Thanks to all of you who e-mailed your support to Mary, mom-to-be with twins at 24 weeks gestation. Good news -- she's still pregnant! :-) She's on total bed rest and hoping to make it to at least 28 weeks.

Here are your warm thoughts and prayers. Thanks for making Pregnancy Today such a special community where support is number one!

I understand times are beginning to get rough for you. I want to offer some words of encouragement. GOD is a wonderful GOD! He loves you, your family and your little ones growing inside of you. He hears your worries, your cries and of course he feels your pain. I know right now you are questioning why this is happening to you but of course all things happen for a reason. GOD allowed this to happen (but didn't want it to) because he knows you are a fighter and he trusts that you will do anything possible for your babies. I just wanted to tell you to stand strong, trust, and believe GOD will work it all out.

My prayers and thoughts are with you!

Cheri

Dear Mary,

My neighbor gave birth at 24 weeks to twins. They were in the hospital for a long time, but she now has them home with her and they're doing TERRIFIC!!!!!! They are the cutest, cutest little brother and sister!! So please don't give up hope! Many people are praying for you.

Clare in Massachusetts

Dear Mary,

My husband and I are expecting our first children in November 1999, twins. We just like to express our heartfelt thoughts to you and your family. You are in our prayers.

Love,

Michael & Andrea Picarella
Long Island, New York

Hi,

I am almost 17 weeks with one baby and I am nervous every day hoping all will be okay with my baby. I can't imagine how you must be feeling carrying two. All I can say is that prayer helps all the time, I will ask God to think of you and your children. Have faith and let us know how you are doing.

Daniella

I will pray for Mary and her babies. I am a mother expecting triplets and I know it must be so hard for her.

Let her know that she will be in my prayers. Please let us know how she is doing.

Angela

Mary,

Just a note to let you know that i'm praying for you and your "lil ones." Twenty three weeks is very early but put everything is God's hands. He is the only one in control of everything. Your health is more important at this time. Try to relax and let the doctors take care of you!!!!!

Sincerely,

no_1mommy
EDC Sept. 20

Elisa,

I'm writing to offer any support I can to the mom you mentioned on the pregnancy today newsletter -- I assume she's on bedrest?

Please let me know what I can do to help. I can offer resources, emotional support, information -- whatever.

Hope all is well with you.

Warmly,

Mara (mom to Gavriella Sara and Layla Chana -- born May 30, 1996 at 30.5 weeks and Shimon Yakir -- born March 10, 1999 at 36 weeks)

Clinical Psychologist -- Chicago, Illinois

Co-author: _The Emotional Journey of Parenting Your Premature Baby: A Book of Hope and Healing_ (NICU Ink, around 2001)
Co-author: "Dealings" in _The Early Edition Newsletter_
Author "Coping" in the _Preemie Parent Connection Newsletter_
http://www.vicnet.net.au/~garyh/conf99.htm

Hi Mary,

Although you don't know me, I am thinking of you and your babies. I worked for two years in a developmental clinic for NICU babies and I know the fears you must be going through if they are born too soon. Hang in there. With technology as it is today, Neonatologists can do amazing things. Know that thoughts are coming for all of you from everywhere and prayer is an amazing thing. May your heart be lighter knowing there are others there to help carry the load.

Thinking of you, your babies, and your family with smiles,

Kathy

Mary,

I want you to know that you are in my prayers and thoughts. May God be with you.

Christine :)

Hi Mary,

I'm sending all the {{{positive vibes}}} I can find inside of me. I hope everything is fine and your babies are born healthy and happy. XOXOXO

Chanda

Mary,

Having been through the NICU experience in 1998 with my daughter, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sincerely,

Amy Richter
San Diego, CA

Hi,

I am 12 weeks pregnant for the first time and it has changed me totally. Before I never thought about these things at all, now I feel so differently about possible problems one can experience.

To give Mary some hope though, I would like to mention my hubby's daughter. Zennet was born at 24 weeks and is a very healthy, happy six year old today. Zennet was born here in South Africa at a private clinic, but not a specialised neonate facility. She has a slight problem with her sight but to everyone's amazement that seems to be disappearing. Twins must be tinier but there is hope. God bless Mary -- I pray he works a miracle for your babies.

Cheers,

Wendy Aarts
Johannesburg; South Africa

Dear Mary,

I have recently become a mother for the first time. My husband and I now know the meaning of true joy with our new son. My sister had a set of twins six years ago so we have some experience with multiples in our family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. So keep your spirits up and think of how strong your babies are growing. Imagine them gaining weight each day and becoming stronger. If you visualize them getting healthier and holding them in your arms, then these positive images will help you get through each day. Keep praying because God does listen. Good Luck!

Lynne Hinrichsen

Dear Mary,

I just want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you. I just recently had a little boy at 36 weeks and fought to keep him. I spent eight weeks in the hospital and I know it was the thoughts and prayers of others that helped me get throught it all. Plus a wonderful doctor. My little boy is now five weeks old and doing so wonderful, he is just about to come home from NICU.

Think positive thoughts as hard as it may be and all will okay. Remember all are praying for you and those precious little ones. Good luck and I will keep checking to see how you are doing.

Shelly

Mary,

I feel like your babies are my babies! I'm not sure if you remember but we are both due with twins on September 3rd. I was so saddened to hear of your situation. Know that we are all thinking of you (both on the twins list and on the September99 list). You are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself and of those two little ones.

Lyn Thompson

I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I now at times it may seem hopeless, but keep a positive attitude and remember what you are fighting for. When those beautiful babies are born, you will soon forget the struggle. Hang in there!

Melissa Gilbertson

Mary,

My prayers are with you. I am 38 years old have a wonderful husband of two years (second marriage). We were lucky to get pregnant two times both ending in miscarrage. I had given up hope thinking I'll never be able to have children until accidently I discovered I was pregnant again. I put this one into God's hands and trusted him with all my heart and soul. Every night with a positive attitude I prayed for a healthy pregnancy. I am proud to say I will be a mommy in two weeks.

So what ever you do NEVER GIVE UP HOPE and stay strong. You're gonna' need it to take care of those two beautiful babies. My prayers are with you.

Maree

Dear Mary,

I will pray for you and your children. I am pregnant with twins at 23 weeks and have been on restricted bed rest for the last five weeks. I had a cerclage put in and am praying to make it to 32 weeks. I understand all the complications of delivering prematurely and feel for you and your family. Have faith in God. Good luck, from one frantic mom-to-be to another.

Mary replies to your letters:

Oh, Elisa,

I'm so overwhelmed! Please thank your readers for their support. I'm just amazed at the kindness and well wishes being extended to us. I cannot tell you how much these messages mean. I get such motivation from them.

At times, I want to settle for 24 weeks. Then, I read of the hopes folks have for us, and I get the desire to go on... So strange -- the power of total strangers, but best friends, as we are all in this together!

Please feel free to update your readers. We would love more prayers for our babies. I really believe God is honoring the faithful prayers by giving us this many days beyond the doctor's expectations.

Thanks again,

Mary

Editor's Note: Mary has made it to 24 weeks, five days after having her water break two weeks ago! The doctors say it's a miracle that she's still pregnant and the babies are doing fine. Keep your positive thoughts and prayers coming -- they're making a difference!