The Baby Had No Heartbeat

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.

The Baby Had No Heartbeat

65 thoughts on “The Baby Had No Heartbeat”

  1. 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.

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  6. loranlichty says:

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

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  10. 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

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  16. 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.

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  23. 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.

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  27. Jud says:

    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.

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  30. 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.

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  31. “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.

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  41. Aaron Coe says:

    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/

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  42. Captain Kevin says:

    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.

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  47. 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.

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  48. 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.

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  49. 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!!!

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  50. 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.

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  53. 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.

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  59. 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”…

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  60. 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.

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  61. 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

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  62. Gayle Wells says:

    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!

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  63. 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.

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