Some updates after OB visit

1blueridgemama · September 2014

Well, we've known that pre-eclampsia is developing slowly. BPs have been rising, protein in urine is increasing and now, since the last growth scan, Baby B/girl has dramatically slowed down her growth compared to her previous trajectory and compared to her brother. Her percentiles dropped quickly, signaling placental issues, likely caused by earlier placenta previa and current pre-eclampsia issues. They saw yesterday on scan that bloodflow associated with Baby B's placenta is not optimal and she is therefore spending her energy on that and not growing. Not looking great for making it to 38 weeks, as hoped.

Current plan: another 24 urine catch to monitor increasing protein and twice a week doppler scans to monitor Baby B's placental function. Looking like Sept 17-24 latest but if pre-e or her placenta continues to decline, much earlier. OB said she is on borderline considered IUGR and as quickly as placenta has changed, likely will be considered that in no time. And it happened so quickly... she'd been growing right on her trajectory (smaller than boy but always consistent) up until these last few weeks.

Really was hoping for limited, if any NICU time and feeling disappointed/nervous about breastfeeding, logistics if one comes home and not the other yet, etc. Trusting in the process that our amazing OB will recommend what's best, as she has been throughout. This is why we drive two hours for twice/week appts- university based clinic, amazing practice.

Any experiences helpful to share? I've browsed NICU forum but not quite ready to jump in with two feet. Always the optimist.

BTW, we are 33+3 today and IUGR recommendations are no later than 36 week delivery but possibly sooner if issues necessitate (pre-e becomes more severe, etc.) so we're looking at anytime between now and Sept 17-24.

1blueridgemama · September 2014

Also to add, I got the first of the steroid shots yesterday and will get second today to boost their lung development. They're always showing practice breathing on ultrasounds so that's a great sign, but not necessarily that they're ready to do it for real quite yet!

rachelkongsore@hotmail.com · September 2014

My pregnancy hit the fan at 33w4d when I was diagnosed with choleostasis. I made it to 35w0d when I was induced because baby a was IUGR and failing his NST. Despite them coming earlier than hoped they were in the nicu for only four days and we EBF from day one until 14 mos. sooooo even if you aren't making it to 38 weeks you can still have a great outcome!! Keep us posted!!

1blueridgemama · September 2014

@rachelkongsore@hotmail.com That's very reassuring. We would love to make it to 35 weeks, which is considered average for twin pregnancy anyway. It's about 1.5 weeks away- doable! And only 4 day NICU stay with breastfeeding success would be wonderful. Nursed my now 8 year old for two years- a huge commitment of ours... How much did your babies weigh?

rachelkongsore@hotmail.com · September 2014

Baby boy was the one with IUGR and he was 4lb3oz, so about the size of a 32-33weeker. Baby grl was 5lb10oz. They were both on room air from the get go without steroids beforehand and all the nicu ever did was monitor temp, heartrate and blood pressure. My smallest was the champ nurser too ;-) as a vet breast feeder you've definitely got that going for you!!! Just make it 11 more days if you can!

ANGnJON · September 2014

No experience just wanted to offer support & positivity! T&P to you & your LOs! Hoping for the best for all of you! Please keep us updated as you can!

karah4816 · September 2014

I had a c-section at 34 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. I only had time for one of the two steroid shots though so you're already ahead of the game on that. Both of my babies were in the NICU for 9 days so I have no advice on what to do if one cones home and the other stays. Nursing was hard in the beginning because they were so small and my son needed oxygen at first and NICU rule was no eating by mouth with on oxygen. But it's not impossible, I pumped like crazy and breastfed them every chance I got and they're still breastfed to. This day. It's not the birth and first few days that everyone dreams of but it'll be ok. From my experience, the NICU nurses were awsome about trying to give you all the time you need to bond with your babies and promote breastfeeding. And I would see if you can talk to a lactation consultant about pumping and nursing preemies. Don't take breastfeeding advice from your OB or the neonatologist, they don't know what they're talking about. Good luck

Aurora1181 · September 2014

I know this is scary.. sending you hugs. three weeks ago i had my 32 weekers due to severe pree and HELLP Syndrome. its nothing to mess around with for sure. but at 33 and some change, they'll do great. My hospital and nicu have been very supportive with pumping and breast feeding. If you have to go on magnesium, you can still pump what you can. It's not ideal but you can do it. We are three weeks in to our nicu stay and arguably have two weeks left. With the extra time yours have spent in utero, i bet your stay will be much less!

zazu13 · September 2014

I had protein and high bp beginning at week 33. I was induced at 34+6. Babies looked fine and were delivered c-sec (stalled labor). One had a 15 day NICU stay, but both are perfectly healthy now. I was unsuccessful at breast feeding unfortunately. (Pumped 1/4-1/2 what they needed for 6 weeks.) best of luck to you!!

Jenn06L80 · September 2014

My girls were born at 36.3 and both IUGR. They were 4.3 and 4.7 pounds. They spent 2 weeks in the nicu. If took about 6-8 weeks before they had enough energy to breast feed but when they figured it out they did great. They are 5 months now and doing great. Good luck to you!!

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