You’re Absolutely Right, Mike Thompson: Financial Status Shouldn’t Determine Whether You Can Save Your Child’s Life

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I recently caught Mike Thompson’s heartfelt monologue, where he shared the harrowing health scare involving his newborn son. Like many others, I found myself in tears, deeply moved by his words. One statement that resonated profoundly was, “If your baby is at risk of dying and it can be prevented, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make.” This sentiment took me back to my own medical emergency that unfolded five years ago, during a critical moment that altered the course of my life forever.

At 19 weeks into my first pregnancy, expecting twins, everything seemed to be progressing smoothly. However, during a routine ultrasound, my doctor delivered some devastating news: I had been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix and was in labor, even though I felt no discomfort or contractions. Essentially, my cervix was dilated, and without immediate medical intervention, my water would likely break within days—far too early for the twins to survive.

What followed was almost as shocking as the diagnosis itself. My doctor presented me with three stark choices:

1. Rush to the hospital for emergency surgery to stitch my cervix and undergo strict bed rest for as long as possible.
2. Allow nature to take its course, leading to the delivery of stillborn babies within a couple of days.
3. Choose to have an abortion immediately, ending the pregnancy on my own terms.

For any expectant parent in such a situation, the instinct to protect one’s children is overwhelmingly powerful. I quickly opted for the first choice, and soon my husband was speeding me to the hospital. During the drive, I couldn’t fathom why the other two options were even on the table. Who would willingly choose not to fight for their child’s life if given the chance?

Fortunately, after a challenging 122 days of hospital bed rest, I delivered two healthy twins, both of whom required no time in the NICU. However, about a month post-delivery, I received the itemized hospital bill and nearly fainted. The total was one million dollars. Thankfully, I had comprehensive insurance, and my out-of-pocket expenses were just over $4,000—a small fraction compared to the total bill. Suddenly, the need for those other options made sense.

In 2011, without the Affordable Care Act, the financial implications of medical decisions loomed large. I was fortunate to have the means to choose the costly option. If my twins had been born prematurely, they could have spent months in the NICU, likely racking up even higher bills than I incurred during my hospital stay.

As Mike Thompson poignantly stated, “No parent should ever have to decide if they can afford to save their child’s life.” Before the Affordable Care Act, countless parents in similar circumstances faced these grim choices. Imagine having to forgo necessary medical intervention for your child, simply to avoid crippling financial strain due to an uncontrollable medical condition. It’s heartbreaking to think of families who have been forced to make such gut-wrenching decisions, only to start anew with hopes of a less complicated and more affordable pregnancy.

I commend Mike Thompson for shining a light on this critical healthcare issue, emphasizing that there should be only one option for doctors to provide: doing everything possible to save a life without the added stress of financial burdens. For more insights into home insemination and related topics, check out our other blog posts, such as this one. Additionally, if you’re exploring artificial insemination, Cryobaby offers great resources. If you’re considering fertility treatments, this link will guide you through valuable information.

In summary, the emotional weight of deciding whether to fight for a child’s life should never hinge on financial capability. Every parent deserves the right to choose life-saving options without the cloud of financial despair overshadowing their decisions.