Pre-e survivor, pregnant again... (LONG)

mrsjrmiller

Hi ladies-

I spent a good bit of time on this board when my son Ethan was born at exactly 27 weeks last March. When I ended up going back to work, my time on here became less and less... now I tend to spend a lot of time on the high risk board. But I thought I would pop over and tell you ladies hello and how excited I am right now...

I am almost 32 weeks pregnant, and things are going really well!!  I have been on bed rest since 22 weeks - which is a LONG time. Bed rest is rough, but never has it left my mind that compared to the NICU and preemie life, bed rest is a piece of cake. Right at 20 - 22 weeks, my BP went really high - I totally feared a repeat of my last pregnancy, if not earlier. I spent some time in L&D and was put on bed rest. It took about a week for my BP to go down but it did and has stayed down since. I am averaging about 118/78 - right now!  Unbelievable!

I was obviously high risk from the start, I was seeing my regular OB and had a consult with the MFM - but at the start of bed rest I was transferred to the High Risk OB/MFM office. They are taking really good care of me. Added to the risk of pre-e, I also have a single umbilical artery which puts me at greater risk of IUGR (had with Ethan) and my daughter has pyecletisis or fluid on kidneys. This can mean little to nothing or it could be something we deal with once she is born but it is really unknown at this point. Last week when I saw my dr. he actually said (according to the measuring tape) that I am measuring ahead and I may be looking at a big baby! Ethan was only 1 lb. 13 oz. so I am hoping for a chunky monkey!!! I have a growth scan tomorrow so I will know how big she is, and whether the fluid on the kidneys has increased, decreased, or stayed the same. I am anxious to see her again tomorrow.

I look really pregnant and feel pregnant, which is a point I never got to with Ethan. I do not get to go anywhere, other than the dr. so I do not get to experience people asking me when I am due and stuff but that is ok.... It is so different to think about taking a baby home... I am not jumping the gun and getting too excited yet, but I think I am on the cusp of feeling very confident. I will be having a repeat c-section, probably around 37 weeks, if all the stars align properly.... that is only about 5 weeks from now.

Getting to and through the 27 week mark was the hardest. I expected things to go south. Obviously I am elated that it is not the case, but there is something unnerving about going into unknown territory... I understand the NICU, I knew my son for over 2 months when I brought him home, and there is some fear - mixed with overwhelming excitement about approaching this in a whole new way... There is also guilt that I did not do well carrying Ethan and am doing better for my daughter... I know that may sound crazy - and it is a guilt that I am willing to live with...:)

The preemie experience shaped me as a parent. Both my children will benefit from that. You guys know - it changes you profoundly. One of the NICUs that Ethan went to invited me to be on an Advisory council, I am the first ever parent to be included on this council and it is an honor. I will always be involved with the NICUs, MOD, pre-e foundation, and helping the little babies in general.... I cannot wait to teach my son and daughter about the miracle of life - that they both are.

My dr. told me at our first consult that she wanted me to get to 34 weeks but with all the cards stacked against me, she did not hold out too much hope for me to get much further. Obviously I am not there yet- but I have no signs of things NOT going to 34 or beyond.... She told me she was glad she would be eating her words and she said I have myself to thank, as these long, boring, emotionally draining, bed rest days are what is buying me time...

I knew I wanted another child after Ethan and I was not going to give that up because of pre-e.  I will be having a tubual after Lauren (my baby girl) is born -- because I think I am asking too much from my body, and my family to do this again. I started having baby fever when Ethan was about 6 months old. I got pregnant when he was 10 months. I cannot wait to see him as a big brother!  I also spent a lot of time wondering about subsequent pregnancies after such early onset pre-e.... which is why I stopped by here to share this very long story with you guys - like I said, I am not there yet - but either way, I think this is a success story!  Thanks for making it through this very long read!!!

Take care!

Arika

dmblack

Congrats and I'm happy to hear the PG #2 is going much better.  Its a great feeling for sure.  These stories help the other ladies on here realize that it is possible to have a full term baby after a preemie.  Good luck with everything and keep us posted when the new one arrives.

RRHsMom

Thanks for sharing!  We are pg again and I had pre-e (luckily not until 36 weeks- but DS ended up in the NICU anyway with RDS).  I have been really nervous and so it is great to hear positive stories like this.  

mhop

I'm so happy for you that you've made it this long!  Congrats!

LittleD8081

Thanks so much for sharing your story.  It really does help a lot of us to feel more confident.  You did a good thing.  And congrats to you!

ShanaNChris

I am so happy for you and so encouraged by what you are experiencing this time around. Thanks for sharing!

jkipp82

Just wanted to say hello - you were a big support to me over on the high risk board before Carter was born!  So glad to see you're doing well...keep up the good work! 

mrs.amandamm

You definately offer hope of going longer!  I had it later than you, and am still nervous, so far so good... hoping for pre-e free this time!