Delivery Planning Meeting

On April 30, we had our delivery plan meeting - 15 professionals in a conference room to discuss delivery and postnatal care details for Caroline's birth. In terminal pregnancies, the team's main goal is to hear our wishes and (barring any extreme medical complications) try their best to adhere to our preferences and expectations for her arrival into the world.

The day started with another ultrasound to see Caroline, followed by a few private moments to coordinate before the conference began. The room was filled with Doctors (our OB, Maternal Fetal Medicine physicians, the neonatologist and the Perinatal Hospice Doctor), Nurse coordinators, labor and delivery nurses, social workers and our priests. Dr. Schlegel (the hospice doctor), opened the meeting by inviting the priests to start with prayer - a reminder that no matter the situation, not only is God present, but that he is in charge.

At the outset we shared with the team that assuming Caroline is born alive, our primary goal is to have her baptized. Fr. Dinovo has also shared that, given Caroline's prognosis, he can provide some  other sacraments short order. We also discussed our hope that Jane, Edward, and Andrew can be in a special nearby waiting room to have a few moments with Caroline, and that once she's born, the medical team will allow a special photographer in the room to capture our precious moments.

Turning to the more medical matters, we discussed with the team that we have chosen not to schedule an induction. Once labor starts, Jessica will not have the fetal monitors hooked up, and doctors will only intermittently check on Caroline's heartbeat/etc. This decision also relates to our wish that Jessica deliver Caroline without a C-Section, unless there is some significant medical emergency for Jessica's health.

We know that with these choices, Caroline may leave us before she is delivered.  However, we've consistently believed in leaving things to God's plan, even if His plan is not what we've wanted. There is a certain peace in not trying to control everything, and finding acceptance even in the most challenging times.

Before we're discharged from the hospital, the medical team will also confirm our choice to have an autopsy - not for our own knowledge, but for hopes to possibly help other families and the chance of any medical study or advancement.

Throughout the conference, Dr. Murnane (Jessica's OB) was a commanding presence and champion for her comfort, care, and her faith. And the conference ended with Fr. Lynch's closing prayer, including a Hail Mary and praying for the intercession of Blessed Margaret of Castello.