Friends and Family:
We come to you today only with a prayer request. .
Dr. Sumners says that these groups of multiples typically have larger and smaller babies. The smaller babies almost always do better at birth than the larger ones. They are not certain why this is, but it is almost always the case. There is a theory that the smaller ones have had to fight for resources for so long that they are just better fighters.
The Plan:
So, here is the plan. One week from now, Dr. Sumners will perform an amniocentisis on the two larger babies, baby A and baby B. This test will be done to determine lung maturity. He says that if babies A and B have mature lungs, then babies C and D (our identicals) are almost sure to be ok. If this is the case, he says it will be time for birth!!
If babies A and B have lungs that are too immature for safe birth, we will be forced to wait another week, and try it again.
First, praise God that we even have to go through this process! We would have never dreamed that we would need to make a decision about when to do the c-section based on these variables. It was assumed from the beginning that we would just go as far as Jen’s body would allow, then deal with extremely premature babies and pray for the best. At this point, our babies will still be preemie’s, but not the extreme preemies that we were prepared for. Praise God!! Praise God that He has provided doctors with such experience and training to help us through this process!
So, here is our MAJOR prayer request this week:
Please pray that the amniocentisis comes back positive next week. The sooner our babies are ready for birth, the sooner we can get them out of danger of a cord accident. God is in control, and I will trust His timing, but would you pray with us that His timing would be this coming week? If their lungs are mature enough to avoid respirators, there is no reason to leave them inside where they could hurt each other.
Thank you everyone, please pray hard for maturity!!
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22 comments:
Praise God that you have made it this far! You are both doing an amazing job with all of this. If you can make it through this, you can do anything! Jen, very few women in the world have done what you have done, so be proud of yourself! We will continue praying for you.
Amanda S.
YAY!!! Praise God for allowing this to go for so long! I'm so happy to be praying for this prayer request. We'll continue to pray and thanks for giving us specifics! Praise God!
Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
John 15:7 (NIV) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD! Thanks and praise be to God!
I think that plan sounds good, still praying over here! Can't wait to hear the good news.
Someone here in Covington told me about your blog and I checked it out. I had heard your news, but didn't know all the details. It sounds like you're doing amazingly well considering the situation. I'll keep you guys in my prayers and will now check your updates. God bless you!
Erin (Minnette) Gerling
p.s. if you're at St. Vincent in Carmel, that is where my sister-in-law, (kent's wife) is an OB nurse. You've probably met her by now. Her name is Erica and she's great!
Wow! Isn't it amazing that you are at this point? I am so excited for the little guys to get here!
Jen, how are you hanging in there boredom wise? Is the hospital okay? I have been thinking of you chilling there and hoping you aren't bored to tears. :) Get whatever rest you can get now!
How exciting! We have been praying for you all along, but will certainly pray a little harder this week as the time comes to meet your boys! 31 weeks is impressive! Great job, Mommy!
Thank you guys for sharing this experience and your faith. God bless!
Anne (Ocheltree) Schrader
I am praying for you very hard!
I look forward to hearing that your boys lungs are mature enough and that they are ready to come into our world and meet their wonderful parents.
I will add you to our family's prayer list! We had quintuplets (2 in heaven and 3 at home) at St. Vincent a little over a year ago at 28 weeks. I'm so jealous that you are close to 31 weeks...that is marvelous....keep pressing on, it will be worth every day!!!!
Christine Bolton
Lafayette, Indiana
Hey Guys--
Keep up the great work!! The girls are counting their 4 fingers and then point to my tummy as we pray for you each night. I assure them they are in Auntie Jen's tummy not Mamma's tummy. I have been fascinated by all the other comments from other multiple families on here. All of their stories are a pure picture of God's grace. Our girls will be 2 next week and they can not wait. They sing happy birthday all day long.
I will send you a picture
Love,
Julie
Praise God!! We have prayed for some time now. We continue to pray for your health, the boys health, and God's timing in all of this!How Amazing God's Grace can be. We will be praying for the test coming up next week and for the lungs of those precious little boys. Also for your comfort from the pressure, on you Jen, and for the c-section. May you both know that we pray for your peace and comfort during this time. Lynn Stein
I am so pround of the two of you for staying so strong during this extremely difficult time. You two and the babies are in my thoughts and prayers every day.
Love,
Becky (Ritenour) Miller
Jen, I enjoyed getting to see you today. I will send you some pics! Sandy
It's so wonderful to hear how you are all doing. My parents have been keeping me posted and I must say that I check your blog on a regular basis to see how you are doing. I can't imagine carrying four babies! I thought two was difficult. I know that the closer you get the sooner you want them out of there. Keep focused because the longer you can go the better. It's so worth it when they arrive!
You are all in my thoughts daily. Good luck!
Kalyn (Snodgrass) Herrmann
Brad & Jennifer,
God is showing himself big through your testimony of faith during this wonderful yet challenging walk of faith. We will be praying and believing the Lord for the very best for both of you. I know Jen you must be pretty unconfortable but it won't be much longer. Praise the Lord for the wonderful family these little boys will grow up in!
Jen-
It was great to see you last week! It's awesome how smoothly things have gone! I will continue to pray for you and those little ones! Hang in there!
Missy L.
We, too, have a pack of boy-Quad, 2 identicals. Born at 29th week (around 1 kg each). They're 14 months old and are remarkably healthy both body and mind, so far.
Thought you guys might wanna know. Cheer!
wow. I was just doing some research and came across your blog. You have helped to give me hope with your love of each other, your dedication to your boys and your faith. My situation is nothing like yours but I am just 5 weeks pg. with my 4th pg. I have had 3 m/c. I have adopted and foster so I have 7 children ranging in age from 11 mos. to 14. I have beautiful children with varing needs. at 42 after 17 years of infertiltiy I sure didn't think I would get pregnant. I guess that's what happens when you go away to mexico for a week alone with your husband. I want to wish you luck and thank you for giving me faith and reminding me to pray. god bless. I will follow your journey.
laura
Ontario, canada
Hey, LAURA, from Ontario, Canada! (sorry to hijack your blog, Brad and Jen) I hope you read this. I know of a great place for support (on-line) for you, if you're interested. You can e-mail me at blsdmamaof2@yahoo.com and I'll give you the details. I've m/c'd 4 babies and I have 3 living children. It's been a great place for me through my m/c's and my pg both.
Brittany
We are so excited for you. What a great testimony of God's hand on all the smallest details. We are cheering for you to reach the finish line in this race.
Shane & Rachel Frazier
Hi Brad and Jen -
I came across your blog a couple of weeks ago and have kept you in my prayers since. Thank you for sharing your story with everyone. My wife and I are also the parents of quads (3 girls and 1 boy - all fraternal). My wife was able to hold out till 34 weeks and with the Lord's blessing, all were born without complications, with the boy being the smallest at 3 lbs 15 oz. and the girls at or above 4 lbs 8 oz. They were so healthy, the first two were sent home from the NICU after only 5 days and the 2nd two came home after 10 days. I also know exactly what you're going through, but keep faith in God's work. Brad I know that this is hard on you seeing Jen's discomfort. And Jen, I can only imagine, but (as our doctor stated), the longer you can hold out, the better odds the babies have. This is truly an amazing time and a blessing (and it only gets better). Just keep trust in God and he will pave the way.
God bless,
Errol Villegas (California)
P.S. I have a listing of various companies that have programs for parents of multiples. We couldn't have gotten through the 1st year without the generous help provided by these companies. If you're interested in the list, send me an email at: errol.villegas@valleyair.org
Hi Brad & Jen It was great to see you the other day! Jen you look great! I can't imagine being in the hospital that long - you are doing amazing! I will keep praying for you all! Kierstin
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