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Loss of an Infant

by Filed Under: Prayers, Pregnancy, St. Gregory of Nyssa Leave a Comment

Well, your child may have departed from you, but he has gone to Christ the Lord. For you his eyes have been shut, but they are opened to the eternal light: he is gone from your table, but is now added to the table of angels. The plant was uprooted from here, but planted in paradise. From the earthly kingdom he was transferred to the heavenly kingdom. You see what was exchanged for what. Are you sad because you no longer see the beauty of the face of your child? But this happens, because you do not see the real beauty of the soul with which he rejoices in the heavenly feast. How beautiful indeed is the eye that sees God! How sweet indeed is the mouth that is adorned with divine melodies!

~St. Gregory of Nyssa from A Homily of Consolation Concerning Pulcheria

#infantloss #infantlosssupport #infantlossawareness #prayersforhofamily#prayersforbabymiriam #stgregory #stmiriamangelica

Family Centered Cesarean & Surgery Info

by Filed Under: Cesarean, Pregnancy, VBAC Leave a Comment

And in these moments, a C-section mama must hold onto the strong and fierce love she has for her baby. She lets fear wash over her… and then she lets it drift away. She knows that in this moment, this is what is best for her child, even though “what’s best” means a major surgery with real wounds and scars.” ~Monet Moutrie

 

This is a draft of a Family-Centered Cesarean Birth Plan.

CONFIDENTIAL VBS CSECTION BIRTH PLAN – Sample

 

 

~~~

 

I’m sharing what has been given to me in prep for my c-section on May 8. Our Lady of Grace, ora pro nobis. This info and supplies were given to me 5 weeks prior to my csection, after I received final approval of my family-centered cesarean birth plan.

***This info is not to replace your own medical directions but merely to share what is being done elsewhere in the country.

——
This is the email that was sent to me about 4.5 weeks prior to my scheduled birth.

Hi Lena,
I have scheduled your Cesarean Birth as requested by Dr. J—. We are so very happy that you have chosen ——– as the place to have your baby and want to help make it a wonderful experience. I’ve included some important information about your special day. Let us know if you have any questions. Congratulations!
Warmly,
——– CNM

Your cesarean section has been scheduled for
May 8th at 09:30 AM!

Please arrive to check in no later than 07:30 AM

Important things to do:

Beginning 1 week before your cesarean section, do not shave or wax your legs, underarms, or the pubic area

The day before your surgery:

Please go to the lab to complete the necessary pre-operative labs your doctor has ordered

The night prior to your surgery:

One of our Labor and Delivery nurses will be calling you around 7PM to confirm your appointment with us and address any questions or concerns you may have regarding your appointment or preparation for it
Please shower or bathe and shampoo your hair
One hour after your shower, use one package of antiseptic wipes (“SAGE”, Chlorhexidine or “CHG”) provided by your clinician’s office per the instructions given. Note there are 2 wipes per package.
Do not use lotions, moisturizers or cosmetics
Brush and floss your teeth 2-3 times per day
You may eat solid foods up to 8 hours before your scheduled arrival time

The morning of your surgery:

Stop eating solid foods 8 hours before your scheduled arrival time
First thing in the morning, repeat antiseptic wipe using the remaining package (SAGE)
Brush and floss teeth, use mouthwash
Do not use lotions, moisturizers or cosmetics
Wear clean underwear and clothing
Drink carbohydrate beverages up until 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time. If you have diabetes, drink only non-carbohydrate liquids

*While we do our best to stay on time with surgeries, due to unforeseen circumstances your anticipated surgery time may be adjusted.

Please don’t hesitate to call Labor and Delivery at (—) — – MOMS (6667) should you have any additional questions or concerns.
We look forward to caring for both you and your baby.
——— CNM

  • http://www.healthjourneys.com/kaiser/download/download_successfulSurgery.asp?kp_shortcut_referrer=kp.org%2Fsurgerypodcast
  • http://www.healthjourneys.com/kaiser/easePain_flash.asp?kp_shortcut_referrer=kp.org/easepainpodcast
  • https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/mdo/presentation/common/healthToolPage.jsp?path=healthtool_560569.xml
  • https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/ncal/pregnancy/index.html#/weekly-content/trimester/3

It’s a…

by Filed Under: Baby, Our Lady of La Leche, Prayer, Pregnancy, Uncategorized 3 Comments

OurLadyofLaLecheBaby G4 is set to arrive in Jan 2015.  We opted for a 20 (23.3) week ultrasound (9.30.14) given the past reports.  The results were bitter sweet.  The baby is doing fine but there was bad news regarding my anatomy.  We will know more at 28 weeks (10.31.14).  We continue to pray for healing, protection. and peace as we wait for better confirmation.

Prayer to Our Lady of La Leche during Pregnancy

O Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Your tender Mother, Our Lady of La Leche, who bore You close to her heart during those long months before Your birth, I place my baby and myself entirely in Your Hands. Free me, I beseech You, from useless and consuming worry. Accept the sacrifice of my aches and pains, which I unite to Your sufferings on the Cross. Above all, most merciful and loving Jesus, protect this child You have given to me from all harm, bestowing the health and vigor every baby needs. Implant in my heart and on my lips the words and prayers of Your Mother and mine, our Lovely Lady of La Leche. All this I ask that my child and I may live to praise forever Your Holy Name. Amen.

 

The good news, we were able to find out the baby’s gender.

The Predictions

 

The Reveal

We Continue to Strive to be TRUE Friends of the Cross ~ Thanksgiving & An Update

by Filed Under: 2014 Journey, Friends of the Cross 2014, Miscarriage, Prayers, Pregnancy, St. Louis De Monfort, Thanksgiving 8 Comments

My dear brothers and sisters, have faith in the word of God, for the Holy Spirit tells us that when we suffer cheerfully for God, the cross is the source of every kind of joy for all kinds of people. The joy that comes from the cross is greater than that of a poor man who suddenly comes into a fortune, or of a peasant who is raised to the throne; greater than the joy of a trader who becomes a millionaire; than of a military leader over the victories he has won; than of prisoners released from their chains. In short, imagine the greatest joy that can be experienced on earth, and then realise that the happiness of the one who bears his sufferings in the right way contains, and even surpasses, all of them.

  ~ St. Louis Marie de Montfort, Letter to the Friends of the Cross

~~~

My family has been showered with countless blessings during our recent trials.  The greatest blessing has been the life that continues to grow within – I am still pregnant. Deo gratias! I continue to rely on His grace.

JOYfilledbaby7weeks5daysduejan2015I have not miscarried as indicated with my earlier diagnosis. We were able to see our little blessing along with a heart beat at 7 weeks 5 days.

I’ve attempted, on several occasions, to give an update and share my family’s sincerest thanks for all the charity.  Here is my heart that I shared with my dear friend seeking to console me several weeks ago.

I have been so taken by everyone’s generosity.  I feel completely unworthy and not entirely in need.   I realize that my family’s needs are real but they seem so insignificant when I look around.  I’m left speechless but filled with emotions.  It is humility like I’ve never known.  I’m praying hard to remain joyful in the present moment, fighting seeds of resentment (scattered by the Evil One) for the wrongs done to us, and running from glimpses of despair as I begin to manifest what may lie ahead.   I’m left praying with every step and breath I take.  His love sustains me and his grace keeps me from becoming paralyzed.  I see clearly just how small I am.  Truly, I don’t want to leave this place.   There is peace that transcends all worldly understanding.

There has been much change in my spiritual progress but not much by way of the physical.  My attempts to extend a full update and offer words of thanksgiving continue to seem so inadequate.  So little in comparison to the generosity that has been extended to us – words are not enough at this time.  The only real thanks I can offer is to continue to pray for all our spiritual and physical benefactors.

My family will continue to pray for you in our daily rosary and family devotions. We will also be offering Masses for you.

MAY THE PERFECT LOVE OF GOD REIGN IN OUR HEARTS!

Storming Heaven

by Filed Under: 2014 Journey, Miscarriage, Prayers, Pregnancy 10 Comments


Thank you all for the continued prayers and generous offerings. Thank you to my dear friend, Melody, for sharing my story when I could not.  She respectfully left out a special detail…I am pregnant.  Gary and I found out this blessed news on Monday morning, the same day that my family was hit with the devastating blow.  My husband and I immediately said a prayer of thanksgiving and consecrated our precious new life to Jesus, through Mary.  

 

I was told yesterday that I have/will be miscarrying.  Please, if you could, spare another prayer for our precious gift and us.  My family is praying for a miracle and hoping that the diagnosis was wrong, only time will tell.  

 

Trust that you remain in our prayers. We will continue to unite our sufferings to His Most Holy Cross for your intentions.  

 

AD JESUM PER MARIAM

In His JOY,

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