High Risk Pregnancy Check In 03/06

harleyquinn0621

How far along are you?

Why are you high-risk?

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?

Rants/Raves/Questions?

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day?

harleyquinn0621

How far along are you?

14+5

Why are you high-risk?

IC, Diabetes, AMA

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?

nothing this week, just strict orders to stay off my feet as much as possible ...... first check on the cerclage is 3/12

Rants/Raves/Questions?

who the heck knew doing nothing was so hard.... i am constantly wanting to get up and do things   uh also... pelvic rest for the remainder of this pregnancy is going to be awful... i know it's important.. but seriously.....5.5 months 

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day?
travel.... if money was no object i would sell everything i own here and just travel constantly 

hoodwink89

How far along are you?

15w 4 days

Why are you high-risk?

Type 2 diabetes

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?

Nothing until March 14th, then I get an ultrasound and finally meet my high risk doctor.

Rants/Raves/Questions?

Snow day here today and I am totally not prepared. We are having ramen for lunch. I am also trying to find the energy to get up to make said ramen. 

Also DD is not sure she wants a sister anymore and it makes me sad. She says that she wants to to be the only kid in our family and I am praying she will change her mind when little sister arrives. 

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day? 
I would home school my kiddos so we could travel anywhere in the world and give them tons of life experiences. We are hoping to get each kid to all 50 states before graduation!

harleyquinn0621

@hoodwink89 that's an awesome goal! i might steal that 

mrsbubbles-2

How far along are you? 16+4

Why are you high-risk? Diabetes and my ancient uterus

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? MFM appt on the 12th, probably just pee in a cup, talk about my insulin and see if I have questions. I never have questions for this doctor, all the additional monitoring appointments are made on my patient portal and and other tests just show up when I go to my regular appointments. I do all my diabetes coordination over the phone, so I'm thinking of asking if I can move my appointments to every 2 months. I just really don't have the time for all these appointments and the MFM appointments are the ones I get the least value out of.

Rants/Raves/Questions? Ugh. So I had to re-do my 24 hour urine collection this weekend because the protein results last time were 'unable to calculate due to one or more parameters being out of range' or something like that. So I re-did it this weekend and was super careful to catch everything for exactly 24 hours, like to the minute. Same result. I don't get it. Last time I was slightly over the volume for the markers on one jug so they gave me 2 this time, I did everything the instructions said, I'm just so frustrated because it's a pain in the ass to schedule a full day to stay home with my pee jugs. Wah!

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day? Love this question! I would probably volunteer at the library or children's museum and read books to the kids or lead craft activities.

meeks2020

How far along are you? 15wks 4 days

Why are you high-risk? Ds had numerous birth defects, pregnancy induced hypertension,  iugr, i think that's it..

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? I have a regular appointment tomorrow

Rants/Raves/Questions? Nah. I'm just excited about tomorrow's appointment. I posted in the appointment thread that my ob last time did a handheld ultrasound for fun last time so I'm wondering if she'll do it this time if I ask and be able to tell me the sex. If she doesn't, I won't be frustrated or upset, but it's worth a shot to ask?

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day? That's a good question. I would hang out with my in-laws and my kids. (This baby makes kid plural) we could explore the world together. Realistically I'd browse target and hobby lobby.

harleyquinn0621

@mrsbubbles-2 ugh the 24 hour urine collection sucks!! I had to do one last time, they havent mentioned it again yet but i'm not looking forward to it

redheadbride15

How far along are you?

15w3d

Why are you high-risk?

History of pregnancy-induced hypertension and IUGR. And I'm really, truly ancient (you 30-somethings are spring chickens!) though my OB insists that this alone doesn't make someone high risk.

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?

Nope. Status quo until my 18 week level 2 ultrasound.

Rants/Raves/Questions?

Rave: I actually DON'T have a headache right now. This is the first time in about 3 weeks! And I haven't taken any Tylenol in 48 hours! I doubt it will last, but I will celebrate the moment regardless.

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day?
Honestly, I'd keep working. I'm very highly trained in a very niche specialty that I enjoy and I feel somewhat of a responsibility to keep doing what I do. I would, however, cut back my hours, take more vacation, and let my DH be a SAHD (which he'd love). I'd buy a nice RV and during my time off I'd road trip between National Parks where we'd hike and backpack.

@mrsbubbles-2 NOOOOOOOOO to the urine collection fail! I'm so sorry. I abhor that test (I know I've mentioned this before). I had to talk my OB out of ordering it for me as a "baseline" for this pregnancy.

@meeks2020 Definitely ask for the ultrasound! I hope your appointment goes well!

hezzer78

How far along are you? 16w2d

Why are you high-risk? 2 previous MC, corrected septate uterus, AMA

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? No Nothing until 3/19 and 3/22 when we do the anatomy scan.

Rants/Raves/Questions?  Feeling pretty good besides these recent headaches. I think they're sinus/allergy/weather related though, and not anything to do with my pregnancy.  I have noticed I've been hitting a slump in the afternoon - not energy wise, but attitude wise. It feels like I've got the blues, but not as bad as a depressive episode or anything. I just don't feel like myself. IDK if it's just the need for spring break or hormones going crazy, but it makes me want a lot of cheese.

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day?
I would teach belly dance and yoga and learn some other forms of dance I've been dying to learn (Odissi, Kathak, burlesque, hoop, etc.). And travel!! 

@hoodwink89 That's a good goal! I want to hit all 50 for myself, so maybe for the LO it would be a good goal too. 

@mrsbubbles-2 Oh man I'm sorry to hear you have to repeat the urine test. I haven't heard anything about having to do that yet, but it sounds annoying. 

@meeks2020 Good luck at your appointment tomorrow!

@redheadbride15 We love hiking and backpacking! Sadly we don't get to do it much since we live in an area where that stuff is not nearby, but we love to do it when we travel. And we are close to the same age. I"ll be 40 in April.  

neeraja_k

How far along are you?

15w2d

Why are you high-risk?

AMA, GD

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? Rants/Raves/Questions?

Saw the MFM for the first time today, just ugh. So despite keeping a food diary the last couple of weeks, eating mostly well, taking my Metformin religiously, and religiously testing my sugar umpteen times a day, it didn't make a damn bit of difference to the MFM. He hardly looked at my results or whatever else was on the paperwork before coming in...just put me on two forms of insulin. He didn't really answer any of my questions sufficiently, and didn't really seem to care about my concerns, just gave me a, "This is how we're going to do it, because I'm the doctor and I say so" spiel. Even the nurse practitioner I saw beforehand seemed taken aback by his sudden insistence to immediately go on insulin, and not try other options first.

I'm so unbelievably frustrated right now. Way to make me feel even more like a fucking incubator.

And on top of that, they sent in an Rx for the WRONG test strips, despite me saying at least twice what ones I needed. So hopefully the pharmacy will take these back and give me the proper ones.

Oh and I have to do a 24hr urine collection for some baseline results. Fun.

And they want to see me every two weeks and then every week past week 30 or something. I ain't got time for all that bullshit hour long driving, especially if they're this unhelpful. 

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day?
I'd tend goats on a mountaintop and never talk to another human again.

nll0803

How far along are you?

16w+3

Why are you high-risk?

Crohns disease, autoimmune liver and arthritis diseases

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?

Had a level 2 ultrasound today. Baby is measuring perfectly, but there is an echogenic focus on left ventricle. With normal cell free dna test there shouldnt be much to worry about, but it still is in the back of my mind. More liver studies this week. 

Rants/Raves/Questions?

I just want to stop puking, and stop needing diclegis. Thats all. 

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day?
Buy a farm with tons of acreage in kentucky, and live off the land. Not the most sensational fantasy, but would love to spend my days with a small scale farm, with just enough food to survive, and spend my days, hunting, gathering, homeschooling and be backwoodsy haha 

redheadbride15

@neeraja_k UGH. I'm sorry. What was I just saying the other day about most MFMs being shitheads? Do you have an option for a second opinion?

@hezzer78 cheers fellow geriatric mama hiker! Living near hiking is a must for me. I've turned down excellent job offers in places that were too far away from mountains.

mrs_drc_rn

@harleyquinn0621 ugh, girl I’m sorry. I’d find it hard to stay off my feet as well! And the pelvic rest... I’m hoping the time goes by quickly for you! 

@mrsbubbles-2 ugh, such a pain in the ass! So you have to do it a third time now?!

@meeks2020 can’t hurt to ask!! Hope you get to find out! 

@hezzer78 I kind of feel the same way most days in the afternoon, but more a combo of being mentally and physically drained. I think some nicer weather would do us wonders!

@nll0803 DS had one too and I freaked out. Lots of people told me not to worry and that it would go away. It did; I think the anatomy scan was the only time they saw it. I know it’s hard not to worry though.


How far along are you? 17+1

Why are you high-risk? Prior pre-term birth and myomectomy.

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? Had the second lab draw for the sequential screen today. Iron panel came back normal.

Rants/Raves/Questions? Had my PAT done for the biopsy this week and handed in my disability paperwork for it. Kind of bummed that this will cut into my time off after I have the baby, but whatever. I’m not looking forward to another round of snow tomorrow, sigh...

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do al day? So many good answers so far! I’d probably spend my time trying tons of different restaurants and traveling. I enjoy my work, so I’d probably still do it on a per diem basis. 

Stac928

How far along are you? 16+4

Why are you high-risk? AMA, PCOS, RPL, blood pressure creeping up/possible pregnancy induced hypertension

Any additional monitoring or testing this week?

None this week

Rants/Raves/Questions?

I was supposed to have a blood test last week, a follow up one regarding some possible clotting issues related to RPL. OB forgot to order it. I love my OB but super annoying since I drive 30 minutes to get blood drawn. I need to call and remind them to order it this week but I haven’t. 

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day?
own some land outside of town for our home base, then travel! I would travel to all the places! 

@harleyquinn0621 bed rest sucks, even modified. I did one week of it once and thought I would lose my mind. It’s amazing how hard it is to do nothing. 

@hoodwink89 I love that goal! I’m working on finishing my last few states. Starting earlier with baby would be awesome. 

@mrsbubbles-2 repeating tests sucks! 

@meeks2020 good luck at your test! 

@redheadbride15 Yay for no headache! 

@hezzer78 the sinus/allergy stuff is awful. Mine seems worse and earlier this year. 

mrsbubbles-2

Got a call from my OB last night - they called the lab about my wacky urine culture results and the lab said that they only report results greater than 6 units (mgs or whatever) of protein in the urine. I had fewer than 6 units so they couldn't calculate. So yay! Good result after all! And since it was a baseline they'll be able to flag anything that's higher pretty easily as we get further along. I think my next one is between 22-26 weeks. Yay!

@harleyquinn0621 - thinking of you! how are you feeling?
@hoodwink89 - aw, I bet your DD will be so excited about a little sister when she gets here! Does she have a baby doll or something that she can start to take care of, like give the baby a bottle or rock the baby to sleep? Maybe if she sees that she'll be such a big help with the new baby it will help her?
@meeks2020 - can't wait to hear about your appointment! FX she takes a peek to tell you the sex!
@redheadbride15 - yay for no headache! I hope it stays that way!
@hezzer78 - sorry about the headaches! And the blues. I hope spring break gets here quickly and you can re-charge!
@neeraja_k - I'm sorry you're having such a rough time with the MFM. So, my OB wanted me off the metformin before I got pregnant - not because it's unsafe or anything but because with pregnancy the hormone shift can happen rapidly they need the ability to adjust your doses on the fly. It's tough and a literal pain.
@nll0803 - thinking of you. I'm glad they said it's not something to be too worried about but getting an abnormal result on any test is stressful. Keep us posted. Hugs!
@mrs_drc_rn - I've been thinking of you! How are you doing with everything? I'm so sorry your time after the baby is born is being cut into.
@Stac928 - I hate it when I have to remind my OB about tests that THEY want run! How frustrating, I'm sorry! Is there a lab closer to you that you can have the blood drawn to save you the 30 min drive?

mrs_drc_rn

@mrsbubbles-2 yay for good results! I’ve been doing ok, just feeling super nervous about the biopsy. My only concern is the baby and making sure she’s ok through everything. Everyone keeps saying not to stress but it’s so much easier said than done. 

redheadbride15

@mrsbubbles-2 that's great news!

Headache is back with a vengeance this morning. Oh well...

mrsbubbles-2

@mrs_drc_rn - absolutely understand. This is an incredibly stressful situation that you're going through. We're here for you and we'll be stalking like crazy for updates! All the hugs!

harleyquinn0621

@mrsbubbles-2  yay for good results!

i'm good- TMI i woke up to some pink spotting, only on the toilet paper,  this morning, the Dr had told me i might and it's only a problem if there seems to be active bleeding- so i'm trying not to worry too much about it, but i pretty much worry about everything right now 

elsieisamoocow

How far along are you? 18 weeks

Why are you high-risk? 2 placental abruptions, premature births

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? Saw my OB for our weekly appointment this morning. All good.

Rants/Raves/Questions? Nope, just enjoying baby kicks!

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day? DH and I always said we'd love to take a year off and travel Europe from top to bottom. That would definitely be one of the first things we'd do. And we'd probably also have an au pair with us lol. We'd probably explore Asia after that. Lots of fancy hotels, room service, and eating at nice restaurants. Mmmmm now I'm hungry!

Stac928

harleyquinn0621 said:

@mrsbubbles-2  yay for good results!

i'm good- TMI i woke up to some pink spotting, only on the toilet paper,  this morning, the Dr had told me i might and it's only a problem if there seems to be active bleeding- so i'm trying not to worry too much about it, but i pretty much worry about everything right now 

It’s easy to worry about everything. 

mrsbubbles-2

@harleyquinn0621 - My love-it is a hug. I'm sorry you're worried, have you had any more spotting?

harleyquinn0621

@mrsbubbles-2 i have kept myself off my feet today and the spotting has seemed to have stopped - so maybe it was a sign that i was pushing too much too fast.... i've been working from home this week and even attended a meeting from my bed today to keep me from getting up LOL i know the cervix is easily irritated so i'm going to hope for the best until my Monday appointment 

princesslockness

@hoodwink89 Ramen can be a life saver, and something I still associate with snow days growing up.  Some good times. 
@mrsbubbles-2 I'm sorry that you were stressing because your lab didn't report anything. Why did you have to do the test?
@meeks2020 Good Luck!!!!
@redheadbride15 I think you have shared your headaches with me. 
@neeraja_k Is it possible to have a different MFM give a second opinion?

AFM: 

How far along are you?18w, something

Why are you high-risk? Most of the scrabble tiles.

Any additional monitoring or testing this week? Not until AS on the 27th.

Rants/Raves/Questions? I feel like I got ran over by a semi. My throat is so bad I can't stand to swallow, my head hurts from not eating/drinking for ~24 hrs, my unfinished root canal broke and is seriously a PITA right now, my shoulder is having a rough day due to not being able to get quite comfortable in my pregnancy pillow, and the rest of my body just aches. I'm seriously considering calling in tomorrow. I need to just not be around people today.

GTKY: If money was no object, what would you do all day? I would buy my dad a Cattle and horse ranch. He could manage it, and I would train horses, trail ride, and go equipment and livestock shopping on the weekends. 

neeraja_k

As for everyone asking if there are other options, there might be, I'm not sure. There are three other MFM's in that office, but I'm not sure what their policy is about juggling patients between each other. I know that's frowned upon in other practices.

There is another hospital in town and I've gone there in the past, but I'm just not a fan of their OB/GYN department in general. I went in for a pap smear and PCOS care and all she wants to do is tell me to lose weight and signs me up for bariatric surgery consultation without talking to me. That still makes me seething mad.

I've put an email into my OB asking for help on what to do, so I'll see if he has any advice or help to offer.

hezzer78

@mrsbubbles-2 Great news! So glad for you!
@harleyquinn0621 Glad to hear the spotting has lessened. Take it easy as long as you need to!
@princesslockness That sounds rough. Hope you get to feeling better soon! Maybe a 3 day weekend is what you need

@neeraja_k Hopefully your OB will have some sound advice for you regarding a new MFM. Is that office the only MFM office in your area? Or mabye if your OB calls their office and recommends you see a specific doc, that'll help? 

wifehacks

Hi all. I know I'm late to the game for this thread but hopefully it's still somewhat active. I haven't posted here before because I just recently learned I am high risk

How far along are you? 16 weeks tomorrow

Why are you high-risk?  AMA, previous LEEP procedure, low-lying placenta, marginal cord insertion, Factor V carrier (single mutation)

I recently switched doctors and this one is WAY more thorough. Other than the LEEP I had in 2006, I didn't know about any of these other high-risk factors, so I kind of got slapped with them all at once. It's been an incredibly overwhelming day.

Has anyone had a marginal cord? I don't see a lot about it online, and it doesn't seem to cause serious issues, but my doctor really scared me when he said "if you see ANY spotting, even a little bit, go to the ER immediately. Tell them you are pregnant and have marginal cord insertion and they will see you right away"

uuhhhh... what??

redheadbride15

Hi @wifehacks! Feel free to jump in at any time. I don’t know anything about marginal cord insertion but I do know about suddenly being blindsided with a “high risk” label and lots of stuff to potentially worry about. When I developed hypertension in my last pregnancy I freaked out when they gave me a long list of symptoms that should prompt immediate evaluation. Give yourself some time and remind yourself that the doctors’ job is to be super-cautious. I hope your pregnancy ends up being totally uneventful!

wifehacks

thanks @redheadbride15. yes, I am currently having a love/hate relationship with my VERY cautious doctor. Also, thanks for the well wishes - same to you!

neeraja_k

Got the results for the various tests related to my baseline 24hr urine collection, and I guess add one more thing to the heap of crap, my protein was significantly higher than the normal range provided. Everything else seemed to be in the normal range. So, no idea what it all means, but can't I just be bloody normal in something for once? I'm beginning to think this has all been a colossal mistake. 

mrsbubbles-2

@wifehacks - welcome! I'm sorry you're being hit with all this all at once, it must be scary! I don't have any experience but just wanted to say we're here to listen if you need to vent or just talk it out. I have everything crossed that the rest of your pregnancy is gloriously boring

@neeraja_k - ugh. I'm sorry. It could just be a UTI, when are you supposed to follow up with your doctor? I'm sorry this is all piling on but I do believe that you can do this. It's a lot and it's tough but you're a tough-ass woman and you'll handle the hurtles that are being thrown at you. And we're here for you

redheadbride15

@neeraja_k I’m sorry about the test result. I agree with everything @mrsbubbles-2 said. This was certainly not a mistake and I’m confident that with a good support system and good medical care you’ll power through.

neeraja_k

@mrsbubbles-2 Can you ship some of your optimism here to infect me? I have a follow-up next Tuesday. I thought all the peeing in a cup to play with the pretty dipsticks at every visit was supposed to screen for UTI's? 

mrsbubbles-2

@neeraja_k - it should but sometimes the sample at the doc's office isn't concentrated enough, like if you drink a lot of water your sample might be too diluted to catch anything. The good news is that they have a baseline for you so if anything changes they'll be able to catch it immediately.

I'll be here to optimist the shit outta you, girl! You've got this

harleyquinn0621

@neeraja_k ugh sorry for the unexpected results. Part of me thinks if something was wrong wouldnt your Dr call you? when i did the 24 hour urine collection thing last pregnancy mine was higher than the reference range but the DR said it was fine 

neeraja_k

Sorry for the late reply, I came home sick with something after running my grandmother around town on her errands and appointments. Who knew violent shivering could make one so sore all over, even my skin hurts. I seem to be feeling much better now though, still no idea what it was. Hopefully it continues to go away so I can enjoy the weekend. 

The nurse from the MFM's office called me this afternoon and said my results were perfectly normal. I asked about the protein value being significantly higher than the range on the site, 116 and 50-80. She laughed a bit and said that's for people who aren't pregnant, and she doesn't know why they keep putting that range on results for pregnant women. But pregnant women naturally have more protein being excreted and as long as it's less than 200, I'm good.

So what a relief! 

Stac928

neeraja_k said:

Sorry for the late reply, I came home sick with something after running my grandmother around town on her errands and appointments. Who knew violent shivering could make one so sore all over, even my skin hurts. I seem to be feeling much better now though, still no idea what it was. Hopefully it continues to go away so I can enjoy the weekend. 

The nurse from the MFM's office called me this afternoon and said my results were perfectly normal. I asked about the protein value being significantly higher than the range on the site, 116 and 50-80. She laughed a bit and said that's for people who aren't pregnant, and she doesn't know why they keep putting that range on results for pregnant women. But pregnant women naturally have more protein being excreted and as long as it's less than 200, I'm good.

So what a relief! 

Stupid labs making you worry! Glad it’s all ok! 

Hope you keep keep feeling better and can enjoy your weekend! 

meeks2020

@wifehacks I did not have your particular diagnosis last time, but I had a cord that stopped growing at 24 weeks and was very fragile. It sounds like your diagnosis the cord' s connection to the placenta is maybe fragile (I'm not a Dr, ask your Dr if that's right, it's the way I'm reading it?) It can be scary with this diagnosis, if it turns out the connection is fragile and you want to hear my story feel free to pm me and I'll share

harleyquinn0621

this afternoon is my post op appointment for my cerclage! excited to see how everything is looking. i feel good but i'm still nervous... 





TMI:

also i think i might be getting a yeast infection? i'm not sure because i've never really had one, but saturday i started to feel 'itchy', no weird discharge and no odor- so i'm going to ask the dr about that today, i also thought it might be the soap i'm using... maybe i'm suddenly sensitive to it- so i switched Sunday to Dove sensitive skin, and so far today i haven't had any 'itchiness' - anyone have any idea what kinds of things to look for during a yeast infection?

neeraja_k

@harleyquinn0621 When I used to get the ever lovely yeast infection I would experience insane itching and burning, the skin inside my folds and around the vaginal opening were red and inflamed, and a white cottage cheese like discharge. I don't ever remember an odor associated with it, thankfully. 

That said, you could simply be allergic to your soap as you'd thought. I had to stop using one of my favorite brands of soap a few months ago because it literally lit me up down there suddenly out of the blue. I'd been using it for years without a problem. Nothing like hives all around inside your vulva though. Now I use some sort of plain no fragrance goat milk, lye soap that I get at our local farm store of all places. 

redheadbride15

@harleyquinn0621 could be a yeast infection or sensitivity as you say because it's hard to tell the difference. But I'd definitely mention it to the doctor - a quick exam and/or swab test would determine the cause. And you don't want to mess with a yeast infection with a fresh cerclage. Hope it's the latter!