One year ago today, I arrived at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) for a routine anatomy scan at 19 weeks gestation for my twin pregnancy. Corey wasn’t able to come with me because he was on his way to Louisville KY for a pastors’ conference. I listened to Revive Our Hearts podcasts during the ultrasound, and afterwards, texted Corey the photos while the ultrasound technician stepped out for a moment. Little did I know that she had left the room to contact my OB, get a wheelchair brought to my room, and call a porter to take me to OB Triage as quickly as possible.
The nurse who was working in triage that day spoke to the receptionist and wheeled me out of the long line of women waiting to be registered, took me into a quiet area, and asked if I had anyone with me. At that moment, I realized this was serious. When my OB wasn’t available to come, this nurse sat down and told me there was a problem with my cervix, it was very serious, and though she wanted to tell me more, the doctor was the best person to explain things and I had to wait to hear more from them. She took me to a private room and encouraged me to lay down and rest.
A few hours later, Dr. Eastabrook (an OB who works with women who have high-risk pregnancies) introduced herself to me and explained that my cervix was too short (was 6mm and should have been at least 2.0-2.5cm) and the likelihood of me staying pregnant long enough for the twins to survive was extremely slim. She said that my pregnancy making it to the end of the week was even unknown. I was being transferred to her care, given a progesterone prescription and told to go on strict bedrest the moment I arrived back home. I could walk to and from the bathroom and have a shower every couple of days, but otherwise needed to remain laying on a couch or in my bed. I was forbidden from doing cooking, laundry and other household chores, going for walks, and remaining in a sitting position for more than a short while – among many other things. The babies needed to make it to at least 23-24wks gestation to survive outside of the womb and I was only 19wks.
That morning, I was a happy pregnant mama who was excited to see my twin babies moving and receive new ultrasound photos. That afternoon, what had started out as excitement turned into shock and fear. That evening, I entered my house, hung up my coat and purse, and made my way to the couch where I would spend the entirety of my daytime hours for the next three weeks before being admitted to the antenatal unit. I contacted our families and friends and proceeded to cancel my piano teaching indefinitely.
No woman wants to hear that her pregnancy will likely end too soon. No woman wants to be told that she will lose her babies. No woman openly welcomes the fear of the unknown of the future.
BUT the Lord knew from before Day 1 that my body wouldn’t be able to hold in these babies until they reached full-term. The same God who created and formed me had also created and formed my babies and had plans for their lives from the beginning of time – whether that was death or life. And though I struggled daily with the fear of the unknown, *nothing* along this journey would be unknown to God. Everything was for His glory and the reminder of that throughout that first day and the numerous days to follow brought much-needed encouragement to my heart.
Thank you to Erin, the triage nurse who was the epitome of gentleness. She brought me kleenex, took me to that private room where I could rest, regularly checked in on me while the OBs were needed elsewhere, and then held my hand and cried alongside me as an OB whom I had never before laid eyes on explained I had an incompetent cervix. As I sat taking in everything, Erin asked questions that my mind wanted to but my heart couldn’t express.
Thank you to my husband who reminded me that the Lord is sovereign and would help us through wherever this trial would lead. We would praise Him together that day, the next day and over the coming weeks and months – whatever happened. We would be strong in His strength.
Thank you to our family at West Lorne Baptist Church who immediately began praying for my body and our babies. They started bringing meals three times a week and other thoughtful things like flowers, fruit, cards and snacks. They visited and called often.
Thank you to our families – especially my Mom and my mother-in-law – who immediately stepped in to care for our foster daughter and me around the clock until Corey returned home. My sister Caroline and my cousins Clara and Hannah also spent countless hours here helping with our foster daughter and tending to my needs once Corey was home and had returned to work.
Thank you to friends who also helped us during this time by coming to our home to care for our foster daughter and myself, delivering homecooked meals, and so much more: Melissa, Rachel, Judy, Sierra and Alexa, Heidi, Ron and Luanne, Amber and more!
Thank you to the LHSC nurses, residents and OBs who cared for me while I lived on the antenatal unit – all of whose names I have written down but would be far too many to list here. Though I was ultimately in the Lord’s hands, He placed these medical professionals in that field for moments such as this and they cared for me so wonderfully.
Thank you to Dr. Anita Cheng, the neonatologist (NICU consultant) sent to my room shortly after my being admitted on antenatal, who tenderly explained to me what would happen to my babies if I gave birth to them prematurely – before or after the 23wk mark. She repeated the information in so many different ways, ensuring I understood everything.
Thank you to Molly who talked to me, prayed with me, texted me, cried with me as she shared her story of bedrest and kept bringing me back to Scripture and our sovereign God. Thank you to Suzanne who messaged me faithfully, sharing her bedrest experience as well, keeping me in prayer and offering video chats for company! And Monique, a NICU nurse-now-friend, who visited before and after her shifts, made me laugh and explained so much about the NICU journey.
There are so many people who began praying for us one year ago and continue to be prayer warriors for our family even today. The Lord had a purpose for every single one of you in our journey and we are *so* grateful for you. ❤️
The Hughes Family 