High Risk Pregnancies

I think it might have been because I was on BP meds before I was preg and with the meds my BP was at a good level.

Hopefully your BP starts to lower soon.

Hi chatz,

Was wondering how your little one is getting on. I am currently in hospital awaiting delivery of my baby. I am almost 30 weeks and my placenta is no longer allowing enough blood and oxygen to baby. It is measuring e tween 25 and 27 weeks currently and weighs around 860g. We are expecting delivery to be any day but depend on heart monitor results which are done at least every 12 hours.

Our baby is generally healthy, and they seem to think it has good odds given its gestation, I have already had the steroids and am now really just buying time.

Is his growth normal for his age? What were those first days in the NICU like? We went through the unit today and am happy with it but felt incredibly overwhelmed at the time.

Ay thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

That's good to hear Chatz, I am feeling alot calmer about the situation today after its had some time to sink in. I found the tour of the NICU quite distressing and had a good blub about it all in the middle of the night, but had to make peace with it as I can't change it and realise I have more time to prepare for it all than some other mums do. I really want a calm delivery and have said as much to the docs here so they are doing their best to give me that opportunity.

Our wee bubba is still hanging in there. I am due for my next scan on Monday to check for baby's blood flow and the decision will be made then unless the heartbeat monitor shows signs of distress then it could all change in an instant. The docs all seem to agree that baby is happy and still doing okay inside and I am happy to keep it that way for as long as possible.

In the flip side though I am starting to feel excited that I could finally meet my baby as soon as next week. It feels very surreal!

Hi BDTM14 and Ladies, I had a small bleed at 30w so of course this put me on the hospital radar (I live in a small town and have a local area hospital mw who is amazing). I am now 37w5days and have been having growth scans. they told me that he was too small but my whole family have small babies. My blood flow is fine though so that's good. He has been growing so they are happy with that but are going to give me an inducement date on Thursday. I would rather him stay in for a bit longer but we will see how it goes. I would try not to worry to much easier said than done I know, but they have you and the babies best interest at heart. Try and get some rest time everyday they say the more rest you get the more weight the baby puts on. They don't like taking them out till 34 weeks at the earliest after that your pretty safe. Remember to keep an eye on your little ones movements.

Blondie - I am so sorry to hear your news. I am thinking of you and hope things turn out okay. The TWW girls will be right behind you!

Hi blonde (from the 2ww bunch) - I can't offer any advice but thinking of you at this worrying emotional time - hugs

Thinking of you blondie .. We are all behind you for support! Positive thoughts your way xx

Thinking of you blondie, what a scary time. Fx for more normal results :-) glad you are staying positive

Hi Blondie

Firstly, I am so sorry that this has happened.. Pregnancy should be something that is enjoyed so unfair

Secondly, I'm a lurker, and currently TTC after losing my baby at week 19 (I made the decision to terminate based on the severity of my baby's condition) this was only last month (I gave birth to my baby on April 12th 2013).
At my 12 week scan my baby's Nuchal food measured at 11mm! So, significantly larger than your babies bear in mind Don't make the terrible mistake of comparing your situation to mine, as my story does not end well.
But yes, I can absolutely relate to this situation!

I was also referred to the fetal medicine clinic immediately at Wellington Hospital for an Amniocentesis. Unfortunately, they couldnt get enough fluid from me to send away for testing, so I had to wait for two weeks, then the same thing happened again!! So it was another 2 weeks. By then I was quite far along!! The hospital didn't know why my body was not giving out any fluid, when there was clearly fluid there! Retrospectively I wished they had done a CVS and just got on with it, but they were confident about doing an amnio!
Anyway, it got to a point where by the time I got results back I would be at a point in my pregnancy where it would be difficult to terminate!
During this horrible time, they rescanned me every week, and the fluid was just increasing every time, I hoped like hell every time for the fluid to have reduced significantly.. I was a WRECK! And just felt like a shell of a person. It was mentally and physically draining.. And I put my pregnancy on hold mentally for sure you can't help but disconnect

I wish I could give you a big hug right now because I know what you are going through The waiting is just so incredibly hard!

Anyway.. I waited and waited.. and after failed amnios etc.. At 18 weeks it was crunch time, my baby girl had fluid behind her neck reaching all the way round to the front of her, fluid on her bowls, spine, stomach and around the ambilical chord.. Everywhere!! I was crushed, heartbroken.. Devastated!!!
Even if my baby tested negative for a genetic abnormality the reality was, my baby was not in good shape and things did not look good.. So I made the very hard decision to terminate based on the facts I had been given hardest decision I have made, yet also the easiest.. If that can possibly make sense.. My baby was in seriously bad shape (the specialists couldnt believe how her heart was still beating with all the fluid and pressure on her organs) and with the facts I had been given, it felt wrong and selfish to continue the pregnancy.

I SO BADLY wish I could give you a positive story, and there are many positive outcomes out there PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I searched and searched and searched on the Internet for positive stories, and found many and I would take comfort in those, but there are also really sad stories out there (like mine), every story is different!

Early on (week 13) I was told that the fluid (at that point it was only behind the neck) could resolve! And you do hear about these things resolving often around week 14, 15 or 16.. So give it time!! Perfectly healthy baby's are born all the time who had high nuchal fold measurements - I was told this many times Doctors reassured me as I think they knew I was very fragile.. But each week my baby accumulated fluid in new places!

IF in the unlucky event that your test results are not good, or if your baby's condition deteriorates and you do decide to end the pregnancy.
I can't tell you how you will cope, but that you WILL, and it will be ok! I never thought I could cope. I never thought I was strong. But you really surprise yourself!

But yes, I have been through something very similar up until only 6 short weeks ago.. And I can relate in every way.. Only my story didn't end well, but many do I have everything crossed for you at this hard time!! And I look forward to hearing more good news about your baby the pre lim results are fantastically optimistic so stay positive!

AFM I am 28, a Wellingtonian, I don't have any children and that was baby #1. I have been given the go ahead by my doctors and midwife to start TTC again. And I have been assured that the chances of my next baby having the same problems are slim to none.. Such a relief.. I have to think of the positives!!

If you ever want or need to talk, I am here

Sending you all my love and support - You are in my thoughts!!

Do keep us posted if you can.. Stay positive!
xx

Thinking of you Blondie hope you have managed to have a good weekend so far
xx