Making a difference: One mom, one child at a time

I've been pregnant twice, both times were challenging.

The first time around wasn't too bad until it came time to deliver... then, my son got stuck. He couldn't come out and they couldn't push him back. His heart dropped into the 30's with every contraction. Eventually the doctor got him out. We were blessed! My complications happened in a hospital with all sorts of medical staff and equipment available to give my son the best shot at life. He's seventeen now, about to graduate high school and go on to college.

The second time around was tough! I spent most of my pregnancy on bedrest. Each day, three times a day, fancy equipment hooked up to my phone to monitor contractions. Several times, they got frequent enough that I'd go to the emergency room for care. Our son arrived during my 36th week of pregnancy, healthy and strong. Hours after his birth, though, I began to hemorrhage. My OB rushed me off to emergency surgery, no doubt saving my life.

Much of the world doesn't have this same type of care. Had I given birth to my first son in a third world country he would probably have died. The second time around, I would most certainly have died if I wasn't at a hospital with surgical suites available. It's a sobering thought...

But for the grace of God....
Who allowed me the chance to live in a thriving community....
With excellent health care....

Some of my family, maybe even me, wouldn't be here today.

I'm truly thankful.

Yet my heart breaks that not everyone has the same chance at healthy birth that we do here in the U.S. Won't you check out the Million Moms Challenge? Let's pray for our world.... and support moms who don't have the same shot we do.