Please Pray

So much can happen in a "moment!" As many of you may know, Angie was admitted to the hospital yesterday due to heavy bleeding followed by frequent contractions (about 2 minutes apart) near the end of her 26th week of pregnancy. Over the course of the day, the bleeding continued, but began to finally slow down considerably. Using increasing doses of magnesium sulfate, the doctors have been able to slow the contractions down to about every 5 minutes, and most recently overnight, even more towards every 7-8 minutes. They adminstered a steroid shot early yesterday morning, and a second and final steroid shot early this morning to speed the lung development of the baby.

The main issue is potential immediate delivery of the baby at any time. There is very little amniotic fluid in the uterous, so the theory is that the placenta is either just not functioning properly, or has prematurely aged for "whatever" reason (though, we know it is for God's reasons). Please pray for the three main things that will allow the baby to remain in the womb at least for another day or some more days or even weeks, Lord willing: (1) baby's heart rate stays at a safe level, (2) bleeding continues to slow down or even stop, and (3) contractions stay mild or subside.

If any of the "big three" things don't lead to an immediate delivery, the doctors will check the baby's growth over the next 10-12 days and determine whether or not the placenta is supporting the baby's health as it should (or at least at an acceptable level). If the support is too deficient, they would then initiate a delievery via C-section.

Please pray for Angie for God-given patience, comfort, and endurance; the doctors have been clear she will remain in the hospital (with a number of needles and monitoring devices attached at all times) until delivery of the baby - whether that time comes in a day, a week, or a month or more. Pray our trust in God and His plan will run deeper than all else, and we would praise Him throughout this process. He is in control of all things, and has always been in control of this unborn little one! And pray for each possible day the Lord may grant this little one to remain in the womb!

Praise the Lord for our wonderful doctor - Dr. Suzanne Anstine - who has been so comforting to Angie during this time, and has prayed with us and for us (which we've seen make quite the impression on some of the nurses who haven't worked with her before). Most of all, we praise God for His goodness and power; in all times He is our Refuge and Strength.

And we thank God for you all. We have already been SO encouraged by the love, concern, and prayers shown to us by so many of you. Thank you!

--Noah, for the Family