Please pray for our son

Benjamin is in the neonatal intensive care unit

On December 26th, 2024, our first child, Benjamin Charles Stillman, was born at home a little before 4 AM. He was without oxygen for an unknown period of time during the birth. The midwife and her assistant both reported a pulse, but I did not hear it when I listened for it. He was resuscitated immediately by myself, our birth assistant, and our midwife. I personally performed chest compressions on him for what seemed like an eternity. He was minimally responsive during that time and I feared the worst was unfolding right before me.

We called emergency medical services, who transported him to the nearest hospital, intubated him (placed a breathing tube), and placed him on a ventilator. He has been transferred to our local children's hospital, where he is getting excellent care from a wonderful team of doctors and nurses. He is currently undergoing therapeutic hypothermia, which is standard practice and has good evidence in cases of lack of oxygen to the brain and body.

We have received many inquiries from friends, family, patients, and subscribers who knew that my wife was due on Christmas Day about our child. At this time, we are uncertain of his prognosis. There is no clear indication of what kind of recovery he will make.

Things I've Learned in the Last 48 hours

• A loving family is the most amazing gift anyone can ask for.

• Just like everyone told me, nothing can prepare you for the power of the love you feel as a parent for your child.

• Likewise, nothing on earth can prepare you to see your newborn child lying lifelessly before you.

The greatest challenge I've faced has been by my faith. We prepared so diligently for this birth, and yet it has gone so wrong. It could have gone worse, but by how much?

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised.

-Hebrews 10:23

I'm reminded that God requires patience of his believers, and brings his greatest miracles in the last moments of their tribulation. God loves underdogs and miraculous come-backs. He made Abraham and Sarah wait into their 90's for Isaac. Talk about "delayed gratification." After Isaac's birth, he called Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, only to give him a sacrificial ram at the last minute. He left Joseph in prison for ten years. He let his chosen people fall into captivity and slavery twice, where they languished for generations, and suffered every kind of torment imaginable, including infanticide.

Examples like these are why so many people mock Christianity as an absurd collection of superstitions, and our God as a capricious God who does not sincerely care about us. Which reminds me of Paul's words, often repeated in his letters, that we are, "fools for Christ" (1 Corinthians 4:10). To the world, our beliefs seem foolish, "but the foolishness of God is wiser than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25). I will be the first to admit that better Christians than I have suffered worse than I now face. But I remind myself that, "God works all things for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28).

I have found great comfort in asking the Holy Spirit to be with us, and to comfort us in this time (John 14:16).

We are grateful for your prayers for our son, Benjamin.

If you have a prayer request, please leave it in the comments and we will pray for you as well.

To those of you who have children, never miss an opportunity to tell them that you love them, and to listen to them.

I will be posting in the next few weeks about Ben's progress and prognosis.

Until next time, be well,

Dr. Stillman