standard sedan with a large 15-passenger MPV. The woman wakes up every day at 5 in the morning to prepare a meal for the whole family. The family has their own strict daily schedule, which everyone tries to adhere to, otherwise, it would be impossible to cope with so many children and properly organize everyday life. Every Friday, Alicia and Joshua take a break from their domestic chores and order a couple of pizza boxes for dinner.

According to Alicia, their house is in chaos and it is very rare to see the order there. However, the woman dreamed of becoming a mother for so long that, in her heart, there is a huge love for each child. This feeling completely swallows all the smallest problems of motherhood with many children. Alicia is sure she is ready to welcome more babies into the family. 

....