June 14th arrived and we still don't know what to do. All of the 'what ifs' are killing us. Will I be able to carry them long enough to develop as fully as possible? If we "reduce" will it give the other two a better chance of survival? What about money. Can we afford four babies? These are just some of the things that were racing through our minds. We didn't know what to expect at this appointment, but based on the last one, we thickened up our skins and prepared for the worst (PLUS this time we had my mom with us...protective, Irish temper and all :)).
We arrived at Sharp Mary Birch so our consultation doctor could take pictures of the babies and get an idea of what we were dealing with. The complete Team Sandness are all still viable and doing well! When the doctor walked in, I was at ease immediately. Her presence alone was comforting to be around. After explaining that we somewhat knew what we were in for, we still didn't know what to do. "Well, here are some POSITIVE things to consider." She then went on to show and explain to us that if we did decide to carry all four, we were in the best possible situation. Each baby has it's own amniotic sac when often times it is shared. We learned that if they were to share, you would have a 'giver' and a 'taker.' At birth, the 'taker' would be born stronger than the 'giver' because all the nutrients, etc. will have been divided. In our case, each baby has has a fighting chance (that might explain why I am hungry ALL THE TIME!).
Another risk that every pregnant woman deals with but it is increased in multiples is preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and if untreated can lead to serious problems, even death; BUT the only treatment for it is delivery. Dr. Adams explained that while it is something to consider, I was at low risk. Preeclampsia didn't run in my family, I am at a good age, I'm not obese, and don't have a history of high blood
pressure, migraine headaches, diabetes, kidney disease, or rheumatoid
arthritis.
After we discussed a few other things, she said that, in her opinion, our biggest focus would need to be to keep the babies in as long as possible and resources were available to aid in the process.
We left the hospital, both feeling really good! Over the next few days we put our material fears aside and really prayed, thought about, and discussed the lives we were going to bring into this world. Will I be able to carry them long enough to develop as fully as
possible? Well, we know they'll be born early, but babies are born early all the time! I won't carry them full term, but with some help, we CAN do everything possible to keep 'em in! If we "reduce" will it give the other two a better chance of
survival? That's a no-brainer. Sure it will...right? not necessarily. What about the chance of the procedure ending the entire pregnancy? If all we're going on here is 'what if,' well what if? What about money. Can we afford four babies? LOL, oh money. Does anyone ever have enough? I would venture to say no. So we'll have to make some cutbacks. I can always learn how to sew! Neither one of us came from 'rich' backgrounds and we ended up okay. We both have wonderful childhood memories...most coming from feeling the love of being a family. Both of our parents made it work, why can't we?
Sure it will be hard but anything worth having is worth working for right? What do you know, maybe we can do this. No, not maybe, we CAN do this! It's time to make a decision. We have been fervently trying and praying that we'll be able to have a family and Heavenly Father has now blessed us with the opportunity. No looking back now. Risks and all, we are moving forward...with ALL FOUR OF OUR BABIES!!!
