|
The Attwood Story
Journal entry 1/17/03:
On
Christmas Eve, 2002, Graeme & Callie took me to the ER because I had
been spotting for three days. Last year on Christmas Eve, I had my 2nd
miscarriage but I couldn’t get in to see a doctor until January 3rd
to get a definite prognosis. I couldn’t face another Christmas holiday
wondering if our baby was OK – so we went in right away for some
answers.
Based on
his exam, the ER doctor diagnosed another miscarriage – this time at 16
weeks. We grieved our terrible loss while we waited to have an
ultrasound 45 minutes later. We told the technician we weren’t
expecting good news, so don’t worry about shocking us. But the first
thing we saw on the scan was a strong, healthy heartbeat! Our baby was
fine! We also discovered it was a boy – surprise! The technician
discovered the bleeding was caused by a condition called placenta previa.
The placenta attached itself too low in the uterus and blocked the birth
canal, causing loss of blood. 4 ½ hours later, starving and exhausted,
we went home to rest before spending the evening with my family.
The day
after Christmas, my primary doctor recommended no rigorous activity
until the spotting stopped for seven days. But the bleeding got heavier
– so a more restricted activity schedule was recommended.
On January
7th, my water broke at about 18 weeks. Our wonderful friend,
Carmita, came to spend the night as we drove to St. Johns Hospital at
11:30pm, believing I was going to deliver our baby that night, too young
to live.
By the next
afternoon, labor had not progressed. My doctor told us we had two
choices; stay at St. John’s to wait and see what happened, or try to
radically save this pregnancy by transferring to United, a specialist
hospital. We said, “Let’s go.” We found out later that Joanie, my
wonderful OB nurse, had to work and fight for 2 – 3 hours to convince
United to admit me. They didn’t want to take me because our case was
too hopeless.
A caravan
of friends followed us to United while my mom went home with Callie.
The ultrasound showed my placenta still blocking the birth canal, which
meant delivering this baby would have fatal consequences for me. With
friends praying in the waiting room, we listened to our “options.” Most
likely, since there was no amniotic fluid, I would develop an infection
which would send me into labor. Since natural delivery was impossible
due to the dangerous placement of the placenta, and a C-section was not
an option this early, I would have to have a Dilation and
Extraction...abort the baby to save my life. Obviously, we were
devastated to have to take our own son’s life.
After the
nurse distributed “Grieving the Loss of an Unborn Child” pamphlets and a
burial outfit for our child, the friends who had been praying in the
waiting room came in with a scripture from Isaiah 42 and words of hope.
They felt God was saying, “No! Don’t receive this stuff, I’m not
finished here.” We remained hopeless, but they carried on Hope for us
in prayer!
Since I
wasn’t in immediate danger, the doctor agreed to let us go home, rest,
and return the next day for a checkup.
We got home
at about 5:30pm. Our Pastor and friends from Bethel were on scene to
pray for and encourage us. Many prayed through the night. By the next
morning, dozens and dozens of people were interceding on our behalf for
a miracle that would take the decision to end the baby’s life out of our
hands.
At 12 noon
the next day, I had another ultrasound and discovered a MIRACLE! The
placenta moved right out of the way of the birth canal, removing the
danger from me in order to deliver the baby naturally! Now it is not
unusual for a placenta to move – but over time...weeks...not overnight!
We thank the Lord for His goodness to us.
We now have
peace. Even if we do lose the baby, he will die in God’s hands, not at
the hand of doctors and sterile equipment. But, obviously, our first
hope and prayer is that this child will live to tell his own miracle
story.
It is now
over a week since my water broke. The baby is still alive and well,
although the amniotic fluid continues to leak. It’s possible for the
sac to re-seal itself (please pray it does!) but highly unlikely. The
main danger is my developing a uterine infection, which will cause me to
go into labor. This baby won’t be viable for a least another six weeks,
so our prayer is for the Lord to keep me from infection. We boldly ask
God to re-seal the amniotic sac and bring this baby to full term!
PLEASE join us, He’s heard and answered one major prayer with a
miracle... let’s not rest until He’s given us another!
But, even
if this child goes to be with Jesus, he’s already impacted and changed a
world. Our church body has poured out blessing and receives blessing in
return. We are knitted together in prayer and purpose. Many who don’t
know the Lord have witnessed a miracle first hand. They’ve also been
exposed to what the Body of Christ looks like in action.
Now, I’m on
complete bed rest with lots of help and support from church. We have 2
shifts of people every day helping with; housework, Callie, and me. We
have meals lined up for two months. Daddy and Callie go to church and
Sunday school on Sundays. Friends take Callie out for “fun time” on
Tuesday and Friday mornings. Many are donating finances, time,
and supplies to help us through this unique time! And many more are
praying!
At my most
recent doctor’s appointment, I was told that if I make it to 24 weeks,
I’ll be hospitalized until delivery. (That will be mid-February.) The
doctor said our baby has a 1% chance of survival, but we have a God who
can work with even 0%!
We thank
the Lord for this little man’s life. And thanks to all of you who help
us and pray for us. You have carried us with your love and prayers in
ways we can never fully express. We love you all!!
|
