Prenatal Care After Stillbirth

ADALLASBRIDE · May 2014

Anyone have a successful baby after a stillbirth? What was your prenatal care plan? I am 7 weeks pregnant now after my daughter died at 37 weeks in November last year due to cord complications. I'm so scared of this happening again and need to know what worked for a successful rainbow baby. My doctors appt is tomorrow.

stefuge · May 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. There are some ladies here with rainbow babies, but this might be a better question for the pregnant after a loss or parenting after a loss boards. I wouldn't ask on TTC after a loss - those ladies are not pregnant and will be hurt by you posting there. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

ADALLASBRIDE · May 2014

Ok thanks

lexusolsen · May 2014

I'm sorry for your loss but wanted to wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy.

angelsnight · May 2014

Ticker warning

I'm so sorry for your loss, but congrats on your pregnancy. I lost my daughter last year at 22 weeks, and my rainbow is now 2 months old. I believe you can see a high risk doctor due to your history, but the plan of care all depends on the situation. For me, my loss was due to either chorio (infection) or an incompetent cervix. Chorio is a freak thing, and there is really nothing you can do to prevent it. So had it been for sure chorio, they would have just offered extra monitoring for my own peace of mind most likely.

But since it could have been due to IC, I got a cerclage (a stitch in my cervix) at 14 weeks, and a transvaginal u/s every other week starting at 17 weeks to measure my cervix and make sure my cervix was not shortening. At about 30 weeks I began coming in twice a week for non stress tests (though this was also partially because I had gestational diabetes) and I began my weekly doctor appts earlier than most at 32 weeks. I was also told I could come in to hear the heartbeat whenever I wanted to ease my mind.

Unless I am mistaken, a cord accident is another "statistically freak thing" that likely won't happen again...but I know that doesn't make you feel any better. I actually hoped I had IC because I could take action against that, but there was nothing I could do to prevent getting chorio again. However they will likely offer you more monitoring (I'm pretty sure if an u/s showed the cord wrapped around the babies neck at say 37 weeks or something they could get the baby out early) to make sure everything is ok, and also for your peace of mind.

I know a pregnancy after a loss is so scary and difficult. Make sure you find a doctor that is sympathetic to your needs, and understands that "probably won't happen again" isn't good enough. Sadly too many doctors become desentized to loss and view it all from the medical aspect, but there are certainly many doctors out there who understand the pain, and will do everything they can to help you have a healthy and stress free (as possible) pregnancy. Good luck!

Kris721 · May 2014

During my pregnancy with my rainbow baby: I met with a perinatologist. I had to do a diabetes screening at 20 and 28 weeks. At 28 weeks I had a prenatal u/s specifically of the heart area because our still born son had some heart issues according to the autopsy report. I had weekly NSTs starting at 32 weeks. I was induced at 39 weeks (my son was born still after my due date) Sorry about the spacing. I'm on my iPad and it's all wonky.

Noethola · May 2014

***Ticker***

So very sorry for the loss of your daughter.

My daughter was still born at 36w. Text book perfect pregnancy until we found her heart had just stopped beating. While there was no found reason, there was an indication it could have been the cord.

For my second pregnancy, my dr ordered a full blood panel. (Drew 11 vials of blood.) Those results showed that I tested positive for MTHFR, a blood clotting disorder. Research says that it only affects the mother during pregnancy, but I am not fully convinced that it doesn't cross the placenta and affect the baby.

Anyway, I had to do daily shots of blood thinners. I was monitored more often, and my dr basically had an open door policy for me, though I did not need to use it thankfully. We did NSTs starting at 32 weeks and BPPs starting at 36w. They were willing to induce me anytime after 37w. Lots of drs automatically do this after a stillbirth, though I asked them to let me go to 39w.

Definitely get a dr that will listen to you and take your loss seriously. Pregnancy is much more challenging after a loss. Late term is hard because we never feel like we hit a "safe zone" where a healthy baby is more likely. Feel free to ask questions on the PAL check-in we do each week (or try to each week.)

PM me if you have any other questions I can help you with. I wish you all the best with this pregnancy!

OSUWifey09 · May 2014

***TICKER***

I lost my son at 35 weeks due a placental abruption, and my rainbow is now 4 months old. We knew what caused my abruption [trauma from a fall; I had a complete abruption with no classic signs, such as bleeding out or severe pain], but my OB still had me monitored closely. I also developed an SCH during first tri, so I was put on bed rest for a couple of weeks and had extra ultrasounds until it disappeared. I did not have any special blood panels or blood tests done, but that's just because of the nature of my particular loss.

During my second and third trimester, I saw some doctor [either my assigned MFM or my OB] every 2-3 weeks for check-ups and ultrasounds to make sure my placenta was holding up. I started NSTs at 32 weeks and did those twice a week until delivery. I also had an open door policy with my OB but only had to use it a couple of times. I was induced two weeks early to be on the safe side, and DD was born happy and healthy.

I am so, so sorry for your loss - but congratulations on this pregnancy! Please feel free to go to the PgAL board [they were so helpful for me while I was pregnant] or PM me if you just need to talk. Being pregnant after a loss is really hard; as PP said, be sure you find an OB that is sympathetic to your needs/desires and is there for you as a great source of support. Good luck!

Heatherhah · May 2014

We lost our daughter Sydney at 38 wks 4 days no cause for her heart to stop she just passed away.I had a perfect pregnancy. U/s every month and diabetes tests 2 times I thought I was in labor but found out at the time of triage that she had died. I had a c section with her and got pregnant 6 months later and was monitored every month with u/s and had any and every extra testing i could have with my rainbow. I even had an u/s 3 days apart cause i was paranoid. I also had steroid shots at 31 weeks and at 36 weeks 2 days I had an amnio done and 2 days later at 36 wks 4 days delivered my rainbow via c section who was 9 lbs 5.7 oz. She is now 18 months old. I was tested 2 times for diabetes and passed both times. I was an advocate for my own care and jsut asked and my doctors listened since I didnt want to go anywhere near 38 weeks since we lost Sydney at 38 wks.

good luck rainbow pregnancies are really tough mentally!! if you have any question feel free to PM me.

Heather

stefuge · May 2014

I just wanted to add - talking with so many of the ladies on here has really encouraged me, as Heatherhah said, to be mine and my baby's own advocate. Not to be afraid to stand up for yourself and follow your gut. A few months ago, I sat down with my OB and told her I was really angry with her following our loss (not that she was to blame, but still, that was how I was feeling) and I needed to know that if we had another baby, that she was on our team and would be there, doing everything she could. It was a good conversation and she told me we would be extra cautious, put me on medical leave from work if I wanted, have very frequent ultrasounds, deliver early, etc. She gave me her email and has told me to contact her with any questions and I have and she always answers very promptly. All this to say - follow your mother instinct and stand up for yourself. Best wishes for your pregnancy!

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