Truly Rich and Blessed

Truly Rich Reflections: The Truth About My Pregnancy (Or The One in Which I Ask for Your Prayers)

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I’ve been contemplating on writing this post for the longest time now. I had to wait for hubby’s go-signal to actually do so. You see, there’s something I/we haven’t been telling you all.

But just now, after putting our little girl back to sleep, while I was holding her in my arms and looking at her brother… I couldn’t help but think (for the nth time), “I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m definitely no supermom. I can’t do this on my own.” I teared up and resolved to write this post. So bear with me if it’s rather lengthy, but I hope you’ll read it to the end.

Photo by FrameAngel on FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

You all probably know by now that I’m pregnant again. And while this third child of ours is one of our  biggest blessings for the year, we (well, more of I actually) have also been worried a lot for our precious little one. Let me explain.

When I had my first ultrasound (which prompted me to write this letter here, though I didn’t disclose anything “negative” there), the sonologist detected something called “nuchal transclucency with septations.” I had no idea what that was until she explained it to me (and hubby, who was with me in the ultrasound room). Apparently, it’s something that shows up in ultrasound scans and, when seen during the first trimester, CAN be an indicator that the baby has a chromosomal abnormality, like Down Syndrome or Trisomy 21.

According to FetalMedicine.com, “nuchal translucency (NT) is the sonographic appearance of a collection of fluid under the skin behind the fetal neck in the first-trimester of pregnancy. The term translucency is used, irrespective of whether it is septated or not and whether it is confined to the neck or envelopes the whole fetus. In fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities, cardiac defects and many genetic syndromes the NT thickness is increased.” 

Here’s what nuchal translucency looks like in an ultrasound scan (images also from FetalMedicine.com):

NORMAL nuchal translucency
Increased nuchal translucency

On another website, the National Center for Biotechnology Information, it says:

In the fetus fluid collects behind the neck, much like it does in dependent ankle oedema in later life. This occurs partly because of the fetus’s tendency to lie on its back and partly because of the laxity of the skin of the neck. As with ankle oedema this accumulation of fluid can represent the end point of several pathological processes, including heart failure. Fluid collecting behind the neck can be detected as nuchal translucency by ultrasound scanning, and it can be measured. The more fluid that has accumulated, the greater the risk of an abnormality being present.
Chromosomal abnormalities—for example, Down’s syndrome—can cause fluid accumulation. Chromosome 21 contains the gene that codes for type VI collagen. In trisomy 21 one subunit of this collagen can be overexpressed, resulting in connective tissue that has a more elastic composition.
Needless to say, when the sonologist told us what she saw, I was shocked. And immediately began to worry. I’m no stranger to Down Syndrome, as I used to work with kids with special needs in my past (albeit short) life as a physical therapist. We were advised to go for another scan though, since it was still too early in my pregnancy to tell if the findings were that meaningful. That’s why we decided to keep the results hush-hush, sharing them only with family and close friends, who we’re so thankful for. (Thank you for your prayers and support!)
So I went for another ultrasound after about three weeks. The nuchal translucency was still there but the septations were gone. My OB-gyne, upon seeing the results, said that she was not that worried, but advised another scan after two weeks. She said I could opt to go for first trimester screening to determine the risk or probability of Baby having Down Syndrome, but that was all it would say — the probability. She advised me to discuss it with Anthony — would knowing the probability make a difference in how we accept our baby? Would knowing make me more “at ease” or just cause more worry and stress? Things like that. 
Anthony and I already knew the answer: No matter WHAT, this baby is God’s gift to us. And we would face whatever challenges that may come as a family. 
Photo by David Castillo Domici on FreeDigitalPhotos.net
And, yes, even babies who have chromosomal conditions, like Down Syndrome, are a blessing. There are even  of real-life moms who say so! Every child — no matter what condition or what circumstances he or she may have been conceived in — is a blessing from the Lord!

It was around that time, I think, when I read fellow mom blogger Manila Mommy aka Neva’s posts about their little baby Noah and how she shared how they found out about Noah having Down Syndrome. I cried when I read her post (though I’d been doing a lot of crying even before then!). I felt as if God was telling me/us, “Share your story! Ask for more prayers! Know that I love you and that you’re not alone!”

I told Anthony how I felt, and he said to wait for the results of the third ultrasound. So I did. 
Well, I had my third ultrasound last Tuesday. The sonologist still saw nuchal translucency. Something he said during the session made me even MORE convicted to share our story. First, he said that in more developed countries like the US, doctors were more vigilant about screening for increase nuchal translucency because abortion is legal there. So, if the baby is thought to have conditions like Down Syndrome, the mother could resort to “therapeutic abortion.” 
Everything in me wanted to say, “Therapeutic abortion?! Is there such a thing? Therapeutic for who? The baby? Or the mother? Have you ever TALKED to a post-abortion woman? (There is such a thing as post abortion stress syndrome, you know?) Aren’t doctors supposed to live by the Hippocratic oath or something similar to it?” 
But I kept my mouth shut. And just prayed silently.
So anyway, the doctor said he would advise a congenital anomaly scan when Baby is bigger, around the same time that gender identification is done. So for now, we wait. And pray. 
Photo by africa on FreeDigitalPhotos.net
And this is mainly the reason why I wrote this post. I am/we are asking for your prayers. No matter if we have never met in person. No matter if you randomly read this post from a lead on Twitter (you can find me tweeting by the way) or on Facebook. We still need your prayers.

And if you’re reading this, and you know us personally, please forgive us if we have kept this a secret from you. We did not want to cause any “hullabaloo” or be a “pity case” for others. But I have come to realize that that isn’t what matters now — what matters more now is that we ask for support. And for your prayers. Because I’m a firm believer in the power of such. I believe in miracles. I believe in the power of communities (online and offline) uniting for a common cause.
So, if it’s not too much to ask… Please, would you include our baby in your prayers? Please pray that Baby be in good health and, if God wills it, without any special conditions. Though if he/she does have any, we love him/her just the same. Please pray for us too, me and Anthony. Especially me, as I’m the official worrywart in the family. Please pray that we will make the best decisions when it comes to Baby. Please pray for Tim and Rysse, that no matter how stressed out and “monster mom-ish” I can be, especially with this current prayer concern, they will only remember the times when I show them how much I love and care for them. 
Thank you so much in advance for your prayers. Rest assured, you’ll be in my prayers as well. Please do include all the expecting moms worldwide and their babies and other members of their families in your prayers, too. Pregnancy is no bed of roses, but knowing that there are people out there — even complete strangers — who can relate to you, who support you, who are praying for you, will surely help bigtime! 🙂  
Much love,
Tina

To Our Dear Little Baby: A Letter from a "Third-Time" Mom

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Dear little one in my womb,

Your Papa and I saw you for the very first time yesterday…
We saw your tiny little body in my womb…
Your precious heart was beating so fast! And we saw the buds on your body that will soon develop into your arms and legs!

You know what… I cried when I saw you – I was so happy!

I wish your Kuya Tim and Ate Rysse (big brother and sister) were there with us to see you, too, but they were with your Lolo and Lola, having some bonding moments before they go on mission to Bangladesh in October.
Yes, your grandparents are missionaries of sorts… We’ll tell them to share their adventures with you when you’re finally out! 🙂 We have a lot to talk about when you’re finally out in the world with us! 🙂

We’re so excited to hold you in our arms… to sing you to sleep… to play with you and homeschool you and do everything with you!

In the meantime, our dear, sweet little gift from Jesus, keep on growing, keep on resting… Rest assured that we love you… and the God who created you and formed you in my womb is taking care of you… And Mama Mary is holding you close, preparing us for your birth, just like she did with your Kuya and Ate.

We love you, Baby! 🙂

P.S. If sometimes you hear Mama shouting (at your siblings usually) or whining or if you hear your Ate throwing a tantrum or Kuya pestering me and your Papa and your Ate, don’t worry. It’s still safe out here. Haha! 🙂 Oh, and if you hear a unique noise occasionally, that’s Papa singing and playing the guitar for you. And if you feel warm little lips kissing you through my tummy, that’s your Kuya and Ate! 🙂 We love you!

Truly Rich Reflections: Job 1: 21 — Thank You, Giovanni!

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This is something I’ve been wanting to write since last Wednesday… right after we heard news that the one-year-old child of our friends, and Vania, had passed away… all too suddenly and quickly. Just the day before, I had seen one of Santi’s posts asking for prayers for healing for Giovanni, who had pneumonia. Early the next morning, one of our friends called me and asked if I had seen the posts on Facebook that little Giovanni had passed away. I was shocked and immediately went online. It was true — so sickeningly, heart-wrenchingly true. Giovanni Paolo Padilla Edralin, who had just turned 1 only nine days earlier, was gone — God had called him home.

Hubby and I went to visit him and his family that very morning we found out. He looked as if he was just sleeping. On the way there, I thought of what I wanted to say to Vania and Santi, but when I was face to face with them, all the words I had in mind just left me. What can you say to someone who has experienced such loss? I felt the same way when I went to Baby Zach’s wake. What can you say to a parent who has lost his or her own flesh and blood, who has to bury his or her own child?

I put off writing this post out of respect to Santi and Vania. It was only when I saw that Xavy, Vania’s brother, had written a blog post about Giovanni, and Vania herself do so, that I mustered up the courage to write this. I hope Vania and Santi will not mind if I write about Giovanni now, if only to thank him for the reminder he has left my family and I, and hundreds (thousands?) of people all over the world.

I am so, so, so sorry, sweet little Giovanni, that the first time we met was at your wake. I only know about you from your Daddy and Mommy’s posts on social media; from the photos that people posted of you… I am sorry that we had to “meet” under such tragic circumstances. 

Baby Giovanni Paolo Padilla Edrlain, thank you.

Thank you for reminding me and so many people all over the world that life is short and should be cherished and treasured and lived to the full — and defended, at all costs.

Thank you for reminding parents everywhere that our children are blessings, no matter how “burdensome” taking care of them can sometimes feel — if only because we are too wrapped up in ourselves and our own desires and needs.

Thank you for affirming me that the life that I now carry in my womb — the baby that we confirmed to be there on the very day you were laid to rest — is a gift from the Lord and one that should be taken care of and cherished and loved to the fullest.

Thank you for reminding us again of the truth of Job 1:21:

and naked shall I go back there.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!”


Indeed, despite the sadness that envelops all of us, especially your parents and your family, we still bless the name of the Lord! We still choose to hope, to have faith, to dream, to serve, to work, to fight for a better future… for children like you and ours… 

Thank you, Giovanni Paolo, for reminding us to do so — to praise the Lord in all things. Just like your namesake, Blessed John Paul II, who showed strength, faith, forgiveness, endurance, patience hope, love especially for life in all situations and circumstances… thank you for reminding us to do the same.

Photo credit: www.catholicherald.co.uk

Since you were baptized and sinless when you passed on, dear Giovanni, we know that you are already in heaven with our Lord — a great privilege and honor that the rest of us here on earth can only dream of. Do pray for us, dear sweet little one. May I ask you to pray especially for the little baby I carry in my womb, and my two children? Many times, I feel like I am the worst mom ever, and I would need your prayers, little angel, to be the mother they deserve. 

Pray, too, for your mommy and daddy — two amazing people and followers of Jesus, people whom I/we are privileged to have served with as co-missionaries at one point in our lives. I know it may be hard for you to see them in pain, but I know, too, that Jesus is holding you tightly and holding them tightly, too. I know that Mama Mary will continue to give your Mama the strength to get through this. 

Thank you, dear, sweet little boy that I never got the privilege to meet when you were still alive, for everything. Enjoy heaven!


From one of your Titas

Days of Grace: Praying for Our Children {Inspiration from The Better Mom}

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Happy Sunday, everyone! 🙂

Just a quick post for today — head on over to The Better Mom to read an inspiring piece on

Changing our country…one prayer…one child…one life at a time.

Here are a few of my favorite lines in that post:

Yes, we as Christian moms can truly change the world….one prayer, one life at a time. 

It all beings with a prayer. 

It all starts when we love others as ourselves. 

We are called to be women of love and mercy……what better way to love our sisters  than to pray for their children?! 

I want to see ALL our children reach the finish line both spiritually and academically regardless of their form of education.

Amen, amen, amen! 🙂

God bless, everyone!

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