May I ask a question?

[lilac]

I haven't been very active on proboards, everytime I try to get more involved something new comes up. I am not sure where to ask this, I am hoping this is a good place.

I am 30 weeks pregnant and my blood pressure has been through the roof (167/110 last week) I tested negative for pre-eclampsia. I was put on weekly ultrasounds to monitor the baby. I was having a conversation with my doctor and stated that I'd like to make it to 38 weeks and she pretty much told me it wasn't going to happen. She gave me a steroid shot to help the babies lungs yesterday and one today. Does that mean she is planning for the baby to come soon? She isn't telling me any sort of game plan or anything and even when my blood pressure spikes she says it's not that bad, but the fact that she's giving me the shots means she has other feelings doesn't it? I asked the nurse if they give a lot of women the shots and she pretty much said not often. I'm losing my mind trying to figure out what's going on because they're all acting like its no big deal and I don't know what to expect next? My mom said everyone is just trying to keep me calm so my bp isn't worsened. Do any of you have any advice? If my baby is born soon will she be likely to make it? She is 2lbs14oz as of last week and she was practicing breathing. I feel very lost. I am sorry if this isn't a good place to ask.

[mandie]

I don't have any experience with PreE, but when I was admited to the hospital with bleeding from an unknown source at 33 weeks and dilated to a 1 (so, really no threat for delivery), they gave me a steroid shot to be on the safe side. Which was fortunate, because I actually was gearing up for active labor. But I think they give the steroid shots as a precaution pretty often. 30 week babies often have great outcomes. Every day inside is good.

[motownthrowdown]

Hi! Pre-e mom of a 28 weeker here. I got two rounds of steroid shots and I think that is the only reason my daughter didn't need a respirator. The shots are seriously a huge help. One "round" is two shots, so don't freak out about the second one.

Almost three pounds at 30 weeks is pretty good! My daughter was born at 28 and weighed one pound 14 ounces. She'll be one year old in a week.

It sounds like you are in the hospital? Are you there until delivery?

****Trigger warning: I'm going to tell you how my hospital stay went. Everyone is ok. I'm trying to give you an example of what happened with me.

With my daughter, I was being monitored from 25 weeks until delivery, I did weekly bloodwork and pee jugs for three weeks until my protein levels were skyrocketing. I went on bedrest in the hospital for two days, and they put me on magnesium. If they do this, WRITE THINGS DOWN. Magnesium is the best thing for your safety and will help protect baby too, but it messes with your memory. Write things down so you remember them later.

After a couple days in the hospital of continuous monitoring, I noticed that her movement line had leveled off. This was bad. I called in a nurse, who called in the ultrasound team, who did a 30 minute ultrasound, which she failed spectacularly. Time for emergency c section. No respirator, she was fine, just very small. 28 weeks on the dot, 1 lb 14 oz and 13.5 inches long. Screaming when she came out, testing those lungs.

***end trigger warning

I know that this is probably the most terrified you have ever been in your whole life. Trust that your medical team is watching you. Don't hesitate to push for things if you want them (more testing, etc). If you feel like something is wrong, tell them. 30 weeks isn't bad. Practice breathing is awesome.

Please pm me if you have questions or just want to talk. Or tag me here.

[megrae12]

Hi! We had 2 rounds of steroids as well. I firmly believe that is what kept us out of NICU. My guy was born at 35+4. I was admitted to the hospital at 27w for pre-e symptoms on top of cholestasis and was there for three days. My guy was about three pounds around 30 weeks as well! He weighed 6lb6oz at birth. I also agree with everything @mowtownthrowdown said, 30 weeks isn't bad. Hopefully she can hang out a little longer.

[lilac]

I did the pee jug last week. I've been seeing my obgyn twice a week and getting ultrasounds every week. I'm on bed rest at home. I think it's just making me more nervous that she won't tell me a plan or anything really. I know my blood pressure has been up a lot lately. She just says everything is okay, but then at the same time gives me the shots and puts me on bed rest. She told me not to worry, but when I said I wanted to make it to 38 weeks she told me it wasn't going to happen that she's hoping for just a little more time. This is my first baby.
Trigger warning:
It took me more than a year to conceive and I had a miscarriage February 2015. I started freaking out even more when they told me this one would be taken early because, my grandma said it will be slow for the rest of her life and that she would never be on track with the other kids.
*********
I just wish my doctor would be a little more open with me because her words and actions conflict. I go back to the doctor Wednesday.

[megrae12]

May 7, 2016 9:42:41 GMT -5 lilac said:

I did the pee jug last week. I've been seeing my obgyn twice a week and getting ultrasounds every week. I'm on bed rest at home. I think it's just making me more nervous that she won't tell me a plan or anything really. I know my blood pressure has been up a lot lately. She just says everything is okay, but then at the same time gives me the shots and puts me on bed rest. She told me not to worry, but when I said I wanted to make it to 38 weeks she told me it wasn't going to happen that she's hoping for just a little more time. This is my first baby.
Trigger warning:
It took me more than a year to conceive and I had a miscarriage February 2015. I started freaking out even more when they told me this one would be taken early because, my grandma said it will be slow for the rest of her life and that she would never be on track with the other kids.
*********
I just wish my doctor would be a little more open with me because her words and actions conflict. I go back to the doctor Wednesday.

I'm sorry for your loss, I know how scary being pregnant after a loss can be. That being said, it is not necessarily true that your baby will be slow for the rest of their lives just because they are born early. I would certainly ask your doctor what her plan of action is and when /if she plans on inducing or doing a C-section. The bed rest and extra monitoring, is to give your baby longer to be inside. If you are controlled with that then the doctor will try to keep you as long as possible. I know all of this is very scary but it sounds like your doctor is being very proactive with your care. That being said, do not be afraid to push for answers to your questions if it will give you peace of mind.

[motownthrowdown]

i mean this in the nicest way possible, but your grandma has no idea what she's talking about. My daughter, for example, is on track with all major milestones for her adjusted age (not sure if you are familiar with adjusted ages vs chronological age, but this is the age that counts for milestones). Her pediatrician is very happy with her and you would never know by looking at her that she was so early.

There are definitely additional worries with a preemie, but it doesn't mean that your kid will have massive developmental delays just because they are early. And there are full term kids I know who have delays too. It just depends.

Definitely ask your doctor what's going on, what her plan is. The bedrest is taking stress off of your body so that the pre-e doesn't cause more damage. What was your pee jug number?

Preeclampsia is such a tricky bastard because you can be fine for weeks or you can nose dive in a matter of days.

[rayann687]

Hi! I also had pre-e and delivered at 29 weeks and 5 days. Sending Hugs!

***Trigger warning***sorry for your loss. I had a MC before my preemie, and was afraid the whole pregnancy something would happen. ***end trigger***

Around 27 weeks they put me on bed rest, because my blood pressure was high. They tested for pre-e but it was negative. They took me off bed rest after a couple days, because my blood pressure went down as well. At 29 weeks and 2 days, they put me on bed rest again for high blood pressure. This time they said it would be until I delivered. I had to do another pre-e test. At 29 weeks and 4 days I was hospitalized, and was told I would stay there until delivery. They told me it could be a week or longer, but I wouldn't make it to 34 weeks. I didn't even make it a day.
At that point I got the first shot, and then the second the morning I had the emergency C-section. Savannah was 2 lb 7 oz and came out screaming and breathing on her own. She only needed a c-pap for a couple days. The shots are what they believed helped her to breathe. It's natural to be scared.
I would ask the doctor flat out, when they think you may have to deliver. Although I didn't make it to 34 weeks, it was nice to have a timeframe. It's not true that your baby will always be slow. My baby is one as of April 25th and is on track with her adjusted age and some of her chronological age milestones as well. Hoping the baby stays put, if not it, it sounds like they have done everything necessary for an early baby.

[motownthrowdown]

Also, I'd like to add that technology and medical advancements are barely comparable from even 10 years ago with preemies to now. My grandpa (early 80s) was convinced my daughter wouldn't make it another day every time my mom talked to him. The concept of a baby weighing less than two pounds was just not something he could fathom.

Would touring the nicu make you feel better? I would have liked to see it before we ended up there, but I was confined to my bed with my IV of mag (seriously, write things down. I lost like four days) and couldn't go.

[lilac]

Thank you to everyone who responded! You guys made me feel a lot better, even if something happens and she has to come.

I spent Mother's Day in the hospital because she hadn't moved since Friday night. The hospital said she pretty much slept for 2 days. My blood pressure went from one end of the spectrum to the other. Friday it was 156/98 Saturday it was 128/77 and Sunday it was 113/58 I'm not sure what happened but, I plan to ask my doctor what is going on. I go back Wednesday. Thank you lovely ladies for all your advice.

[runningmommy519]

Late to the game here. I hope all is well.

My thinking is that as long as all it is is high bp then you can stay pregnant for as long as possible.

But if things worsen, and as you can tell by some of the stories shared here this can happen quickly, then early delivery will happen.

I am surprised that they aren't communicating with you. They should be telling you to watch for headaches, pain in your side and blurry vision. If you experience ant of that go to labor and delivery or call your doctor.

[motownthrowdown]

lilac, how's it going? How did your appointment go?

[lilac]

May 19, 2016 14:05:22 GMT -5 motownthrowdown said:

lilac, how's it going? How did your appointment go?

They sent me home telling me everything was fine for weeks. I went two weeks unable to keep anything solid down and it had gotten pretty bad. My tongue started turning colors and holes were coming in it, my lips were bloody and the skin wouldn't stay On. My eyes looked like I had black eyes and no one would help me. My doctor wouldn't even try bp meds. My bp was regularly staying 160/120 and it got to the point I couldn't even stay awake and I'd go to the hospital and beg for help, but the nurses said I didn't look sick enough to have anything seriously wrong, I was pretty much told I was crazy. Friday I went to an ob appointment and had blood tests ran and they said I was fine. They said I must be keeping some food down because somehow I gained 4lbs in that week. They sent me home. I told my mom I was dying and I knew I wasn't going to make it. There was no way I could continue without help. I woke up Saturday to go to my moms and see her and when she seen me she immediately started begging me to return to the hospital.. I told her there was no point they were refusing to help and I was just wasting time and space. On my way home, my vision blurred and there was lights flashing in my eyes I couldn't see. I decided to ignore it and continued going about my day. Two hours later my arm started tingling and went numb, I still couldn't see correctly and my DH said I was stumbling around and talking nonsense. They continued asking me to go to the hospital. By ten that night I could barely walk and my Dh and mom forced me to the hospital. I get there and they're like your blood pressure is up! ... I know... They ended up giving me 3 shots of blood pressure medicine and 2 IV's of magnesium but still my blood pressure was steadily climbing up and I was throwing up even though I hadn't been able to eat in days. My bp reaches 205/169 and at 3 am a doctor comes in and says you're going to have to have the baby soon. My moms asks how soon? His response was that I'd have my daughter by 5 am... I had an emergency csection and my daughter was born at 6:18am June 12th. I was 34weeks She was rushed to another hospital because she couldn't breathe on her own. I finally got to see her for the first time today. Her eyes are so swollen she can't open them but she is breathing better and should get to come home in a few weeks. I found out later that day, If I had waited just a few more hours to get help my daughter and I wouldn't be alive today. I found out today when I was released from the hospital that I had an abnormal cervix as well and it's being tested to see if I have cancer.

[motownthrowdown]

lilac. First off, holy effing crap. I'm glad you are both ok. Second, I would seriously consider some sort of legal action against your doctors. There's no excuse for that.

[lilac]

Jun 15, 2016 10:44:41 GMT -5 motownthrowdown said:

lilac. First off, holy effing crap. I'm glad you are both ok. Second, I would seriously consider some sort of legal action against your doctors. There's no excuse for that.

That's what my mom said as well, mysteriously after I was released from the hospital all of my test results and everything have just "disappeared". They're no where to be found and I can't even get copies. I have proof that my results were coming back abnormal as early as May 20 for sure though. It's been rough and I'm sorry for not updating sooner

[runningmommy519]

Wtf. WTAF. WTAF!

I'm so glad both you and baby are ok!

Congrats on her birth

[mandie]

Wow! Congrats on your baby. FX for a boring and short NICU stay.

But holy eff! I'm so glad you and your baby are ok. I'm so sorry for the way you were treated.

[kate61487]

Congrats on your baby girl and fingers crossed for a short, uneventful nicu stay.

And ditto everyone else wtaf about your doctors. None of that is okay.

The nicu can be tough, and overwhelming, and exhausting. We're here if you need anything.

[lilac]

Thank you everyone for being so supportive. This whole situation has definitely been pretty traumatic. LO has been doing pretty good she's taking 24ml by bottle now and has been switched to a high flow canola that's only set at 2. I did find out that she caught MRSA at the hospital. She tested positive but is having no symptoms. I'm doing good. I was told i have a iron, potassium, and calcium deficiency from not being able to keep food down. This whole thing has been scary.

[sahara78]

Oh, lilac, I'm so sorry you went through that. I am shocked that your OB did nothing to help you.

So glad your DH & Mom were able to get you to the hospital. I hope your DD continues to do well & not show any signs of MRSA.

[lilac]

Does anyone know if it's common to have shortness of breathe after a csection or preeclampsia? It's only really when I lay flat. I tried to call my ob because my insurance unfortunately won't pay for me to see a different doctor until after my 6 week check up. She said she won't even be able to see me until the 24 of July.

[motownthrowdown]

Jun 18, 2016 0:08:34 GMT -5 lilac said:

Does anyone know if it's common to have shortness of breathe after a csection or preeclampsia? It's only really when I lay flat. I tried to call my ob because my insurance unfortunately won't pay for me to see a different doctor until after my 6 week check up. She said she won't even be able to see me until the 24 of July.

www.healthpages.org/surgical-care/preventing-lung-problems-after-surgery-general-anesthesia/

My hospital had me do breathing exercises to help bring my lungs back to full capacity. I was on bedrest in hospital for basically a week before and after the c section. You basically breathe in as much as you can, until it hurts, then exhale, do that like ten times. Repeat as often as you want. Something to do with the sedation/drugs/not really moving/surgery/etc. 

but definitely call a doctor if you are having actual breathing trouble. I felt like I wasn't getting enough air until I started doing these dumb breathing things. 

[lilac]

I wanted to update and let everyone know how things are!
I was finally able to hold my daughter a little over a week old and she was released home at 2 weeks. I was breast feeding, but now she has to have formula too because she was born weighing 6lbs 3oz and at her one month appointment she only weighed 6lbs 7oz. My pediatrician said that put her in the 5th percentile. She was put on a formula with rice cereal and is drinking 3oz every 4 hours now at 5 weeks old. She is on a machine that moniters her heart rate and breathing until she's two months old. My obgyn called and cancelled my 6 week check up (not sure if it's okay to not have that) I was weighed two weeks after guving birth and I weighed 40lbs less than I did pre-pregnancy. Overall, things could be a whole lot worse! I'm happy to have her home and I hope everyone else's LO's are doing good!

[motownthrowdown]

lilac Yay for being home!