The Amniotic Adventure

It all started when I left town on Monday for a business trip to Atlanta. The baby wasn't due until August 30, so surely there was no danger in my leaving town in late July. In fact, I had reserved the whole month of August just for "baby prep".

But I should have stayed. Heather went in for her routine check-up on Tuesday, and the doctor was worried because the baby had an irregular heartbeat. He sent her to the hospital, and they ran a few tests. There was nothing to worry about that night, but they asked her to come back on Wednesday for more tests.

The next day, I went to Mass and found out it was the feast day of Sts. Joachim and Ann, the parents of Mary. They managed to get through their labor, so I asked for their intercession. I also found consolation in the first reading from Jeremiah¹, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." God had a plan!

Heather went to the hospital, and after a few tests, they sent her to Labor & Delivery. Apparently, her amniotic fluid (the fluid the baby "floats" in) was dangerously low. I spent the rest of the day trying to get on a flight back to St. Louis, while Heather enjoyed many visitors' company.

I finally made it, and we spent the night in "Hotel Mercy", where we listened to the baby's heartbeat all night and ate lots of free food. This morning, they ran another ultrasound, and discovered that the amniotic fluid levels were rising, though they were still pretty low. But thankfully, it was safe enough for us to go home, and now she has to rest in bed.

We are confident that God's hand has guided us in this. I mean, if the baby hadn't been having the irregular heartbeat at the exact moment that Heather had her check-up with Dr. Danis (which he/she doesn't have now), then we might have missed the amniotic fluid deficiency and soon have gone straight into pre-term labor.

And we really want to thank the incredible people who offered many prayers for us. Your prayers have certainly kept Heather and I calm and strong in an alarming situation. Please continue praying, especially through the intercession of Sts. Joachim and Ann, and St. Gerard (the patron of expectant mothers), so we can celebrate the day when the baby decides to "move out and move in!"