I’ve spent a couple of evenings trying to explain our ‘setback’ in Michelle’s journey as I alluded to in this post. And not doing so well. Maybe it’s because I’m much more inspired to write about light, whimsical and amusing topics. Not potentially serious stuff.
As a result, I’ve really labored (Ha. Labored. A pregnancy reference! See, this is what I mean about my problem of sticking to difficult topics. And being too easily amused.) at recording this little bump in the road. So the last couple of nights have consisted of: Write, delete, write, edit, delete, play an online game, read ESPN, read about Conan and Leno…… And get nowhere. I even fail at describing accurately her latest situation above. It’s not a ‘setback’ or a ‘bump in the road’ at all. It’s a…..
Ah, to hell with it. Let Michelle tell the story and I’ll just get out of the way.
When I had been pregnant before (Ha, in the last century! Alright, that wasn’t fair. Or helpful. And I’m supposed to stay out of it. Let’s start over.)
When I had been pregnant before there wasn’t as much information available about tests, ultra sounds, diseases etc as much as there is today. It was easy to think that everything was going to be fine, picture perfect becuase you were a little more in the dark. Ignorance was bliss in my case. I just assumed all was well. And it was.
But 14 years can make a differance. There have been great strides in medical testing so that you can know everything about your baby, defects and all. And I mean everything.
Along my journey these last few weeks, there have been a couple bumps in the road (Oh, maybe it IS a bump in the road. I stand corrected.) starting with a blood test that came up a little high for spina bifida.
So I did that natural thing, just retest……it too came up a little higher than normal but not by much. So additional tests were conducted.
The results were that all was well with the baby, No spina bifida was seen on an super 3-d ultrasound, but now they might have seen a placenta previa. That is where the baby plants itself near the cervix opening or right on it, making it difficult to deliver later on. This will be confirmed later this week.
So far there has been a lot of worries and stresses that I had never experienced before….I had always assumed that everything was going to be fine, and they were.
I am older now and have to come to terms with that, even though I feel 29. I am more than halfway through this pregnancy and feel very hopeful that all will be well, but am also being well cared for, cautious and informed. (Maybe too informed?)
The gift of life is just that, a gift….there are no guarantees in life, for life. I dont believe in perfection, the perfect baby or perfect pregnancy. I believe in being healthy, carrying a healthy baby and experiencing a healthy pregnancy.
That is what I hope for now.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Firstly, I’m sorry that you’ve all been hit with a couple of bumps (and yes, these are indeed, big bumps). It’s good to know that the spinal bifida tests have all shown a healthy baby. *whew* on that front. Secondly, yes, placenta previa is worrisome, but in whole, not nearly as worrisome as the possibility of spinal bifida was. I’m *not* saying not to worry – I’m a worrier by nature, and anything less than 100% perfect has me chewing my nails and obsessing.
However, unlike with spinal bifida, the presence of placental previa alone isn’t a problem. It’s the possibility of the previa complicating other matters later that is the problem. The good thing is that 1) it’s possible for the placenta to move up and away from the cervix and 2) there are ways around it the previa causing issues if it doesn’t move. To my understanding only about 10% of women diagnosed with placenta previa in the 2nd trimester still have the previa by the end of the third trimester. Those that do still have previas by delivery time have c-sections to avoid further complications. In the weeks prior to delivery, pelvic rest and avoidance of strenuous activities will likely be prescribed to minimize the risk of bleeding, which can be common with complete and partial previas.
I know that anything less than perfect is scary and nervewracking, but generally the prognosis for previas is good. I hope that you aren’t dealing with one at all, and if you are, I hope that it moves up and out of the way as your uterus continues to expand through the rest of the pregnancy.
I understand the worry that you’ve all gone through in the past few weeks and now. In my second trimester with my surrobaby, a synechia was found in my uterus, otherwise known as Amniotic Band Syndrome. Basically, a band of tissue stretched across my uterus and divided the amniotic sac into two uneven parts. Thankfully, the baby was completely in the bigger side, but there was a risk that he might punch a limb through the band and get a leg or arm “caught” in the other side, thereby strangulating growth of that appendage and causing a limb deformity. We were told that this was unlikely, but still a possibility. I had ultrasounds every two weeks for a six-week period to monitor, and thankfully, just as the doctor expected, as the baby grew, the band continued to expand and “press” the smaller side against my uterus, until there was nothing left of it, leaving no further risk to the baby.
I know what it’s like with nothing to do but wait and hope. I’m keeping you both, the baby, and your IPs in my thoughts and prayers. xoxo
Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 9:28 am
I thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for your kind words or encouragement. I too am sorry that you have had worries of your own. Its not enough to be uncomfortable and suffer heartburn and weightgain but to experience anything beyond that really sucks. I am glad to be part of this rather small club of people who care enough to have children for others and I do wish you well throughout the rest of your pregnancy. Very thoughtfully yours,
Michelle
Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I’m so sorry you’ve had such scares, I agree a lot of the medical testing can read false positive which can totally scare the shit out of you until further testing is done.
As for placenta previa, that is where the placenta grows very close or over the cervix. You cannot deliver naturally with placenta previa because you could end up delivering the placenta first, thereby cutting off oxegen to the baby during delivery.
HOWEVER, placenta previa at 20 weeks can often times change. As the uterus grows the placenta moves with it, often time moving away from the cervix. Keep up hope and faith that it will move, visualize it moving away and whatever happens, know you did the best you can.
If it doesn’t move away, also know that c-sections, especially planned and not emergency ones are not as bad as often portrayed. No their not the ideal, but as science and doctors get more and more skilled, the actual procedure and recovery gets better and better. Especially planned c-sections where they can take their time as compared with emergency ones.
Also as a surrogate, a c-section is much easier and recovery faster because well, you dont’ have a baby to take care of. That makes a BIG difference too.
For now, just think positive, keep visualizing good things and hang in there. I’ll be thinking of you.