Prayer Request
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    Many of you know that my wife and I are expecting our first child. Her due date was last week, and so far... nothin'.

    She has a doc appt. today, at which they are going to want to schedule an induction for next week.

    There's a lot of issues here: Nikky herself was born two (maybe three) weeks late, via c-section after an unsuccessful induction and many hours of unproductive and painful labor. So we're facing the prospect that that might happen here too. On top of that, Nikky's best friend, who we have been close to during the birth of her two children, has to leave town middle of next week, which basically means if we want her to be there and meet our kid (as we were for her and her husband), we would need to schedule something for Monday- even though it's possible that if we just wait a little bit things could take their own course. But then- unless we refuse medical treatment- we'd have to have an induction by Friday anyway, as the doc won't let her go more than two weeks for infant-safety reasons. So, you know- if we're gonna have to go through that anyway, sooner would be better. But we don't want to feel like we are rushing God's timing, and natural births are better for the baby...

    Okay- so that's what's going on.

    Please pray for my wife, for our child. I ask that you pray for us to have the wisdom to know how to proceed, that might wife be comforted, and that our child be healthy. And if you have that sort of relationship with God or the Blessed Mother, please feel free to pray that she go into labor soon.

    Also, while you're at it: Nikky's best friend (mentioned above) is pregnant again. Please pray for her, and for all unborn children.

    Thank you.

    PS: I can afford no stipends, but any priests willing and able to say a Mass on our behalf will be forever in my gratitude and debt.

    PPS: Please do not start any nine-day novenas. We do not have that much time.
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Nine hour novenas are a wonderful thing.

    I will be praying for you guys.
  • JulieCollJulieColl
    Posts: 2,465
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Nikky, Adam!

    (Been there, done that with our first child! I ended up with three C-sections out of six children---but they're all healthy which is all that matters.)
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Join me, people. Say it once an hour for 9hrs today.

    St. Gerard,
    You worshiped Jesus as the Lord of Life.
    I ask you today to pray
    For my special intention
    Of Nikky Wood's safety, and discernment with her husband in this time,
    And for the safety of their child.
    Lift up to Jesus
    All those who seek to conceive a child,
    All those having difficult pregnancies,
    All who have suffered the loss of a child,
    And all who lovingly lift up their children to God.
    Pray that all of us,
    By caring for mothers, fathers, and children
    born and unborn
    May build a Culture of Life,
    In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    Thanked by 3Adam Wood JulieColl Earl_Grey
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,934
    Prayers for all. I hope this all goes well.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    Thank you Ben.
    =============================================
    It would figure that the patron saint of expectant mothers is a dude....

    In addition to St. Gerard, I am also calling on St. Hildegard of Bingen, for whom I have a special devotion. Also- she's a Doctor.
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Adam, a grandfather's and grandmother's prayers for you all winging from CA.
    38 years ago, in paleolithic times, our first daughter was quite late. Took Wendy to the drive-in (Bronze Age) to see "JAWS." Charlotte born next day. Bruce the Shark actually works for good!
    Ironically, both Charlotte's boys were premies, C-sec's. Our squirt, Joseph Charles, at 26 weeks, smaller than my hand....prayers work! Now entering first grade he'll likely grow up to be POTUS or the Antichrist. Keeping it funny for y'all. God bless and sDg.
  • MaryAnn Carr WilsonMaryAnn Carr Wilson
    Posts: 1,738
    Praying! I like Ben's idea.
    Also, St. Gianna was a doctor and a mother. Pile on the saints!

    Gerard and Hildegard- RHYME!

    You couldn't ask for a better bday than Monday- St. Mary Magdalene. (Happens to be my 40th... but don't let that dissuade you. I only bring it up since you're considering Monday.)
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    Gerard and Hildegard- RHYME!


    dagnabit, now I won't be able to stop myself...
  • Chris Garton-Zavesky
    Posts: 6,902
    Good Saint Luke,
    we are told that before you met our dear Lord
    and became a follower of His
    and a writer of His Gospel,
    you were a doctor.
    We beg you this day
    to bless and help and protect Nikky's doctor.
    Obtain for him the graces he most needs
    to do his work well and serve God generously.
    Help him to be strong and gentle,
    prudent and charitable,
    understanding and self-sacrificing.
    Give him great skill in the care of her body and that of her unborn child,
    so that, blessed with physical strength and health,
    together they may more faithfully perform their daily tasks.

    Help us all, good Saint Luke,
    to imitate very closely the life
    and virtues of our Blessed Mother Mary,
    about whom you wrote so beautifully,
    and of Him whom she bore into this world,
    Jesus Christ our Lord and our God,
    who lives and is King for ever and ever.

    Amen.
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,151
    Adam, I am already praying for Nikky, your as yet unborn child, and of course for you. This is indeed a stressful time. My first child was nearly three weeks late, and I do know how excruciatingly difficult that wait is. Prayers also for Nikky's pregnant friend. At this time know that, by our prayers, you are closer to us and you will soon be blessed in the miracle of a new baby.
  • Ben_WhitworthBen_Whitworth
    Posts: 90
    A Litany for an Expectant Mother

    Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy.
    Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.

    God, our heavenly Father, have mercy on us.
    God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
    God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
    Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

    Holy Mary, pray for us.
    Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
    Mother of Christ, pray for us.
    Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
    Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
    Mother of the Creator, pray for us.
    Mother of our Saviour, pray for us.
    Our Lady of a Good Birth and of Milk, pray for us.
    Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

    Saint Joseph, pray for us.
    All holy innocents, pray for us.
    Saint Erasmus, pray for us.
    Saint Leonard, pray for us.
    Saint Giles, pray for us.
    Saint Ulric of Augsburg, pray for us.
    Saint Dominic of Silos, pray for us.
    Saint Antony of Padua, pray for us.
    Saint Raymond Nonnatus, pray for us.
    Saint Gerard Majella, pray for us.
    Saint Dominic Savio, pray for us.
    All holy patrons of labour and childbirth, pray for us.

    Saint Anne, pray for us.
    Saint Elizabeth, pray for us.
    Saint Margaret of Antioch, pray for us.
    Saint Monica, pray for us.
    Saint Silvia, pray for us.
    Saint Lutgardis, pray for us.
    Saint Catherine of Sweden, pray for us.
    Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, pray for us.
    All holy patronesses of labour and childbirth, pray for us.

    Saint Michael the Archangel, pray for us.
    Our guardian angels, pray for us.
    All holy protectors of this house and family, pray for us.

    V. Save thy handmaid.
    R. Whose trust is all in thee, my God.

    Let us pray.
    VISIT, we beseech thee, O Lord, this house, and banish from it and from this handmaid of thine, N., all snares of the enemy: let thy holy angels dwell herein to keep her and her children in peace, and let thy blessing be always upon her. Save them, almighty God, and let thine own brightness ever shine upon them. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    This litany is not intended for public use, and has no ecclesiastical approbation.
  • mrcoppermrcopper
    Posts: 653
    adding prayers, may all be well
  • Musicteacher56
    Posts: 621
    May the Lord bless your family during this time. I've also, "been there, done that". During my first pregnancy, I went into labor at 24 weeks and then at 42 weeks finally went into labor which was stopped because of late decelerations of the fetal heartbeat. She was finally born C-Section after 32 hours of horrible labor. Second baby, though was much easier as it was a planned section. Both children are now grown and leading lives of their own. God is good.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    FYI, everybody...

    Doc appt was fine. The kid is healthy, as is the mother, which we thought was the case.

    We have an induction scheduled for Wednesday. I am hoping and praying we will not make that appointment.

    Thank you all for your kindness and continued prayers.
    Thanked by 7CHGiffen JulieColl Kathy Chrism elaine60 Jenny Jeffrey Tucker
  • cmb
    Posts: 84
    Gerard and Hildegard- RHYME!

    And yet, they didn't make the cut for Becker?
    Prayers for a safe and timely delivery!
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • MHIMHI
    Posts: 324
    .
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    MHI.... the plot surrounding your anonymity thickens!
    Was this Mass said by you? Or simply at your behest?

    (Thank you very much, either way.)
    Thanked by 2Kathy MHI
  • MHIMHI
    Posts: 324
    .
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,500
    I have a suspicion which might account for the MH, but not the I.

    Praying for your family, Adam:)
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    I have a suspicion which might account for the MH, but not the I.


    ", the First."
    Thanked by 1Kathy
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    I recall a thread in which MHI signed off as a "Dorothy ____"- the thread about MT24 losing gig.
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,500
    Hmm. I don't know any Catholic priests named Dorothy, but then I've lived a sheltered life. Purple.
  • MHIMHI
    Posts: 324
    .
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Mhi, I dare you to sign your posts with random names and throw incorrect details in once and a while just to confuse Adam Wood (hereafter AW) even more...
  • elaine60elaine60
    Posts: 85
    Lifting all up in prayer Adam.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    Since I started the thread, no amount of humor could possibly count as "derailing."
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,696
    More derailing...

    There is a prayer for childbirth available in my forthcoming book THE RECTO TONO BOOK OF PRAYERS FOR HOME... available on lulu this coming October.
    Thanked by 4Ben Adam Wood Jani Salieri
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,500
    By MH, I of course mean Mata Hari.
    Thanked by 2Adam Wood MHI
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,934
    She's dead, you know!
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,500
    That is what she would have us think!
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,934
    Hah! LOL.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    That Mata Hari is a tricky one.
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,934
    I have heard that she was hot! Also shot, but hot, nevertheless.
  • teachermom24
    Posts: 327
    Praying for you all! I know the first is particularly nerve-wracking but I am sure everything will turn out fine. The next one will be MUCH easier!

    Kathy
  • MaryAnn Carr WilsonMaryAnn Carr Wilson
    Posts: 1,738
    Any news??

    When I think of MHI, I think
    Most holy instigator
    ;)

    But I don't think I'm even close.
    Thanked by 2CharlesW MHI
  • Felicity
    Posts: 77
    Adam, be assured of my prayers for you, your wife, and your baby.

    Deo gratias!
    Felicity
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 892
    Marty Haugen Impersonator/Impostor

    Prayers to Adam and family!
    Thanked by 2JulieColl MHI
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    We continue to wait.

    Psalm 13.
    For the director of music.
    How long, O Lord?
  • JulieCollJulieColl
    Posts: 2,465
    I see on Drudge Report that the Duchess of Cambridge is in labor---maybe the stars are lining up, or the moon is full, or whatever it is that makes babies come. : )
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,160
    Are you looking for baby name tips?


  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    Are you looking for baby name tips?

    Do you have some?

    Baby naming has been a real problem, made doubly-worse by not knowing the gender yet. I think we've settled on two, though.
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Go with something canonical, like Cornelius Cyprian Wood.

    Canonical as in, from the canon :)
    Thanked by 2Kathy CHGiffen
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    That way, you can raise him liking the roman canon, because when he's young, he'll think they're staying his name every time.
    Thanked by 2Adam Wood MHI
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    I was championing Linus Cletus Clement Wood.
    Most of my name suggestions were quickly vetoed.

    "Erasmus?"
    "No."
    "Benedict?"
    "No."
    "Athanasius?"
    "No."
    "C'mon, what's wrong with Athanasius?"
    "Are you serious?"
    "....
    .....
    no."
    Thanked by 1Kathy
  • ronkrisman
    Posts: 1,388
    Since you're inferring it will be a boy, why not one of the sons of Adam?

    Abel or Seth? I can't imagine you and Nikky raising Cain.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,451
    We do not know the gender. That same conversation happened with Hildegard, Prisca, and Aquilla.
  • ClemensRomanusClemensRomanus
    Posts: 1,023
    I had an eerily similar conversation with my wife last year. It ended with "Cecilia," which my wife heard in a dream of hers.

    My wife also had to have a c-section after hours of pushing with no effect. Unfortunately, Cecilia was "sunny side up," and couldn't be turned. Broke my wife's heart, but she got over it quickly.

    As for waiting, we did a lot of walking around a mall and eating spicy food. It worked.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,160
    No point in suggesting Apollonia, then? She's the patroness of dentistry, which is helpful for kids.

  • PaixGioiaAmorPaixGioiaAmor
    Posts: 1,473
    Absolute truth - My first son is named Gavin, because when we were looking at names, I was browsing this forum one day and saw a regular poster whose name is Gavin. I liked the name, suggested it to my wife, and the rest is history.
    Thanked by 1Gavin
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,151
    Call me old fashioned (or just old), but my children's first names are the result of opting for Saints, and their middle names are names drawn from the family: Anne Louise, Stephen Charles, Michael James, Andrew Duncan, Nicholas John, Alexander William, and Matthew Morgan.
    Thanked by 3Adam Wood JulieColl Jenny
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