All of the Prayers have Worked!

...for now at least! Keep them coming!!!!

We drove to the hosptial Wednesday morning with VERY heavy hearts...everything was making me cry. As John and I walked into the hospital to be induced, all I could think of was "I am walking into the hospital with my baby, and I will be leaving without him". Not fair. I want him. I want to have that ecstatic feeling you get when you know it's time to go home and start your new life with your baby. But I knew I would be handing him over to God.

I registered, and as I got settled in triage waiting for my OB, Johnny got the camcorder out and we started the film of Mark's birth. We did this with Michael too. We started out before induction and would film every hour or so updates, the clock on the wall, my progress, etc. Last time it was really happy, this time both John and I were teary as we told the date and time.

When my doc came in, I was fully expecting her to go over the process again, the risks of staying pregnant, and all that stuff they go over before being induced. We also had an ultrasound tuesday, and knew she would be going over that with us. We got a total different direction. She told us that the prognosis was the same as per the US. Not a shock. His head is measuring 32 weeks and I'm at 29 weeks, so really his head has slowed down it's growth! a good thing. My fluid level is high, but still within normal range. Another good thing! The issue is my liver enzymes. That is the reason we would induce. HOWEVER...she explained that we could wait a couple weeks if we were prepared to be monitored closly! She explained that my liver is not in imminent danger of failure, though this can change quickly. She said that she is confident that if she keeps a very close eye on me and tests my levels alot that we could keep Mark with us a bit longer. Why, John asked, did the OB on call this weekend express an urgent need to get this baby out ASAP?

She explained that the Dr. on call Friday (who is a great dr.), as most doc's would do, expressed an urgent need to have this done because medically my liver is not good. The baby's prognosis is not good. Why risk any risk to mother, when the outcome for the baby will be the same? BUT, my doc knows John and I. She delivered Michael and went through this ICP with him as well (though not as severe). She also knows that spiritually it is very important for John and I to have as much time with Mark as possible, regardless of the inevitable outcome. So, most docs would induce due to the medical perspective. But she is here for us not only medically but also spiritually. She said that she wants me to come in for regular blood testing and ultrasounds. Once my levels are close to 1000 she will induce. Also she wants me to watch for bruising or bleeding (out of any orifice) which would indicate a clotting problem. I am to avoid a c-section at any cost due to ICP causing a vitamin K deficiency hence the possibility of hemmorage.

I love her for this!! This will give Mark a bit more time to grow, making him a bit more mature, making the possibility of him living longer on the outside once he does come. We are so excited :)

I want to thank you all soooo much for your thoughts and prayers! God does hear us.