XP: Admitted to hospital (long)

DrRx

Well...today sure didn't go as I thought it would. 

DH and I had our Fetal Echocardiogram this morning at 7:30am.  Today I am 22w6d.  The heart looked great, but the u/s tech said that the amniotic fluid seemed a little low.  She asked me if I had noticed damp panties, and I told her that I had, off/on, for the last few weeks.  I just thought that it was an increase in discharge.  She asked me if they were ever soaking wet or if there was ever a gush and I said no. 

The MFM doctor came in and scanned me himself.  He told me that he was very concerned about the low amniotic fluid seen on the u/s and that given my history (damp panties for 2 weeks) he is going with a working diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pProm).   He said that the baby's anatomy looks great, ie, kidney's and bladder are all working, but that there are pockets of very low amniotic fluid.  At my u/s 4 weeks ago, the amniotic fluid was fine.   By this point of the pregnancy, the baby is making the amniotic fluid, and structurally everything looks fine.  So, he called my OB (who was upstairs in surgery--he said that she had them hold the phone to her ear) and she said that she would come down and examine me herself.  So, off I got wheeled from Radiology to Triage/Urgent Care.

They had me lay on the bed there with my head down and my feet up, to see if fluid would pool.  About an hour or so later, my OB came.  They did a speculum exam and didn't see any fluid.  She also had me cough to see if any would come out and none did.  She then took some swabs.  One was to make a slide to see if there was any "ferning", one was to check the pH, and one was for Amnisure.  

All the tests came back negative for amniotic fluid.  However, we still don't know how it got so low.  She said that I could've had a tear and it healed itself and I'm in the process of replenishing it, or that the baby is "plugging" the tear.  They won't do the dye test because the MFM and her think that the risk outweighs the benefits, particularly due to my anterior placenta.  We decided to treat me as if I did test positive for pProm, and empirically start me on antibiotics.  I was admitted to the high-risk OB floor and started on broad spectrum antibiotics.  I am on strict bedrest, except for 1 shower a day (while sitting on a chair) and bowel movements.  They are also checking my temperature every 4 hours to make sure I don't spike a fever. 

The plan so far is to re-do the exam I had today on Friday (Amnisure, etc) and then do another ultrasound on Monday to see where my fluid levels are.   I will start getting steroids probably in the middle of next week.  Hopefully, we can get to a time where I can finish my bedrest at home (assuming amniotic levels go up somewhat and stay up), but obviously I will complete my bedrest where ever it needs to be done!   Regardless, I'm pretty much out for the rest of the pregnancy (hopefully for several more weeks) for doing anything else other than to not move and prevent infection. 

The current goal is Viability Day next Thursday, January 18.  I will be 24 weeks then.  We need to get there for her to have a fighting chance.  Anything after that will be a blessing.  We're all pretty sure that this baby will be a premie, and hopefully we can get as many weeks under my belt as possible!

DH and I are staying positive!  We are doing everything possible that we can to make this a successful pregnancy.  We feel that we are in the best facility with great care being provided by physicians and staff.  We are fortunate to have the support of all our family and friends to help us out with things at home and to keep me company. 

In a way, I'm so glad that we did IVF.  If we hadn't done IVF, we probably wouldn't have had the fetal echocardiogram done.   Our a/s scan was fine 4 weeks ago, and I would've thought that everything was normal.  Luckily, we came in for the u/s, found the problem inadvertently, and ended up getting admitted. 

DH and I would appreciate any positive thoughts and vibes sent our way!

PS: So, with all this time I suddenly have free, I feel that I'm going to be on this board ALL THE TIME.  

 

meganmgmiller

Oh my goodness! A million T&Ps are going out to you. You are so strong and brave-- please keep us posted on everything. We are all rooting for you!

kayla5412

Lots of T&Ps heading your way!!  I hope everything turns out ok!!!  Please keep us updated!

balibaby

Oh my gosh, how frightening! It sounds like you have a GREAT plan in place and that it is very positive news that you weren't showing that you were currently leaking, and your positive attitude will only help your baby girl! I'll be sending you and your baby girl tons of positive thoughts! You may also want to post on the high risk board for support.

Nocalwife

Thoughts and prayers. Grow baby grow! Please keep us updated.

cwie828

So many thoughts and prayers for you! I will keep positive that your bed rest goes well and that you're able to keep cooking that baby as long as possible. I am so glad you got looked at when you did. Many hugs!

DrRx

balibaby:

Oh my gosh, how frightening! It sounds like you have a GREAT plan in place and that it is very positive news that you weren't showing that you were currently leaking, and your positive attitude will only help your baby girl! I'll be sending you and your baby girl tons of positive thoughts! You may also want to post on the high risk board for support.

Thanks! I will do that.  Man, I can't believe that now I'm also a High Risk patient!  

NemoJr

Sending happy thoughts to you!  Hope baby grows and stays where she belongs!

robocop4life

My husband and I will be keeping you in our prayers! Please keep us all updated and keep up the positive thoughts! its the best thing you can do now

dunemonkey

I just read ur story to my hubby. We are both praying for u, ur baby, and ur family. I am soooooo glad the Dr. found this out when they did. Big big hugs for u. 

 

LisaBea

Lots and lots of positive thoughts coming your way!  I hope everything is fine and you have a healthy baby!

elli-m-f

Thinking of you and your little girl! I hope that everything goes well with your next exam and that LO stays nice and cozy for as long as possible! Please keep us updated.

J&PJax

wow, what a scary ordeal!  i'm so sorry you're experiencing this.  prayers for you, your husband, and little one as you endure this challenging time.  praying that all gets resolved and she stays cozy in there for as long as possible!  please keep us posted, we'll be pulling for you!

iLoveblueberries

Keep that baby cooking!!
Thinking of all 3 of you! Check out the high risk board...there are a few other ladies on bedrest over there!

You guys will all pull through--May mommies and babies are strong!

souzq11

Glad they found it and are watching you so you and LO can stay and by healthy! T&Ps your way!!

Tippy05

Wow!  How scary!  Lots of T&P and positive vibes for you, DH and LO.  Fingers crossed that she stays put and you are able to be/stay comfortable.

Keep us posted!

palelilyblue

DrRx, I'm sending so many thoughts and prayers to you and the baby. That is so scary!! I will keep checking on you to make sure that your little girl stays nice and cozy in there and makes it als long as possible. Come on baby!!

jlsweets

Keeping you and baby in my thoughts and prayers!

LetThemEatCupcakes

A bajilliob T&Ps that you and baby get to be on bed rest for weeks and weeks!!

tnywndy

Whoa! T & P that LO continues to go strong and you can carry as long as possible! 

altachica

I am sending all my positive thoughts and vibes your way!

hollyish

Tons of thoughts and prayers for you and baby.  Please keep us updated.

Pdxmom73

WOW! What a whirlwind of a day! T&P mama! 

Esbi25

Good luck! It's so great that you caught the issue early. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family!

panda10

Oh my goodness. Good luck with everything. T&P's are with ya!

Pelly

Wow - will definitely be sending positive thoughts your way! Good luck!

the struggle and hustle

I hope everything turns out okay!  Good luck - You and the baby will be in my thoughts.

AbsoluteLM

Oh my goodness! I'm sorry you are going through such a rough time, but your positive attitude is inspiring! Wishing you and LO the best. Keep us posted! 

Belizelovers

Oh goodness thoughts and prayers for you

emeraldJ17

Ditto what everyone else said!  I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I'm hoping the repeat test shows that the tear healed itself! 

LaVieEnRose3411

T&Ps!!! Keep us posted! 

ErinR2012

Sending you and your family lots of T&P (((HUGS)))

Cercamom2011

T&Ps to you.  Hope that LO stays growing for as long as possible!

cookies+milk

meganmgmiller:

Oh my goodness! A million T&Ps are going out to you. You are so strong and brave-- please keep us posted on everything. We are all rooting for you!

This!  Best wishes for a strong, healthy baby and mama! 

babydawson

I have had a couple of friends that had low amniotic fluid, and they are doing great. It is good that they caught it early so they can monitor it. Praying it goes well!

Ammers197

T & P's to you... Hoping your baby girl keeps cooking as long as possible! 

TerraCotta210

Sending many T&P your way.  Please keep us updated.

lissa339

Thoughts and prayers headed your way! 

picklesx

How frightening. I'm glad that they found this issue and are taking the necessary precautions to keep you and baby safe. I also think it's great that you and your DH have such a positive outlook...the mind is such a powerful thing. I hope everything rights itself and your LO stays put for a while longer! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts!

mrsbecky07

Lots of T&Ps your way!! Stay in there baby girl!!

Hautecoco

Lots of good T & Ps for you and your family!!