Canadian woman chooses life against doctor's advice with no regrets

Reggie and I had discussed starting a family together. Soon after this discussion I found out I was pregnant. We were so excited! I went to my first doctor appointment with Reggie's mom and the doctor's first question was "are you wanting to schedule an abortion". I was shocked because it was very apparent that both my mother-in-law and I were very happy about my pregnancy. Needless to say my mother-in-law arranged to have me registered at her family doctor's office and I never looked back.

During my first trimester I experienced some complications and after a visit to the emergency room I was told that I had an "implantation Bleed" We were told that we had a "threatened miscarriage". Reggie and I wanted to have this baby so badly that we decided I would do absolutely nothing for the following month - feet up - rest and pray that I would not miscarry.
At my follow-up appointment we were told that our pregnancy was normal and there was no longer a threat regarding the implantation bleed. Phew!

We were scheduled an ultrasound and excited to get an opportunity to see this little miracle. While at our ultrasound appointment the technician had noticed a "flicker" in the heartbeat. She seemed a little stumped and called for another doctor to join her in our room. He seemed concerned and scheduled us for an ultrasound in London.

At that point Reggie and I were both feeling overwhelmed. We had already been through a miscarriage scare and now told that there was an abnormality in the baby's ultrasound? Still hopeful and very much in love with baby we travelled to London back and fourth for what I remember to be around 4 times - all consisting of confusion about this "flicker" in baby's heartbeat. One of these trips to London was regarding an abnormality in my gynecological exam showing abnormal cells in my cervix that could possibly be cancerous. All the while I felt only one concern and it wasn't for my own behalf but for this baby that Reggie and I already claimed our own and had been determined to be a boy!

Since nothing could be done about the possibility of the cells being cancerous until after baby boy was born the focus returned to the "flicker" in his heartbeat. We were called to attend another ultrasound and meeting with doctors in London. During this meeting the doctors (there were three) told us the concern regarding the "flicker" was that our baby boy (who's name we decided was Haydn) had a high percentage of being born with some kind of abnormality (undetermined). In all of their doctor language and medical terminology we were handed a pager, asked to go and get some lunch and encouraged to decide upon termination of our pregnancy.

Reggie and I headed down to the cafeteria, sat down, and immediately decided that there was no room for discussion. Haydn was a gift to us from God and we were going to treasure that gift and love him, regardless.

On November 14, 2002, Haydn was born - a healthy 7lb, 11 oz baby boy. At his follow up doctor's appointments no abnormalities were ever discovered. Now almost 9 years old, Haydn is a wonderful, smart, kind, loving, amazing little boy and he is the reason - everyday - why I am pro-life.

Oh, and regarding the abnormal cells in my cervix (thought to be cancerous). After Haydn was born I was scheduled an appointment in London to be tested again, the results came back that there were NO abnormal cells remaining. God is good. If we trust in Him, believe in Him and go to Him He promises good results and faithfulness to His people.

God's faithfulness during tough pregnancy

During both of my pregnancies I have battled pre-eclampsia. Our son, was born around 35 weeks due to how severe the illness had become and the risk that I was under. During our second pregnancy with our daughter, we battled this again, but in more ways then one.

I am a military wife. Due to this, we have the blessing of having healthcare for free (although when you count the sacrifice military families make, it is hardly free). However, this limits us with our choice of doctors, treatments, and facilities. In the world of "free" healthcare, you do what you're told, don't question it, and if you do, you risk the military member of the family getting in trouble for not following orders. Having gone through pre-eclampsia before, I knew what to watch for, and I knew when it was starting. Although we are an Air Force family, we were assigned to the Naval Hospital due to us living away from the local Air Force base. The OB doctor that I was assigned to was someone I never would have chosen. He told me that I didn't know what I was talking about, that I was asking for useless tests, and that my requests for simple tests (bloodwork, urine tests) weren't "cost effective" for the military despite my knowledge and experience with the disease. He then told me that he didn't need tests, he would just induce me at 28 weeks. Of course, maternal instincts combined with pregnancy hormones overtook me, and I was filled with anger and bitterness. I knew that I did not want to be with a doctor that regarded costs over the welfare of our unborn child, and I just wanted as far away as possible.

My husband and I prayed about this, the military wouldn't let us go to another doctor or to a civilian doctor. I was becoming more concerned as things progressed with really no idea of what was happening because testing was not being completed. My anger and frustration at this point was turning into resignation as all the fight I had was producing nothing.

We ended up going to a friend's birthday party one evening. The whole family is an amazingly strong group of Christians. I spoke at length to my friend's mother who is not only pro-life- but actually gets out there and educates and spreads the word. An amazing person. I told her of my dilemma, and the problems we were having. She gave me some Bible verses to pray over, and specifically told me to ask the doctor if he was a Christian. After all of this, my heart felt lighter and we went to the next appointment.

At this appointment, I asked the doctor specifically if he was Christian. He was not. I then asked him if he was pro-life. He was not. With these responses, I knew that I did not want these hands to be the ones to bring our child into the world. I did not want hands that supported the pro-choice agenda touching my child which was a gift from God. At these responses, it was like a fire was renewed in me. I wasn't filled with the same anger, I was filled with a more constructive determination.

Through all of this, the pre-eclampsia was slowly and quietly sneaking in like it does. That is why it is so important to trust your body, your instincts, and God to lead you through this. We finally managed to get to another base doctor. He was a Christian, he listened, did the testing, and then sent me to a specialist off base at Sacred Heart. These specialists, also Christian, were amazing. They monitored me, listened to me, and cared for our unborn child like I was their only patient. Also, during this time and under their care, progression of the pre-eclampsia slowed down. Although some may say that this was because of proper medical care, I disagree. There is really nothing that can be done for this other then induction and monitoring. I know that this was God looking out for both me and our precious baby girl. I was able to go several weeks beyond the time that military doctor said, and allow our daughter to grow and mature more, greatly increasing her odds of survival.

I did have to be induced early, but at 34 weeks. Our little girl, at 4lbs 5 ounces, had to spend a week in the NICU, but she, and I, received the care we needed.

One night in the NICU I was sitting with our little girl. It was late, and I was one of the only Mom's around. Due to her body temperature regulation problems, I wasn't able to hold her, just stick my hand in the door of the incubator for a little while at a time and talk to her. I hadn't noticed it before, but they had a Christian radio station playing in the background. Amy Grant's song, "Better then a Hallelujah" came on. When I got back to my hospital room, I broke down. It was a mix and rush of emotions that I haven't felt before. I was so thankful that God had brought us this far and that our baby girl was doing as well as she was. However, I was terrified at the same time. I couldn't hold my child, I couldn't see her at the same time as my husband, I couldn't breast feed her. She sat there so tiny hooked up to so many tubes and monitors. I haven't been so scared in my life. I took that time and handed it all over to God. The fear, the thanks, everything. I put it all in his hands. I ended up praying until I fell asleep. At that point, I truly knew what that song was and why it played then to speak to my heart. God wants it all from us, not just the hallelujahs. I needed to stop trying to carry it all by myself.

The next morning when I went to the NICU, she had improved so much that she was able to downgrade a lower level in the NICU. I was so thankful. Eventually she was downgraded to level one. I was able to hold her, dress her, and give her the love that a mother longs to give her children. Her bassinet was close to the radio, and I took comfort that even during the times I could not be there, she was surrounded by words praising God.

I truly believe that God rewards us for our faithfulness and for not trusting our little ones to the hands of those that do and support such evil things. God showed me the time to fight, and God also showed me the time to give it up to him.

This is a true story. Visit the contributor's website. Also visit our gift shop for your maternity needs.

Pregnancy improbable - then God stepped in

I never thought I could have kids. I had an ovary removed when I was 3 due to a large cyst. When we decided to have a child, I was skeptical. When I did become pregnant, I was astounded! My one ovary apparently was a "double barrel" shotgun! I was carrying twins!
I already knew one was a boy because the Lord told my husband "I have already named him Joshua for the Lord will provide." He did. I had so much stuff I was giving things away (new) 3 years later.
My other baby was a girl--the perfect instant family. We have had our ups and downs as a family, and I have had episodes where I thought I was not good enough for them. One night, around 1 am, I was getting ready to leave my house. I believed they would be better off without me.
At the moment I was getting ready to go, my son Josh; age 4, got up and said to me "Don't go Mommy. We Need you. Come lay down with me." Now how did he know??
I have had many encounters like this, when I was in my teens and well afterward.
Latest one, again, I was feeling depressed and thinking I can't take this anymore. I actually was going to go in the garage, turn the car on and close the windows. (Am I under attack?? Certainly) Praying Ps 91 and Eph 6 daily!!
My son, now 22, comes in and shows me some videos about what's going on in the world, NWO, Elenin, Bible teachings and so forth.
I forgot I was depressed. We watched these videos and discussed them and how awesome God is.
Needless to say, my children have saved my life; particularly my son. My daughter, Jordan, is a jewel. She lives in Kansas now and goes to school.
I am very close to both of them. They both trust in the Lord as Savior as does their father.
Blessings, Diane Audette

This was a true story. The author can be reached at her website. Please visit our gift shop as well.

Pregnancy a joyful thing - especially in God's timing

My husband and I had been trying to get pregnant for a while. It wasn't yet at a point where we were concerned, but it was getting tiring to keep seeing negative tests. We kept reminding ourselves that this wasn't going to happen on our schedule, but in God's perfect timing.

My mother came for a visit. Upon "happening" on a pregnancy test still in its box in our bathroom cabinet we spilled the beans that we were trying for a second child. Of course, you know how Moms are, and it was the highlight of her visit, and topic of conversation from there on out and she was CONVINCED that I was pregnant then despite me having a negative test just a few days before.

After a day of shopping, we all ended up at a local Chinese restaurant. Of course with Mom, the conversation turned to granbabies. "What names do you like?" "Do you think you will have a boy or girl?" At that point though, we really got into the conversation and got stuck on names. Both my husband and I emphatically agreed that we wanted our child to have a strong Biblical name. I stated that I really wanted "Grace" as part of the name if we had a girl. I knew I wanted this because without God's grace, where would we be? It is vital, and such a blessing. I also felt compelled to have that because as a child I always remembered my Mom singing "Amazing Grace" to me and of course that's always been a special song because of that. My husband piped in the conversation that he wanted her to be named "Abigail Grace". We agreed that was a beautiful name and decided on that if we had a girl.

At the end of an enjoyable meal, we got the normal fortune cookies. We had literally spent the entire meal talking about babies. Now I want to say that I do not put any stock into fortunes, or any similar things. I do however believe that God has a sense of humor, and that sometimes he literally "writes it down" for you! My Mom was first to open her cookie, and her fortune said, "An unexpected event will make your life more exciting." Of course, she proclaimed "see I told you!". My husband was next with opening his which said, "A short stranger will soon enter your life with blessings to share". Admitting this was a bit odd, I opened mine. To my surprise, mine stated, "Good things come in small packages. One is coming to you."

Now of course my Mom's insistence that I was pregnant was in full swing. I ended up taking another pregnancy test after that, and to no surprise of my Mom, it was positive. We later looked up the name "Abigail" which had seemingly just "popped" in my husband's head during our lunch. Come to find out that Abigail means "Father's joy". Our blessing seemingly fell into place completely. We got to share a great memory with my Mom, we literally had a wonderfully powerful Biblical name handed to us, and I think God got to have a laugh while doing all of this.

Abigail Grace was born on February 11, 2011. A beautiful, and happy baby girl. We did save those "fortunes" and they are now saved in her baby book as a reminder to us to always be on the look out for different ways that God might speak to you.

So even when things seem like God may not be listening to your prayers, remember it is all in his timing. He has not forgotten any of his children. Never be deaf to things that God might be telling you either, you never know the ways that he will choose to get the message across!

This story was true. The author can be reached at their website. You can also get great maternity items at our gift shop. God bless you.