So, we're still not through the nightmare that was this pregnancy. At my six week check up they became suspicious that perhaps the placenta had not come out cleanly after all. So today I went in for an ultrasound to see what was going on.
There is a large piece of what we're assuming is placenta. It still has a good deal of vascularity (blood flow) and could possibly be into the bladder. Don't ask me how you miss this when you're doing this surgery, but apparently they did. They would normally just do a regular D&C but they can't because they don't know if I will hemmorage upon removal. (basically the same worry we had the first time they tried to remove the placenta.)
So Friday at 2 I'll be going in for hysteroscopic d&c. They'll use a camera to see exactly what they're dealing with and will attempt to remove the placenta, but won't be aggressive in trying to remove it. They'll get as much as they can and then wait to see if they got it all. If not they'll put me on a medicine to attempt to kill the tissue. If they get in there and it's into the bladder or to deeply embeded, they'll do a hysterectomy.
So the amazing way that the placenta just "came out" after the birth was some kind of illusion. Now we're back to wondering what's going to happen and hoping I don't hemorrage during surgery. I'm trying to remain positive, but to be honest the whole situation is just really wearing on me. I know that there is a reason for everything and I want my response to be God-honoring, but frankly I'm just tired and I'm frustrated and I'm discouraged.
Thankfully, if the procedure goes as planned, it will only be an outpatient surgery and I will be fine immediately after. So just pray that all goes according to plan and they can remove this without any further complications. Thanks.
Showing posts with label Pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pregnancy. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Korbin's Birth Story
Everything happened so very quickly when Korbin was born and I know there are so many unanswered questions about what happened so I'll try to tell the story as best I can. When we saw the high risk doctor on Wednesday, the 3rd, Korbin's fluid was on the low side of normal. The doctor didn't think there was any need to worry and thought we could just check weekly until our planned c-section at 36 weeks. However, low fluid levels made Ward and I nervous, since we nearly lost Kai that way. So the doctor said we should come back in two days for a non-stress test and fluid recheck.
On Thursday, my mother was staying with us and she, Ward and I watched a movie that night. As the movie went on I started having more and more pain in my lower abdomen. By the time the movie was over, I was in terrible pain. I knew his fluid levels were low and I know that it's painful to carry a baby with low fluid levels. But even for that, it seemed awfully painful. The pain was constant, so I knew it wasn't labor. I wasn't bleeding or leaking fluid and the baby was moving fine, so I took some Tylenol and went to bed.
The next morning I felt a bit better. The pain was just a bit achy now, so I figured he must have just been laying funny and had moved. I was still waiting to hear from the doctor when we were going to do the c-section, and when I called the office I was told that she had already left, and had taken my chart with her. That was a bit nerve-wracking.
Ward's mom arrived at about 12:00 to stay with the kids while my mom took me for our check-up. As we were leaving Kai was upset and I told him that we were just going to go listen to Korbin's heartbeat and take his picture and then I would be right back. He asked if Korbin was going to come out- I told him no. Little did I know.
We arrived at the high risk doctor's office at 1:30 and they immediately hooked me up to the monitors. I sat there talking to mom and fiddling with my phone for half an hour, thinking everything was just fine. Baby sounded great and we had no reason to worry. They moved us into an ultrasound room for a quick check on his fluid levels.
The tech came in and said it would only take a minute. Mom and I were talking about stopping to get ice cream on the way home. As soon as she began the ultrasound, everything changed. She began searching for pockets of fluid but there were none. She began looking more and more concerned. Finally she said, "I'm sorry sweetie, but this is a game-changer. I'm going to get Dr. Moore."
As we waited for the doctor I tried not to cry. At that point I didn't know how bad it was, just that I wouldn't be going home, and I had lied to my little boy. I was worried about the baby and worried about how I would explain to Kai what was going on. When the doctor arrived she began looking for fluid pockets as well. Nothing. When I told her about the pain I had the night before she checked and it was decided that my water had broken but because the cervix was blocked, it had erupted into the space between my placenta and uterus, which is what caused the pain.
At any rate the baby now had no fluid and had to be delivered. She told me to go straight to St. Johns and that she would talk to the OB and that they would deliver either that night or the next morning. I called Ward at work and told him what had happened. I didn't realize how fast everything was going to go.
Mom dropped me off at the doors at St. John's. I was so nervous as they got me registered and then took me to a room. I got a gown on and by the time I got into the bed the room was already full of people getting me ready. A nurse started an IV, while another asked all the registration questions, another had me sign paperwork for the baby, blood transfusion and hysterectomy. A NICU nurse came up to go over what would happen with Korbin when he was born. They asked if I wanted someone to come pray with me before they took me to surgery. Someone from anesthesia came to explain how they would give me multiple IVs and a line in my neck for the transfusion.
All I could think of was that I hadn't gotten to tell my babies goodbye. I was trying so hard to hold it together, but I knew there was a significant chance that I wouldn't see them again. Ward called them and I talked to them one last time. Telling them and my Daddy goodbye over the phone was the hardest thing I've ever done.
They wheeled me downstairs to surgery prep, since the surgery would be done in the main OR. Two anesthesiologists worked together to put in my IVs and arterial catheter in my arm that would measure my blood pressure with each heartbeat. The head of the anesthesia department was in charge of my care. I ended up with 6 IVs so they could administer blood products quickly. While they were getting all the lines started doctors and nurses were coming in to "meet" me before I went in. I had an OB nurse and a surgery nurse assigned to me. The GYN oncologist came into meet me, informing us that he was hoping to not have to do anything, but that the last lady he had seen like this he had to remove the entire top half of her bladder.
Everyone promised to take good care of me, but no one was promising that I was going to make it. I'm sure they had their own doubts. They started to take me back and I had to tell my mom and my husband goodbye. I knew they were terrified, but there was nothing that could be done at this point. They wheeled me into the OR. It was huge! There were so many people in there. Several nurses, someone with the surgery tools, a couple of NICU nurses, the neonatologist, the OB, the high risk dr, the oncologist, the anesthesiologists, residents, the blood people, I couldn't count how many. The bad thing was that they had to keep me awake for all the surgery prep. They couldn't put me out until they were ready to start because they had a matter of minutes to deliver the baby once the anesthesia entered my system.
Surgery prep wasn't fun. Dr. Morris, the high risk doctor held my hand through the entire thing and promised to stay right with me until I fell asleep. If he needed to get something with the hand I was holding he would switch hands, but he never let go of me. As I was laying there God and I were in deep conversation. I felt peace and knew that either way I would open my eyes happy. Hanging on the wall in the OR was a picture of Jesus standing with surgeons as they operated. I knew that I was in the very best hands possible with these doctors, but even better hands ultimately.
I remember Dr. Arnold gently touching my throat and telling me I was going to sleep. When I opened my eyes, Dr. Arnold (the head anesthesiologist) was still beside me. He smiled at me and told me that the baby was fine, that they hadn't given me any blood and that I still had a uterus. I honestly didn't even know what to think. It didn't seem like it was even possible. I think I probably asked several people just to hear it again.
They brought Ward back to see me and he brought Sarah's camera so I could see pictures of Korbin. Unless you've had a situation you honestly thought you may not live through, I don't think it's possible to describe the feeling of seeing those you love most and knowing that you'll be there to share another day with them.
We had just lived the most amazing miracle...and every day is an absolute gift. We are so blessed.
On Thursday, my mother was staying with us and she, Ward and I watched a movie that night. As the movie went on I started having more and more pain in my lower abdomen. By the time the movie was over, I was in terrible pain. I knew his fluid levels were low and I know that it's painful to carry a baby with low fluid levels. But even for that, it seemed awfully painful. The pain was constant, so I knew it wasn't labor. I wasn't bleeding or leaking fluid and the baby was moving fine, so I took some Tylenol and went to bed.
The next morning I felt a bit better. The pain was just a bit achy now, so I figured he must have just been laying funny and had moved. I was still waiting to hear from the doctor when we were going to do the c-section, and when I called the office I was told that she had already left, and had taken my chart with her. That was a bit nerve-wracking.
Ward's mom arrived at about 12:00 to stay with the kids while my mom took me for our check-up. As we were leaving Kai was upset and I told him that we were just going to go listen to Korbin's heartbeat and take his picture and then I would be right back. He asked if Korbin was going to come out- I told him no. Little did I know.
We arrived at the high risk doctor's office at 1:30 and they immediately hooked me up to the monitors. I sat there talking to mom and fiddling with my phone for half an hour, thinking everything was just fine. Baby sounded great and we had no reason to worry. They moved us into an ultrasound room for a quick check on his fluid levels.
The tech came in and said it would only take a minute. Mom and I were talking about stopping to get ice cream on the way home. As soon as she began the ultrasound, everything changed. She began searching for pockets of fluid but there were none. She began looking more and more concerned. Finally she said, "I'm sorry sweetie, but this is a game-changer. I'm going to get Dr. Moore."
As we waited for the doctor I tried not to cry. At that point I didn't know how bad it was, just that I wouldn't be going home, and I had lied to my little boy. I was worried about the baby and worried about how I would explain to Kai what was going on. When the doctor arrived she began looking for fluid pockets as well. Nothing. When I told her about the pain I had the night before she checked and it was decided that my water had broken but because the cervix was blocked, it had erupted into the space between my placenta and uterus, which is what caused the pain.
At any rate the baby now had no fluid and had to be delivered. She told me to go straight to St. Johns and that she would talk to the OB and that they would deliver either that night or the next morning. I called Ward at work and told him what had happened. I didn't realize how fast everything was going to go.
Mom dropped me off at the doors at St. John's. I was so nervous as they got me registered and then took me to a room. I got a gown on and by the time I got into the bed the room was already full of people getting me ready. A nurse started an IV, while another asked all the registration questions, another had me sign paperwork for the baby, blood transfusion and hysterectomy. A NICU nurse came up to go over what would happen with Korbin when he was born. They asked if I wanted someone to come pray with me before they took me to surgery. Someone from anesthesia came to explain how they would give me multiple IVs and a line in my neck for the transfusion.
All I could think of was that I hadn't gotten to tell my babies goodbye. I was trying so hard to hold it together, but I knew there was a significant chance that I wouldn't see them again. Ward called them and I talked to them one last time. Telling them and my Daddy goodbye over the phone was the hardest thing I've ever done.
They wheeled me downstairs to surgery prep, since the surgery would be done in the main OR. Two anesthesiologists worked together to put in my IVs and arterial catheter in my arm that would measure my blood pressure with each heartbeat. The head of the anesthesia department was in charge of my care. I ended up with 6 IVs so they could administer blood products quickly. While they were getting all the lines started doctors and nurses were coming in to "meet" me before I went in. I had an OB nurse and a surgery nurse assigned to me. The GYN oncologist came into meet me, informing us that he was hoping to not have to do anything, but that the last lady he had seen like this he had to remove the entire top half of her bladder.
Everyone promised to take good care of me, but no one was promising that I was going to make it. I'm sure they had their own doubts. They started to take me back and I had to tell my mom and my husband goodbye. I knew they were terrified, but there was nothing that could be done at this point. They wheeled me into the OR. It was huge! There were so many people in there. Several nurses, someone with the surgery tools, a couple of NICU nurses, the neonatologist, the OB, the high risk dr, the oncologist, the anesthesiologists, residents, the blood people, I couldn't count how many. The bad thing was that they had to keep me awake for all the surgery prep. They couldn't put me out until they were ready to start because they had a matter of minutes to deliver the baby once the anesthesia entered my system.
Surgery prep wasn't fun. Dr. Morris, the high risk doctor held my hand through the entire thing and promised to stay right with me until I fell asleep. If he needed to get something with the hand I was holding he would switch hands, but he never let go of me. As I was laying there God and I were in deep conversation. I felt peace and knew that either way I would open my eyes happy. Hanging on the wall in the OR was a picture of Jesus standing with surgeons as they operated. I knew that I was in the very best hands possible with these doctors, but even better hands ultimately.
I remember Dr. Arnold gently touching my throat and telling me I was going to sleep. When I opened my eyes, Dr. Arnold (the head anesthesiologist) was still beside me. He smiled at me and told me that the baby was fine, that they hadn't given me any blood and that I still had a uterus. I honestly didn't even know what to think. It didn't seem like it was even possible. I think I probably asked several people just to hear it again.
They brought Ward back to see me and he brought Sarah's camera so I could see pictures of Korbin. Unless you've had a situation you honestly thought you may not live through, I don't think it's possible to describe the feeling of seeing those you love most and knowing that you'll be there to share another day with them.
We had just lived the most amazing miracle...and every day is an absolute gift. We are so blessed.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Surprise!
Well, as most of you know, Korbin had plans far different than the doctors did and decided that instead of coming two weeks after my last post, he would come two DAYS later. Long story short, my water broke Thursday night, the fourth and we didn't know it due to the previa. They found it at my Friday doctor appointment. We left the office a little before 3 in the after noon and Korbin was already here at 5:37 pm weighing 4 lbs 15 oz. He was only 34 weeks gestation, so we've been in the NICU ever since. We're hoping to be going home tomorrow or Wednesday. If you'd like to see our entire journey through the past two weeks you can go to Korbin's CaringBridge site.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/korbinschweitzer
We are so thankful for our sweet little miracle.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/korbinschweitzer
We are so thankful for our sweet little miracle.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Two more weeks...
Thank you all so much for the sweet birthday wishes and prayers for us today. My babies and my momma made my birthday special. The kids made me a banner, complete with balloons and Kaytie baked me my favorite kind of cake.
Unfortunately, we got worse news than we were expecting today. First we went to the high risk doctor for an ultrasound. After finishing up the ultrasound, the tech went to get the doctor. He came back in and looked a bit more himself. He was very kind, but didn't sugar coat anything.
It appears that the placenta has grown into the uterus, through it and is at least on the bladder, possibly attached to the bladder. He said that the last lady he saw that looked like this spent "quite awhile" in the ICU. I told him that the doctor had ordered 6 units of blood and he actually laughed. He said that it would be really good to only use 6 units, but that I had 5 liters in my body, so we should be prepared for it to be more.
I think Ward and I are on information overload. I'll try to explain the basic plan. Korbin's fluid levels were on the low side, so I'll be monitored frequently at the high risk office until I deliver. They'll do non stress tests and ultrasounds to check fluid levels at each appointment. I go back Friday for my first one of those.
I'm on "modified" bedrest for the next two weeks. I can still do basic things, but no extensive walking and I'm supposed to spend most of my time sitting on my rear and living "an extremely sedentary lifestyle." We'll know tomorrow exactly what time the c-section will take place but it will most likely be August 17th at 36 weeks. The high risk doctor said there was no need to do an amniocentesis to check to see if he was mature because it just didn't matter. He said "if we make it to 36 weeks, there's no point in trying to be valiant, we just need to get him out of there."
Tomorrow morning the OB and the high risk doctor will go over the MRI results. They'll consult with the GYN oncologist who will be assisting them with the delivery because- in the words of the doctor "they handle the surgeries no one else wants to do." They will also likely be assisted by a urologist who will reconstruct my bladder if need be. So they will decide tomorrow when they can all be there for the surgery and we'll know for sure what time to plan for.
I will be delivering at St. John's...which is disappointing, but the high risk doctor said this is as high risk as it gets- "this is life or death" and that we really needed to be somewhere where they could easily handle large transfusions and get specialists in as needed. I'll be delivered in the main surgery OR, instead of the OB OR, under general anestesia. The special care nurses and neonatologists will be there and will care for the baby when he's delivered. Then they'll come get Ward and let him stay with the baby.
It's almost 100% certain that they'll do a cesarean hysterectomy at that point. If the blood loss is not terribly extensive, they'll let me recover similarly to a regular cesarean, except that I won't be able to nurse for 24 hours until the anethesia is out of my system.
Obviously, this is not the news that we had hoped for. But we are thankful that we live in a day and age when we know this before I went into labor, in which case there's no chance me or Korbin would have survived. I'm thankful that I've been able to spend my pregnancy at home with my babies, which is nothing short of miraculous in and of itself. I'm thankful that we have access to such amazing medical professionals. I'm thankful that we've made it so far with the baby and that, although he will technically be premature, he'll hopefully be more than 5 lbs. when he's born and will be healthy. (He's 4 lbs. 13 oz. right now)
Two weeks from now my sweet little baby will be on the outside, safe and sound...and I could not be more thankful.
Unfortunately, we got worse news than we were expecting today. First we went to the high risk doctor for an ultrasound. After finishing up the ultrasound, the tech went to get the doctor. He came back in and looked a bit more himself. He was very kind, but didn't sugar coat anything.
It appears that the placenta has grown into the uterus, through it and is at least on the bladder, possibly attached to the bladder. He said that the last lady he saw that looked like this spent "quite awhile" in the ICU. I told him that the doctor had ordered 6 units of blood and he actually laughed. He said that it would be really good to only use 6 units, but that I had 5 liters in my body, so we should be prepared for it to be more.
I think Ward and I are on information overload. I'll try to explain the basic plan. Korbin's fluid levels were on the low side, so I'll be monitored frequently at the high risk office until I deliver. They'll do non stress tests and ultrasounds to check fluid levels at each appointment. I go back Friday for my first one of those.
I'm on "modified" bedrest for the next two weeks. I can still do basic things, but no extensive walking and I'm supposed to spend most of my time sitting on my rear and living "an extremely sedentary lifestyle." We'll know tomorrow exactly what time the c-section will take place but it will most likely be August 17th at 36 weeks. The high risk doctor said there was no need to do an amniocentesis to check to see if he was mature because it just didn't matter. He said "if we make it to 36 weeks, there's no point in trying to be valiant, we just need to get him out of there."
Tomorrow morning the OB and the high risk doctor will go over the MRI results. They'll consult with the GYN oncologist who will be assisting them with the delivery because- in the words of the doctor "they handle the surgeries no one else wants to do." They will also likely be assisted by a urologist who will reconstruct my bladder if need be. So they will decide tomorrow when they can all be there for the surgery and we'll know for sure what time to plan for.
I will be delivering at St. John's...which is disappointing, but the high risk doctor said this is as high risk as it gets- "this is life or death" and that we really needed to be somewhere where they could easily handle large transfusions and get specialists in as needed. I'll be delivered in the main surgery OR, instead of the OB OR, under general anestesia. The special care nurses and neonatologists will be there and will care for the baby when he's delivered. Then they'll come get Ward and let him stay with the baby.
It's almost 100% certain that they'll do a cesarean hysterectomy at that point. If the blood loss is not terribly extensive, they'll let me recover similarly to a regular cesarean, except that I won't be able to nurse for 24 hours until the anethesia is out of my system.
Obviously, this is not the news that we had hoped for. But we are thankful that we live in a day and age when we know this before I went into labor, in which case there's no chance me or Korbin would have survived. I'm thankful that I've been able to spend my pregnancy at home with my babies, which is nothing short of miraculous in and of itself. I'm thankful that we have access to such amazing medical professionals. I'm thankful that we've made it so far with the baby and that, although he will technically be premature, he'll hopefully be more than 5 lbs. when he's born and will be healthy. (He's 4 lbs. 13 oz. right now)
Two weeks from now my sweet little baby will be on the outside, safe and sound...and I could not be more thankful.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Sometimes it just helps to write...
It's August 2nd. When I was a little girl, this day was exciting because it was the day before my birthday. (I guess once you get to a certain age, birthdays just aren't as exciting anymore.) I would be anxiously awaiting tomorrow, probably wouldn't sleep- which could have been because I knew that my mommy or daddy would be making me a stack of delicious pancakes or something else wonderful for breakfast. ;)
I'm not all that excited about turning 27. Big deal. The weirdest thing is knowing that it was 7 years ago that Ward gave me a beautiful ring and asked me to be his wife. Hard to top that for a birthday. :) But today I'm a bundle of nerves anxiously awaiting tomorrow for a very different reason.
Tomorrow we head to the hospital for the tests that will decide quite possibly what the rest of our lives look like. I'm excited, of course, to see my little guy on ultrasound. I'm definately ready to have some "final plan" for this baby's birth. But tomorrow decides more than whether we meet this baby this week or three weeks from now. It also may decide whether or not we have a preemie baby or get to bring him home when he's born, whether or not we have a "normal" c-section, and possibly whether or not we ever have more children.
To say that I'm nervous is an understatement. I'm so ready for tomorrow to get here. It feels like all the what-ifs of the past few months have been building up to this and hopefully tomorrow we'll know the answers to some of those questions.
Honestly, I could care less that tomorrow I'll be another year older, but we're making a really big deal about my birthday this year, for the sake of the kids. It really is a perfect distraction for them. Kai especially has struggled a lot the past couple of weeks. He knows that mommy is not ok, but he doesn't understand why. He's terrified of leaving me. He doesn't even like me to go downstairs or to the bathroom without telling him how long I'll be gone. He told me today that "I think I just want mommy to be all better." That's rough.
I've tried not to think about the risks, about the "worst case scenario". I've tried really hard to stay positive and not allow myself to let my mind wander down the scarier paths. But honestly, no matter how hard you try, it's always this nagging little voice in the back of your mind.
Do I believe that everything will turn out alright...that my God is bigger than these problems...that he has a plan for everything regardless of whether it's what I want? Yes. Absolutely. But the fact of the matter is that we live in a fallen world, and the uncertainty and hurt are just facts of life. I don't know what will happen. I do know that within the next couple of weeks, it will all be over, one way or another. All could go perfectly, all could go horribly, or any number of scenarios in between. But it's almost over.
All I can do is pray for peace to handle whatever we're told tomorrow, for trust that what happens is what is supposed to happen, and for patience with my little ones as they try to make sense of what's going on. That and enjoy a big ole piece of cake for my birthday and spending time with my precious family- thankful for the 27 years of life that I've been given and the amazing people who have been a part of it.
I'm not all that excited about turning 27. Big deal. The weirdest thing is knowing that it was 7 years ago that Ward gave me a beautiful ring and asked me to be his wife. Hard to top that for a birthday. :) But today I'm a bundle of nerves anxiously awaiting tomorrow for a very different reason.
Tomorrow we head to the hospital for the tests that will decide quite possibly what the rest of our lives look like. I'm excited, of course, to see my little guy on ultrasound. I'm definately ready to have some "final plan" for this baby's birth. But tomorrow decides more than whether we meet this baby this week or three weeks from now. It also may decide whether or not we have a preemie baby or get to bring him home when he's born, whether or not we have a "normal" c-section, and possibly whether or not we ever have more children.
To say that I'm nervous is an understatement. I'm so ready for tomorrow to get here. It feels like all the what-ifs of the past few months have been building up to this and hopefully tomorrow we'll know the answers to some of those questions.
Honestly, I could care less that tomorrow I'll be another year older, but we're making a really big deal about my birthday this year, for the sake of the kids. It really is a perfect distraction for them. Kai especially has struggled a lot the past couple of weeks. He knows that mommy is not ok, but he doesn't understand why. He's terrified of leaving me. He doesn't even like me to go downstairs or to the bathroom without telling him how long I'll be gone. He told me today that "I think I just want mommy to be all better." That's rough.
I've tried not to think about the risks, about the "worst case scenario". I've tried really hard to stay positive and not allow myself to let my mind wander down the scarier paths. But honestly, no matter how hard you try, it's always this nagging little voice in the back of your mind.
Do I believe that everything will turn out alright...that my God is bigger than these problems...that he has a plan for everything regardless of whether it's what I want? Yes. Absolutely. But the fact of the matter is that we live in a fallen world, and the uncertainty and hurt are just facts of life. I don't know what will happen. I do know that within the next couple of weeks, it will all be over, one way or another. All could go perfectly, all could go horribly, or any number of scenarios in between. But it's almost over.
All I can do is pray for peace to handle whatever we're told tomorrow, for trust that what happens is what is supposed to happen, and for patience with my little ones as they try to make sense of what's going on. That and enjoy a big ole piece of cake for my birthday and spending time with my precious family- thankful for the 27 years of life that I've been given and the amazing people who have been a part of it.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Baby Update: 32 weeks
Here's the latest on this interesting pregnancy. :) We had another appointment this evening. The past couple of weeks have been pretty uncomfortable. I honestly feel like a walking time bomb. I explained to the doctor that I've had some fairly painful episodes of "pressure." She explained that I'm going to feel very different than my other pregnancies because the pressure of the placenta is constant and more intense and the baby is transverse and "free floating" and won't get settled down like the others did.
She was totally understanding of my unsettled feelings about living so far from the hospital and not knowing what would happen day to day. So we had a lengthy discussion about the different possibilities and what would happen in each scenario. So I'll try to explain the management plan for the remainder of the pregnancy. If you read this and are more confused than you were before, I apologize. There are a ton of variables and possiblities, but I get so many questions about what's going on that I thought I should try to explain as best I can.
I am currently 32 weeks along. We've had no bleeding episodes thus far. Statistically, it's fairly unlikely that I won't have one in the next few weeks, but it's a good sign that there has not been one yet. If I have a bleed in the next two weeks, they will do as we had planned before- watch and see, give me steriods to speed his lung development and then do the amniocentesis to check for lung development and take him out as soon as his lungs are ready.
However, most previa bleeds are recurrent. So if I have one, it's likely there will be more- probably in a short amount of time. If, in the next two weeks, I have more than one bleed (say, three), they will deliver him at 34 weeks, because it isn't worth the risk to wait any longer than that. In her words "we get less patient with each recurrent bleed." If there is no bleed in the next two weeks, they will do the ultrasound as planned.
Ok, so let's say that we make it two more weeks without a bleed and I'm still pregnant at 34 weeks. :) They'll check Korbin's size, fluid levels, placental blood flow, etc during the ultrasound. If everything looks good, they'll schedule an MRI at 36 weeks.
If we get to 36 weeks and I'm still pregnant, we'll do the MRI to check for accreta. Accreta is when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterus. We're already concerned about this because during my last ultrasound they could not find a definative line between the placenta and the uterus, but there's no way to really diagnose accreta with an ultrasound. The MRI should give us a better idea.
If the MRI shows NO sign of accreta, then we will reevaluate everything and may attempt to make it to 39 weeks (September 7th). If there is any sign of accreta, they will deliver him the next week at 37 weeks. If we deliver at 37 weeks, they'll prepare me for blood transfusion during delivery and do a vertical skin incision in case they need to do an emergency hysterectomy. She assured me that the hysterectomy would be last resort, but obviously they're not going to let me die to save my uterus. (reassuring, huh. haha)
So we may have a baby in 2 weeks, in 5 weeks, or in 7 weeks...actually, technically, we could have a baby any day if I had a significant enough bleed. No more than 7 weeks left in this crazy pregnancy, though. I will feel so much better when he's safe and on the outside. I don't want him to come out a day too soon, but I don't want to play Russian roulette with this thing either. So we continue on the "wait and see" game for now.
She said that she knows it's laughable to say "take it easy" in my situation, but did ask that I "restrict my mobility" within reason. That doesn't mean I can't get out, but nothing strenuous and trying to do only the necessary when it comes to real exertion. So hopefully that will keep any bleeding episodes away for the rest of the pregnancy.
I'm praying that I would be able to see past my fears that the entire situation is not left to chance, but is in hands of a perfect God. I'll keep everyone updated over the next few weeks.
She was totally understanding of my unsettled feelings about living so far from the hospital and not knowing what would happen day to day. So we had a lengthy discussion about the different possibilities and what would happen in each scenario. So I'll try to explain the management plan for the remainder of the pregnancy. If you read this and are more confused than you were before, I apologize. There are a ton of variables and possiblities, but I get so many questions about what's going on that I thought I should try to explain as best I can.
I am currently 32 weeks along. We've had no bleeding episodes thus far. Statistically, it's fairly unlikely that I won't have one in the next few weeks, but it's a good sign that there has not been one yet. If I have a bleed in the next two weeks, they will do as we had planned before- watch and see, give me steriods to speed his lung development and then do the amniocentesis to check for lung development and take him out as soon as his lungs are ready.
However, most previa bleeds are recurrent. So if I have one, it's likely there will be more- probably in a short amount of time. If, in the next two weeks, I have more than one bleed (say, three), they will deliver him at 34 weeks, because it isn't worth the risk to wait any longer than that. In her words "we get less patient with each recurrent bleed." If there is no bleed in the next two weeks, they will do the ultrasound as planned.
Ok, so let's say that we make it two more weeks without a bleed and I'm still pregnant at 34 weeks. :) They'll check Korbin's size, fluid levels, placental blood flow, etc during the ultrasound. If everything looks good, they'll schedule an MRI at 36 weeks.
If we get to 36 weeks and I'm still pregnant, we'll do the MRI to check for accreta. Accreta is when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterus. We're already concerned about this because during my last ultrasound they could not find a definative line between the placenta and the uterus, but there's no way to really diagnose accreta with an ultrasound. The MRI should give us a better idea.
If the MRI shows NO sign of accreta, then we will reevaluate everything and may attempt to make it to 39 weeks (September 7th). If there is any sign of accreta, they will deliver him the next week at 37 weeks. If we deliver at 37 weeks, they'll prepare me for blood transfusion during delivery and do a vertical skin incision in case they need to do an emergency hysterectomy. She assured me that the hysterectomy would be last resort, but obviously they're not going to let me die to save my uterus. (reassuring, huh. haha)
So we may have a baby in 2 weeks, in 5 weeks, or in 7 weeks...actually, technically, we could have a baby any day if I had a significant enough bleed. No more than 7 weeks left in this crazy pregnancy, though. I will feel so much better when he's safe and on the outside. I don't want him to come out a day too soon, but I don't want to play Russian roulette with this thing either. So we continue on the "wait and see" game for now.
She said that she knows it's laughable to say "take it easy" in my situation, but did ask that I "restrict my mobility" within reason. That doesn't mean I can't get out, but nothing strenuous and trying to do only the necessary when it comes to real exertion. So hopefully that will keep any bleeding episodes away for the rest of the pregnancy.
I'm praying that I would be able to see past my fears that the entire situation is not left to chance, but is in hands of a perfect God. I'll keep everyone updated over the next few weeks.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Baby Update...29 weeks
We had an ultrasound and appointment this morning. Baby is doing great. A whopping 2 lbs. 12 oz currently. haha. He seems to be doing very well, though he's making life quite uncomfortable for mommy. The placenta has not moved at all, which means he can't lay up and down and won't be able to turn into that position later like most babies do. Instead he's laying across my belly.
All in all, not much has changed. Everything still looks ok, but it's nearly impossible that it could move now, since it hadn't moved at all. The ultrasound tech spent quite a bit of time looking around my previous c-section scar and didn't say much, but didn't seem too happy with what she saw. I go back in three weeks for an appointment and then have another ultrasound on my birthday, August 3rd. They'll do an MRI within a week or so after that ultrasound. The doctor said she would "tentatively" schedule my c-section for September 7th, but did not seem optimistic that we would make it that far. The plan is still to try to get to that point, but it's really unlikely that I won't have a bleed in the next month or two. If I do, they'll deliver him as soon as they think it's safe, which they'll determine by amniocentesis.
We're thankful for now that he is healthy and growing, we haven't had any bleeds thus far and that we get to go on vacation this week! Some time on the beach can fix nearly anything, I think. :) Thanks for all of your prayers that have gotten us this far.
All in all, not much has changed. Everything still looks ok, but it's nearly impossible that it could move now, since it hadn't moved at all. The ultrasound tech spent quite a bit of time looking around my previous c-section scar and didn't say much, but didn't seem too happy with what she saw. I go back in three weeks for an appointment and then have another ultrasound on my birthday, August 3rd. They'll do an MRI within a week or so after that ultrasound. The doctor said she would "tentatively" schedule my c-section for September 7th, but did not seem optimistic that we would make it that far. The plan is still to try to get to that point, but it's really unlikely that I won't have a bleed in the next month or two. If I do, they'll deliver him as soon as they think it's safe, which they'll determine by amniocentesis.
We're thankful for now that he is healthy and growing, we haven't had any bleeds thus far and that we get to go on vacation this week! Some time on the beach can fix nearly anything, I think. :) Thanks for all of your prayers that have gotten us this far.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Baby Update
Today, Korbin and I went back to the doctor for our check-up. I was a bit apprehensive. I wasn't so much concerned that there would be bad news, just that I might have to face unpleasant realities that I had, for the past couple of weeks, been able to tell myself were not inevitable. I armed myself with a notebook full of questions and headed into the unknown.
Baby Korbin is doing absolutely perfect. He's growing exactly like he should. And he's definately one of my boys...he refused to let her get his heart rate and kicked her every time she tried- exactly like his brothers. I am also doing well...good blood pressure, etc.
The doctor was very glad to hear that we had experienced no issues in the past month- no bleeding, no contractions. So here's the total run-down of what our next few months look like.
IF there continues to be NO bleeding or contractions, she will allow the pregnancy to progress exactly like a normal pregnancy. This is a HUGE relief. There is no point at which bedrest is inevitable, hospitalization is inevitable or early delivery is inevitable so long as there are no obvious reasons to do those things. They will do another ultrasound at 30 weeks and if everything is exactly the same and the placenta has not moved they will do an MRI to check for accreta. If they do find evidence of that, there will be extra precautions taken during delivery, but still no bleeding means no mandatory bedrest.
This is a really big deal, since I have three other little ones to care for and knowing that there's at least a chance that I could get to be home with them and continue caring for them for the duration of the pregnancy is a major relief. Also, we have a vacation planned the beginning of July. We figured we would not be able to go, but she said again, so long as there is no bleeding, to just go and relax and enjoy ourselves. This may not seem like a big deal to many people, but the thought of having to tell my little ones (who have been talking about going to Florida since we got home from last year's trip) that we couldn't go, absolutely broke my heart. I am ecstatic that my babies may still get to go to the beach.
Now all of this is super awesome news, but it does come with a HUGE "IF". If I bleed, all bets are off- everything changes. Bedrest, hospitalization, amniocentesis to check for lung maturity and delivery of the baby as soon as is possibly safe are what can be expected if we have bleeding. So, although I am very excited by the news, I realize that things can change at a moment's notice. I still have to take it easy, but we will pray that just adapting my activities for now will be enough to keep me from bleeding and let us get this little guy to full term.
I am so grateful for all of your prayers, they were definately felt!
Baby Korbin is doing absolutely perfect. He's growing exactly like he should. And he's definately one of my boys...he refused to let her get his heart rate and kicked her every time she tried- exactly like his brothers. I am also doing well...good blood pressure, etc.
The doctor was very glad to hear that we had experienced no issues in the past month- no bleeding, no contractions. So here's the total run-down of what our next few months look like.
IF there continues to be NO bleeding or contractions, she will allow the pregnancy to progress exactly like a normal pregnancy. This is a HUGE relief. There is no point at which bedrest is inevitable, hospitalization is inevitable or early delivery is inevitable so long as there are no obvious reasons to do those things. They will do another ultrasound at 30 weeks and if everything is exactly the same and the placenta has not moved they will do an MRI to check for accreta. If they do find evidence of that, there will be extra precautions taken during delivery, but still no bleeding means no mandatory bedrest.
This is a really big deal, since I have three other little ones to care for and knowing that there's at least a chance that I could get to be home with them and continue caring for them for the duration of the pregnancy is a major relief. Also, we have a vacation planned the beginning of July. We figured we would not be able to go, but she said again, so long as there is no bleeding, to just go and relax and enjoy ourselves. This may not seem like a big deal to many people, but the thought of having to tell my little ones (who have been talking about going to Florida since we got home from last year's trip) that we couldn't go, absolutely broke my heart. I am ecstatic that my babies may still get to go to the beach.
Now all of this is super awesome news, but it does come with a HUGE "IF". If I bleed, all bets are off- everything changes. Bedrest, hospitalization, amniocentesis to check for lung maturity and delivery of the baby as soon as is possibly safe are what can be expected if we have bleeding. So, although I am very excited by the news, I realize that things can change at a moment's notice. I still have to take it easy, but we will pray that just adapting my activities for now will be enough to keep me from bleeding and let us get this little guy to full term.
I am so grateful for all of your prayers, they were definately felt!
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Beginning of Our Journey Through a High Risk Pregnancy
As most of you know, we're expecting our fourth child. We found out Wednesday that it's another little boy- Korbin Lee. I guess no one will ever mess with Kaytie with three brothers around. ;-) We also found out Wednesday that this pregnancy will be considered high risk. The ultrasound showed a complete placenta previa. Unlike marginal previa or a low lying placenta (which I had with Kaesen), the placenta is centered completely over the cervix, with no chance of it moving before delivery.
There are several very serious concerns with this diagnosis, so we will be having ultrasounds every month and will have an MRI later in the pregnancy to make sure that the placenta has not grown into the scar tissue from my previous c-sections. The major concern for mom with this diagnosis is hemmorage. It is very likely that I will have heavy bleeding either before term or during the c-section. As of right now I am not restricted to bed rest, but am just supposed to not do anything beyond my regular daily activities. If there is any evidence of bleeding at any point, I'll be put on bed rest, probably for the rest of the pregnancy.
From what I understand they will probably schedule the c-section earlier than they normally would (as soon as it's safe to deliver the baby). So it looks like we'll be meeting our little guy in August rather than September regardless of any bleeding. Very often bleeding is sudden, painless and very heavy, which is why most babies in these situations are born preterm. Sometimes babies are smaller than they normally would be due to intrauterine growth restriction.
If they find that the placenta has grown into the c-section scar, the risk of hemmorage during delivery is much higher, with the only way to stop it sometimes being a complete hysterectomy.
All of these details have definitely given us a lot to think about. It's easy to look at the odds and be terribly discouraged. It's easy to be overwhelmed with all the possibilities of what could go wrong. But I have decided that I have to look at this as "it is what it is". There is nothing that can be done at this point. There is nothing I can do to prevent any of these complications. There is no treatment for problem. In a very real and obvious way God is showing me that I have no control over the outcome of my pregnancy. The knowledge that there is no guarantee that Korbin or I will survive this pregnancy seems far less scary when I realize that I didn't have that guarantee with any of my other pregnancies either.
I serve a God who loves my husband, my children- sweet baby Korbin- even more than I do. And He is in complete control of the situation. He already knows exactly how it will turn out. So all I can do is trust that the ONLY one who has any say in the outcome wants the very best for myself and my family and that all of this will be used for His glory regardless of what that means in practical terms for me. I pray that I will have the strength to push my fears aside and do the things that I need to do to be the best mommy that I can be...for all four of my precious babies.
There are several very serious concerns with this diagnosis, so we will be having ultrasounds every month and will have an MRI later in the pregnancy to make sure that the placenta has not grown into the scar tissue from my previous c-sections. The major concern for mom with this diagnosis is hemmorage. It is very likely that I will have heavy bleeding either before term or during the c-section. As of right now I am not restricted to bed rest, but am just supposed to not do anything beyond my regular daily activities. If there is any evidence of bleeding at any point, I'll be put on bed rest, probably for the rest of the pregnancy.
From what I understand they will probably schedule the c-section earlier than they normally would (as soon as it's safe to deliver the baby). So it looks like we'll be meeting our little guy in August rather than September regardless of any bleeding. Very often bleeding is sudden, painless and very heavy, which is why most babies in these situations are born preterm. Sometimes babies are smaller than they normally would be due to intrauterine growth restriction.
If they find that the placenta has grown into the c-section scar, the risk of hemmorage during delivery is much higher, with the only way to stop it sometimes being a complete hysterectomy.
All of these details have definitely given us a lot to think about. It's easy to look at the odds and be terribly discouraged. It's easy to be overwhelmed with all the possibilities of what could go wrong. But I have decided that I have to look at this as "it is what it is". There is nothing that can be done at this point. There is nothing I can do to prevent any of these complications. There is no treatment for problem. In a very real and obvious way God is showing me that I have no control over the outcome of my pregnancy. The knowledge that there is no guarantee that Korbin or I will survive this pregnancy seems far less scary when I realize that I didn't have that guarantee with any of my other pregnancies either.
I serve a God who loves my husband, my children- sweet baby Korbin- even more than I do. And He is in complete control of the situation. He already knows exactly how it will turn out. So all I can do is trust that the ONLY one who has any say in the outcome wants the very best for myself and my family and that all of this will be used for His glory regardless of what that means in practical terms for me. I pray that I will have the strength to push my fears aside and do the things that I need to do to be the best mommy that I can be...for all four of my precious babies.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
New Baby Schweitzer
This morning we had our first ultrasound of the new baby. It was quite a roller coaster of an experience. When the tech first began she said, "well, there's a gestational sac, but I don't see a baby." My stomach dropped. We'd been through this before.
Then she moved it a bit more and low and behold the tiny little baby was nestled away, almost out of sight. I was measuring just a slight bit smaller than expected, but the sweet little sugar had a perfect little heartbeat that was music to Mommy and Daddy's ears.
We go back in two weeks for another scan since the baby seemed to be hiding and they couldn't get very good measurements. But without further ado, I give you the newest member of our family...
Then she moved it a bit more and low and behold the tiny little baby was nestled away, almost out of sight. I was measuring just a slight bit smaller than expected, but the sweet little sugar had a perfect little heartbeat that was music to Mommy and Daddy's ears.
We go back in two weeks for another scan since the baby seemed to be hiding and they couldn't get very good measurements. But without further ado, I give you the newest member of our family...
I know it doesn't look like much, but it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen this morning. :) Hopefully baby will grow like crazy in the next two weeks.
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