Dear Darlene,
I am about to turn 33 weeks pregnant and I know I will have to have a c-section. I have had two before plus one myomectomy. I am getting very nervous as I dislike the surgery (every aspect: spinal block, risk of infection, unable to move legs, pain afterwards, feeling helpless and vulnerable, fear).
I put my trust in God when deciding to try once more but I am not biblically well educated enough to have scripture to mediate on for this journey. I hope you can help me as I would like to face this with God's word in my mind.
Sincerely,
Mommy in Waiting
Dear Mommy in Waiting,
As I started to search the scriptures for you I found so many that were comforting. But since I don't have space to put all 66 books of the Bible in one post *wink* I'll give you a few that I felt will minister in your situation and offer you assurance that God is with you through every step of this journey.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."~ Jeremiah 29:11
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.~ Psalm 139:13-18
I love how verse 18 reads, "When I awake, I am still with you." Remember those words, and hold on to them when you go into surgery. He will be there like a good friend who waits at your bedside.
I'd actually recommend reading all of Psalm 139 because there are so many words of comfort found there. Maybe you can take a highlighter and mark some of them to meditate on, or jot some of them down in a notebook.
And finally, I'd like to suggest Psalm 23.
The LORD is my shepherd,I shall not be in want.He makes me lie down in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Praying that this pregnancy and your stay in the hospital will be a blessing until the time of celebration comes!
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene
For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net
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Thank you for this post! I have had 2 c-sections too and just found out we are expecting again. The only thing that scares/worries me, is the c-section. Thanks for the reminder that God is always with us and has wonderful plans for us! I am very excited for this new life growing inside me, but wish I could have had them all naturally!
ReplyDeleteThanks you for your encouragement!
Thats so awesome Darlene, I was the SAME WAY when I had to have my c-sections, 3 total. It was such a scary nerve racking time but it all worked out perfectly. Praying for the woman who have this done because I know all to well how the anxiety is.
ReplyDeleteMy husband says I'm weird. LOL. I had four c-sections and I LOVE them. I think that having an operation is pretty cool and he just doesn't get it.
ReplyDeleteHusband and I are now trying to start a family. These words are so calming in moments of worry and anxiety....
ReplyDeleteThanks to "Mommy in Waiting" for reaching out. We all can relate!
Thank you, Darlene for pointing out the scripture!!!
I agree with you, Darlene. I'm weird, too. I've had 8 c-sections (one precious baby was still-born, so we have 7 children with us) and I LOVE having c-sections! At first, though, I used to berate myself for not being able to have babies the "natural" way. But I finally realized that if I was trusting God with our family planning, then I could trust Him with the delivery. And evidently this was how He intended me to deliver our children. God is GOOD, everything He does is good, and He is perfectly able to preserve my life (and my baby's life) if He chooses. And the various aches and pains? The Scriptures you gave are awesome -- meditating on them and remembering that the pain is short-term and that the fear is of the enemy helps me to make it through. Another helpful verse is Isaiah 41:10. Thank you for your ministry!
ReplyDeleteLeighAnne, I felt the same way. I was actually looking so forward to having childbirth the natural way. I was excited about the process. Then baby was in distress and I landed up having an emergency c-section. I had so much trouble carrying my babies that all of them had to be c-section. But I liked that too. I liked the tight socks. LOL!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the extra scripture.
Danielle, many blessings as you start this journey!
Anonymous,the thing that I missed in the process of my c-sections was that I wasn't up and around with them as quickly as I wanted to be. When Nathaniel was born I was so determined to get up and around quickly I started wiggling my toes as soon as I could and moving around.
Darlene, I've had four c-sections myself.(Unlike you I hated it... I'm too independent and perhaps full of pride and hated being bed ridden for a while)
ReplyDeleteI know how scared this poor woman must be. I found that just knowing what to expect could but fear into your heart, but I did find that with each one I healed faster and somehow I bore the pain easier too (not sure why)
If I could give her any advice I'd tell her to offer her sufferings to God in reparation (I did that and maybe it was a help) and to be calm and surrender all to Him. He loves you and you are in the palm of His hand. Rest in His assurances.
@ Leightanne.. wow! You are some woman! I wish I could hear YOUR story. After my 4th I was told I couldn't even think about trying again..but He's in charge and He has the say so where that is concerned!
P.S. btw Darlene.. my doctor said as soon as I had a bowel movement I could leave. My last daughter was born two days before my husband's birthday and I worked it so I could leave on his birthday.. everyone thought I was nuts, but I hated being in the hospital! ;-)