My God’s Not Dead, My Daughter’s Alive!

Though unexpected, hubby and I were excited to find out we were pregnant and expecting a baby girl. We already had a son so this was a great surprise. They would be about 2 years apart and would surely grow up as best friends. After many Google searches and baby books, we decided to name her Mia (meaning “beloved” “mine” “dear” or “darling”) She was an active baby in the womb, flipping and kicking about. Every time I slept, she was awake, kicking and flipping away.

I can remember it like it was yesterday, it was 2007 and I was at my routine prenatal check up with my OB-GYN. Hubby was out of town so he couldn’t attend so I brought a friend with me. I was in my second or third trimester, somewhere between 6 and 7 months pregnant. This was my second pregnancy, so everything was going as expected. Checking my weight, blood pressure, any concerns/questions? Now comes the part every mother is excited for. Let’s check in on baby. The doctor feels my stomach and measures baby. Everything is going well. The doctor instructs me to lie down, squirts the infamous jelly on my stomach and says, “let’s check baby’s heartbeat!” As in previous appointments I lay there awaiting the thump thump of my baby’s heart, but this time there was an empty silence…

The doctor informs me that she can’t find a heartbeat. I’m stunned… All I can think to say is, “What do you mean? She was just moving around this morning!” The doctor responds, “I can’t find a heartbeat. I’m going to send you downstairs where they have a better monitor, but 99% of the time if I don’t find a heartbeat up here, they won’t find one down there.”

I walk out of the office and am in utter disbelief. As we walk over to the check out desk the doctor is telling the receptionist to schedule me for a D&C (dilation and curettage: surgical removal of the baby from the uterus) I don’t remember much after that. A dark cloud covered over me and I felt like I couldn’t breath. My legs were like lead as I slowly moved toward the elevator to take the agonizing trip downstairs to receive my baby’s death sentence. As I got onto the elevator I started to pray.

Me: “God, what is going on?” She was just moving this morning, there’s no way she’s not alive.”

“Out of all the times to have an appointment, I really need my hubby here, I need his support more than ever”

God, this can’t be happening!” Please let her be okay. She has to be okay!”

The wait lasted an eternity… The receptionist downstairs informed me that there was one couple ahead of me and then they would see me. I waited and prayed, and waited and prayed. The couple came out of the ultrasound room and went in to see the doctor. As I paced in the hallway they came out and began to cry, hug, and console one another.

Me: “God, this can’t be it!” “She can’t be gone” “What is happening?” “Please save my baby, in Jesus’s name!”

The ultrasound tech calls my name. Here we go… I lay down on the table, the ultrasound begins and there is silence. What was seconds felt like hours and then, thump thump, thump thump. The most beautiful sound I could ask for! No confirmation until they took me in to consult with the doctor about the findings. They informed me that Mia was alive and healthy and that her heartbeat was good and strong! I went on to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby girl. Praise God!

Mia is 17 now, she’s a senior in high school! She plays soccer and she’s a member of the honor’s society. Her heartbeat is strong just like she is. My Mia (meaning “beloved” “mine” “dear” or “darling”)