Friday, October 12, 2007

And the Big News Is . . .

We're expecting another baby! I was trying to come up with some cute and funny way to share this exciting news, but it's late already and in the interest of finishing this post in the next 23 minutes (before bedtime), I decided to just come right out and say it! I just passed the 12-week mark this week; I'm hopeful that the fatigue and nausea will soon be waning. I guess with two older children the fatigue may linger, but at least hopefully my tummy will feel better soon!

I went to see a local doctor today for the first time this pregnancy, just to confirm things. To be honest, all I really wanted to do was hear the baby's heartbeat. And happily, I was not disappointed!

Going to a hospital in this country is an interesting experience, to say the least. You know that the same standards do not exist for medical care when the overwhelming odor inside the hospital is urine mixed with cigarette smoke. I found my way to the registration counter, then to the women's area where I was directed to a certain door number. The doctor was inside with three other patients crowding around his desk, asking for his attention. He barely looked up at me but his assistant directed me to take a seat and wait (in the same room with the other women being seen). He finished, one by one, with them, then asked me a few questions and wrote briefly in my registration book. Actually, one of his first blunt questions to me translates literally "Do you want the baby?" I was stunned for a moment and then replied in the affirmative. Then the happy moment I was waiting for: he directed me up onto the table so that he could check for the baby's heartbeat. It took him a moment, but then, there it was, the miraculous whoosh, whoosh, whoosh coming through the Doppler. Hallelujah! I breathed a sigh of relief even as a few tears slipped out.

The doctor then suggested an ultrasound, which I needed to pay for before they would do it. I found the right counter and paid, then made my way back to his office where I was again asked to wait (inside the office) as he finished with some others. As a westerner, I was slightly embarassed to have to witness others as they came in to be examined or treated.

To my dismay (sometimes I wish I did not understand the local language so well) a very young woman came in and it wasn't long before I gathered that she and the assistant were discussing abortion. She was dressed in such a way that gave me the impression of perhaps being from the countryside. She must have been at least five months along. Even as the assistant was casually saying, "Let's see, we get off work at 5, what time is it now? Oh, it's only four, so yes, there's time to get it done now," the young woman was standing holding her arms unconsciously in a protective manner over her belly. When the assistant suggested doing it that day--and let us remind ourselves that "doing the procedure" means killing a living human being--the young girl swallowed thickly and in a very soft voice said, "let me ask a moment." She went out to confer with whoever she came with, then came back in a few minutes later and said, "ok, do it today."

I felt so helpless. I wanted to cry, beg, and plead with her all at the same time. "Don't do this, don't kill your precious baby!" But I was silent, not knowing what to say or how to say it. I didn't know how to help her, what resources or agencies to refer her to, or what kind of pressure she was facing from her family or boyfriend. Even as I rejoiced in the preservation of the tiny baby in my womb, I wanted to weep for her.

A moment later, the doctor came and summoned me to the room where women were lined up to have ultrasound examinations. He beckoned me into the room (effectively jumping the line) and though at first there was a bit of concern that the baby wasn't moving at all, it seemed like he or she was just very soundly, happily asleep. Finally the technician purposely startled the baby and saw some activity. The heartbeat was strong and normal, and everything else looks good. PTL!

I left with a glad heart, so thankful for this tiny life. Even though sometimes I think "we must be crazy! What are we thinking, having another baby?! I'll never be able to handle it!" I know that when I trust in my Heavenly Father, he gives grace enough for each day's joys and challenges. It was his design to send tiny, helpless infants into families where they must be raised and nurtured, and his design to bless us with this new baby, so he will also sustain us and provide for all our needs.

So now, just for fun--the total bill for my trip today:
Taxi ride to the hospital: 7.5 local dollars
Registration fee: 4 local dollars
Ultrasound examination: 30 local dollars
Taxi ride home: 9 local dollars

One US dollar is worth about 7.5 local dollars. That means that the ultrasound cost a grand total of about $4.15 ! Wow, that was worth it!

Finally, if you think of it, say a prayer with me for that young woman who aborted her baby today. There will be grief ahead for her. Let's pray that the Lord would somehow use this to draw her and her family close to Him.

11 comments:

SingerMamaMelody said...

WOW - congratulations on the sweet baby inside of you!!! That is wonderful news!

My heart breaks with you for what happened to that dear girl...I absolutely grow ill over abortion. It is so devastating. That poor girl. It sounds like she was probably very sad...and I'm sure she will grieve that loss of her child the rest of her life. I feel really sad for her, and I will definitely pray for her. I can't imagine what it must have been like to be right there, hearing all of that and not knowing what to say or do!!!

I wish I could have taken her baby...or given that child to so many who I know would love to adopt a child...

May God strengthen you today,
Love,
Melody

Kevin and Becky said...

Hooray Winds! This is so exciting! (your news at least) We will be asking for you!

Gretchen said...

Oh Rachel,

While my heart is thrilled for your family and the precious little one that is on its way, I am also heartbroken for that poor girl you saw at the doctor.

It was no mistake that you were right there when this was all going on. You don't know what everyone's prayers for her will do! Our God is so Big and Good!

I will be praying for you all!

~Gretchen

Chris said...

Now this is amazing...my wife is nine months pregnant, too. So it is kind of fun that the next time we get to see each other, we'll have kids roughly a month apart in age!

What great news...and how sad about the abortion situation you had to watch. How incredible that a hospital can be a place of both great joy and sorrow.

Chris

James and Christen said...

Congratulations! What a blessing. I will be praying for both of you these next 6 months.

I wanted to let you know that I translated the ingredients for the chai latte and went to the grocery store. I have never bought ginger or cloves in American and wasn't sure if I would find them here in Brazil. But, God blessed me and I found everything I needed.

I made the first batch yesterday and loved it! Thanks for passing on the recipe.

Have a great weekend.
Christen Taylor

Courtney said...

CONGRATS on your pregnancy!!! I'm SOOO excited for you!! Keep us updated, as I know you will!

And so sorry that you had to endure such a sad encounter with that young woman getting an abortion, what a herendous tragedy.

Love you!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the new little one. I pray that God will continue to bless your family. Love and miss u, Becky B.

Anonymous said...

Congrats you guys! I know you're all very excited!

I've also experienced young girls wanting abortions when I went for prenatal care. I've always regretted not being more bold as I encounter "the unacceptable acceptable."

I desire to always take every opportunity to speak truth and show abundant love, but often I fall short because I'm afraid they won't understand me or I might offend them.

The Culbertsons said...

Congrats John & Rachel! What a wonderful blessing. I will ask that the nausea will dissipate and you will find renewed strength.

- Dianna

Rachel said...

Melody,
Thanks! I also wish I could have offered to just take that girl's baby. We even have friends that are waiting to adopt a little Asian baby. Thanks for your prayers for her.

Thanks Becky! I was happy to catch up with your blog lately, too! Keep on posting!

Gretchen, you are right. HE can do amazing things that we could never dream of. We'll keep praying for that! Thanks!

Chris, Congratulations! We will be praying for you and Liz as you wait expectantly for this new little one. How fun about the similarity in age to our baby! Make sure you take good care of her these next months!

Christen, how fun that the chai worked out for you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Good for you for being brave and buying some new ingredients!

Thanks Courtney! I will try to keep you posted! It will be an interesting journey to be taking care of three!

Thanks, Becky. I know you are a faithful pray-er!

Sandra, I appreciated your previous post about the grandmother and baby and your honest feelings about an opportunity lost; that's why I thought I should share even though I probably didn't make the most of my opportunity either. Thanks for sharing.

Dianna, Thank you! I loved the recent baby bath pictures on your blog. Your son is adorable, and I loved the beaming look on your face. Blessings to you.

Rachel

Anonymous said...

I am excited for your new baby! And i wept for that tiny life being killed in the womb.
The fact is that it is happening everyday there, so much so that sometime even the mother has lost the sense of sorrow. They have to do so, for they do not want to risk losing their job or being forced to do so.

Abortion is a serious problem there, but it is related to so many other problems.

Pray for His mercy on the land!!


Robert