Elijah The Miracle

I am always so overwhelmed by our amazing creator and his handiwork when it comes to the formation of life in the womb. Every child and every birth is a miracle from God. Elijah’s journey into the world is no exception. However, he had a few bumps in the road; but, God showed up and here is his birth story...

First of all, I am 41 years old and this pregnancy was a complete surprise. There are many risk factors that are presented to you when you are advanced maternal age. I chose not to do any testing on this baby. I just knew he was a gift from God.

At 33 weeks we found out the I was dilated 2 ½ and 80% effaced. I was having contractions all the time, sometimes for 1 to 2 hours, 10 minutes apart, but they would stop if I would take it easy and lie down. Although the Dr. would'nt stop the birth at this point, I was told to lie down and give the baby a chance to get to full term (37 weeks). I was beginning to swell and had a lot of walking pain, because my pelvic bone was separating (SPD).

By 39 weeks, I couldn't wear normal shoes. I was also contracting & in a lot of pain. My Doctor said I was 3cm and almost 90% effaced -- but no baby! That is, until Sunday night, Jan. 4th.
As most of you know, Marty has continued to travel and sing, which made me very nervous at that time. He arrived home Sunday evening around 6:30, after a 5 hr. drive. I started contracting (as usual) every ten to twelve minutes, but this time things changed all of a sudden. I couldn't walk, the pain was too much. Contractions were less than 5mins apart and we had to go downtown to the hospital.

After waiting to be checked in (ouch!!!!!!), the nurse checked me and I was 8 ½ to 9 cm. with double peak contractions!! They thought I would deliver anytime and began to get ready. We then found out the baby was turned, which slowed the dilatation, and I was in full-blown back labor (no wonder I couldn't walk). The process of getting from 9 to 10 took about 1 ½ hrs, still contracting every minute or so, but he had to turn in order for me to deliver him without an epidural or C-section. They put me in a pretzel position and I began to pray. Then, “he turned” and we all heard it.

Time to push, and he crowned to his ears. I had to wait on the next contraction to push more, and then he delivered to the neck; but, his shoulder was STUCK on my pelvic bone. The doctor yelled for an emergency C-section but could not push him back in, so he had to come out. We all pushed. I pushed, mom and the nurse pushed on my belly, and the doctor pulled hard and we prayed again. All of a sudden, the shoulder released and he was here. His face was blue, his body white, limp and unresponsive.

While Marty watched the baby, the doctor worked with me. She began to explain that the baby may have a paralyzed arm because of nerve damage (from the shoulder dystocia). I prayed out loud this time, that he would move his arms "in the name of Jesus," and I claimed it (not knowing he wasn't breathing). Marty stretched out his arm over the baby and prayed, “What has been spoken as a handicap in his body, I now call a strength that makes him a success in the NFL" (I am glad God has a since of humor too). Suddenly, he began to breathe and then he cried with both arms moving. Praise the Lord !!!!!

My sweet mother began to thank the Dr. and the nurse for the great job they had done during the crisis, and the Dr.’s reply was: "I didn’t do this one, God did"……. Yes HE did.

There were about 15 people (Dr.'s and nurses) in the room at that point because of our crisis. Many of the nurses took special time to come back and hug me. They were so moved by what they had seen. They said that I was their hero for delivering him with no drugs and so much pain, because of the dystocia. The Dr. admitted that this had been an" OB's nightmare, and in 30 years one of the worst she has ever had." I think everyone there that day had experienced a Miracle of the Power, Mercy and Grace of God.

Psalm 3:3 But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.