Diagnosed anemia during pregnancy reversed

While I was pregnant with our son, Joshua, in the winter of 2007, doctors told me I had a blood condition that was very harmful, and potentially fatal, to our baby. They warned that this condition would cause the child to become anemic, and classified the pregnancy as “High Risk.” My regular appointments were transferred to a regional medical center which had a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They believed that the baby would need special attention after the birth.

My first thoughts about the situation were not fearful, because throughout the pregnancy, I’d been praying and gaining a clear sense that God was in control of every detail—and that He was the only Creator. I knew Joshua was already God’s child. My husband and I had also been talking to a Christian Science practitioner throughout the whole pregnancy. And the practitioner shared the idea that a child represents a promise from God.

I reasoned that because God is Love, He would not make a promise to me and then proceed to break it by causing complications or illness. Love’s promises are sure and reliable. Anything else would not be loving. As our divine Parent, God nourishes and develops His own ideas. These thoughts gave me confidence, but throughout all the medical checkups and examinations, I constantly had to dig deeper in my prayers to find peace. There were times when I struggled with fear and hopelessness.

Every week, our primary doctor required ultrasounds to monitor our son’s health. When the tests were unfavorable, as they were a few times, he advocated medical intervention. The doctor continued to report that Joshua showed signs of anemia, and on one particular visit, he said a blood transfusion should be scheduled as soon as possible. I’d already told the doctor that my husband and I were in regular contact with a Christian Science practitioner, so when I asked for another week to pray about the situation, he respected our decision.

At the next appointment, a nurse administered more tests, and again, the results were not considered acceptable. They showed clear signs that our baby was anemic. The nurse left me by myself to wait for the doctor, and I lay there and prayed earnestly. I knew at that moment I could not let fear hypnotize me. Fear could not help me, or the baby, in any way. It would try to paralyze my thought and block out inspiration and powerful healing ideas. But I knew that a fearless state of mind is always receptive to Truth.

I realized that a test could not truly tell me about the health of our son; God was the only reliable source of information about our child’s identity. In those moments, the fear subsided, and I gained a calm trust that Joshua was healthy, just the way God made him. The doctor arrived and administered more tests, only to find that the results were completely different from before—they were acceptable. At one point he commented, “You’re blowing our minds here!” He decided to throw out the previous tests.

Then there was a point in the pregnancy when I again became discouraged. Further tests indicated this issue was not completely resolved. I even questioned what the outcome would be. And I wondered what I was really learning spiritually in the midst of all the conflicting material information. My husband and I had been relying on God wholeheartedly, but I was discouraged that regular assessments at the doctor’s office showed test results that were swinging back and forth. I asked, “Can God be teaching us that we need to follow a prescribed medical path in order to find stable health for our child?” Quickly the answer came. “God can only be teaching us about His goodness and omnipotence. He is completely trustworthy in taking care of His own children and is the source of life.” This was a major turning point for me. I no longer questioned what was going to happen, and any dark thoughts left.

With this renewed trust in God, I was unfazed when the doctor discussed the need for me to have either a caesarean section or an induced labor. In addressing this, I found Hymn No. 144 from the Christian Science Hymnal very helpful. The first verse reads, “In atmosphere of Love divine, / We live, and move, and breathe.” To me, this pointed out that, in fact, our baby was really dwelling in the atmosphere of Love. And naturally, Love would never harm its own idea.

My husband and I had total confidence in God’s timing, and mentioned this to the doctor. We told him about our trust that God knew when to bring Joshua to us in just the right time. I don’t recall the doctor’s response, but an understanding was established between us. I do remember being thankful for the knowledge that we were all receptive to divine Mind’s leading. There didn’t need to be a conflict, since we all wanted the best for the baby.

In the end, Joshua arrived one month later than what the doctor would have originally liked. The pregnancy went full term, plus a few days. The labor was not induced, and the delivery was natural, with no medical intervention. After the delivery, the doctor said, “Your baby is certainly not anemic. He’s strong and handled that just fine!”

Following protocol, Joshua was taken to the NICU. There he was cared for, observed, and tested regularly by the staff, but given no medical treatment. After a couple of days, the doctors agreed that he was indeed healthy and could be released. Today, our son is a rambunctious, busy little toddler.

Kimi Kelley | Weiser, Idaho, US