Prayer Request from Caroline Edwards

Tony works with me at Coastal and this will be his first grandchild..Caroline Edwards

Email from Tony:

"Linda is once again in good spirits, after being admitted to Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte at noon yesterday. As we talked yesterday, the placenta had separated some from the uterine wall and caused some bleeding. The bleeding stopped and she is stable from that. Late yesterday afternoon, they put her on complete bed rest, not even to get up at all out of the bed. I was told there is very little or no amniotic fluid left. Dennis checked last night with the specialist at ECU and called me to say a baby can survive for several days in this condition and there may be some pockets of fluid that the sonogram might not pick up. We met the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Specialist before we left the hospital last night. We left at that time so Jake and Linda could talk to him privately. Linda called later last night to tell us what their options are at this point. If she goes into labor today, there is nothing whatsoever that they could do for the baby.If she holds on until Friday, they will give her the maternal-fetal medicine this Friday to help with lung development. This is a week earlier than the original plan. As I understand, the medicine has three components, a steroid for his lungs, an antibiotic, and something to halt contractions. As of Friday she will be 23 weeks along and between week 23 and 24 is the most critical time in a pregnancy due to the lung development. The specialist told them last night that there is only a 38 percent chance without having major birth defects before the 24th week. On the first day of week 24, it doubles to 76 percent. Also, they would have to do an extensive C-Section because of the position of the umbilical cord to his head. So if the baby should come between week 23 and 24, Jake and Linda have to make a decision by the end of today to decide to what measures they want them to proceed in saving the baby. As you know, Linda has a heart as big as Texas and the will and determination even larger. Obviously, the best thing that could happen is that she could hold on until 24 weeks or later to increase the chances. Ultimately, we have placed all this in the hands of GOD!"