Hello Viability/Update IV

We made it. We made it to the day that doctors told me we would not. At 24 weeks babies are considered to be viable. But, what does that mean really? Where are we now that we are on this side of viability? 

So much stress and fear has gone into the time spent getting to this point. But, as I have said before, we are not 'there' yet. 26, 28, 30 weeks are all of our upcoming benchmarks. And after seeing our MFM specialist as well as a Neonatologist, we have been asked to begin making some really difficult decisions. For example, do we want to do delayed interval delivery (potentially sacrificing Baby A for the long term benefit of the healthier, Baby B) and if one or both of the babies arrive, do we want to see them resuscitated or to be given palliative care. 

I do not know how one begins to make these decisions. My entire basis for refusing termination was to bank on hope and mother nature. If I did not offer resuscitation, then have I not given up hope and forgone the fight for the baby/babies? And, to pick one baby over another based on statistics? How cruel. And, how cruel to ask a mother to decide. 

We are trying to take into consideration some logical information in making these decisions: A pPROM baby at 24 weeks is not the same as a healthy baby at 24 weeks. Chances of survival without complications are lower. On the other hand, the NICU staff are happy to attempt resuscitation if we so choose. 

In the mean time, we are also trying to decide when to take steroids. It will help both babies, but works best within the first week after which the positive effects start to wear off. Many women have them administered at 24 weeks, but our doctor pointed out that if we are not confident we would take all measures to save the babies at this stage, that it might be more helpful until we reach that point. It is such a gamble and there continues to be no predictability in terms of the end of the pregnancy or the outcome for either child. 

Facebook status of the day: Please mother nature, give us more time so these decisions are unnecessary