[ish]

My "ulcer" became unbearable on Saturday (34 weeks) so I called the midwife for help. She coaxed me into getting checked out at the hospital birthing center.

To make a long story short, I was diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis (it's not an ulcer!!!) and possible Gallstone Disease, kept in the hospital for 3 days, fed via IV with Amino Acids and Vitamins, and not allowed any food or liquid until this morning. No gallstones were found, however; I am supposed to meet with a surgeon and discuss having my gall bladder removed A.S.A.P. I am so thankful (so thankful) that no gallstones were found because I would have been put on the table to have both the gall bladder and baby removed! The OB did several NST's during the course of my stay, and the baby looked perfect each time. I was discharged today because the digestive enzymes stayed normal and I did not relapse with more pain.

Right now I'm resting at home and sticking to my liquid diet. I think I might just keep it up until the baby is born, because if I should relapse and my pancreas becomes infected, a surgical birth will be my only option.

Looks like this weekend was a crazy one for births! Congrats to all the September mamas that got to meet their little ones a little early! I hope you are all well and in good spirits.

 

[VBMama]

Ish, sorry to hear about your health troubles! That does not sound like a fun stay in the hospital.

At least they have discovered what the real issue is - hope that you are able to maintain until your baby is born before having to face surgery. Keep us posted.

 

[Azryel]

Oh, I'm so sorry! I hear pancreatitis is the worst. I remember my mom -- who has been through a lot in her life, including a difficult battle with breast cancer and 3 NCBs -- saying it was easily the most painful thing she's ever experienced. * Jaime

 

[deleria]

Not in your DDC, but wanted to wish you all the best. I have a couple of friends who developed gall bladder issues during pregnancy and both have had them removed since. I hope that you continue to feel better

 

[dvons]

I hope you feel better soon!! My #1 was induced at 38weeks because they did a scan and saw 13 gall stones after I though I'd been having heartburn/ulcer pain the whole pregnancy. I ended up having it out when DD was 4 weeks old after my uteurus had shrunk up a bunch. The thing that sucked was being on Cipro (antibiotic) which you can't take within a certain number of hours of having dairy and being on a low fat/soft foods diet for those 4 weeks before I had it out. It sucked while learning to nurse a new baby when I was HUNGRY all the time.

Take care!!
Deb

 

[unitytree]

I hope your feeling better soon!! I know 2 other women who had the same issue and ended up having their gallbladder removed a few weeks after baby came. It was difficult but they got through it and are now happier for it!! Rest and relax!! Sending you

 

[noteworthy]

Hoping you feel better soon! What a bummer. No advice to give, just sending a

glad that the root of all the heartburn was discovered..
V

 

[maciascl]

I just found this thread, I am so sorry you are dealing with this, but happy to hear it isn't any worse. I hope things are going well.

 

[ish]

Thanks for all the well wishes.

Things haven't changed much. Still on a liquid diet, but have added some bland things like plain oatmeal, toast no butter, etc. It hurts to eat and drink, but instead of a 10+ on the chart of pain it only has gotten as high as a 4. As long as it remains tolerable, I'll stay away from the hospital.

We had an appointment with the midwife today, of course I had to see the only midwife I don't like in the practice, but that's a rant for another day. I've lost 6 pounds in a week, and there are small amounts of protein in my urine. This particular midwife is of the opinion that I should be transferred to an OB for the rest of my pregnancy, and that I should be induced sooner rather than later - but "the choice is ours to make".

We talked to another midwife in the practice who seems to agree that it would be better for my health if the baby were to arrive sometime in the next two weeks, but doesn't recommend an induction, just thinks that we should step up the use of natural methods (sex, herbs, walking, nipple stim) to help encourage baby to come sooner. I don't think it matters what I do, the baby will come when he's ready, right?

So that's where we're at. I've almost reached my threshold for this pregnancy because of the pancreatitis. I feel guilty for wanting to be done so soon, but this pain is awful, and seems to have no end in sight. I am trying to trust in baby & body's timing and with any luck I'll make it to term, maybe even full-term. I want for this baby to have the option to cook as long as his brother did.