Visiting, but may be here soon

nikinlove

Hi ladies,

I am visiting all of you to find out everything I can about preemies.  I am currently 20 weeks pregnant and I have had a very trying pregnancy.  I started off with a cyst that is now 15 cm's which has to be removed next week and then I had high levels of AFP, which I opted for the amnio and everything came back about the baby being fine.

 I went in today for my follow-up sonogram and they said the baby is measuring 2 weeks behind and it looks like it is a placenta problem.  They did say after removing the cyst next week that could help with the placenta, but they are not sure.  So right now I am very high risk and getting ultrasounds every week now.  I am also on partial bed rest.  If at 24 weeks, she does not measure 24 weeks, they are going to hospitalize me until I deliver.  They said they hope to get me to 32 weeks, but they actually do not think I will ever make it full term.

Have any of you other ladies experienced these issues - if so - when did you deliver and is your baby healthy?

At1stsight

I'm sorry you're having so many complications. My path to preemiedom was very different (no problems whatsoever, experienced preterm labor due to a small placental abruption and had DS that day at 34w5d), but there are a lot of moms here who experienced extended bedrest and can share.

My 34 weeker had respiratory distress syndrome - his lungs weren't ready. They'll give you steroid shots to help your baby's lungs mature and try to avoid RDS. The steroid shots have helped a LOT of people have babies born who are ready to breathe on their own or with minimal assistance. Your baby will be in the NICU from birth until close to their due date, typically. It is a difficult journey but you can make it through with good support.

My son has virtually no issues related to his prematurity at this point. He had reflux (very common in preemies), was on the smaller side, and has been sick more than some of my FT friends' LOs, but overall he's done so well once he was over his NICU stay. Best wishes to you, and this board is full of supportive, wise mommies.

lexismom1008

I had an insufficient placenta, but it wasn't caught until 34 weeks. My LO always measured behind, but no one ever seemed concerned. At 34 weeks, his movement slowed and I went in for an ultrasound. He hadn't grown at all since 29 weeks and my fluid levels were very low. I was put on bedrest and made it all of 3 days. His NST was nonreactive and the BPP was nonreassuring. They did an emergency c-section that night.

I did get one dose of steroids and he did very well from a respiratory standpoint. He was just very small and it took time for him to learn to eat and grow. He is on track for his adjusted age, but he is doing PT twice a week and OT once a week because he has some issues with muscle tone. 

It's good that they caught your placental problem early on and you are being closely monitored. I hope that things start to look up after they remove your cyst! GL to you :-) 

lgmom2010

Awe I'm sorry you are having such a hard time with your pregnancy. Hang in there and try to stay positive and relaxed! I had a very hard pregnancy as well...at 13 weeks I woke up to blood everywhere, it was very traumatizing...after being in the er and several ultrasounds they found that I have a bicornuate uterus and put me on bedrest. There was a large bleed and blood clot in there but baby was fine. After a week of strict bedrest I started to pass the clot and I was having awful cramping...they were like really bad contractions. Then I was okay until 22 weeks so they took me off bedrest but I continued to get ultrasounds every week. They found that I was measuring about a week behind but didn't get too concerned yet. They took me off bedrest and let me take a 20 min walk in the mornings but wanted me resting the rest of the day. Then I started getting more swollen and they couldn't figure out why. At 26 weeks I woke up to blood everywhere again and was in preterm labor. They were able to stop it and give me the steroids and I was able to go home on strict bedrest again. at 28 weeks I was spotting and went in and they kept me for high bp and I went into preterm labor again. They stopped it again but then realized I had Pre e and was getting sicker by the minute so they induced me. Lyla came out measuring at 26 weeks and there was a blood clot in with her and also in the placenta. She was 1 lb 13 oz and 12.5 in long. She was a little fighter..she had her ups and downs in the nicu and some typical preemie issues but fought hard and got out at 37.5 weeks weighing 4 lbs 3 oz! She is now abt 5.5 mos and 10.5 lbs and is very healthy and happy! Sorry my story got a little long...hope it helps you feel better! GL and take care of yourself and keep us updated!