In September 2008, I became pregnant with Edwin after suffering a miscarriage just 5 months prior. I was experiencing some difficulties throughout the pregnancy. I had to see a specialist and at 22 weeks, I had to be rushed to the hospital due to a lot of pressure and mild bleeding. The doctors discovered that I was 5 centimeters dilated at 22 weeks. They told me that I would be confined to the hospital bed until the baby comes; this meant that I couldn’t get out of the bed at all and I had to lay with my head in a reclining downward position and legs in an upward position all day, every day. This was done to keep the baby inside and to reduce the pressure. The nurse explained to me that if the baby comes at 23 weeks or before, they would not revive the baby. So much prayer was going forward from my family and church family to keep this baby inside until it was safe to come out. The good Lord kept the baby inside for 3 weeks.
Out came little Edwin Elijah Alexander at 25 weeks, on Feb. 25, 2009, weighing just 2 lbs. Edwin had to stay in the NICU at St. Mary’s Hospital for 3 months. This process was very hard for us, as we would visit him daily sometimes 3 and 4 times per day just to be with him and so he would be familiar with our voices and our love. I watched him fight as they put all of these tubes, C-PAPs, and oxygen tools on him. His situation kept us on our knees praying and hoping for the best. My husband and I would put scriptures inside of his incubator and pray those scriptures over him at each visit. The doctors and nurses admired this and had a lot of respect for our family for faithfully praying over him.
Edwin was released from the hospital on May 26, 2009 at 5 lbs 2 oz. We brought our healthy baby boy home. He was smaller than the average 3 month old but was very strong. At 10 months he was tested for growth development delays to see if he needed any therapy. Edwin passed the test with flying colors and was told that he is more advanced than the average child his age. From then on he has never needed therapy and people are amazed at the things he knows at such a young age. He has been gifted and blessed with a photographic memory. God is awesome! He promised that He would save our baby and He did just that. We thank God for our church family for standing in the gap throughout the whole process by sending prayers up to Father God.
Sis. Celestra & Bro. Edward Alexander
