@MelissaMay82 and @megsb615 thank you! My doctor wants me to track my BP at home for a week which I haven't done yet because I have to go purchase the machine. I think I'll go get it tonight. And no, she didn't tell me what the plan is yet. I did some research online on how to treat it at home so I'm trying to drink more water and cutting out salt as much as possible without making my food unedible. Btw, I had my check up with pulmonary yesterday. The past two weeks have actually been better asthma wise, for me. Im 99% sure this is all due to the pregnancy hormones because it got better on it's own as I hit the 2nd trimester. I hadn't mentioned it on here because i didn't want to jinx it. While Im not struggling to just speak anymore, I still can't walk or do much physically. The doctor did warn me that it usually gets worse again during third tri, so Im just going to enjoy this as much as I possibly can.
They probably make them cheaper, though, I just wanted a good one that would last multiple pregnancies. I have a few acquaintances or friends of friends who developed scary pre-e AFTER being sent home from the hospital so I was monitoring my BP. I also use it to check my pulse when I feel like it gets high but it's never been over 90 yet while resting.
Glad you're feeling better with the asthma.
Dr. google has not been my friend and I've been stressing out a little bit about going into preterm labor with the SCH which is apparently linked in some studies but not in others (wtf??). When I creepily stalk people in past BMBs or on baby center since they have a "support group" page, a lot of them went into labor around 34-36 weeks but it's not like I have a sample of ppl without to really compare to. I'm just trying to approach it with the mind set of being prepared with our hospital bag early. Our neighbors will watch DD for us and some people go to 41 weeks and get induced so it's not like it's definite. Planning to ask my doctor now that I think the more immediate miscarriage concern is going down as baby gets bigger.
Hello fellow bumpers, I just found this board, which I'm so thrilled to know exists, so here I am. I'm seeing a high risk OB because I was severely diabetic before I got pregnant. I have to send in a weekly blood sugar log to my OB and Endocrinologist. I had to switch from pills to insulin shots and to a strict diabetic pregnancy diet as soon as I found out I was pregnant at 7ish weeks. The daily shots and fighting the daily urges to eat white rice and tortillas (I'm a latina, lol) have been a little rough on me mentally. But anything that keeps my precious nugget growing healthily is totally worth it. I'm at 16 weeks as of tomorrow, and all is thankfully going well with my sugar levels and baby's development per the doctors. My next ultrasound appt is next Friday, which is hopefully another good one. This is my first baby also, so I'm just sort of taking in all this joy and stress and info and excitement and unknown territory in day by day. What a whirlwind! I pray for as smooth as possible pregnancies and healthy babies over us all ladies. Blessings to you all!
I had my 2nd appointment with MFM, today. Thankfully thankfully, everything looks good so far. The SCH bleeds have resolved! They couldn't get the best picture of his palate but they said from what they can see it looks normal. We should be able to see better at the anatomy scan in 4 weeks. Also, DH came to this appointment with me and he finally found out that baby is a boy! He wasn't mad that I hid it from him because he knows very well he wasn't supposed to spill the beans with DD. Anyway, he never ever said he prefers one sex over the other but he was just so happy when he found out, it melted my heart. Even though it's been good news, today, I'm so freaking nervous still. My brain can't relax.
I'm high risk due to high blood pressure during pregnancy. With my first son, I was induced at 37 + 5 because of it. With my second son, I was put on bed rest for three months and induced at 37 weeks. This time around, it started even earlier. I started out taking medicine as soon as it spiked. Then they had to up me to twice a day. Last week they pushed me to three a day. They also confirmed that I will probably be induced again at 37 weeks but definitely won't go past 38 weeks. I am really hoping to stay off bed rest this time.
@heathergirl89 omg that is seriously tough. Do you have blood pressure issues while not pregnant? Also, did you ever get diagnosed with preeclampsia? Im curious because I'm starting to have BP issues right now.
@expandcontract No blood pressure issues when not pregnant. I had some protein in my urine last pregnancy but it was borderline so no diagnosis of preeclampsia. My big problem is that there's only one blood pressure medicine that I've been able to tolerate so my only option is increase medicine when necessary and bed rest if all else fails.
@expandcontract@knarlytaurus It's been good per my docs, not great. I've had to up my nightly insulin doses a few times. I'm dreading having to do insulin shots after every meal, so I'm trying really hard to stay as on target as possible. Thank you for your thoughts. 💖
@troystory17 have you started your progesterone shots? Mine got started late bc of insurance issues. I also ended up getting a circlage 2wks ago bc my cervix was already shortening when they started checking at 16wks. Hopefully it keeps the little lady where she belongs till 37wks!
@melbee81 yes I started progesterone at 16 weeks my Insurance unfortunately doesn't cover them, but my Drs office was able to get the pharmacy down to a reasonable rate. How are you handling them? I have one this afternoon I'm not looking forward to
eta: Thank goodness they caught the change in your cervix fingers crossed it does the trick until at least 37 weeks.
@troystory17 ugh, that sucks your insurance won't cover it. The shots aren't bad but that's only cause I did IVF and was doing daily progesterone shots for the first 9 weeks. That sucked.
@MelBee12 I was having issues with my insurance too. I’m high risk for preterm labor I delivered my first at 21 weeks. 😣💔 I also started mine late but so far all is good just some random contractions from time to time. I hope the cerclage helps with your baby staying in as long as possible. That reminds me tomorrow is shot day for me. 😣
I’m not sure if I belong in here but since my liver issues began I’ve been to my OB every second or third day for more blood tests and ultrasounds and have now been referred to a specialist to further investigate what is wrong with it as my OB is out of ideas. I have pretty non-descript symptoms such as nausea and fatigue, and everything else (WBC, platelets, kidney function, urine culture, bile acids and abdominal ultrasound findings) has come back within normal range whilst my liver enzymes continue to increase at an ever increasing rate. My systolic pressure has been increasing every so slightly too but my diastolic pressure has been decreasing (go figure?). So whilst my systolic is in the pre-high range my diastolic is in the low blood pressure range, but OB also isn’t concerned about it at the moment. I’ve also recently noticed my extremities swelling and extra fluid retention in my legs, but I know this also comes with pregnancy and will be made worse by my limited movement so will mention it at my next appointment just in case it is another piece in my liver puzzle. My cervix was also <3cm at my 13 week scan so we’re waiting to see how it changes come my anatomy scan on the 21st of this month and a plan will be put in place from there if it's still short.
Oh my gosh @wishiwaspreggo that’s so scary! They really do need to tell people all the risks, even if they’re slim! Especially for things like GD which is manageable and obviously under informed.
I’ll admit I’m one for not typically following doctor’s orders when it comes to my own health, because she’ll be right? I’ve never had an issue before – skied on a broken leg for 2 weeks (admittedly I didn't know it was broken until after I got home from Japan but I knew something was wrong and just ignored it), played netball with broken wrists, danced with a broken foot, etc. but nothing bad has ever happened, but I’ve learned my lesson this time around. I was told to take it easy after my surgery but I didn’t and now I’m 4 weeks post op and my large surgical incision still hasn’t healed. It took ~1.5 weeks of me not resting to be in excruciating pain whenever I did something, so I have put myself on bed rest until my post op appointment on the 1st of Feb and I’m feeling so much better. That being said, if it were anything to do with the health of my baby I would definitely not risk it which is why I am being extra cautious about everything since the liver issues were identified – have stepped up my eating and cut out fast food (though I still sneak 1 little sweety treaty per day, usually a row of chocolate), started taking a supplements to ensure my vitamin intake is on point, increased my hydration and taking a hydration supplement if my urine is still dark.
@wiseh It went well. Thanks for asking! It was terrifying not getting the usual calming drugs before the procedure, and back and forth with the anesthesiologists deciding whether or not to put me under (umm, 'scuse me? I'm not going to be awake for this!). But after all that, recovery was easy peasy, one dose of pain meds and lots of sleep. Then back to work after one day of working from home.
@wiseh you definitely belong in this thread, no worries. My asthma did get better for a while but now it's getting worse again. I've been having attacks 2-3 times a week. Thankfully though the rescue inhaler is controlling it for now. Thanks for asking.
Glad it went well @lovelybabybumpz! I also had surgery in December and agree it was really weird not having any of the normal drugs you typically have with a general anaesthetic and I woke up in agony! So glad it went well for you though and you had a speedy recovery!
@robyn2201 I had considered that but at the moment I have the EL part of it, though they haven't checked my LDP which is what indicates whether you have the H (homelysis) part. My platelet count has actually increased since this all started so don't have the "LP" part. I've read there can be incomplete HELLP but it all started when I was ~16 weeks which is a bit early? I guess if it progresses then that could be a consideration but they're not diagnosing me with anything at this point which is super frustrating
Do you have a preventer @expandcontract? They're really big on them in Australia and if you want to get a ventolin they ask you a series of questions to make sure your asthma is being managed by a preventer as solely relying on the ventolin can make it all worse! I'm sure your doctor is all over it though and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't get worse for you!
Well I went in for my 20wk anatomy scan today and my little jelly bean is doing great! But my cervix is still shortening despite having the circlage. It measured at only 6mm. So I'm pretty much crossing my fingers to make it to 24wks at this point and trying to prepare as much as possible. I'm pretty shocked this is happening although I guess I shouldn't be. Has anyone else has a premie? @jwalters2019 so sorry about your loss. Hope your little one stays put. It's so frustrating there isn't more we can do
@wiseh no, there's literally nothing else and it's so frustrating. I'm already with the high risk docs at Northwestern hospital in Chicago which is the best in the city. They gave me a circlage a month ago and I'm also on progesterone injections. It's just not working. They don't recommend bed rest bc studies don't show it works. Hoping is pretty much all I have right now.
@melbee81 oh I'm so sorry. I know there's other with circlages in the group. My cousin had a 25 weeker back in September and they're home now. He was in the NICU for 101 days and it was a tough road with ups and downs but seems like he's doing great now (about a month after his due date which was mid December, he was born Sept 1).
@melbee81 I'm so sorry to hear about your complications. Really hoping your cervix gets its shit together and keeps that baby in there to cook as long as possible!
@melbee81 Im so sorry about your situation! Did they give you a reason as to why the cervix is shortening? I also highly recommend you read the NICU thread. It really helped me learn a lot about the process. In the meantime, I hope your baby stays put until due date.
Good morning, all. Not sure if I belong on this thread yet, but I searched other threads and haven’t found what I’m looking for so maybe you guys can give me some positive vibes?
At 20 weeks, went in for the anatomy scan and found out we’re having a baby girl! We are over the moon. However, she wouldn’t show her face to check for facial abnormalities so they scheduled me for another ultrasound at my 24 week appointment this past Wednesday.
The ultrasound went well and the tech said everything looked good when I asked, but while I was waiting in the exam room for the doctor, I heard the doctor say something along the lines of...”Are you sure? These don’t look right.” Cue panic. She comes in and tells me my little girl is measuring small, between the 11-12th percentile and referred me to a high risk specialist for a Doppler to check for blood flow from the cord or placenta or whatever? I think I lost my ability to comprehend much of what she said after hearing “high risk specialist”.
My appointment at the high risk specialist is on a Wednesday, which feels 100 years away. I’m trying my best to stay off the Internet because for every 6 positive things I find, I find one horrifying thing that sends my head spinning. If anybody has had experience with their babies being small for gestational age/possible IUGR, I would love some personal success stories!
@becks105 Not a success story but we are going through the same thing right now. Our little guy is also measuring small. He is in the 8-9th percentile. He measured small at the anatomy scan at 21 weeks and this past Wed at 27 weeks. We have another growth ultrasound scheduled for 29 weeks. They mentioned dopplers to check the blood flow through the umbilical cord. The HR dr didn’t really explain much to us and was in a hurry. I didn’t really like him. I’m hoping to get more info at the next appointment. I wish I knew what type of questions to ask though. I would like to be prepared and have a list of questions written down. Do you know which areas were measuring small? Our little guys head and abdomen as measuring a couple days behind, but his legs that are about 2+ weeks behind.
Ivy: July 2010 | Stella: Dec 2012 | BFP#3: MMC at 11Wk's, July 2017 | Wyatt: April 2019 | BFP#5: Twin Girls due Sept 2020
@robyn2201 All of the measurements, I think? Where pretty proportionate. The percentiles she showed me were all between 11-13. I don’t know what to ask either! I just want to know, will she be ok, and what do we need to prepare for? My sister in law said the high risk offices have much better equipment and so their machines may measure her bigger than the one in my regular office. Keep me posted on your growth scan, I’ll keep you guys in my thoughts!
I have an appt with the high risk ON today. I’m still having issues with my HG, now I have a Zofran pump (placed since Friday) and it isn’t helping. Last night they told me to go home and drink pedialyte and if it didn’t stay down to come back and he was just going to admit me possibly for the rest of the pregnancy. Well it didn’t stay down but it was after office hours that I threw up so I went to L&D, my doc wasn’t the on call and they wouldn’t call him. They pushed a bunch of meds that I’m already on at home but that my OB told me not to take with the Zofran pump, I told them I had heartburn and they wouldn’t give me anything because “when this is done we’re sending you home,” I told them about my OB saying that he would admit me if I came back and they said “well he didn’t leave any orders and he’s not the on call.”
And after all of that as soon as I stood up to go home I was throwing up again. So I’m going to have to run down and talk to my OB after the high risk OB sees me and figure out what’s going on and what I need to do.
@ashleaf2018 WTF?! The on call doctor sounds like an idiot. Why would they give you medicine you were specifically told not to take while on the pump? Omg, I would have left AMA and def let the hospital know of your experience. I, too, would like to know what YOUR doc had to say about all this. Im so sorry you're still experiencing this! I hope your team finds a solution to put you at ease.
@becks105 ..... another WTF??!! to your U/S tech! Why did she feel you everything is okay when it wasn't? She shouldn't have said ANYTHING to you at all. My god, what a bunch of idiots. Im sorry you have this new major worry, now. Good luck at your appointment today. I hope you get some really good news. Please keep us posted.
Re: High Risk Mamas
My doctor wants me to track my BP at home for a week which I haven't done yet because I have to go purchase the machine. I think I'll go get it tonight.
And no, she didn't tell me what the plan is yet. I did some research online on how to treat it at home so I'm trying to drink more water and cutting out salt as much as possible without making my food unedible.
Btw, I had my check up with pulmonary yesterday. The past two weeks have actually been better asthma wise, for me. Im 99% sure this is all due to the pregnancy hormones because it got better on it's own as I hit the 2nd trimester.
I hadn't mentioned it on here because i didn't want to jinx it. While Im not struggling to just speak anymore, I still can't walk or do much physically. The doctor did warn me that it usually gets worse again during third tri, so Im just going to enjoy this as much as I possibly can.
https://smile.amazon.com/Medical-Multi-User-Pressure-Monitor-UA-767F/dp/B00ZTTAV5Q
They probably make them cheaper, though, I just wanted a good one that would last multiple pregnancies. I have a few acquaintances or friends of friends who developed scary pre-e AFTER being sent home from the hospital so I was monitoring my BP. I also use it to check my pulse when I feel like it gets high but it's never been over 90 yet while resting.
Glad you're feeling better with the asthma.
Dr. google has not been my friend and I've been stressing out a little bit about going into preterm labor with the SCH which is apparently linked in some studies but not in others (wtf??). When I creepily stalk people in past BMBs or on baby center since they have a "support group" page, a lot of them went into labor around 34-36 weeks but it's not like I have a sample of ppl without to really compare to. I'm just trying to approach it with the mind set of being prepared with our hospital bag early. Our neighbors will watch DD for us and some people go to 41 weeks and get induced so it's not like it's definite. Planning to ask my doctor now that I think the more immediate miscarriage concern is going down as baby gets bigger.
Even though it's been good news, today, I'm so freaking nervous still. My brain can't relax.
@beewilliams2649 that's awesome that you haven't had to start meal time insulin. I'm on insulin 5x a day I feel like a pin cushion.
eta: Thank goodness they caught the change in your cervix fingers crossed it does the trick until at least 37 weeks.
I’m not sure if I belong in here but since my liver issues began I’ve been to my OB every second or third day for more blood tests and ultrasounds and have now been referred to a specialist to further investigate what is wrong with it as my OB is out of ideas. I have pretty non-descript symptoms such as nausea and fatigue, and everything else (WBC, platelets, kidney function, urine culture, bile acids and abdominal ultrasound findings) has come back within normal range whilst my liver enzymes continue to increase at an ever increasing rate. My systolic pressure has been increasing every so slightly too but my diastolic pressure has been decreasing (go figure?). So whilst my systolic is in the pre-high range my diastolic is in the low blood pressure range, but OB also isn’t concerned about it at the moment. I’ve also recently noticed my extremities swelling and extra fluid retention in my legs, but I know this also comes with pregnancy and will be made worse by my limited movement so will mention it at my next appointment just in case it is another piece in my liver puzzle. My cervix was also <3cm at my 13 week scan so we’re waiting to see how it changes come my anatomy scan on the 21st of this month and a plan will be put in place from there if it's still short.
Oh my gosh @wishiwaspreggo that’s so scary! They really do need to tell people all the risks, even if they’re slim! Especially for things like GD which is manageable and obviously under informed.
I’ll admit I’m one for not typically following doctor’s orders when it comes to my own health, because she’ll be right? I’ve never had an issue before – skied on a broken leg for 2 weeks (admittedly I didn't know it was broken until after I got home from Japan but I knew something was wrong and just ignored it), played netball with broken wrists, danced with a broken foot, etc. but nothing bad has ever happened, but I’ve learned my lesson this time around. I was told to take it easy after my surgery but I didn’t and now I’m 4 weeks post op and my large surgical incision still hasn’t healed. It took ~1.5 weeks of me not resting to be in excruciating pain whenever I did something, so I have put myself on bed rest until my post op appointment on the 1st of Feb and I’m feeling so much better. That being said, if it were anything to do with the health of my baby I would definitely not risk it which is why I am being extra cautious about everything since the liver issues were identified – have stepped up my eating and cut out fast food (though I still sneak 1 little sweety treaty per day, usually a row of chocolate), started taking a supplements to ensure my vitamin intake is on point, increased my hydration and taking a hydration supplement if my urine is still dark.
How did your surgery go @lovelybabybumpz? How is your asthma going now @expandcontract?
It went well. Thanks for asking! It was terrifying not getting the usual calming drugs before the procedure, and back and forth with the anesthesiologists deciding whether or not to put me under (umm, 'scuse me? I'm not going to be awake for this!). But after all that, recovery was easy peasy, one dose of pain meds and lots of sleep. Then back to work after one day of working from home.
BFP: 8/20/2018 - EDD 5/4/2019
My asthma did get better for a while but now it's getting worse again. I've been having attacks 2-3 times a week. Thankfully though the rescue inhaler is controlling it for now. Thanks for asking.
@robyn2201 I had considered that but at the moment I have the EL part of it, though they haven't checked my LDP which is what indicates whether you have the H (homelysis) part. My platelet count has actually increased since this all started so don't have the "LP" part. I've read there can be incomplete HELLP but it all started when I was ~16 weeks which is a bit early? I guess if it progresses then that could be a consideration but they're not diagnosing me with anything at this point which is super frustrating
Do you have a preventer @expandcontract? They're really big on them in Australia and if you want to get a ventolin they ask you a series of questions to make sure your asthma is being managed by a preventer as solely relying on the ventolin can make it all worse! I'm sure your doctor is all over it though and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't get worse for you!
@jwalters2019 so sorry about your loss. Hope your little one stays put. It's so frustrating there isn't more we can do
@robyn2201 thanks, I'll definitely check it out
I also highly recommend you read the NICU thread. It really helped me learn a lot about the process. In the meantime, I hope your baby stays put until due date.
At 20 weeks, went in for the anatomy scan and found out we’re having a baby girl! We are over the moon. However, she wouldn’t show her face to check for facial abnormalities so they scheduled me for another ultrasound at my 24 week appointment this past Wednesday.
The ultrasound went well and the tech said everything looked good when I asked, but while I was waiting in the exam room for the doctor, I heard the doctor say something along the lines of...”Are you sure? These don’t look right.” Cue panic. She comes in and tells me my little girl is measuring small, between the 11-12th percentile and referred me to a high risk specialist for a Doppler to check for blood flow from the cord or placenta or whatever? I think I lost my ability to comprehend much of what she said after hearing “high risk specialist”.
My appointment at the high risk specialist is on a Wednesday, which feels 100 years away. I’m trying my best to stay off the Internet because for every 6 positive things I find, I find one horrifying thing that sends my head spinning. If anybody has had experience with their babies being small for gestational age/possible IUGR, I would love some personal success stories!
And after all of that as soon as I stood up to go home I was throwing up again. So I’m going to have to run down and talk to my OB after the high risk OB sees me and figure out what’s going on and what I need to do.
@becks105 ..... another WTF??!! to your U/S tech! Why did she feel you everything is okay when it wasn't? She shouldn't have said ANYTHING to you at all. My god, what a bunch of idiots. Im sorry you have this new major worry, now. Good luck at your appointment today. I hope you get some really good news. Please keep us posted.