"The Magic Formula"

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!  Tonight I am sitting at home, 36 weeks pregnant with healthy, growing twins!

This morning started with a mix of emotions as Travis and I added last-minute items to our hospital bag, loaded the van, and headed to our ultrasound appointment prepared to stay and have our babies delivered this afternoon.  While I felt prepared for whatever the ultrasound might indicate, I warned my husband that I was sure I would cry no matter what the results.

Anxiety started to build as we sat in the waiting area of the perinatology office.  I looked around the room at the other couples waiting to be called back for their ultrasounds, and I wondered if we were the only ones with reason to feel anxious.  They all looked so calm and worry-free.  I probably looked the same on the outside.  But on the inside my tummy was doing flips as I wondered what outcome a few simple measurements would determine for us.

We didn't have to wait long before we were called back, and the ultrasound itself seemed to go rather quickly, too.  Measurements completed, the technician at last reported our babies' weights:  Baby A, who measured 3 lbs. 14 oz. ten days ago, is now measuring 4 lbs. 7 oz (which happens to be the cutoff point for avoiding an automatic trip to the NICU!); and Baby B, who measured 4 lbs. 12 oz. ten days ago, is now measuring 5 lbs. 8 oz.!  Pleasantly surprised by our babies' growth and praying it would be enough for the perinatologist to grant us more time, we headed to another room and waited for her to join us with her decision.

After what seemed like forever, the perinatologist at last knocked at the door and announced as she entered that she was going to let us pick our date--she was not going to make us have our babies today!  (I think this is the point where my promised tears appeared--tears not of fear or disappointment but of relief, thankfulness, and awe of my God.)  We discussed the babies' measurements and the fact that while they are both still small (Baby A is in the 1st percentile and Baby B in the 26th), they are growing and doing well!  She felt that waiting even two more weeks (until my 38th week) would be safe as long as my health, fetal movement, and non-stress tests remain good.  At some point during the conversation she made the comment, "Every thing is just going your way today!  You guys must know the magic formula."  I looked at my husband and smiled with thanksgiving in my heart as I thought to myself, Yes, we do.

As we were heading out the door at the conclusion of our consultation, the perinatologist added, "You know, you've made all the cutoffs for the NICU.  You'll take your babies home with you at 37 weeks."  To this I replied, "Praise the Lord!" and I watched as her face lit up.  She broke out in a smile, lifted up her eyes, and started waving her hand in the air in a praise to God as she said, "Oh, yes!  That's right!"  My new-found Sister in Christ gave me a hug, and I said, "That's the Magic Formula."  We both smiled and headed down the hallway together in an attitude of praise.  You see, I knew that no matter what happened today, it would be for the glory of God; but I didn't know it would be so apparent.  Today was a true testimony to Him, and I am so blessed that I got to be a part of it.  As this story continues to unfold, I pray that God will continue to receive the glory due His Name!