Reflecting upon this pregnancy, I feel prompted to elicit the prayer of anyone who feels compelled to lift our little family up. In order to understand some of my prayer requests, it might be helpful to have a brief synopsis of my prenatal history. Please know that as it currently stands, I am overwhelmingly grateful to have had an overall healthy pregnancy despite some concerns along the way.
During my last pregnancy I developed high blood pressure around 38 weeks which resulted in an extra long hospital stay for me due to postpartum preeclampsia. This time around, the doctor has been watching me closely (translation: there have only been two weeks this entire summer that I have not been in for an appointment of some sort.) When I entered my third trimester, there was some concern that my amniotic fluid levels were too high, which can be a sign of some birth defects or the baby's inability to swallow and/or expel fluid. After taking a closer look, it was determined that Baby looks great and I just happen to have a lot of fluid in there for her! On a whim, I asked the doctor how my measurements compared to my pregnancy with Annike. It turns out that I had the exact same screening measurements in both pregnancies, they just never caught the high fluid levels last time because I was not being watched as closely with ultrasounds. Annike turned out just fine and I have every confidence that her baby sister will too. At 37 weeks, I have finally reached term in my pregnancy, and it would be safe to deliver this child any day now! Thank You, Lord!
This profile shot shows the newest little bundle during a detailed 31-week ultrasound.
It is hard to tell from the picture, but Christian and I thought she looked just like Annike when we were watching the ultrasound. There was a view of the bottom of her nose and the resemblance was incredible! I know she will have her own little characteristics, but it is really hard to imagine having a baby that looks any different than our first... and I would not complain one bit if she came out looking exactly the same!
There are sure to be a great many changes in our home soon. We would be extremely grateful if any of you prayerful individuals wanted to add one more item to your list, and petition our Majestic Creator for a safe delivery, a smooth transition, and a healthy child. More specific prayer requests are itemized below:
Prayer Requests:
- A healthy finish to the pregnancy. With only 3 more weeks to go it would be an amazing blessing if I did not develop high blood pressure or preeclampsia in this final stretch. The preeclampsia I developed with my last pregnancy resulted in a hospital stay that was mentally one of the most difficult obstacles I have ever overcome. I would like to not repeat it.
- Safe labor that is quick, but allows enough time to get me to the hospital. My last labor experience was fast (two and a half hours long) and while that was a blessing in many ways, it also leaves me with nightmares about making it to the hospital this time around. This is currently the source of my greatest anxiety.
- Just the right name for our baby girl. Why does naming a child feel like such a weighty responsibility? I feel confident that our little nameless one will exit the hospital named, and loved, but it seems worthy of dedicating thought and prayer to the subject.
- A smooth transition into parenting 2 children. Life will be changing. Though I know God has created me fully capable of raising a second child, I feel anxious about the unknowns in my future. Namely, the demands on my time, the amount of help that I need, and how I will respond to the upset in the balance of my life.
- That Annike will feel loved and welcomed in the family despite the changes to her little world. In my heart I believe that bringing a sibling into the picture is one of the best things for her character development that we can provide. But I also know that there will be some tantrums and some feelings of rejection that accompany the new addition. I pray for the wisdom to handle it all in the most appropriate way.
- The ability to raise two daughters in a Godly manner. It seems like a huge responsibility to parent a girl in such a way that she will grow to be an adult who makes wise decisions, has godly character, and chooses to live her life in purity. It feels like a huge responsibility because it IS! We do not take that lightly.
Thank you for joining us in prayer for our family. This next season is likely to be trying emotionally, a stretch in our relationship, exhausting, and at the same time one of the most wonderful seasons we have ever walked through as a family. By praying for us, you too get to be a part of the amazing, life-changing, things God is going to do in our lives.
i am praying for you all! love ali
ReplyDeletepraying as I read! : )
ReplyDeleteThank you! Thank you! I really need it!!
ReplyDeleteSending prayers your way! And remember what they say, that every pregnancy is different. I see why you're feeling nervous, but I bet everything will be just fine. Hang in there!
ReplyDelete-hayley