I floated the idea of doing a high risk check in on the randoms thread and it seemed like there are at least a few other ladies getting extra monitoring or intervention. Hopefully this is a place we can support each other!
Why are you considered high risk? What kind of extra monitoring or other intervention are you receiving?
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
Re: High Risk Check In 10/25
I had PPROM (water broke early) at 30 weeks last pregnancy. I was immediately put on hospital bedrest for four weeks and was induced at 34 weeks. My daughter was in the NICU for 16 days but now you'd never know she was a preemie
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
I go to the MFM every other week for cervical length checks on ultrasound. So far so good, though it's no guarantee I wont PPROM again. Sometimes it seems to just happen for no reason. The anxiety is pretty tough to manage.
Why are you considered high risk? What kind of extra monitoring or other intervention are you receiving?
I had IUGR (growth restriction - cause unknown) and mild preeclampsia. My daughter was born at 30+4 at 1 lb 14 oz which is more like the size of 25-26 weeker. She spent only 38 days in NICU but it was the scariest experience of our lives. I will be having a level II ultrasound for my anatomy scan w/MFM to look thoroughly at anatomy and size. So far size has been fine but size didn't become an issue until somewhere after 20 wks w/DD. Growth will be monitored regularly after 20 weeks. It's just a wait and see. If issues arise I'll have tons more monitoring. I am on low dose aspirin to try and help prevent growth and preeclampsia issues.
Anything on your mind? How are you managing? I was very anxious prior to getting pregnant. Thus why it took us over 3 years to get a place where DH and I were emotionally ready (as ready as we could be) to go through it all again. Our daughter will be 4 in February. I am managing pretty well. I had almost zero spotting/bleeding this pregnancy where as the last I had a decent amount from weeks 10-15. Last time I had elevated AFP, this time it was normal. I am feeling optimistic. But, I do worry having a boy this time being a possible preemie as they tend to struggle more in the NICU.
@lemieuxk are you doing makenna (sp?) shots or progesterone inserts?
So I'm considered high risk mainly because I was born with a heart defect. A couple of heart surgeries later, I need to be in a hospital that can take care of me in case anything goes wrong with my heart. They aren't even sure what the best way would be for me to deliver yet, and so I have a couple of appointments before my cardiologist and MFM Dr can decide what the best route is for me and the baby. *TW This is my fourth pregnancy, but hopefully my first take home baby. My last pregnancy ended when I went in for my 20 week appt to find no hb. That was due to a clot found in the umbilical cord. end of TW* I always find it amusing when I go to meet a regular OB or a CNM (for my 8 week appt) and they look at me and say, "we can't take care of you here." I always try to schedule with high risk OB, but usually the receptionist never listens.
At the moment just regular appointments with MFM plus a fetal echo at 22 weeks to see if the lo has a heart defect (chances are 4%), and more frequent appointments with the cardiologist. I was also taking a daily baby aspirin to hopefully prevent a clot like last time, but due to a big SCH they found in second tri (15 weeks) I have been on no exercise, pelvic rest, just day to day activities and taken off the aspirin.
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
I go in for my 20 week and US on Monday. I'm anxious to see how the SCH is and to see lo. I am also curious to see if I will go back on the daily aspirin.
They are considering me high risk due to undergoing IVF and AMA. My 1st MFM appointment is next week for my AS. Then will find out how often they are wanting to see me. So far, everything else has been going ok. FTM and farthest I've ever gotten in a pregnancy (previous miscarriages), so don't have anything else to compare to previously.
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
Still having a lot of moments where it doesn't feel real yet. It took 2 years after my last MC to get back to this point. I will say it's nice to somewhat feel like I fit in with normal pregnant women finally after so many struggles and letdowns. This maybe our only child, so trying my best to enjoy this time.
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP Beta #1 - 137 Beta #2 - 410
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
I am high risk for AMA and twins. I also have a history of liver surgery and asthma, so I have to be monitored for those as well. I live in a rural area so I have to drive over an hour to see a regular OB that is comfortable with all of it, and will see the MFM as needed this pregnancy. I can’t deliver in the hospital closest to me because they don’t have the right support. Right now there isn’t a lot of extra monitoring, besides two ultrasounds in the first trimester and my twins are the lowest risk type (di/di), but towards the end I will receive regular USs to monitor growth. If they don’t grow as well or become discordant, they will take them early. Preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are both more common in twins so they are watching all of that like a hawk, and I already had the privilege of an extra glucose challenge test.
Anything on my mind? Finding out about twins was pretty scary because after back to back losses I felt I already had so much to worry about, and now I am faced with all these preterm risks, but I’m more and more ok and excited. I initially worried a lot about what I would do with my job if I had to be in bed rest, but decided I’m not working my most strenuous job in the third trimester, and my boss is supportive. Like some of the others, we didn’t know if we would ever get to have a baby and this will likely be our last pregnancy, so the bonus baby is very much wanted. Starting to get nervous about surviving the newborn period now!!
[spoiler=TW in signature]
Me: 36, DH 37.
August 2014- 6w MMC
July 2015- CP
PCOS, plus some medical issues that make me high risk.
Our rainbow babies are due 3/21!!!!!
[/spoiler]
The biggest thing worrying me is that clotting issues can be a big factor in 2T losses. All of my losses have been rather early so the prospect of losing this one after I’ve already felt him having ninja parties is terrifying. Mostly I’m trying to keep those thoughts out of my head since my doctors are being so positive, but its always there. I don’t think my husband understands that we are still at risk now that we are out of the 1st trimester and I’m not sure I want to explain that to him (I didn’t really get it either until my hematologist appt earlier this week).
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016 | BFP #3 May 2017, MC July 2017 | BFP #4 Jan 2018, MC Feb 2018 | BFP #5 July 2018, fingers crossed
[spoiler=TW in signature]
Me: 36, DH 37.
August 2014- 6w MMC
July 2015- CP
PCOS, plus some medical issues that make me high risk.
Our rainbow babies are due 3/21!!!!!
[/spoiler]
@mamakate1616 I feel ya girl! I think sometimes because the guys aren't physically going thru it all, some times it doesn't really register with them. MH only likes the idea of extra ultrasounds, because after my FET we got several now he gets paranoid lol I'm also on baby aspirin...mainly mine is just precautionary. At my FET, I decided to take matters in my own hands and try anything. So not sure how long the dr will keep on it. Do you take yours thru the 3rd trimester?
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP Beta #1 - 137 Beta #2 - 410
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
@Kenneylynn3 So sorry for your losses, that must create tremendous anxiety. Hoping for great scans for you in the next few weeks!
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016 | BFP #3 May 2017, MC July 2017 | BFP #4 Jan 2018, MC Feb 2018 | BFP #5 July 2018, fingers crossed
I’m considered high risk for a couple reasons I guess. Originally it was due to recurrent losses (3 in 9mos) with no known cause. Then at 12 weeks they found a soft marker (no nasal bone) for Down Syndrome. MaterniT21 came back at very low risk but because his nasal bone is still small they want to keep monitoring because low risk doesn’t mean no risk. At my AS they were concerned about his size I guess because they want me back for a “growth scan” at 28wks but my Swiss cheese brain didn’t think to ask if he was measuring too big or too small. And I guess my placenta is sitting lower than they’d like but they aren’t calling it previa. I was on progesterone suppositories and metformin for all of first tri but have been weaned off both. Now it’s just extra appts with the MFM on top of those with my regular OB.
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
I was a complete wreck through first tri. I had blood drawn 2x a week every week for 9 weeks then again at 12wks when I was taken off the progesterone. I lost it again when we found out baby could have Down Syndrome but came to terms just to find out how low risk we were. These days I’m doing ok. I can feel him more often than not throughout the day and that’s definitely reassuring.
DS1: 9.6.12**DS2: 12.22.14
CP1: 6/17 @4w4d
CP2: 9/17 @4w3d
CP3: 2/18 @5w
Rainbow Baby On Board
<a href="https://babysizer.com/geeky"><img src="https://babysizer.com/geeky-2019-03-08.jpg" alt="Babysizer Geeky Pregnancy Tracker"></a>
Why are you considered high risk? What kind of extra monitoring or other intervention are you receiving?
I had IUGR and mild preeclampsia as well, they think my umbilical cord was wound too tightly (apparently they look like telephone cords normally and can be coiled tighter/looser) and it caused blood clots. She likely stopped growing around 25/26 weeks so I had to have an emergency c section. Was put on bed rest for a few days but things went downhill quick. She was 1lb 15oz and was in the NICU for 49 days! Totally happy and healthy now, I’m so blessed.
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
I’m doing well. As weird as it may sound, I had a feeling something was wrong with my daughter as soon as I found out I was pregnant. Mommy intuition or something. This baby is growing so well and our anatomy ultrasound went well yesterday. I have a growth ultrasound once every 4 weeks and I’m on blood thinners.
Why are you considered high risk? What kind of extra monitoring or other intervention are you receiving?
My first pregnancy had PTL with cervical dilation at 23 weeks with a lot of bleeding and contractions (even back ones, didn't know that could happen that early). Eventually labor stopped, had a few admissions (I initially was out of state when it all happened and they let me come back because I wasn't at viability, so they said they wouldn't really do anything more, then I was at 24 when I got back and they did everything). Did bedrest, was told 50% chance of delivery by 28 weeks and 100% by 34 weeks. I just did progesterone sup. I literally was horizontal only, all day, except to use the toilet. LO stayed put until 38 weeks when my water broke. Quick delivery! This pregnancy I have cervical monitoring every 1-2 weeks until 23 weeks, but I'm pushing for at least until 26 weeks, based on the times of everything last time.
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
Stressed, but trying to be optimistic. Trying to listen to my body as much as I can. Last time I had the thought that everything was good after that 20 week scan looked good. It was heartbreaking, and I was so depressed. Just taking things day by day.
Why are you considered high risk? What kind of extra monitoring or other intervention are you receiving?
- I am considered high risk due to my overall history. My daughter, Kali’s stillbirth at 32 Weeks. I knew in my heart when I got pregnant with her that I would not likely bring her home. My OB trusted my instincts and sent me to a high risk doctor who did not take me seriously and scoffed that my OB would even send me to him. Four weeks later I went to the hospital due to lack of movement and we learned she’d passed away. After Kali passed, it took us a year to get pregnant, and then our son Jack passed at 16 weeks gestation due to a cord accident, we found out at a routine appointment. It took us yet another year to get pregnant again, and I miscarried at six weeks. This latest time it took six months. So far everything looks good. I’m on new meds this time and I have a team of doctors who are determined to help me have this baby alive.
- I refuse to be seen by that high risk doctor and the one who coldly told me in the hospital that her heart stopped. His bedside manner needed some work. I see a different high risk doctor in the same office who has been nothing short of caring, compassionate, and understanding. I see him once every four weeks. I only go one week between appointments of not seeing him or my OB. So basically I’m seen every two weeks by at least one of them.
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
- My PGAL brain gets the best of me in the middle of the night now that I can feel some consistent movement. That is something I’m trying to not allow so I don’t lose more sleep. I’m trying to keep busy during the day. Both my husband and I feel hopeful that God has given us this baby to answer our prayers. Our son helps in the excitement because he is truly excited to be a big brother. It’s been a long four years since we started trying to have a second child. This will be my last pregnancy if nothing happens so I’m trying to enjoy every minute of it.
Jack gained his wings on 09/02/2016.
Kali gained her wings on 07/28/2015.
They will be forever missed.
Why are you considered high risk? What kind of extra monitoring or other intervention are you receiving?
I experienced PPROM with my son and he was born at 35 weeks. We were lucky in that his complications were not severe and we did not end up with a NICU stay.
This time around I am getting the Makena injections weekly and cervical ultrasounds biweekly to monitor any changes.
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
I was managing pretty well but at my last cervical ultrasound they found that my cervical length had shrunk half a cm in a week. My anatomy scan was a week after my regular cervical check so not my usual 2 week span. That was pretty significant since I’m only 20 weeks and taking the Makena injections. I now have to go for monitoring weekly and if it goes down anymore we will have to change the interventions. I am now stressing about it continuing to shrink and also stressed because my OB is an hour away so it’s eating up a lot of my maternity leave by taking this much sick time before the baby is born.
A couple things to note ... I live in a small town so it requires me to drive at least 30 mins to see any practice I choose. Last pregnancy I choose the one in my hometown about 3 mins from my house. They are a team of 2 OBs and 1 midwife, I picked the midwife simply because she was the only female and I felt more comfortable visiting her for my pregnancy. Thankfully despite everything she kept me. She can do everything the OBs can do except a C-section and she regularly meets with the OBs if she has questions/etc.
Why are you considered high risk?
I’m not technically high risk yet. Last time I ended up on bed rest for 3-4 weeks at the end and only left the house for non-stress tests (at the hospital) and regular appointments/ultrasounds at the office. It was a horrible/stressful and very depressing time. I had both GD and HBP. At the very end they found traces of protein in my urine. I’m generally a very healthy person and so dealing with a lot of health comcerns was very new to me. Diabetes doesn’t run in my family so it makes no sense to me why I even had it. Thankfully I never had high fasting numbers until the very end right before my Induction and I never had to have any extra treatment for that. I was on the highest dose of BP medicine she was able to give me and as soon as I was deemed “ready” he was induced (thankfully only 1 day early).
After delivery things continued downhill as it took 2-3 months to wean my body off the blood pressure medicine and required lots of meetings with my primary care giver. i also had a horrible reaction to the pain medicine they gave me at the hospital and it took weeks if not a month to get over that. Then I developed postpartum Carpol Tunnel and a shoulder injury.
Anything on your mind how are you managing?
Im scared and stressed. I have to schedule my GD test between mid-November and mid-December. I’ve very nervous to take it and go down this road again. I’m scared also because my work isn’t as generous as my last employer and if problems arise I’m scared how they will handle if. I read that boy pregnancies can be a reason for GD and know a few friends that had it with their boys but not their girls so I was hoping for a girl and it’s a boy. I love my boy and can’t imagine a girl so now I feel guilty that I feel bad it’s a boy for my own selfish reason of not wanting to deal with it again. I also had no symptoms last time to any of the issues I was having (until postpartum) and the exact same thing is happening this time. I know that’s a “blessing” but I’m not handling it well.
[spoiler=TW in signature]
Me: 36, DH 37.
August 2014- 6w MMC
July 2015- CP
PCOS, plus some medical issues that make me high risk.
Our rainbow babies are due 3/21!!!!!
[/spoiler]
@ashley14598 I also live in a small town and have to drive 45 minutes from my house to the OB. It’s 1 hour from my job.. This is the closest option. I agree it can add some extra stress for sure! Now that I’m being seen every week it is a lot of extra time and driving.
People at work aren’t even going to remember all the time we miss a year or two from now so what is the point of worrying about it? Our + baby’s health is way more important!
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016 | BFP #3 May 2017, MC July 2017 | BFP #4 Jan 2018, MC Feb 2018 | BFP #5 July 2018, fingers crossed
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016 | BFP #3 May 2017, MC July 2017 | BFP #4 Jan 2018, MC Feb 2018 | BFP #5 July 2018, fingers crossed
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP Beta #1 - 137 Beta #2 - 410
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19
@mrs35 I’m a teacher too! I drive 45 mins one way to work and my doctors office is 1 hour the opposite direction. Thankfully I’m still on just regular appointments and it hasn’t interfered with my sick time yet. Our students leave at 2:25 and my principal lets me leave when the kids do if I need to. Luckily I’ve had all 4:00 or later appointments so far.
Thats nice your district provides wellness incentives!
Why are you considered high risk? What kind of extra monitoring or other intervention are you receiving?
I'm high risk because of twins. Thankfully they are the lowest risk type (di/di). The as at 18 weeks was the start of monthly growth u/s with mfm and more regular Nsts toward the end. So far all has gone well, this is all precautionary. My second dd was born with a congenital heart defect so they will also do an echo u/s on both babies in 2 weeks. They don't expect to find issues because my dd's cardiologist suspects her issue was an anomaly, but better safe than sorry since we didn't learn of DDS heart defect until. She was a couple days old.
Anything on your mind? How are you managing? Struggling a bit with how different this is to My singleton pregnancies. I had Hyperemesis until. 18 weeks (same with past but landed in the er a few times this time. I am keeping my fingers crossed that high risk remains just a label. I personally am a 31 week twin but my mom didn't have any high risk monitoring back in the day.
My history has a stillbirth in it at 39 weeks (unknown cause, delivering dr thinks hypercoiled umbilical cord but that was not verified, and actually dismissed by a different MFM dr). Also, this PG as well as my last 2 I developed polyhydramnios (high amniotic fluid). This condition has developed earlier with each PG and thus far has always been unexplained. They thought diabetes, downs, etc. but nope. It has typically stabilized by birth. Lots of extra ultrasounds at an MFMs office in addition to my regular OB. I also receive weekly NSTs in the last month to verify that baby is not in distress
Anything on your mind? How are you managing?
I am huge and uncomfortable. Stressed with every test and dr appointment that comes my way. The things that get me through are prayer and the ability to let go of things which are out of my control. A lot of things are out of our control with PG as we ladies well know.
@bdesterhouse I am sorry to hear you've lost 2 babies in the second trimester. That is so hard.
@mamakeeg yes it was you! Sorry for the delayed response. We had very similar issues. I had been thinking about you! I'm glad your a/s went well. I have mine 11/13 with MFM.
I have to drive over an hour one way each time too, which isn’t fun.
Today I had my regular OB. She told me that I need to be prepared to delivery as early as 29 weeks (the twins are just big) and that I might need to stay in the Ronald McDonald house from that time forward since I live so far away.
Tomorrow I see my pulmonologist and do pulmonary function testing because my asthma has been kicking my butt and my doctors are worried that it’s just going to get worse and could be a real problem at delivery.
And then Friday I see the MFM and have a fetal echo.
Its just a lot.
[spoiler=TW in signature]
Me: 36, DH 37.
August 2014- 6w MMC
July 2015- CP
PCOS, plus some medical issues that make me high risk.
Our rainbow babies are due 3/21!!!!!
[/spoiler]
I think the part I find most overwhelming in your situation is preparing to deliver at 29 weeks and possibly staying at the Ronald McDonald house. At least you and the doctors will be well prepared.
[spoiler=TW in signature]
Me: 36, DH 37.
August 2014- 6w MMC
July 2015- CP
PCOS, plus some medical issues that make me high risk.
Our rainbow babies are due 3/21!!!!!
[/spoiler]
I can also commiserate on possibly not making it to term. I've never been so nervous that I won't make it. The high fluid is not seeming to back down, my LO is measuring big. I don't know. I am living one day at a time. I've got an MFM appt next Tues. for a retry on the echo, and then regular OB on Weds. I am actually looking forward to these appts though, I feel like I need some answers on what my body is trying to do with all this.
Drank it during the appt, had my growth scan and then had my blood drawn. Good news I passed the glucose test.
Growth scan went fine I guess. The Dr wasn't concerned yet, but lo was in the 21st percentile at the AS and four weeks later is in the 13th percentile. I was told by a nurse after the AS that the drs don't get concerned unless it's under 10th percentile. The mfm Dr I saw said its nothing of concern yet and I will have another growth scan on the 27th. Trying to not over think it and just keep enjoying lo kicking.
No one is worried about their weight difference at all even those those percentiles seem huge to me. I think that’s why they use the extreme cutoffs (10th and 90th) because in the middle it can get confusing.
And I hear you, we had some rough news yesterday and I just keep focusing on those kicks!!!!!
Hang in there...
AFM and the rest of my appointments this week... pulmonologist went great, lung function was good, even though I feel like I can’t breathe it’s not hurting the babies.
I found out I have a really high white count, higher than it should be even in pregnancy. May be related to my asthma but they aren’t sure, unfortunately this may mean more specialists. Big sigh
The MFM was wonderful and really reassured us, she was much more optimistic than my OB. And now we have a plan for monitoring that makes me feel more in control.
Echo went great but they found kidney issues in my boy that could be nothing but may need surgery after delivery. I was offered amnio (despite normal DNA screening) and turned it down. Which was a tough decision to make.
Sorry for the novel but I really appreciate you all on this thread.
[spoiler=TW in signature]
Me: 36, DH 37.
August 2014- 6w MMC
July 2015- CP
PCOS, plus some medical issues that make me high risk.
Our rainbow babies are due 3/21!!!!!
[/spoiler]
Jack gained his wings on 09/02/2016.
Kali gained her wings on 07/28/2015.
They will be forever missed.