BABY UPDATE! 35 WEEKS: SYMPTOMS, BED REST & EXCITEMENT.

Reading that title you’re probably thinking… how can all three of those things co-exist?

Symptoms… bed rest… and excitement?

They do!

I think that’s a great lesson I’m taking away for life in general right now. Although some seasons may not be full of every single “ingredient” that you’d choose to throw into the mix… (7+ hours of medical appointments a week, early labour scares, bed rest, not doing anything even walking or standing too long…) you can STILL find joy, hope, love, and excitement along the way!

So that’s where we’re at! It’s 35 weeks and in my opinion, from our doctors report back on September 21st, that is a miracle! We’ve been on high alert since the end of September to be ready for early delivery because of what was initially diagnosed as a placental abruption. At the beginning of the discovery, Doctor’s were shocked that there could appear to be such a large abruption, but at the same time, no other “symptoms” that usually characterize an abruption! I was having regular healthy baby movements, normal blood pressure, no bleeding or cramping… but still we were on HIGH alert.

We went from praying to get 32 weeks safetyl to avoid having to travel outside of our city if we were to go into labour, to then praying for 35 weeks to enter more of a “safe zone” for delivery and Lively’s health, to NOW being so close to full term we can taste it!

So yes, although we’ve experienced “ingredients” along the way that we wouldn’t necessarily choose, “problems” have turned into “prayers answered” and examples that God keeps His Word to always be with us and for us. Those “prayers answered” have now turned into PROMISE, hope & excitement for the future.

Sometimes, without the journey, we don’t realize how truly amazing, powerful & faithful God is in all of our situations and circumstances. When it’s all roses, sometimes it’s easy to just skip on by without realizing who the PROVIDER truly is. But when we encounter something we TRULY are desperate for God to intervene in, we see Him so OBVIOUSLY at work. It’s those moments in life where we draw closer to God, and ultimately that’s the best gift we could possibly receive… closer proximity & alignment with our heavenly Father. It brings SO much joy and blessing we won’t otherwise find.

Since that original appointment in September, we have also had amazing news. Like continued growth in Lively, news that the abruption isn’t necessarily an abruption anymore as the size seems to change of this “thing” appearing on the ultrasound. We get puzzled looks from nurses every time we visit the hospital saying, “You’re sure you don’t have any bleeding or cramping” and I just smile and say, “nope!”.

:) Thank you God.

At the same time, it’s not easy walking through all of this in a pandemic where I have to attend these sometimes often nerve wrecking appointments alone because of C19 restrictions.

Our latest news was basically this. We are SO close to full term and the closer we can hold on to full term, even single DAYS make it astronomically better for Lively as she still is sizing small according to average gestational weight. SO… what momma can do is n-o-t-h-i-ng. That’s hard to swallow being a person who loves to do, feel, experience, accomplish, plan… so we’re on orders to conserve all energy we can for baby. Little time on my feet, relaxing, no stress.

Which brings me to another important lesson we’ve been learning again and again— the importance of COMMUNITY! This season has been full of love, support and blessing because of the people in our lives, our family & friends. From your kind words, acts, gestures, prayers & now an amazing meal chain where our church community is rallying around us with a meal every night to help take that “off our plate” ;). It has truly been amazing. Relationships in life are everything. INVEST in people around you, in your friends and family, it’s the richness and goodness of life. Being able to walk through the highs and lows together is what makes life so precious.

So that’s a little summary of our journey so far! And right now I’m snuggled up by the fire, RELAXING, listening to Carrie Underwood’s new Christmas album with a sore back and acid reflux, but a heart that’s SO excited for the arrival of our bundle of joy!

XOXO

Ash