Day 60

Today it is my great pleasure to share with you the good news we received yesterday afternoon. New tests have confirmed that God has performed a miracle - nine weeks after my water broke, it appears my amniotic bag has completely sealed over. Baby girl’s development remains on track.

To put this news in context on January 31 when my water broke at 17 weeks, we were told that Baby Girl could not survive and were advised to initiate labor right then and terminate the pregnancy.

Over the weeks that followed, the experts twice again advised us to “abort the fetus.” We were originally told there was ZERO chance our daughter would develop properly or be born healthy.

With the help of our OB, we found a local doctor who had done research with pPROM patients. He told us that on very rare occasions spontaneous ruptures could seal over and so we began nearly 9 weeks of bed rest. He sees 3-4 pPROM patients weekly and in his 12 years practicing had only seen a spontaneous rupture seal over 3 times.

Yesterday, he told us he believes he has seen it 4 times now. Tests confirm there is no remaining evidence of rupture. Fluid levels are normal and the baby is developing “perfectly normal.” However, there is still no way to know whether she will have certain long term challenges, such as cerebral palsey until she is born.

Now, we embark on the next phase of this journey – trusting in what God has done. And so over the next three weeks, I will slowly get out of bed and return to moderate activity. Another three weeks and we will be past the critical 28 week mark. If all goes well between now and then, the doctors might be persuaded to release me for normal activity by the end of April.

The doctor yesterday explained that it is difficult for doctors to throw out the book and “trust” when there is a “weird” development like this. But, he cannot ignore that at this point I appear to have sealed over. So while the book says Baby Girl should be delivered at 34 weeks, he is in agreement that as long as nothing changes, I can carry her full term (40 weeks) – allowing her to fully develop in the womb and avoid an extended hospital stay when she is born.

To be honest, it is difficult for Brian and I to trust, as well. While bed rest hasn’t been easy, it seems easier than walking into the unknown with all the what ifs. The doctors don’t know what caused my water to break and can’t give us any guarantee it won’t happen again. In some ways, it would be emotionally easier to stay in bed and avoid taking any risks.

But from day one this has been a journey of faith for Brian and I, and today is no different. Why God chose to work in this way in our lives is beyond our comprehension. We believe that God has faithfully answered the prayers of hundreds of friends and strangers and has interceded on our behalf to heal our baby daughter when no doctor or medicine could. And so we will continue to trust in Him, walking obediently by faith day-by-day, casting out fear and resting in His divine plan – no matter what the outcome.

Thank you for your support and prayers!

Carie Anne