Bad Night/Visit from a Rabbi

Last night was a bad night for contractions. We were expecting some due to the steroid shots, but not like this. They started around one in the morning and went every two to four minutes all night. The Procardia didn't work. The Brethaline shot didn't work. Sadly, they brought in the dreaded magnesium drip. Sarah had a bullet of magnesium which puts the drug into her bloodstream very quickly. Then it is turned down to a slow but steady drip. The side affects include nausea and dizziness. It can also affect her kidneys. In addition, Sarah is so hot that her eyes feel like they are burning. I put a fan on her and turned it up full blast to help. She is miserable.

The doctor is hoping to get her a few more weeks along. However, she said that these contractions are not all from steroids. The resident thinks Sarah's uterus is done due to over 12 pounds of babies. The nurses think it won't be long now. Bottom line: she might be on the drip for awhile. I just keep praying for God's timing.

The chaplain stopped in for a visit. She is a student at Hebrew Union College studying to be a rabbi. We had a good talk about God at work in our lives, God's presence at birth and death, similar experiences while visiting Israel, and the power of prayer. I told her that Sarah's stay in the hospital has allowed us to share our faith with so many people. The NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) will do the same, should we have to go there.

She prayed a beautiful prayer of blessing over Sarah and the babies. She asked me to pray, too, in spite of our differing beliefs. I prayed a prayer of blessing and protection over her and her family, asking God to give her such wonderful experiences with Him that she will never doubt His love and existence. I also asked Him to give her opportunities to minister to those who need it in the hospital. We felt God's presence in the room. She hugged me when she left. Please pray for her to come to the full knowledge of God's salvation through the gift of His only Son, our Messiah.