If you've been pregnant since your loss...

ILoveRedVino

How are/were you monitored differently?  I know that when the time comes, I'll be high risk based on my history.  What does that mean though?  Just extra ultrasounds?

No cause was found (though I'll be on blood thinners next time as a precaution) if that matters.

TIA~

johnnys june

Definitely talk with your OB about a "what if".  I did this and it helped tremendously when we did finally get pg again.

Your care will be based on your OB, you, and your reason for being high risk.  For me, I gave birth at 25 weeks due to IC and preterm labor.  We still aren't sure which caused which (basically, what came first, the IC or the preterm labor).  Our plan was to treat for both -- preventatively.

I had a cerclage placed at 13 weeks 6 days and my care was co-managed by my OB and the MFM.  I got bi-weekly cervical checks at the MFM which included detailed ultrasounds externally and internally (every 2 weeks until 25 weeks).  I had my regularly scheduled OB appointments in between.  I started P17 shots weekly at 17 weeks through to 36 weeks.  I also had a planned c-section since I had had a classical c-section the first time. 

 My advice to anyone who has ever had a loss and is trying to get pg again....know your plan ahead of time, talk with your OB regularly, never feel bad for asking questions (or the same question 100x), and above everything else, TRUST your care giver.  My OB and my MFM were tremendous, not just with my medical care, but with my emotions and the mental wear and tear this journey can take on you.  They were always supportive, encouraging, and never doubted my fears and anxiety or dismissed them. 

krysiahamaty

I am sure every OB is different. But with me (there was no cause found with our loss), I went to the OB and MFM every 4 weeks until week 32. Then I went and got ultrasounds every week at the MFM and saw my OB every 2 weeks. They monitored growth, heart beat, movement, and breathing. Plus it was a little peace of mind for me to be able to see DD every week. I delivered Jack (our angel) via C section at 38 weeks, so my OB decided to deliver Samantha (our rainbow baby) via C section at 38 weeks as well.

Other than that, everything was pretty much standard. Hope that gives some insight... 

agran

I'm mostly a lurker over here these days but noticed we both lost babies due to severe early onset IUGR. They couldn't pin point a reason for ours either. I am currently pregnant with our rainbow baby. I took blood thinners and extra folic acid but nothing more than that. I see the perinatologist once a month for ultrasounds just to make sure baby is on track and we have plenty of amniotic fluid. It's been smooth sailing so far... I think now the ultrasounds are more for my peace of mind than anything else. The best thing my peri told me when we got pregnant was in his 30 plus years of practice he has never once seen what happened to us happen again to the same couple. It's scary as hell but I hope you have an easy second pregnancy. The day our baby got above a pound was the most momentous day for me because I knew I could deliver her and she had a shot. We never made it to a pound with our Lilly which is why she died in utero.

Mrs Nice

 ***Siggy Warning***

 

 

 

 

When I got pg again my OB did total care for me right from the start. I saw her every three weeks for appts and I had monthly ultrasounds. Then the last couple of months my appts increased to every two weeks with ultrasounds and NSTs. 

Being PgAL was the most stressful and terrifying time of my life. You really need to have an OB who is understanding and caring that you can trust. Talk to your doctor about a plan for future pregnancies and if you are not satisfyed with what they have to say then find someone new who you can be comfortable with.

I don't know if this helped to answer your question or not but I wish you good luck. 

Heatherhah

The only thing changing for me this time is I am havign a scheduled C section at 37 weeks. My DD2 died at 38 wks 4 days so I won't eb entering my 38th week. I will also start NST sooner and really thats it. I have always gotten U/S once a month.

I switched doctors this time so they know I am worried and I am super paranoid.

 

Eastie156

**Ticker warning**

We switched OB offices between our loss and this PG. But being PGAL, my OB was much more sensitive to my concerns and needs this time around. Anytime I had any fears or concerns, she was very quick to send us for an u/s, NST's, testing etc. We also were very clear from the start that we'd had a loss and were still grieving the loss. We also got PG very quickly after our loss, so that may have had an impact on what she did/how she treated us as well. GL to you.

littleusfamily

IMO it's super important to discuss with your doctor what *they* want the monitoring during your pregnancy to be and what *you* want it to be.

I talked to my doctor and we worked out a plan but even now that plan isn't being followed she is much more lax than I feel comfortable with but I also don't feel comfortable switching doctors. 

 Right now I'm getting bi weekly scans and cervical checks since I may have lost my daughter due to a cervical issue. My doctor is going along with it so far but both my OB and MFM seem to think that if my 16 week scan looks good than I can be treated as a regular patient which drives me insane since my water broke at 18 weeks. 

It is SO important to be on the same page with your OB even *before* you get pregnant IMO