The Baby Had No Heartbeat

2008 May 17
by Chris Elrod

This past Thursday Denise and I went to the doctor for her first OB visit and sonogram.  While going through the exam it was discovered that the baby was two weeks under-developed and had no heartbeat…in essence the doctor feels we have lost the baby.  As you can imagine this has been devastating news for us and it has been an emotional few days.  We still have to go back to the doctor on Monday for another exam so that they can verify that the baby will definitely miscarry.  They will also decide what steps are needed in order to protect Denise’s health over the next several weeks.

We have been told that the next few weeks will be rough for Denise physically…not to mention emotionally.  As a result I am taking an open-ended vacation from Compass Point and have no clue when I will return to the pulpit.  I also will not be answering email, posting to this blog, Twittering or returning phone calls for a while.  It depends on Denise’s health as to whether I will be attending this week’s Whiteboard Sessions…at this point I think it is safe to say that I will be a no-show.

We are trusting God through this process and know that He has a plan for all of this.  We are faithful that God is at work and we are committed to following Him no matter what.  Please continue to pray for Denise and I as we will also be praying for you.

65 Responses leave one →
  1. 2008 May 17

    my heart + prayers go out to you, this is very sad news – may the God of all comfort be with you thrru the weeks ahead and strength you.

  2. 2008 May 17

    praying for you both…let me know if i can do anything at all.

  3. 2008 May 17

    I’m am so sorry for you guys. My prayers are with you.

  4. 2008 May 17
    amy permalink

    my husband and I follow you on twitter. We are praying for you and Denise.

  5. 2008 May 17
    loranlichty permalink

    Chris
    My prayers are with you & your wife. Take the time you need and be with your wife.
    Thansk for sharing.
    Loran

  6. 2008 May 17

    Praying for y’all, Chris and Denise…

  7. 2008 May 17

    Keeping you in my prayers… So sorry for you guys…

  8. 2008 May 17

    i’m praying for you guys!

  9. 2008 May 17

    Chris,

    I’ve watched you close and in person. I’ve followed your life via blog. You’re a friend that has made me laugh and think. Today, you made me cry…crying with you both. – trav

  10. 2008 May 17

    I’ll be praying for you both!!

  11. 2008 May 17

    You have our prayers, Chris & Denise.

  12. 2008 May 17

    Chris,

    You and your wife will certainly be in our prayers. I am so very sorry.

    Scott

  13. 2008 May 17

    No words… other than I am so very sorry…
    We love you and are praying for you both!!

  14. 2008 May 17

    Chris & Denise,

    You’ve been in our prayers from the beginning of this journey. Know that you will continue to be in our prayers.

    Rob

  15. 2008 May 17

    We experienced similar situation with our first child. God used you tonight to bring perspective to my own life and ministry. My family will be praying for yours.

  16. 2008 May 17

    You have my prayers. My heart goes out to what you and your wife are going through.

  17. 2008 May 17
    Jonathan Hopson permalink

    Chris & Denise, you’ll both be in our prayers.

  18. 2008 May 17

    Praying for you both!

  19. 2008 May 17

    Praying here.

  20. 2008 May 17
    dashhouse permalink

    So sorry. You’re in my prayers.

  21. 2008 May 17

    I’m so very sorry, I’ll be praying for you all.

  22. 2008 May 17

    Chris,

    We are praying. We went through the same thing a while back. No words can help in this time. Just we love you both.

    Take one day at a time.

  23. 2008 May 17

    I am praying for you and your wife. My wife & I went through this as well, so we understand your pain.

  24. 2008 May 17

    chris – praying for you that God gives you the comfort that you need

  25. 2008 May 17
    pete permalink

    Oh man….oh man.

    Been where you are, wish I could make it better.

    I will pray.

  26. 2008 May 17
    Jud permalink

    Chris and Denise,

    I don’t have adequate words, this is that nebulous zone where nothing seems right, just nothing. Still, I believe the Lord sees our time line and His and one day we will see what we know and it will be not Ok but just perfect. Yeah, its good to know that but it’s hard to remember especially when I read a blogpost like this,

    prayers will be lifted.

  27. 2008 May 17

    As always bro, I’ve got your back.

  28. 2008 May 17

    no words, just know Deb and I and the whole family are praying for you guys

  29. 2008 May 17

    Chris,

    I have been a silent reader of your blog for a long time – my heart goes out to you and your wife. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you are going through. Know that you and Denise are in my prayers.

  30. 2008 May 17

    “I can see a light that is coming, for the heart that holds on; there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes, still I will praise You.”

    Praying for you in Chattanooga.

  31. 2008 May 18

    praying

  32. 2008 May 18

    Prayers lifted.

  33. 2008 May 18
    bradmoffatt permalink

    Praying for you in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

  34. 2008 May 18

    Chris,

    We love you and are praying for you and Denise.

    Ray

  35. 2008 May 18

    We went through the same thing. It is terrible. praying 4u

  36. 2008 May 18

    Sucks! Praying for yall.

  37. 2008 May 18
    Daryl permalink

    God is walking ahead and behind you. Praying for you folks in NC.

  38. 2008 May 18

    Praying for you and your wife.

  39. 2008 May 18
    philS permalink

    so sorry to hear this. praying for you both.

  40. 2008 May 18
    Aaron Coe permalink

    Hi Chris

    So sorry to hear the news. I am a church planter in New York City. My wife and I have had our ups and downs over the last 10 years as we have struggled to have kids. 2 1/2 years ago after 2 miscarriages my wife got a similar report as yours on our third pregnancy. I have attached a link to a blog that my wife wrote as she chronicled her journey. Our story is one of God stepping into a hopeless situation and doing only what he could do. We are praying for the miraculous.

    http://babycoe.blogspot.com/

  41. 2008 May 19
    Captain Kevin permalink

    Chris,
    So very sorry to hear this news. I commend you for taking time away. Keeping you and your wife in prayer. God bless you.

  42. 2008 May 19

    Chris,

    I had no idea. You guys are in our prayers!!!!

  43. 2008 May 19
    Geo Cobb permalink

    Praying for you, Denise and your families and friends…. from Little Rock

  44. 2008 May 19

    Said a prayer for you guys today.

  45. 2008 May 19

    Love you guys and praying for you…

  46. 2008 May 19

    Chris, my heart grieves for you and Denise… I have no words or wisdom, nothing can be said that you don’t already know.

    I and my wife will be praying for you both. The prayer team at Pathways will also be lifting you both to our Lord.

  47. 2008 May 19

    Chris – know that you are being held up in prayer! The Wildmen are aware and we will stand in the gap and hold you and your family up during this dark time.

  48. 2008 May 19

    Thanks to everyone that has commented to this post thus far. Denise and I are grateful for your prayers and words of encouragement…they have been a HUGE boost in an otherwise dark time.

    We were back at the doctor’s office today where we received confirmation that the baby definitely has no heartbeat and has not developed beyond what we saw last week. We have some tough choices to make now and will be back at at the doctor’s office next week. Right now it looks as if Denise might have to have some minor surgery…but the doctors want to wait until next week to make that determination. I am still not sure about attending Whiteboard…though Denise is encouraging me to go. We’ll just have to wait to see.

    God has been faithful through this whole process and we have never stopped trusting Him. We know without a shadow of a doubt that He has a plan for all of this and that His timing is always perfect. We are spending much time in prayer as a couple and God has comforted us in some many ways over the weekend.

    Thank you again for the prayers, love and support…you guys are golden!!!

  49. 2008 May 19

    We have walked through three miscarriages. Yes it is something that does heal with time, but it is the dreams and hopes for your son or daughter that you carry the moment you know you are expecting that are the hardest to leave behind. Pray does work. But it takes time.

    May the God of all comfort walk with you and fill the hours of the night that seem so empty.

  50. 2008 May 19

    praying so very hard for you.

  51. 2008 May 19

    I am praying for the decisions ahead. Keep loving and supporting Denise. We are praying!

  52. 2008 May 20

    I was excited for you when you shared the news on your blog that your wife was pregnant, now we grieve with you and pray with you as you go through this time.

  53. 2008 May 20

    Chris,

    I’m so sorry man. We’re praying for you and your bride that you will know the comfort of the Father.

  54. 2008 May 21
    adam herod permalink

    Lifting you and your wife up Chris.

  55. 2008 May 21

    praying

  56. 2008 May 22
    MattH permalink

    Stunned.

    Praying that the God of all comfort is with you in this time.

  57. 2008 May 22

    Praying for you both…

  58. 2008 May 26

    God will bless you with children. We are lifting you up in prayer even now God says it is already done. Do not lose hope, do not give up, do not doubt. The God you serve is the God of extraordinary circumstances and he is the chief physician. Your wife’s body is still under warranty! God made her so present her to her maker and tell him what it is you desire and he will do it. I stand in agreement right now! You will have your babies and many of them! I speak life over your wifes womb! “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those that love it shall it the fruit thereof”…

  59. 2008 May 27

    Wow, I’m a little late, here, but I wanted you to know that I’m praying for you guys. I can’t imagine what you must be going through, but I am praying to the God who does.

  60. 2008 May 27

    Chris,

    Connie and I went through this exact scenario and you are wise to take some time. It was a crushing blow for us that took time to heal from. It was very hard on me – harder than I expected.

    I know you have tons of people around you – but if you need to talk to someone outside of your immediate circle that you can just vent to – feel free.

    Praying for you and your wife.

    Shawn Wood
    Seacoast Church
    843-881-2100 ext. 1161

  61. 2008 May 27
    Gayle Wells permalink

    Chris – my firend, I cannot tell you how sorry I am to hear this news. At a time like this no words are enough. Just know that Steve and I are praying for you. Praying for peace and comfort. Praying for decisions that need to be made. Praying for sleep on sleepless nights. But mostly praying for devine intervention where children are concerned. Love ya!

  62. 2008 May 28

    I really suck at condolences, and I hate to tell people that I’ll pray for them and then forget to do so. So, before I typed this note, I set my computer down, got down on my knees and prayed for you, your wife and your child. My heart goes out to you.

  63. 2008 June 1

    My heart goes out to you and you will be in my prayers.

  64. 2008 June 12

    I’m so sorry for your your loss. May you both be comforted in the arms of the Lord Jesus.

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