Yet another uneventful appointment today. I like these! There are no new concerns and the issues we're monitoring are the same. I'm gaining weight appropriately (oh yea, it's a hardship) and just from looking at the ultrasound and feeling their strengthening kicks, they are too. The office only does the detailed measuring every other week so we have to wait until next Monday to see how many more grams we've gained.
Dr. Schneider discussed in a little more detail with us what the plan of action might be. He said that 28 weeks is the beginning of the lower risk viability (85%-95% survival) but there is still greater risk for morbidity (complications such as blindness, cerebral palsy...etc) at that point. The longer we wait, the lower that morbidity risk is. However, he said each week we wait is like rolling the dice in hopes that nothing happens to Penelope and effects Lydia. The longer Lydia has inutero, the stronger she will be. The longer Penelope stays beyond viability, the more risk we have of losing one or both of them. Once Penny is out, she can be given the nutrition that she's not getting through the placenta. As we get a little closer we will continue to weigh our options as compared with their progress. One option he mentioned was that if we see any decline in Penelope, that we should consider admitting me to the hospital around 28 weeks for more close monitoring and then deliver according to what happens. He said we could wait it out to 30 or even 32 weeks but that, again, the risks must be taken into consideration.
Also a concern, although not a medical one, is how all of this will play out with my medical leave options from work and our insurance. Because I'm paid hourly rather than salaried, I'm not offered a paid maternity leave and only have access to 12 weeks of medical leave including maternity. The girls will most likely be in the NICU for 2-3 months and that would make my leave time run out before they even get home! After the medical leave runs out, the insurance premium we would have to pay (I've heard from other recent moms at MCS) is so astronomical that it would make it nearly impossible for us to pay and still be able to eat. Please just pray that I can navigate the maze that is the Board of Education Benefits system and find the best plan for our family.
Pray also that we will continue to trust in God's sovereign plan for it all and that He is Jehovah Jireh (the Lord will provide) in every situation. He has been so faithful every step of the way to provide the peace, the support, the information, and the two little lives inside of me so far. We know he is trustworthy. Thank you for being a part of how He's provided for us so far.
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