Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“
I’m pregnant. Dear Hubby (“DH”) and I received confirmation (via urine analysis) at my OBGYN’s office on the morning of January 12, 2011 (7 weeks). I always thought I would be more excited, but the truth of the matter is that an unplanned pregnancy is never “exciting”. It’s not that I didn’t want this. I always pictured myself as an older, maybe late twenties, degree holding, enjoyable job with (even better) benefits, first-time mom.
So, I’m pregnant and I am without insurance that will cover prenatal and postnatal care. My insurance, which is provided by my employer, does not cover pregnancy/maternity because it’s a small business with less than 15 employees. DH can’t add me to his insurance because the open enrollment period has ended and my being pregnant is not considered to be a “qualified family change”. State health coverage is not an option for a couple of reasons: (a) pride and (b) our monthly income exceeds the eligibility requirements. That being said, two options remain: (1) look for an insurance provider that will allow me, young pregnant woman, to enroll in their program or (2) pay for all doctor’s visits, lab work, ultrasounds, delivery/hospital stay, etc. completely out of pocket and pray I do not have a complicated pregnancy/delivery.
So, there I was, on January 13, 2011 vehemently searching for an insurance provider to cover my, correction, our, little “oops” pregnancy. Luckily, I found something very promising, but being employed at a Law Firm for nearly four years has taught me to triple, strike that, QUADRUPLE check into something before leaping. I patiently waited for a cute little lady by the name of Georgia to check into the very promising provider before I “dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s”. Did I say patiently? I have never been a patient person and have yet to come across a patient mother-to-be. Let’s just say waited. I waited for Georgia to look over the quote I was provided and it ended up being a bust, I’ll spare the details.
Plan Z it is: pay for all prenatal/postnatal care out of pocket. Ever feel like you’ve “bitten off more than you can chew”? I think I just have, but I know the Lord will never give me more than I can handle. We will handle it. I’m sure it will take several Excel spreadsheets and a lot of prayers, but we will manage because God will provide. He always does, that’s the good thing about our awesome God, he ALWAYS provides.
On January 19, 2011 (8 weeks) we went back to my OB’s office with the unfortunate news of having to “self-pay” for all medical visits required during the course of my pregnancy. The office manager had us sign the “self-pay form” and shortly after that we were called back for my appointment. We entered the Ultrasound (“US”) room and reality finally smacked me in the face, because shortly after entering Baby J appeared on the screen and we could see/hear its little heart pumping at 170 beats per minute. When DH and I saw this we could only stare at the flat screen and giggle in amazement. The US Tech measured and printed a picture of our wee little bundle of joy and advised us of our Estimated Date of Delivery: August 31, 2011! We met with my OB shortly thereafter and she advised that all measured accordingly and looked excellent!With all of the great news, we couldn’t help in sharing with our family and close friends. Out went text messages to my 7 best friends along with a copy of the US picture and in flooded the congratulations! We told my immediate family and then DH’s immediate family. We decided to save several phone calls and sent an e-mail announcing the wonderful news to our remaining family members. All were completely and totally excited and we couldn’t have been more thrilled!
With a lot of prayers being said for me and Baby J, we finally received some good news; I was going to be insured! Of course, this didn’t happen on its own. I decided to call the Firm’s insurance consulting company and inquired as to whether or not they could think of any other possible way to get me covered. PRAYERS were answered, thank you Lord! They found a loop hole and as of February 2, 2011 my pregnancy was officially covered! Power of prayer never ceases to amaze me; I have a wonderful prayer team behind me and couldn’t be more grateful for those people in my life.
As for my pregnancy, other than fatigue, sore “joes” and the constant need to pee, all is well. That’s right; I haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing “morning sickness”! I am so grateful for that because, like all expectant mothers, I wasn’t looking forward to it.
So, here is where I will post all things pregnancy and baby related. ALL will be posted, from “G” to “R”: my aggravations, stressors, purchase choices, food cravings/aversions, etc., etc., etc. Thoughts, opinions and advice are strongly encouraged, so BRING IT ON! Wish us luck and keep us in your prayers.
