Giving it over to God

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” 

Psalm 147:3

 

For the rest of my pregnancy, both Veya and I were followed very closely, it bi weekly appointments for growth and wellness ultrasounds, blood work to monitor my very low iron levels and antibody issues that could pass to Veya and cause her to become anemic while in utero. (The anti body issue I contracted from blood transfusions I needed after the birth of our first daughter and thankfully wasn’t an issue my pregnancy with Veya) It was numerous appointments with cardiology, neonatal team and our social worker. 

It was decided at my 35 week appointment with cardiology that they would allow me to have a natural labor and delivery with Veya. This was another answered prayer and I couldn’t wait to meet her, to see her. I was longing to hear her cry and to know she was here with us.

I envisioned a sigh of relief with her birth…

and then I didn’t.

Because I also knew that when she was born reality would set in.

They would check her heart.

She could be sick.

She could be taken away from me immediately and it be hours until got to see her.

She would be poked and prodded to have her blood work sent off for all kinds of genetic and chromosome testing.

This child that I have carried, loved, and worried over for 9 months – who has never been apart from me – could be taken away just like that. And that did scare me…and that fear still creeps back in on the harder days in NICU but we completely acknowledge that God has led us to this journey and He will be the One to lead us through it!  Any hurdle, any fog, that comes across our path we do not have to fight alone. He has put them there to make us grow in our faith and to teach us how to trust in him.

Veya has already changed our family, well before she was even born. She has shown us how to keep relying on God. Her life has taught us that God is in control; He makes no mistakes.

Unfortunately, at my 36-week appointment I was told that we needed to change the plans for delivery due to another concerning finding on my last ultrasound.  Veya was diagnosed with Fetal Megacytis which meant she had an unusually large urinary bladder that was not emptying. This could be because of an underlying genetic condition or due to a simple obstruction which they would help remove for her after birth. We started planning for an induction date as they did not want this to pose any problems to the rest of her urinary tract system.  If it caused secondary problems, it could delay cardiology if they needed to step in quickly to help her heart.

So at 37 weeks and 3 days, after a speedy 4hr induced labor little Miss Veya was born weighing 6lbs 14oz.  Hearing her cry was the most beautiful and reassuring sound. Her vitals were stable, she was healthy and strong enough to spend those first precious moments together with me. Shortly after she was transferred to the care of the NICU team. (What a gift these nurses are to all of us!) Veya was put on a CPAP machine to help her with her breathing and responded well.  They did have to delay her initial feeding due to her abdomen also being enlarged.  (They ran tests and they all came back clear and no cause for concern – Thank you Father!)  They were able to begin her feeds using a feeding tube later in the day and she was tolerating them well.  Veya was also able to empty her bladder all on her own right after delivery.  The tests also concluded that there was no longer a concern for her bladder.

We are beyond thankful for the army of people who have joined us in prayer on this journey.  This road we are on right now hasn’t been easy, but we have seen the goodness of Jesus by His people being His hands and feet and words can’t express how much it has meant to us!  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!