Fertility Fact Friday

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you."

Jeremiah 1:5

Today, here in the States, October 15th is declared Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. For those of you who have lost children whether it has been through a miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death, I just want to say, "I am sorry for your loss, I feel for you." But not only I feel for you, the Lord Jesus Christ has great compassion for you. Reach up and out to Him, the true Comforter of your soul.

For Fertility Fact Friday, I thought I would list a few statistics and facts:

- A miscarriage is pregnancy loss that occurs prior to 20 weeks, before the fetus is able to survive outside its mother’s womb. This tragedy occurs in about 15 - 20% of pregnancies.

-Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy.

-Some doctors believe that as many as 50% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, because some losses occur before a woman realizes she is pregnant.

-A baby is stillborn if it dies between the twentieth week of pregnancy and the time of birth. www.modimes.org

Repeated Miscarriages -
-Fortunately, at least 85 percent of women who have had one miscarriage will go on to have a successful pregnancy the next time, as will as 75% of those who have experienced two or three losses.

-In about 25% of cases, the cause of repeated msicarriages cannot be found. However, couples in this situation should not lose hope: Even without treatment, about 60% of women with repeated miscarraiges eventually have a healthy pregnancy.
Losing You too Soon, by Bernadette Keagy.

^{If you have suffered from loss there is a helpful ministry I highly recommend, Sarah's Laughter. The leader, my friend Beth Forbus suffered from infertility, she ministers out of compassion for those who are desiring to become a 'mommy' or who have experienced loss. Last year she came to our support group at Lakewood Church, H.O.P.E. and led a memorial service for the women who lost children. Lives were touched, grief was lifted and hearts were healed. Please check out her website! She has many wonderful resources to aid you in your journey to motherhood or to pick up the pieces of your shattered heart from loss. www.sarahs-laughter.com}

^{If you've had a loss and would like to share how God helped you through it or if you can give another one reading this encouragement or a testimony how God has brought children to you, please leave a comment. Sharing our hearts helps one another!}

^{Praying for you today.}

Fertility Fact Friday

For the next couple of Fertility Fact Friday’s we will address the question, “Am I honoring God in the infertility process?” These questions are taken from the book, Hannah’s Hope by Jennifer Saake. The book is an excellent resource for personal use or to use in a small group or support group setting. I highly recommend it.

Am I Honoring God?, Pt. 1

Questions to Consider:

Are you and your spouse “thoroughly equipped” to make the choices in line with scriptural principles?

Do you know the Bible well enough to know how options are addressed? If not, it is time to get into the Word and find out. If you have studied, and find that your specific issue is not addressed, what principles can you apply as you ask the Lord to give you wisdom and direction?

Am I treating my body in a God-honoring manner?

If my body belongs to the Lord, I must prayerfully consider the consequences of all that I do to and with this vessel. Educate yourself! Yet, be careful what you allow your soul to consume. There is no sin in receiving medical intervention. The key to seeking medical aid is staying within God-honoring parameters. While medical assistance, in and of itself, is not ungodly, the Lord may call you personally to “be still”, making intentional decisions not to pursue reproductive technology. Always be led by peace.

Are we honoring our marriage vow and God’s desire for a mutually submissive, loving partnership?

This is most important! “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure.” Hebrews 13:4 If either of us feels a betrayal of our commitment to one another on any level, this is not a direction we should pursue.

Are we using good stewardship?

God already owns all my money, time, abilities and resources. What I have is a gift from Him. Is my pursuit of a child honoring His blessings, or squandering what I have been given?