High risk pregnancy check in- first trimester

charmedlifex3 · February 2023

This is a space for those who’ve been diagnosed as high risk, either due to current complications or past history. General TW applies for the whole thread for pregnancy complications, fetal abnormalities etc. No need to TW these topics.

I figured we’d do an ongoing thread for roughly first trimester, then monthly once more pregnant people join in here.

Feel free to introduce yourself and if you’d like to share the concerns that make you high risk or any fears around it, you are welcome to!

mimser · February 2023

I am high risk because of suspected cervical incompetency and consequently premature labour, but after my son was born we also found out I am also high risk due to neo-natal allo-immunization. In a few words my son was born with an extremely low platelet count (he's more than fine now) which we found out was due to me having a very rare platelet type which is incompatible with 98% of the population, so my antibodies attack my babies' platelets which are half like there dad's. It gets worse with every pregnancy so we're lucky my son was ok and that he was breeched so I ended up having a c section.

For my cervical incompetency, if everything goes well they surgically put a cerclage on my cervix at around 12 weeks and it's normally removed at 37 weeks (I don't know this time though because we know ahead of time that I'll have a c section, they may leave it there until baby is out, not sure). And then, I'll start breathing again once we pass viability week. My previous loss was at 20 weeks when my water broke unexpectedly.

For the platelet thing, from 20 weeks on I will receive immunoglobulins once a week via IV and around 30 weeks I have to take cortisone. It's a scheduled c section to make sure no bleeding is induced during labour.

So yeah, high risk 🙃 Every time, a new risk seems to be added. I'll probably jinx myself saying that but I almost expect diabetes this time 🙄

charmedlifex3 · February 2023

I’m high risk for AMA (that’s the least of it) a history of severe hyperemesis, ICP and peripartum cardiomyopathy. I also had an amniotic fluid embolism with my first, but from everything I’ve read that is basically like getting hit by lightening. Super rare and doesn’t tend to happen twice.

We are assuming the hyperemesis will hit again any time now. Last pregnancy I lost 35 pounds, needed a PiCC line, daily infusions, was hospitalized for weeks. It was awful.

The peripartum cardiomyopathy happened with my first when I had severe hyperemesis but left it largely untreated. I actually went into multi system organ failure- so I’m planning to push for aggressive management early and hopefully avoid some of the more awful side effects. Both of my pregnancies I went into preterm labor scary early which stopped after hydration, so the side effects are nothing to mess with!

We found a set of medications that worked well during my last pregnancy so I am meeting with my doctor on the 24th to try and get it set up, and discuss signing up for home health assuming I need hydration again so I don’t spend most of every day in an infusion center.

I was also born with a congenital heart defect (which we found when we discovered the heart failure in my first pregnancy) so I’ll be followed by my cardiologist. The good news is the heart failure is *almost* normal and didn’t reoccur with my second so fingers crossed it “should” be fine.

Really hoping for something resembling a “normal” pregnancy without major complications. This will absolutely be our last, they have always delivered me at 37 weeks because of the ICP, so planning on a c section around then.

charmedlifex3 · February 2023

@mimser I totally get it. It’s like “that’s… it right?” Like… that’s enough?

My last pregnancy I had to go to the infusion center daily, they are super nice but it’s a time suck. Really hoping to avoid it this time! Either by managing it (or avoiding it?!) or getting them to come to me. It would be way easier if they can just come to my office 😂

charmedlifex3 · February 2023

Well. HG has officially hit. Damnit.

knottie69cdf288032ff80f · February 2023

How far along were you when your HG hit this time? I have the same problem and am just waiting for the shoe to drop. Trying to get the home health things together before it hits but I don’t feel hopeful they will give me anything until it happens.

charmedlifex3 · February 2023

I was six weeks with my son, seven with my daughter and five this time. I was hospitalized on Monday to Tuesday so my doctor is getting the home health ball rolling. I am doing better on meds now, (I threw up over 100 times in 12 hours leading up to admission 🥴) but it’ll only get worse from here. My heart rate was in the 200s and my blood pressure was 140 over 40 so I was a MESS when I got there 🤦‍♀️🥴 thankfully my vitals sorted themselves with fluids.

bapplin · March 2023

I’m high risk due to AMA, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm labor. I’m 9 weeks today. My OB is having me start a baby aspirin at 12 weeks, testing me early for GD at 12 weeks, and having my start getting a shot of progesterone every week at his office starting at 16 weeks. The baby aspirin is to help prevent preeclampsia and the shots of progesterone are to try to prevent preterm labor.

lindzsers · March 2023

Hi everyone - thought I'd pop in and introduce myself.

I'm Lindsey and I'm currently 7 weeks with a high-risk pregnancy due to cervical insufficiency. I was officially diagnosed last year after losing a daughter at 22 weeks after going into preterm labor. I previously lost a son (the year before) at 17 weeks due to a suspected placental abruption that was later attributed to cervical insufficiency.

So far, symptom-wise, I'm feeling all of the nausea and exhaustion. I swear I get more sick with each subsequent pregnancy. Emotionally...I'm stressed. After our last loss, we had to go through pre-conception counseling to discuss a plan for the future and it was decided that, without question, I would be getting a cerclage at 12 weeks (at the latest) to hopefully prevent another pregnancy loss. I finally have my consult set up with the high risk MFM docs after several rounds of phone calls, explanations, calls from my primary OB, etc...and it's been exhausting. I hate that you have to fight so hard to advocate for yourself, your baby, and getting the care that you need.

mimser · March 2023

@lindzsers Hey there! I've said hello in the Intro thread but wanted to hopefully reassure you about the cerclage. I had one placed at 13 weeks during my last pregnancy and everything went so well. I see my OB/MFM next week and expect to have my surgery scheduled around the same time. My doctor was very confident last time that the preventative cerclage is a very safe procedure giving us our best chances to a healthy full term baby. If you have any questions I'm here. I know PGAL is terrifying, I had a lot of anxiety last time. And yes we have to fight so hard...last time my GP was just going to refer me to high risk at 12 weeks... I had to go on my own to make sure I had a proper care from early.

lindzsers · March 2023

Hi @mimser! Thank you so much for this

I didn't realize I would be so sensitive and easily upset when trying to navigate all this and it's really surprised me. I have a great OB and she has been really supportive of trying again and reassuring that the cerclage is a great option, but it's still an unknown for me so it's scary. I really appreciate the insight! I'm sorry that you, too, have had to fight to get the treatment that you need. We lost our last pregnancy after my OB referred me to the MFM because of a suspected short cervix and he took one look at her notes, told me she was incorrect, didn't even give me an exam, and told me to enjoy my pregnancy. We were back one month later after discovering, at our anatomy scan at my regular OB's office, that my cervix was completely dynamic and dilating. They rushed me over to the MFM where I went into labor that night. The next day another doctor was like "Well, yes, now we know this is definitely cervical insufficiency." We have our fingers crossed that once the ball gets rolling things will have a better outcome this time.

mimser · March 2023

I just got my cerclage date. It will be on April 6, 3 weeks from now. They also told me my vaginal swab came abnormal so I just started a course of antibiotics. I'm a mess because I don't know if it's BV which has increased premature labor and PPROM risk... which I'm already at risk for. Also we can't do the cerclage if it's not cured. Hoping everything is and will be ok...

mamahaley_2 · March 2023

Hi, I’m Haley. I’m high risk due to diabetes, hashimotos autoimmune disease, a blood disorder, chronic hypertension, and preeclampsia in my previous pregnancy. My first pregnancy ended in an early emergency c-section because due to my blood disorder I have to have a special type of medication before hand and I wasn’t able to have it in time because I developed preeclampsia so I couldn’t be awake for my son’s birth. I am hoping this time will be different.

lindzsers · March 2023

@mimser Oh gosh, that's so scary. I hope things clear up for your cerclage and you are able to proceed

chani84 · March 2023

Hi! I’m 9 weeks+2 with my first and it’s considered high risk because I have a double uterus 😎. So the baby is basically in a uterus that’s half the size of a regular uterus. I have my first appointment with the high risk doctor tomorrow and I don’t know what to expect…hopefully they’ll be nice 🤞

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