pregnant after a loss? - Page 3

[famille_huggins]

Originally Posted by Cheshire

I'm here. I was also in the DDC August 2008.

My second son was born August 15th 2008 and died 12 hours later due to undiagnosed vasa previa and velamentous cord insertion.

It is odd being back here. We were done with our two - happy with two boys and were devastated when my delivery went from doing great to an emergency in a matter of minutes. Our son's death was so unexpected.

We decided another pregnancy would be difficult no matter when we tried again. I'm not getting any younger and we wanted our children to be about 4 years apart. Our oldest is now 4.5. So, we decided to just try and let nature take its course. We never really expected it to take the first time! So, being due just a week before our son's birthday is bittersweet.

I'm glad to be here. We go to the doc again tomorrow and hope to see the heartbeat. I'm having lots of morning sickness and other symptoms. We've told our families and a few close friends.

We haven't told our son yet. He is still processing his brother's death. He misses him and talks often about the things he was planning to do with him, playing with him, walking him in to school when he was old enough, etc. He was really looking forward to being a big brother and he'll make a great one. Another nine months is a long time for a 4 year old so we're going to wait until I just can't hide it anymore.

I'm sorry for each of your losses. It makes pregnancy that much more different when the rose colored glasses have been removed through a loss. Here's strong pregnancy vibes, healthy births and big 'ol fat baby vibes to us all.

I'm so sorry for your heartbreaking loss. There are no words...

[railyuh]

Amanda, there must be a lot of conflicting emotions. I'm sorry that this pregnancy has to be complicated for you and that you have lost one of the babies, but I hope that your other baby continues to thrive and is in your arms next August

[railyuh]

We had our u/s today!

The good news is that we had a heartbeat of 160 and the baby was measuring pretty much right on. The bad news is there was a collection of fluid (the RE said usually it is blood) underneath the placenta and the placenta was really thin there. He said it was small and if it wasn't for my history we wouldn't even be concerned about it, but honestly it didn't look very small to me Of course, I guess it is relative to what you are comparing it too and he's probably seen bigger ones. Anyway, I am wondering if this gives us a hint as to what happened with my last 2 pregnancies and if there was a blood clot or pool of blood under the placenta that eventually caused the placenta to detach It makes sense with the whole MTHFR thing. I hope this time things are different. We go back in 2 weeks for another u/s so hopefully the baby still looks good then and maybe this spot of fluid will be smaller or even gone, hopefully not bigger

Has anyone else dealt with a collection of blood/fluid under the placenta and had things turn out okay?

[stardust swallower]

congrats on seeing a strong beating heart!! hooray! : I really hope the fluid issue resolves itself...

Here's something to consider from Romm's The Natural Pregnancy Book:

"Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) has been said to strengthen the placental attachment to the uterus, thereby reducing spotting and the likelihood of miscarriage. It should be taken in doses of up to 800 IU each day for up to three weeks. However, prolonged use may result in the placenta becoming abnormally attached to the uterine wall, a complication in itself. Therefore, do not exceed this dosage, and do not take vitamin E for longer than three weeks. If you have heart disease, do not exceed 50 IU per day without discussing it with your physician" (231).

[famille_huggins]

Originally Posted by railyuh

Amanda, there must be a lot of conflicting emotions. I'm sorry that this pregnancy has to be complicated for you and that you have lost one of the babies, but I hope that your other baby continues to thrive and is in your arms next August

Annie -- Thank you for your sweet sentiments. I do feel alot of conflicting emotions, but I feel so grateful (1) to be pregnant, and (2) to be pregnant still. Ultimately, the gratitude wins.

[labortrials]

I was out of town for a few days and am glad to see everyone's doing well! :

I've complained about this over at the PAL area, but I had to mention it here...
Yesterday I took a constipated crap that caused me to nearly FAINT. It was so scary. And I've felt like crap ever since that happened. I've had an awful headache and have been feeling sick to my stomach constantly. I really don't want to drink fluids which is a problem. Anyway, it was really scary. Pooping is scary for me anyway when I'm pregnant, I don't really know why, but it is.

Alright, I need to get some major work done on the course I'm developing for Spring 2009!!

[stardust swallower]

scary symptoms that turned out ok!

I have just had the worst 24 hours of this pregnancy yet.

Yesterday I had some horrible indigestion, cramps, and dry heaving. I thought maybe it was a stomach bug coming -- but nothing came out either end and eventually it passed and I felt fine!

Then, in the evening I wiped and got a bright red smear of blood on the tp -- after that just some brownish drops.

As soon as I saw the blood I figured it was all over. Since my last pregnancy ended in a missed m/c I was a wreck. I cried for hours; dp and I mourned the loss of this baby and started to wonder what the heck we were trying to do and what was wrong with us. I bawled and bawled. There was no doubt in my mind that it was over.

In the morning I called the birth center, but the mw had to run in the middle of my explanation. She didn't call back for another hour.... so I decided just to show up! They took me right away to a birthing suite and got out the doppler.

My soul hit the roof when she instantly found a strong hb!! I simply could not believe it. I was just expecting confirmation that there was nothing there, so I could go home and wait for the m/c to continue.

As of today, right now, I still have a live baby in there and I am shocked and thrilled and terrified and feeling totally schizophrenic. This morning I was in mourning. Now I am elated. Ugh.

Thought some of you would likely be able to understand the shudder of fear that goes through you when you see blood and assume the worst. And isn't such a joy when the story has a happy ending (for now)?

Here's hoping...

[texaspeach]

stardust swallower YEAH!! :

[labortrials]

Awful! I'm so glad things turned out alright!!!

[famille_huggins]

Originally Posted by labortrials

...Yesterday I took a constipated crap that caused me to nearly FAINT. It was so scary. And I've felt like crap ever since that happened. I've had an awful headache and have been feeling sick to my stomach constantly. I really don't want to drink fluids which is a problem. Anyway, it was really scary. Pooping is scary for me anyway when I'm pregnant, I don't really know why, but it is.

Have you thought about adding some fruit juice or dried fruit to your diet? What about a stool softener? Because of vitamins and supplements I take, I have to take a stool softener from time to time to get things moving.

[famille_huggins]

Stardust Swallower: Great news! What a relief! You're definately in a safe place to discuss those worrisome meltdowns. We understand.

[stardust swallower]

thanks for the support and reading through my roller coaster! I'm so so so hoping we all get to see these babies to term. I have another appointment next Monday. Hooray for hearing little swishing doppler noises. I wish I had a white noise machine with fetal hb to keep me company... always.

[labortrials]

Just updated my twins link with a new picture. My u/s went well today. Everything looks good; both babes are measuring about the same size and have heartrates aroun 130. I'm not QUITE as far along as I thought which is frustrating. Like I need extra days added on to the 1st trimester! : So instead of 7w4d or 7w0d, I'm more like 6w4d. So, really I'm only off by 3 days, but STILL!! LoL!

Relieved, and there's no medical "need" for a follow-up at 9 weeks, but I'm gonna have one for reassurance!!!!

[stardust swallower]

labortrials :
I swear each day in the first trimester feels like 12! It's like dog year days. ugh.

In other news I am both abashed and thrilled that I went ahead and rented a doppler! I never would have considered it in my 1st pregnancy, but this time I am a total wreck and think it'll help. I know others may not approve, but, heck, now I understand...until you walk in my shoes... anyway, I'm not really looking for a pro/con discussion on dopplers, but just wondering if anyone else is renting one for peace of mind? I was surprised to find out how easy and affordable it was!

[texaspeach]

labortrials love that picture! boo for taking away days!

stardust swallower, I'm considering renting a doppler for reassurance. Did you rent from a place that required a HCP approval/signature? How does that work, is it just a fax form? This pregnancy is so different from the first time. the first time, I didn't want u/s or any testing, this time around, I'm ok with u/s, even an early one to check viability and some screening tests

[stardust swallower]

texaspeach: I'm with you. Things are so different this time around... especially after having a bout of spotting already. ugh.

I ordered a doppler from dynamic doppler. Folks in other DDC's have also recommended www.heartbeatsathome.com and if you think you'd want to buy it, apparently ebay has good deals... As far as the HCP goes, there's a place on the online order form where you fill in your Dr's name and number -- they say it's just for information and they won't contact them. It seems to work on the honor system -- like you're supposed to tell them you're getting it. I suppose I'll mention it.

[labortrials]

Originally Posted by stardust swallower

labortrials :
I swear each day in the first trimester feels like 12! It's like dog year days. ugh.

In other news I am both abashed and thrilled that I went ahead and rented a doppler! I never would have considered it in my 1st pregnancy, but this time I am a total wreck and think it'll help. I know others may not approve, but, heck, now I understand...until you walk in my shoes... anyway, I'm not really looking for a pro/con discussion on dopplers, but just wondering if anyone else is renting one for peace of mind? I was surprised to find out how easy and affordable it was!

TOTALLY like dog year days. Haha! Well, even though they've taken away days, I'm still following my O-based dating for now. I don't think they were able to get a very clear measurement.

I'm considering getting a doppler too. Thanks for the links!

[texaspeach]

I think I may try out babyfm, they have a two month minimum, but for the one that is .85 a day, that's still cheaper than any of the other sites I've seen. gotta do some more research before ordering though.

[famille_huggins]

Brand new dopplers can purchased on eBay for about $80. Don't know if any of you have considered that route, but it might be worth it if you're considering future pregnancies.

[railyuh]

I keep telling myself that if I make it to 12 weeks I will rent a doppler, so no judgement form me Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do to get that peace of mind.