Today, a strip test was performed on each baby. this is where the heart rate is monitored for half an hour straight. works great if the baby is cooperating and not moving. Caleb and Elizabeth were quite active so it took about two and a half hours. their heartrates are good.
Rebecca is doing much better today. her blood pressure is up. I forgot to mention this in the last post, but yesterday they were having a hard time keeping it up. I think the lowest it dropped was 48 over 15. I'm not sure about the top number because a lot has happened in the past few days but I'm sure about the 15. Poor girl. we were hoping to go van shopping last monday but she came down with the flu. She had only been over it a little more than a day when her contractions started.
The next 60 hours are very crucial. Saturday morning at 8 am, the doctors will remove the medicine that is stopping the contractions. once this happens, she will be heavily monitored for the next 48 hours. If her contractions start back up or if she comes down with an infection, the babies will need to be delivered. It is important we get through these next hours.
The babies are now at 24 weeks and one day. Every day they are still forming in Becca's womb increases their chances of survival. Technically right now they are viable meaning they can live outside the womb. However, their survivabilty rate is only at 50%. Rebecca was administered a steroid to help the lungs grow. The babies skin is very thin and translucent right now so it will break easily. We hope to make it to 26 weeks when their chances increase to 80%. Once we make it to monday if the contractions start back up the doctors have more options in terms of stopping the contractions but this weekend they will be limited in terms of what they can do. After we get through this weekend, Becca will be in the hospital until the babies come.
I wanted to share this passage of scripture. We had this read at our wedding.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virture and if there is anything praiseworth--mediatate on these things.
--Philippians 4:4-8
I want to claim these verses for this weekend. I want the peace that transcends all understanding and to focus on the things that are true. What is true right now? it is true, that the babies have not been born yet and they are healthy. It is true that my wife is alive and well and that I love her. It is true that we have a family that loves us and hundreds of people praying for the safety and health of our babies. It is true that I have gainful employment in a time when people have a hard time finding a job. It is also true that I have great co-workers who are helping me out right now so that I don't have to worry about something falling to pieces. It is true that the management at the office is working with me tremendously and has my babies best interest at hand. I know a lot of people can't say these things. Right now, God is at hand. The Lord is at hand.
posted by Sean
Today, a strip test was performed on each baby. this is where the heart rate is monitored for half an hour straight. works great if the baby is cooperating and not moving. Caleb and Elizabeth were quite active so it took about two and a half hours. their heartrates are good.
Rebecca is doing much better today. her blood pressure is up. I forgot to mention this in the last post, but yesterday they were having a hard time keeping it up. I think the lowest it dropped was 48 over 15. I'm not sure about the top number because a lot has happened in the past few days but I'm sure about the 15. Poor girl. we were hoping to go van shopping last monday but she came down with the flu. She had only been over it a little more than a day when her contractions started.
The next 60 hours are very crucial. Saturday morning at 8 am, the doctors will remove the medicine that is stopping the contractions. once this happens, she will be heavily monitored for the next 48 hours. If her contractions start back up or if she comes down with an infection, the babies will need to be delivered. It is important we get through these next hours.
The babies are now at 24 weeks and one day. Every day they are still forming in Becca's womb increases their chances of survival. Technically right now they are viable meaning they can live outside the womb. However, their survivabilty rate is only at 50%. Rebecca was administered a steroid to help the lungs grow. The babies skin is very thin and translucent right now so it will break easily. We hope to make it to 26 weeks when their chances increase to 80%. Once we make it to monday if the contractions start back up the doctors have more options in terms of stopping the contractions but this weekend they will be limited in terms of what they can do. After we get through this weekend, Becca will be in the hospital until the babies come.
I wanted to share this passage of scripture. We had this read at our wedding.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virture and if there is anything praiseworth--mediatate on these things.
--Philippians 4:4-8
I want to claim these verses for this weekend. I want the peace that transcends all understanding and to focus on the things that are true. What is true right now? it is true, that the babies have not been born yet and they are healthy. It is true that my wife is alive and well and that I love her. It is true that we have a family that loves us and hundreds of people praying for the safety and health of our babies. It is true that I have gainful employment in a time when people have a hard time finding a job. It is also true that I have great co-workers who are helping me out right now so that I don't have to worry about something falling to pieces. It is true that the management at the office is working with me tremendously and has my babies best interest at hand. I know a lot of people can't say these things. Right now, God is at hand. The Lord is at hand.
posted by Sean
Sean~
ReplyDeleteSending many prayers and love your way for you and your family. I had no clue that you and your wife were expecting. I am excited for you two, but also scared.... I k now with your faith you guys can make it through!
Kel
Sean thank you for the update. I will continually pray for your family. I claim those verses with you and thank God in advance for all his many blessings.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Sean and Rebecca! Praying for you and the little ones.
ReplyDeletePraying every hour this weekend, may God hold both of you in His care during this time and may He be pleased that his creations are thriving and waiting their turns to join your family! God bless each and every Ishum!
ReplyDeleteYou are all in our prayers. Thank you so much for the update. We are praying in faith believing.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I went through this with our now 4 year old triplets. Stacy managed to make it 33.5 weeks. Keep your faith, God is watching over your children, and you are in our constant prayers.
ReplyDeleteSean,
ReplyDeleteYour latest message is encouraging and as I have prayed all day for Becca and the babies and you, it turns out that you are the one to bring comfort to my anxious heart. Thank you for your strong faith and trust and hope. God is in charge and he loves you all even more than you love each other. His plans are not our plans but they are good plans. May all who are praying and holding vigil be strengthened by your strength.
We all need others to lean on, and you do too. You do need to be strong for your wife and babies so please do seek others who can strengthen you and lift you up and give your a shoulder to cry on so you can release and renew.
Holding vigil here in Las Cruces.
Kathie Cooper
praying
ReplyDelete