High Risk Check In 1/23

TalesOfASocialIntrovert

Haven't posted one in a while. Feel free to post if your pregnancy is considered high risk for any reason

How far along are you?

Why are you high-risk?

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?

Any questions/concerns/news?

What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today?

GTKY: What skill would you love to learn and why?

emzie54

14+5

I am 35 and have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

My NIPT came back with insufficient fetal fraction, so they rushed me in for an NT scan because I was almost out of window to have it done.  The baby’s neck measurement was perfect and they want me to repeat the NIPT, which I’m doing on Tuesday.  If the NIPT comes back inconclusive again MFM is recommending an amnio.  I hope we get NIPT results this time!

The doctors in MFM bum me out.  I know their job is to identify risk and try to mitigate it, but in the NT appointment was the first time that anyone had made clear to me that I was high risk and that my prenatal care was going to be different.  They casually mentioned that I would have additional ultrasounds and twice weekly non-stress tests later in the pregnancy.  They haven’t said it yet but I am anticipating that at some point they’ll tell me that they won’t let me stay pregnant passed a certain point and will induce me.  

I guess extra ultrasounds means seeing the baby more, so that it a positive!  It is also growing perfectly so far!  Once we have some answers about genetics we will start talking about the new baby with our 2 year old daughter, which I’m excited for!

Ive always been interesting in metalwork, so maybe welding or metal casting to make sculptures or jewelry.

*Sorry this is so long!  I just got the high-risk designation recently and I’ve been looking for this thread.

emzie54

Where did all the high-risk moms go?  This used to be an active thread.  The high risk page is pretty slow too.  Anyone out there?

TalesOfASocialIntrovert

@emzie54 The High Risk board has been pretty dead for years. I'm surprised also on how slow the High Risk threads are here though. Good for other mama's not being high risk I guess! I'm sorry you've had to join the club but I hope you get good news at your next appt! Don't let the MFM scare you too much, I've found they're all kind of downers when it comes to complications. They are there to prevent complication but also prepare you for what could be, even if it's only a very small percentile chance.

How far along are you?
17 + 4

Why are you high-risk?
Type 1 Diabetic

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?
None this week. MFM last week and again in 3 weeks for another US, then in 7 weeks for the fetal echo.

Any questions/concerns/news?
We found out last week were having a BOY!!! We have a 7 mo DD so DH and I are both stoked for a boy this go around

What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today?
Anatomy scan looked great and blood sugars are a little easier to control this week.

GTKY: What skill would you love to learn and why?
I would love to learn another language, it just seems useful and interesting. +1 on the welding to make jewelry too! I'd also like to learn how to knit. I was hoping my grandma could teach me but she passed before I could learn from her.

emzie54

@TalesOfASocialIntrovert thanks for your response!  Congrats on your son and easier to control sugars!  I can’t wait to find out what we are having.  The more info you get the more real it starts to feel.  The lack of NIPT results is also making me feel more secretive.  I want to know everything is ok so I can come out as pregnant!

I keep hearing commercials for Babble on the radio, which has been making me think about learning another language too.  I think it is an app.  What would you learn if you did it?

devilcat139

I guess I don’t feel super high risk because I don’t have any underlying conditions but I am having twins so I have to see an MFM so I hope you ladies don’t mind me jumping in (hopefully makes the thread less dead )

How far along are you?
17w today 

Why are you high-risk?
Twins

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?
Saw the MFM this week for an early anatomy scan. Everything looked good! They’re going to do it again in 4 weeks when they can see more but relieved everything looked good. Also have to go in for a cervix check in 2 weeks and fetal echo in 4/5 weeks 

Any questions/concerns/news?
Feeling good overall but nervous about the high risk aspects of twins-terrified of pre term labor (relieved cervix is long and closed so far), nervous about being at higher risk for pre eclampsia and GD 

What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today?
Starting to show, maybe feeling a kick or two? Can’t tell if it’s a muscle twitch or not from one of the babies

GTKY: What skill would you love to learn and why?
I can’t think of anything exciting beyond forecasting and modeling that would likely translate into more opportunities within my organization 

TalesOfASocialIntrovert

@emzie54 Spanish would be useful in my area but French might be more fun 

@devilcat139 Welcome! Glad your pregnancy is going well so far. Congratulations on twins!! I'm a twin and love having my brother so close. What kind of work do you do?

devilcat139

@TalesOfASocialIntrovert cool! Any twin advice come to mind from growing up as one? I feel like I’m learning so many people in my life are twins just by having them myself. I work in the corporate HQ of one of the biggest global pharmaceutical companies in insights and analytics supporting the commercial teams. Not an incredibly cool job (and certainly one that is often demonized) but I love it! 

emzie54

@devilcat139 congrats on your twins!  Are you a FTM?  How are you feeling about having 2?  Were you so surprised?

TalesOfASocialIntrovert

@devilcat139 The only thing that currently comes to mind is allowing them to make separate friends. We were in preschool together and my mom said we came home with the same stories and he let my friends take care of him. After that, we didn't share a class until senior year of jighschool. And honestly, I'm sure he would have driven me crazy!!

devilcat139

@emzie54 thanks! I am a FTM, we were completely surprised as we conceived naturally and twins don’t run in either family but excited as we only planned on having 2 kids and getting it done in one shot is super efficient! 

@TalesOfASocialIntrovert that’s good advice! I really want to make sure they’re free to be their own person and not just like “the twins”. Not planning on buying any matching outfits and I think being in separate classes once they start school would be smart

angelette81

I'm a little slow- sorry- life is a bit hectic but hope it's still okay to answer....

How far along are you? I'm 17 weeks today or Fri.....depending on who you talk to

Why are you high-risk? I'm 36, obese and had a heart attack (due to Birth control) in April 2017

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? Had to see my reg cardiologist yesterday

Any questions/concerns/news? the cardiologist is really not concerned about my heart- which is such a relief.....I was told that because of my heart, I should have terminated but I knew that I got pregnant right now for the first time for a reason.....and now, they don't even feel I need to be on the lovenox injections- Feeling very blessed and finally allowing myself to be happy

What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today? That I'm finally allowing it to sink in. Bought my first onsie. Feeling more energy.

GTKY: What skill would you love to learn and why?  I'd like to learn how to paint.....more of I would like to have more skill....it's so relaxing but I'm not very good so I get frustrated....

smdexter

How far along are you?
17w 3d 

Why are you high-risk?
I am pregnant with Mo/mo twins

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?
Nothing this week. See my high risk doctor and OBGYN next week

Any questions/concerns/news?
I was supposed to be seen every week starting last week but at my last appointment they said I was doing so good I can go every other week. I am concerned that I only have 7 weeks left before I have to sit in the hospital till babies come.

What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today?
I am showing more and more. Almost looking like a bump instead of just fat.

GTKY: What skill would you love to learn and why?
i would love to learn a job that I could do from home. I will be in the hospital for 2 1/2 months and need something to earn income. I cannot do my current job from home

TalesOfASocialIntrovert

@angelette81Welcome! Crazy about the heart attack but glad to hear all is well to this point in your pregnancy!!

@smdexter Congratulations on a healthy pregnancy thus far with twins! I don't have any suggestions for jobs you can work from home. What are some of your strong suits? Crafty, writter, good with numbers, sales, etc? Could give a direction for people to give some suggestions

busymommy23

How far along are you? 13w +6

Why are you high-risk? pre-pregnancy diabetes is what they are calling it becausebi failed my 1hr glucose twst so badly.

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? no monitoring at the drs office. Still checking blood sugar levels 4x a day and watching my diet. 

Any questions/concerns/news? had ob appt on Tuesday. Heard the heartbeat on the doppler which was so great to hear. Test results show baby is great and a girl. Dr told me I lost 7 lbs so far which is great, she isnt worried. 

What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today? just that I feel great since all of our results came back negative. Its been so great to not stress or be afraid to think of the future. I can actually start to enjoy this pregnancy now and plan to bring our daughter home! 

GTKY: What skill would you love to learn and why? Id love to learn to crochet and sew. I know a little but i wish I wouldve been able to learn from my grandma before she passed away. 

busymommy23

@emzie54 fx for giod nipt results this time. I aldo feel that mfm do or say too much to make you stress and worry. I understand ehy they do it because they want you informed but at the same time it makes it so hard. 

@TalesOfASocialIntrovert yay for a boy! Any names picked out yet?

@devilcat139 Twins are exciting! Are you finding out gender?

@angelette81 how scary about the heart attack. Im glad you are doing so well now! And yay for no more injections! It is so nice to be abke to finally be happy and start to enjoy being pregnant. 

@smdexter working from home would be great to keep you busy but Ive never been able to find a reputable place to find those types of jobs. Hopefully us all here on thebump can help keep you a little occupied while you are in the hospital!

devilcat139

@busymommy23 yes we are having two girls! My husband and I were so sure we were having boys (our families were too) but now I am completely attached to the idea of girls and I can’t wait. Congrats on your little girl as well! 

@smdexter mo/mo twins are scary-I’m glad you seem to be getting great care, although it sucks you already know you have to be in the hospital for so long. FX they get here safe and the time passes quickly! 

KatyF0813

@smdexter are you at all interested in direct sales?   I sell Stella and Dot as a side gig and do 90% of my business through social media (as do most people I know in the MLM world). Tons of different options so you could find something you're interested in, quick to learn, low start up costs... and you could just drop it once you're out of the hospital although burning bridges in your true career.

TalesOfASocialIntrovert

@busymommy23 We have a list of names going like we did with DD but no where near making a decision. Even with a list, DD's name was changed literally 5 minutes before we left the hospital bc the name we chose didn't sound right for her. The name she ended up with wasn't even on our master list! So who knows, I'm sure he'll have a name before we come home from the hospital 

michelle_bird

How far along are you?
17 + 3
Why are you high-risk?
I don't see a MLM but my doc considers me high risk because I have high BP and will be over 35 when the baby comes.  No extra screening really in the beginning (other than that super fun 24 hour urine test), but I'll have weekly stress tests once I hit 34 weeks.  

My doc did tell me that if it starts to go up and stay up that the new recommendations are to induce at 38 weeks.  Not sure if that's ADA or the state of TX, but I'm really hoping to avoid it.  I work from home so I should be able to put my feet up and avoid as much stress as possible.
Any additional monitoring or testing this week?
Nope!
Any questions/concerns/news?
I've had some chest pain and shortness of breath lately.  It hasn't been consistent so I haven't called my doc, but it's definitely on the list to talk to her about at my next appt.
What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today?
My best friend and SIL are both going to let me borrow some summery maternity clothes, so I'm happy that I won't have to buy as many!  They're both a little bigger than me so I'll likely still need some bottoms, but yay for saving money!  My last pregnancy was through the winter so I have a ton of sweaters.
GTKY: What skill would you love to learn and why?
I keep deciding I'm going to learn Spanish but then not finishing it.  I own the Total Spanish CDs but I've never gotten through more than 1.5 CDs (and there are 5 of them).  

emzie54

@MichelleAG05 sounds like we are having similar experiences.  For what it’s worth, at my OB appointment on Tuesday I pushed to find out about early induction or whether they’d let me carry until I go in to labor.  My OB said that as long as everything is good and stays stable as it is now, that I could stay pregnant for up to a week after my due date.

cseley321

@smdexter I did closed captioning and transcription through rev.com for extra money from home. They are always hiring but I must warn you it's not for everyone. It takes some practice before you can start making it worthwhile. I have experience in that area so I did okay with it, but many people have had negative experiences due to low pay

angelette81

Thanks everyone for the well wishes!

It's really nice to have this board and realize I'm not alone in the worries and extra pressures!

Jessicajorden

How far along are you?
16 weeks today 

Why are you high-risk? 

Diagnosed with pulmonary embolisms ( blood clots in lungs) during this pregnancy, PCOS, two previous losses. Will be on daily injections of lovenox blood thinners for remainder of pregnancy until 6 weeks pp

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? 
Had a heart echo done and waiting on a lung function test. Echo came back clear. Doctor is concerned there may be permanent damage due to being untreated for so long. Looking forward to finding out what’s happening as I am unable to do normal daily tasks. Went from working out 5 days a week to not being able to shovel my driveway or run up my stairs. Fortunately the Echo came back clear and heart failure was ruled out. 
Any questions/concerns/news? We found out we are team blue this week. 

What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today?
Despite these blood clots this pregnancy has been smooth sailing. Very grateful for feeling good. I’ve also gotten over my fear of needles. Two self injections a day. I never thought I could do it myself but with my husband working away lots of times and no family around I’ve learned to do it myself. It’s actually not as bad as I thought. 

GTKY: What skill would you love to learn and why?

Change tire and oil in my vehicle. I’ve always purchased maintenance packages with my vehicles so I’ve never had to learn but I think it’s a great skill to have. 

@TalesOfASocialIntrovert cool I’m a twin too! I totally agree about separate friends. My parents also encouraged us to develop our own style too. They may have dressed ya in a similar outfit but never matching. We even chose to do separate classrooms at age 7. Probably too early but I’m grateful my parents gave us the opportunity to be individuals. 

@angelette81 happy you’re okay. My girlfriend suffered a stroke from the Nuvaring at age 24.  Birth control freaks me out. So scary! . That’s great  your doctors have taken you off lovenox. 

TalesOfASocialIntrovert

@Jessicajorden Glad to hear your heart is healthy! Hopefully the next round of tests for your lungs come back with just as good of news. And congrats on having a boy!! (And being a twin too  )

hayhay93

How far along are you? 19 weeks

Why are you high-risk? Diabetes, hypothyroidism, and a blood disorder. 

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? I have an appointment with a health educator on Wednesday and I'm scheduling my anatomy scan today but not sure when it will be yet.

Any questions/concerns/news? I do have a question. Has this happened to anyone? Based on my LMP I would technically be 20 weeks right now, but my first ultrasound put me at a week behind.. however every single ultrasound I've had since has actually put the baby measuring about a week or more ahead lol. I'm wondering if the baby is measuring big now or was small then...

What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today? That it's still going. I am getting more and more excited.

GTKY: What skill would you love to learn and why? Piano, I think it sounds so beautiful.

Sorry this is late, I haven't had a phone for a while.

michelle_bird

Yes, @emzie54 - that's the same they told me!  But, if I do end up needing baby aspirin daily it puts me at an official diagnosis which would then most likely mean an early inducement.  We induced DD at 41 weeks and I would rather wait, honestly!  We'll see if I still feel that way pregnant in July in TX.

emzie54

@MichelleAG05 I don’t even want to think about being 41 weeks pregnant in July in Philadelphia let alone in TX!!!  I really want to avoid induction though.  My OB put me on low dose aspirin at 13 weeks because it is supposed to reduce the risk of pre-e.  I’m not sure how long I am supposed to stay on it.  I need to ask that.

@hayhay93 my blood tests have been coming back with low platelet counts.  Apparently that is not uncommon in pregnancy but could also be a symptom of something bad non-pregnancy related, so my OB referred me to hematology.  I’m nervous about it.  Do you have experience with hematologists? If so, what are appts with them like?

I got NIPT results today!  No increased risk for spina bifida or the trisomies, and we are having a BOY!  I’m so relieved by this after an inconclusive first test and the possibility of having to have an amnio if this one was inconclusive too.  Such great news!

michelle_bird

Congrats @emzie54!  That's all exciting news!  And if it makes you feel any better, I wanted to avoid induction last time as well but DD just didn't want to come.  I had a VERY good induction experience - and it ended up being kind of nice to know ahead of time: I could tell work, we had a nice large dinner, etc. 

Knottie1460515654

How far along are you?
16w3d

Why are you high-risk?
Type 1 diabetic, Possible vasa previa and 2 vessel cord

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?
not this week. But extra ultrasounds.

Any questions/concerns/news?
Very stressed and unsure as not many people ive spoke to have Vasa Previa. 

What positives are you seeing with your pregnancy today?
Baby is happy and healthy

: What skill would you love to learn and why?
I would love to learn a new language. french maybe 

TalesOfASocialIntrovert

@Knottie1460515654 Welcome! I'm sorry your experiencing some complications to your pregnancy. I don't have experience with Vasa Previa or a two vessel cord but I am a T1 Diabetic. It sounds like your Dr found the possible Vasa Previa fairly early and from what I understand, that drastically reduced risks to you and your child. Have your OB or MFM discussed early induction or hospitalization yet? My DD was born at just over 37 weeks (induced for possible early pre-e) and she spent no time in the NICU, despite some low BS the first 24 hours. Hopefully the next few weeks bring some answers for you

Also, I'd recommend if you're going to hang around you change your user name. "Knottie" names make it hard to get to know members and tag them in posts.