Embracing Challenges and Fighting with Prayers

Hey Guys,

God is truly amazing. He has been taking care of me, John, and the baby and I'm so grateful to Him for protecting my baby from all the dangers thus far. In spite of all the challenges, I'm enjoying every adventure of my pregnancy and cant wait until August to meet our baby. However, we still need your prayers daily.

Last Thursday I was rushed to labor and delivery because I was bleeding. Once my doctor examined me she realized that my cervix had dilated 1-2 centimeters and the sac and membranes were bulging out of the cervix, and I had an infection in my body. Because I'm just ending my 5th month I wouldn't feel any pain as contractions, but only a tightening or hardening of the stomach.

Comrie decided to admit me and give me antibiotics and another medicine to stop the contractions intravenously. A few hours later, she performed a cerclage, to prevent my baby from slipping out of my womb. She finally released me last night and I was happy to be going home. She says the surgery was successful and she was able to push things back into my body without a rupture, but we need to take it day by day, and pray that the baby stays put until I August or at least until my 28th weeks when it's safe to take the baby.

Our prayer is that God will allow me to carry until my 9th month and deliver a full-term baby. Unfortunately I'm on bed rest until August 14th (thank God the bathroom is in my bedroom). I will need to see her every week for an exam to make sure the baby is fine and I'm not having contractions.

Unfortunately Sunday March 30th I started having more contractions and went back to labor and delivery. My doctor gave me more medicine to control the contractions and a steroid intramuscular to advance the baby's lungs, which I need to get my second shot tomorrow, she also gave me two bags of saline by IV to support the womb. I was happy they checked the baby and the heart rate is still beating at a great rate and the baby is still moving around which is good.

Thank you for all of you for your thoughts and prayers.

John & Tara

Five Months Pregnant - Looking and Feeling Wonderful

I'm in my second trimester and loving it. Today, I'm 22 weeks pregnant and I feel good, although I've been sick since last Tuesday. I developed a sore throat, a cold, then the flu and it's kicking my hard, but in spite of being sick for the second time with the flu, I'm still enjoying my pregnancy. I've been going to the doctor's office every two weeks and usually can't wait to hear the baby's heart beat and know that all is well.

I just had my second level sonogram and saw the complete anatomy of the baby and it was great to get a chance to look into the eyes of my baby. The doctor said, I'm right on schedule and the baby is growing at a great pace. I enjoy knowing that I'm gaining weight and the baby is growing, and before you know it, I won't be able to see my feet. I've gained 13 lbs since the pregnancy and I think that's a good pace. With my last two pregnancies, I gained a lot of weight the first few weeks, so I'm pretty happy and credit my low gain weight to the EPC eating plan. The good news is, although I've only gained 13 lbs, my baby is healthy and I'm feeling rather wonderful.

Since I've been pregnant, I've been keeping a journal online at www.whattoexpect.com and it's so exciting. I'm able to log my milestones, my weight for the tracker, journal my thoughts, download pictures, and have a keepsake to show my baby one day. The site also e-mail me daily with a tip about the stage in my pregnancy and it's so cool. They give lots of advice about the pregnancy and offer wonder suggestions that I've found helpful. I must say, I'm really enjoying pregnancy and look forward to the next day's adventure.

I'm doing good with the EPC eating plan and watching what I eat, and making sure I take all my vitamins daily. I'm off bed rest and can get out of the house a little more. Now, I only see my doctor every three weeks instead of every two weeks. I haven't felt the baby kick just yet, but did feel air bubbles moving around and at night I can feel the baby move somewhat. I'm really looking forward to the baby giving me a few hard kicks all day long.

My blood pressure and sugar are good. I hadn't really had any major problems - no swollen feet or hands and I'm loving that. When I started the EPC eating plan, I lost so much weight that I was able to fit my original wedding band - prior to that my finger grew a complete size larger. Now, at 5 months pregnant, I can still fit my wedding band and the new band I purchased, I can't even wear it yet. I thought about sizing it, but don't want to make any drastic changes until after the pregnancy.

Thanks so much for the tip Branden. I really appreciate the encouragement from Terry and thanks to all who have been in my corner throughout this entire experience. A special thanks goes out to Ian Stoakes who is always there when I need him and to Andy who is just a jewel.