Full Term

35 Weeks Pregnant...

I decided at the last moment to go with my husband to Philadelphia for a church outreach. The trip was to be about a 13 hour drive! I was advised to stay home because of risks of traveling and possible pre term labor, blood clots, any number of "what if's." I prayed about it and had complete peace and knew I was going to miss out on what the Lord had for me if I didn't go. Besides, what if I had the baby in Philly? Philadelphia has one of the best children's hospital's in the country and I know God would have provided a place for us to stay. I was completely blessed and was not terribly uncomfortable. I am so glad I went. We even went to the Jersey shore and swam in the Atlantic Ocean.

36 Weeks Pregnant...

I have seriously gotten to the point where I am really physically uncomfortable. Last Sunday I had braxton hix contractions for the most part of the afternoon and into the evening and night. I had fetal monitoring and a doctor's appointment the next day. My OB said I was dilated to almost 1. I for sure thought I would have AaronMatthew sometime this last week, but not so far. I also had an ultrasound. The ultrasound tech and I talked about what the Lord has been doing in our lives and we had good fellowship for an hour afterward. She said the amniotic fluid is on the low side of normal, but not to be concerned about it. AaronMatthew's head is smaller- in the 30th percentile and round, which is another soft marker for Down Syndrome and the hard marker being his heart defect.

37 Weeks and 5 days Pregnant...

I have been praying that I would be well rested before I go into labor. I have slept pretty well these last few nights. God is faithful! As of Monday, I was dilated to one-and-a-half, my cervix was thinned out and the baby's head was in position. On Tuesday, I went on a long walk and went on swings trying to make AaronMatthew come, but he has not yet. I haven't had many contractions or even strong one's. But I am feeling more pressure in my lower abdomen and some pelvic pressure here and there. My doctor advised me not to waste anytime getting to the hospital, since I went from dilation at 2 to delivery with my first son in 3 hours. But I had horrible pre labor for 26 hours with a hard closed cervix. At least I have a head start.

I keep praying the Lord would prepare us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the road ahead that is so filled with many uncertainties concerning our child. We don't know what lies ahead, but God does and that is what gives me comfort and peace. I was just sharing with my neighbor Diana, who just had a heart attack and is having open-heart surgery on Friday (and is at the same hospital I am delivering at), that it's like a parade route and God has an ariel view. He can see the beginning and the end. He knows what's occurring and what's going to occur. He know's our beginning and our end. We need to simply trust Him. And not only look to Him in our time of need, but always. So I ask myself, am I prepared or ready to have this baby? It makes me realize not to ask such questions, but to know God will give us the strength we all need, when we need it. To know He is faithful. To know He promised that He would never leave me nor forsake me. To know He loves me and loves my family way more than I ever could. To know God personally. To have a relationship with Him. To know His character. To know His Word. And to have His peace.