PREGNANCY TRIAL
Get ready to testify. Your miracle is on the way!
I am fulfilling my promise to testify to God’s goodness and greatness in my life and my baby’s life through this blog post. I am hoping that through this post I would be able to encourage people who are currently experiencing any sort of worries, a sea of doubts, and trials to have faith and trust that whatever they are dealing with right now, it is in the hands of God. Have confidence that God is in control and He will deliver us from our troubles. Keep your faith, stay in prayer and God will do the rest.
Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you.”
I had my Congenital Anomaly Scan (CAS) last 06th August 2018 at 24th weeks. [Congenital Anomaly Scan is different from the normal pregnancy ultrasound, the main purpose of the CAS is to check that your baby is developing normally. It takes a close look at your baby, your womb (uterus) and where the placenta is lying]. In my case, I personally asked my OB during my first prenatal check-up for this kind of test to check my baby for any possible condition problem. My OB informed me that I needed to wait ‘till the 20th weeks to undergo this test when the fetus has already developed organs and other body parts.
As I mentioned, I personally requested this scan because of a particular reason. During around the 2nd week of my pregnancy, my acne started to flare up in my face. All I thought was it was only due to the change of weather in Abu Dhabi, thus, it bothered me a lot. So I decided to visit a Dermatologist one day after work. After doing some checking and the sort, the Dermatologist asked me if I was pregnant and I assured him that I was not since I was expecting my period to come anytime that week. He told me he’s going to prescribe me a drug named Oratane (Isotretinoin) which I will be taking for the next 6months. But before giving me the prescription, he let me signed a waiver where it was stated there that upon signing that paper, I confirmed that I am not pregnant at the moment nor planning to conceive at any given time while I am under its prescription. Having that waiver presented clearly determine that the medicine is prohibited to be taken by any pregnant women or any women trying to conceive in that matter. Isotretinoin belongs to Drug X – it means that if you are exposed to it while you are pregnant, there’s a probability that it will cause birth defects to the unborn child and/or miscarriage.
I started to take medicine on the same day of check-up not considering about taking a pregnancy test first just to be on the safe side. I informed my partner that I was taking the medicine and about its condition, he fussed out and asked me if I took the pregnancy test prior to taking the medication. I didn’t bother about it at all as I have all the signs of PMS. A few weeks later and it was already way too past the expected day of my period, I started to feel anxious as I have already taken quite a few of the medicines. My partner forced me to take the pregnancy test and I took the test twice and got a positive result. I am pregnant. I felt like I was carrying the world in my shoulder on that day. We were both so frustrated we don’t know what to do. The only idea that we’ve come up with was to terminate the pregnancy as we were both worried about the possible effects that the medicine will have on our baby. Since I will be having my vacation on the following month, we planned to consult here in the Philippines for a clinic where we can have the pregnancy terminated and found none as it is not acceptable/legal in my country. Will not go into details about the rest of what happened but fast forward, my parents knew about our situation and our plan of terminating the pregnancy. They listened to us with an open mind and a heartfelt compassion, they understood us and gave us their piece of advice. They discouraged us about our plans. We never heard any negative comments nor judgment from my parents ‘cause they understood very well where our emotions and decisions were coming from. They encouraged us to be positive about the situation and to change our worries and fears into faith, they want us to continue the pregnancy as every baby in this world is a blessing. They told us to lay all our concerns to the Almighty God knowing and believing that nothing is impossible with the Lord God.
Still with fears in my heart, we followed my parent’s advice and encouragement and I started to surrender everything to God. I lay over to God my baby’s life and condition constantly reminding myself that God is in complete control of everything and it His plan to bring this baby into this world through me. Every day- morning, noon, afternoon and night, I talked to God and offered Him a prayer asking for His mercy and glory to protect my baby from any possible problems/complications, I persistently asked Him to look after my baby’s growth and development inside my womb.
I removed the fears and doubts that I had believing in confidence that my prayer is being answered, so I went on to my monthly prenatal and every time my OB would check my baby’s heartbeat and would tell me that it’s beating very good and normal, I always feel a taste of heaven. I love hearing his heartbeat, it is what I look forward to every month. I am doing everything that I can to stay healthy, regularly taking my prenatal vitamins without missing a day, drinking Anmum milk morning and night and fresh milk in between, eating healthy food, vegetables and lots of fruit for my baby to be happy and healthy. I can feel inside that my baby is doing well and is very healthy as he moves a lot and very active throughout the day.
At 24th weeks, I was scheduled to have the CAS. I was so confident and so calm while waiting inside the Ultrasound Room and was so excited to see my baby on the monitor and to find out my baby’s gender. The OB-Gyne performing the scan checked everything from the measurement to every important fetal detail while dictating to her assistant all the information/result using terms I know nothing about. I was just listening without a clue if it’s something good or something bad. When the OB shifted the monitor in front of me to let me see all important parts of my baby’s body (spinal cord, internal organs, and physical features) the entire time my heart was jumping out of joy. She showed each part and would tell that its size and position are okay and normal, she showed me one by one and naming the facial features, she counted the fingers and toes for me, and lastly showed and revealed to me the gender. On that day, God answered two of my constant prayers, to bless me a healthy baby boy and to give me a very good result about my baby’s growth and development. Indeed, God does wonders and miracles. I feel His presence with me inside the room on that day.
That day, 06th August 2018, was the day God performed His miracle to my life by keeping my baby safe and sound inside my womb and not letting the medicine affect my growing baby. I was the happiest person on that day. All glory to God.
I wish for all people to find ease in their trouble and to just let go and let God.
Below are the Bible verses that helped me strengthen my FAITH in days when worries take its toll on me. I also find comfort through these verses as it reminds me of GOD’S PROMISES. God’s scriptures are very helpful to endure and to still find peace in the middle of the sufferings.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plan to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Mark 9:23 “If you can? said Jesus, Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Joshua 1:9 “ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
John 16:23-24 “I tell you the truth, my Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.”
Ephesian 2:8 “God saved you by his grace when you believed and you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
Romans 12:12 “Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.”
John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my word remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be given to you.”
Psalm 37:4 “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer. Believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs.”
Furthermore, below are the two websites I often visit on days when I feel so overwhelmed about everything that’s going on. Hope it helps!
7 Steps to Keep Your Faith in Hard Times
God’s Promises
Love,
MML