Monday, June 25, 2012
Succenturiate Placenta - No Signs of Vasa Previa
Best news ever! While I do indeed have a succenturiate placenta, I do NOT have Vasa Previa! It was a long agonizing ultrasound and I'm in quite a bit of pain now from all of the tummy pushing and laying on the table for an hour and a half but we are so very blessed! I told Justin it's our miracle and asked if he could pinch me. He assured me he could pinch me and I decided just repeating "How can we go from 95% sure I have VP to 95% sure I don't" seamed better than a pinching. The tech said that is why she spent so much time scanning. We'd see what appeared to be the vessel in front of the cervix but she then thought that was the cord floating around. She pushed the baby out of the way so many times I swear I'm going to have bruises. But we'd do it again for the reassurance! (And we will at 37 weeks!) Ty Ty for all of the prayers! God has truly blessed us!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Thank God for Gestational Diabetes!
Hello everyone! Please continue to pray for my pregnancy! Today I learned that my perfectly healthy baby has 2 placentas. The vessels appear to cross the cervix so the risk of her bleeding out is HUGE. I am being referred off base to another hospital with complicated OB doctors and if vasa previa is confirmed I could start hospital bed rest immediately.
I want to say how great our God is! Gestational Diabetes rearing it's ugly head seamed so unfair and yet God was in control. GD allowed me to get another ultrasound (to measure the baby) and see the placentas that were missed by Langley. Might I also add that God let me argue with Langley's U/S department until I was so mad I made an appointment at 7am in Portsmouth which just played a huge role in saving her life. He is in control! ♥ Please pray that he blesses us with this sweet baby girl in my womb!
A few weeks ago we found out that I have gestational diabetes. Once you get the diagnosis you will need at least 2 additional ultrasounds to measure the baby's size. Typically a healthy woman who has her 20 week anatomy scan would not get another ultrasound where I am seen. So when I was told I needed another ultrasound within 2 weeks I called Langley right away. After a week no one called me back so I went in and complained. They told me they have 2 weeks to call me back and if I needed an appointment I should go to Portsmouth. Portsmouth Naval Hospital is about an hour away, but I needed the U/S and they could get me in quickly.
I arrive for the U/S around 6:30 and they take me right back. The tech was so wonderful, showing me everything, Oooing and Ahhhing at her little hands and feet with me. Our baby measured right on track for 30 weeks and weighed in at 3lbs. 7oz. Then the tech got quiet. I asked her what was up and she explained that I have two placentas. She was just trying to figure out if they were connected or not. She was finished and when to check with the doctor to make sure the scans were ok. She came back in to do another scan to see about blood flow. She leaves again. When she comes back this time she needs to do an internal U/S. That's finished and I'm free to go. I left around 8:15 with orders to see my doctor soon to discuss the 2 placentas.
By 9am my doctor was calling explaining that there were some things found in the U/S that could lead to fetal demise. I didn't hear much after that except that they were consulting with an outside hospital trying to get me seen asap. I did have a follow up appointment scheduled for my diabetes that afternoon so I figured I'd get more info then. But for now I had a name to put with the commotion and it wasn't good. It is not something that you want to Google because it will break your heart into a million pieces.
I headed to my appointment at 11:30 after lots of tears and frantic phone calls to people I love for reassurance. I just kept saying how blessed I was that God gave me diabetes! As soon as the midwife walked into the room I lost it. I was trying to hold it together but I just couldn't. She was great, she explained everything again and let me cry as long as I needed. She explained that as soon as the referrals went through we'd be moving really fast. I'd see the complicated OB at the new hospital who would do his own U/S to confirm the diagnosis. If confirmed I'd be admitted immediately and given steroids to help the baby's lungs. From there we would play it day by day and deliver no later than 35-36 weeks. But all my mind can think is, "My baby!" and "If it's that urgent how can you send me home all weekend?"
My first diagnosis is Bilobed Placenta and the second is Vasa Previa. "Vasa previa is an uncommon obstetrical complication that poses a high risk of fetal demise if not recognized before rupture of membranes. It is vital that providers recognize risk factors for vasa previa and diagnose this condition before the onset of labor so that fetal shock or demise is prevented."
Basically, because my Bilobed Placenta was missed at the 20 week U/S the Diabetes may be what saves her. Yesterday's 30 week U/S was a gift from God making us aware. If I had went into labor on my own our sweet girl would have bled out and died within minutes. If you Google Vasa Previa you will find lots of memorial pages for baby angels, and mother's with broken hearts and empty arms. So if you're feeling like Googling it, please be aware!
Please continue to pray for us! Sleeping was so hard last night, I was so afraid I'd break the vessel with each turn. I feel like I belong in the looney bin right now. Just admit me! Take me and watch me like a hawk! Don't let me go into labor! My mind is spinning. The pending C- Section means nothing, I thought I'd be disappointed if I needed one after 2 drug free vaginal deliveries. But just do it! Get her out and make her safe! (See clearly I need prayer!)
Below is some more info if you're interested:
Vasa previa is up to 95% deadly for the infant. Or it is virtually 100% survivable. It all depends on that prenatal diagnosis and appropriate management. The International Vasa Previa Foundation (IVPF) doesn't have a single case of infant death from vasa previa in its records when the recommendations below were followed. Not one! Studies show this management works. Our records back it up.
The IVPF recommends
- Pelvic rest
- Hospitalization in the 3rd trimester, typically at about 30-32 weeks
- Delivery by C-section at 35 weeks
- Immediate blood transfusion and aggressive resuscitation of the infant in the event of a rupture
Pelvic rest means nothing in the vagina. Nothing at all. No sex. No tampons. And except for transvaginal ultrasound which has been proven to be safe, no digital exams.
Hospitalization by 30-32 weeks may seem like overkill, but our records show an increased risk of rupture during this time as the mothers body begins to prepare for birth. Babies that rupture at home simply do not survive, no matter how close they live to the hospital. That said, there are certain isolated cases of vasa previa which can be successfully managed out-patient. This is very rare though. Most mothers begin effacing and dilating weeks before term. This puts a vasa previa infant at far greater risk of rupture. While hospitalization is definitely preferred, if the cervix is 4 centimeters or longer AND fetal fibronectin testing is favorable for out-patient management, it can be attempted safely. Both these tests together are good indicators for uterine activity not commencing in the next couple of weeks or so. Out-patient management should never be attempted without adequate results from BOTH of these tests together!
Why 35 week delivery? Because studies show this gestational age to have the highest infant survival rate. Yes, 35 weeks is quite early. And a 35 weeker will likely spend some time in the NICU. But the simple facts of the matter are that it is far easier to manage prematurity at 35 weeks than it is to manage a vasa previa rupture. Babies that rupture die within minutes, leaving only moments to deliver them, aggressively resuscitate them, and give them blood transfusions.
So you are in the hospital now and waiting for delivery. You can expect to have a round of 2 steroid injections to help your baby's lung mature. You will be monitored more often for uterine activity as well. Some doctors will do an amniocentisis at 35 weeks to check on the baby's lung development and will put off delivery until 36 weeks if this isn't accomplished and the mother is not having any uterine activity. Most doctors however, simply deliver at 35 weeks without doing an amnio. Regardless, we've never heard of a doctor doing a repeat amnio. Its always better to get them out before the risk of rupture increases. Sometimes uterine activity will result in a baby being delivered before 35 weeks.
The International Vasa Previa Foundation believes that infant death due to vasa previa is an avoidable tragedy. IVPF recommendations are based on the consolidated results of science, technology, and its experience with thousands of vasa previa families. Infant death and injury can be prevented when vasa previa is prenatally diagnosed and Cesarean section is performed at 35 weeks.
I want to say how great our God is! Gestational Diabetes rearing it's ugly head seamed so unfair and yet God was in control. GD allowed me to get another ultrasound (to measure the baby) and see the placentas that were missed by Langley. Might I also add that God let me argue with Langley's U/S department until I was so mad I made an appointment at 7am in Portsmouth which just played a huge role in saving her life. He is in control! ♥ Please pray that he blesses us with this sweet baby girl in my womb!
A few weeks ago we found out that I have gestational diabetes. Once you get the diagnosis you will need at least 2 additional ultrasounds to measure the baby's size. Typically a healthy woman who has her 20 week anatomy scan would not get another ultrasound where I am seen. So when I was told I needed another ultrasound within 2 weeks I called Langley right away. After a week no one called me back so I went in and complained. They told me they have 2 weeks to call me back and if I needed an appointment I should go to Portsmouth. Portsmouth Naval Hospital is about an hour away, but I needed the U/S and they could get me in quickly.
I arrive for the U/S around 6:30 and they take me right back. The tech was so wonderful, showing me everything, Oooing and Ahhhing at her little hands and feet with me. Our baby measured right on track for 30 weeks and weighed in at 3lbs. 7oz. Then the tech got quiet. I asked her what was up and she explained that I have two placentas. She was just trying to figure out if they were connected or not. She was finished and when to check with the doctor to make sure the scans were ok. She came back in to do another scan to see about blood flow. She leaves again. When she comes back this time she needs to do an internal U/S. That's finished and I'm free to go. I left around 8:15 with orders to see my doctor soon to discuss the 2 placentas.
By 9am my doctor was calling explaining that there were some things found in the U/S that could lead to fetal demise. I didn't hear much after that except that they were consulting with an outside hospital trying to get me seen asap. I did have a follow up appointment scheduled for my diabetes that afternoon so I figured I'd get more info then. But for now I had a name to put with the commotion and it wasn't good. It is not something that you want to Google because it will break your heart into a million pieces.
I headed to my appointment at 11:30 after lots of tears and frantic phone calls to people I love for reassurance. I just kept saying how blessed I was that God gave me diabetes! As soon as the midwife walked into the room I lost it. I was trying to hold it together but I just couldn't. She was great, she explained everything again and let me cry as long as I needed. She explained that as soon as the referrals went through we'd be moving really fast. I'd see the complicated OB at the new hospital who would do his own U/S to confirm the diagnosis. If confirmed I'd be admitted immediately and given steroids to help the baby's lungs. From there we would play it day by day and deliver no later than 35-36 weeks. But all my mind can think is, "My baby!" and "If it's that urgent how can you send me home all weekend?"
My first diagnosis is Bilobed Placenta and the second is Vasa Previa. "Vasa previa is an uncommon obstetrical complication that poses a high risk of fetal demise if not recognized before rupture of membranes. It is vital that providers recognize risk factors for vasa previa and diagnose this condition before the onset of labor so that fetal shock or demise is prevented."
Basically, because my Bilobed Placenta was missed at the 20 week U/S the Diabetes may be what saves her. Yesterday's 30 week U/S was a gift from God making us aware. If I had went into labor on my own our sweet girl would have bled out and died within minutes. If you Google Vasa Previa you will find lots of memorial pages for baby angels, and mother's with broken hearts and empty arms. So if you're feeling like Googling it, please be aware!
Please continue to pray for us! Sleeping was so hard last night, I was so afraid I'd break the vessel with each turn. I feel like I belong in the looney bin right now. Just admit me! Take me and watch me like a hawk! Don't let me go into labor! My mind is spinning. The pending C- Section means nothing, I thought I'd be disappointed if I needed one after 2 drug free vaginal deliveries. But just do it! Get her out and make her safe! (See clearly I need prayer!)
30 weeks pregnant!
Below is some more info if you're interested:
Vasa previa is up to 95% deadly for the infant. Or it is virtually 100% survivable. It all depends on that prenatal diagnosis and appropriate management. The International Vasa Previa Foundation (IVPF) doesn't have a single case of infant death from vasa previa in its records when the recommendations below were followed. Not one! Studies show this management works. Our records back it up.
The IVPF recommends
- Pelvic rest
- Hospitalization in the 3rd trimester, typically at about 30-32 weeks
- Delivery by C-section at 35 weeks
- Immediate blood transfusion and aggressive resuscitation of the infant in the event of a rupture
Pelvic rest means nothing in the vagina. Nothing at all. No sex. No tampons. And except for transvaginal ultrasound which has been proven to be safe, no digital exams.
Hospitalization by 30-32 weeks may seem like overkill, but our records show an increased risk of rupture during this time as the mothers body begins to prepare for birth. Babies that rupture at home simply do not survive, no matter how close they live to the hospital. That said, there are certain isolated cases of vasa previa which can be successfully managed out-patient. This is very rare though. Most mothers begin effacing and dilating weeks before term. This puts a vasa previa infant at far greater risk of rupture. While hospitalization is definitely preferred, if the cervix is 4 centimeters or longer AND fetal fibronectin testing is favorable for out-patient management, it can be attempted safely. Both these tests together are good indicators for uterine activity not commencing in the next couple of weeks or so. Out-patient management should never be attempted without adequate results from BOTH of these tests together!
Why 35 week delivery? Because studies show this gestational age to have the highest infant survival rate. Yes, 35 weeks is quite early. And a 35 weeker will likely spend some time in the NICU. But the simple facts of the matter are that it is far easier to manage prematurity at 35 weeks than it is to manage a vasa previa rupture. Babies that rupture die within minutes, leaving only moments to deliver them, aggressively resuscitate them, and give them blood transfusions.
So you are in the hospital now and waiting for delivery. You can expect to have a round of 2 steroid injections to help your baby's lung mature. You will be monitored more often for uterine activity as well. Some doctors will do an amniocentisis at 35 weeks to check on the baby's lung development and will put off delivery until 36 weeks if this isn't accomplished and the mother is not having any uterine activity. Most doctors however, simply deliver at 35 weeks without doing an amnio. Regardless, we've never heard of a doctor doing a repeat amnio. Its always better to get them out before the risk of rupture increases. Sometimes uterine activity will result in a baby being delivered before 35 weeks.
The International Vasa Previa Foundation believes that infant death due to vasa previa is an avoidable tragedy. IVPF recommendations are based on the consolidated results of science, technology, and its experience with thousands of vasa previa families. Infant death and injury can be prevented when vasa previa is prenatally diagnosed and Cesarean section is performed at 35 weeks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)