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Preeclampsia

I only found out I had preeclampsia after I gave birth to my son, I was given a stern talking to for not advising the staff at the maternity hospital in advance. I simply had not know, I had been assured by GP that the protein in my urine, the headaches, the swelling of my feet and hands and my rising blood pressue was all just part of pregnancy! I had to be given an injection during my very hard labour, and rand in to various complications. My doctor at the time, had told me not to be reading magazines of pregnancy books when I asked her had I got preeclampsia. Thankfully there wre not long term effects for me or my baby and I cahnged to a new doctor! 12 years on, and Im pregnant again, and to be honest terrified!! I would urge any expectant mothers out there to get a second opinion if they feel they have this or any other potentially threatening complication. Its not always the best thing to go on blind faith in your doctor :(

Hazel

intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

In March of 2009 (at 20 years old), I was about 35 weeks pregnant with my first child when I noticed that the palms of my hands and soles of my feet would start itching when i laid down at night to sleep.After a couple of nights, the itching spread to my whole body, but only at night. My boyfriend and I at first thought it was bed bugs and I began sleeping on the couch, but that made no difference at all. One day, on my way to work, I noticed my whole body was unbearably itching..and it wasn't even night! By the time i got to work, my skin was red almost everywhere from me itching. My boss was extemely worried and told me I should call my doctor. My OB/GYN's office was closed that day (a friday), but the message directed me to call the maternity ward of our local hospital, who then gave me the number of the doctor on call. I spoke to one of the office staff who told me the itching was probably PUPS, and to go buy some benadryl and take an Aveeno bath. I did this, but was miserable again after about 30 minutes. The next day, my boyfriend and I made the 3 hour trip to his parents house to see if a change of environment would make a difference..no suck luck. But I was able to do some research on PUPS and quickly realized that was NOT what I had. On that same page was a link for Cholestasis of Pregnancy, and while going through the symptoms, I realized I had very many of the symptoms - itching with no rash, itching that had started with my hands and feet at night, light stools, and dark urine.
That monday, I called my OB and explained to the nurse that I what I was experiencing, what it was called, that it could cause stillbirth, and that I wasn't crazy. After informing my OB and calling me back, she instructed me to go to the hospital right away to have some blood tests done, and to go to the office the next day for the results. At her office, when she confirmed my suspicions, I immediately started to cry..I didn't want my baby to be stillborn! She told me in her ten years of practice, this was the first case she had ever seen, and she wanted to consult with a neonatologist before deciding what action to take. I received a call from her on my cell phone at 9 PM that night..she had decided it would be best to induce that Friday at 6am (at 37 weeks).
I went to the hospital on Wednesday and Thursday for the steroid shot to develop my baby's lungs and for non-stress tests to make sure he was doing okay. On Thursday night, I was given a cervix relaxer and my contractions started around midnight. Soon after getting the Pitocin at 6am, my water broke and my son was born about 9:52 AM. Other than being a little Jaundiced and having some trouble eating, he was perfectly healthy.
My itching stopped almost immediately, and my liver function was back to normal by my two week post natal appointment.
I feel I owe my son's life not only to my intuition that it was something more and my research, but also to my OB for taking me seriously and acting promptly. I am now 29 weeks pregnant with my daughter. The itching hasn't started yet, and I have a new OB due to a change in insurance, but I am confident that with being armed with what I know about the condition and my options for treatment, I'll be able to help my him act appropriately to make this pregnancy as successful as my first.

Lily

It was all worth it

I was very excited when I found out I was pregnant. But that didn't last long. Around 8 weeks I started bleeding and I thought it was a miscarriage. The Dr. said it was subchorionic hemorrhage (blood clot) and that lasted until 12 weeks. Around 21 weeks on a routine dr visit, I got diagnosed with a short cervix. It wasn't too bad then 2.4 cm. I was put on pelvic rest until I was to deliver or if it changed. At 26 weeks on another Dr visit, my cervix had changed to .8 cm. I got admitted in the hospital for 2 days then bed rest when I got home. My water broke when I was 32 weeks and 3 days. I had to stay in the hospital till I had the baby. When they checked me I had dilated to a 6 then stopped. I was like that for 8 days till they induced me. I started having back pain and my white blood cell count was up. It happened so fast that I didn't have time for an epidural. After I delivered part of the placenta had stuck to the side of my uterus. They had to do an emergency d&c. After they got that done, my uterus was too tired to contract back down and I didn't stop bleeding. They had to put a balloon in my uterus so it would stop bleeding. I lost 2 liters of blood. I had to get 5 units of blood. They took out the balloon the next day and if that hadn't of worked then they would have had to cauterize it or do a hysterectomy. I'm only 19 so that really scared me. I want more kids. But my baby girl was perfect. There was nothing wrong with her what so ever. And she didn't need help breathing or eating. I was 33 weeks and 4 days pregnant when she was born. And on St. Patrick's day. She is my lucky charm.

Amanda

Early labour on first pregnancy

On my first pregnancy I ended up giving birth at 34 weeks. I have a fantastic pregnancy, not even sick. Tests were conducted on the Placenta, and they founs nothing wrong with it. So why did I give birth early?? None knows.
Luckly our Son Tristan was fine, but still needed to go in Intensive Care as he was weighting only 4 pounds and 6 ounces.
He is two and half now, and you will never know he was born prematurely.

I am now pregnant with my second child (17 weeks). And I have worries to give birth even earlier than 34 weeks. My second pregnancy is doing pretty well, I had good few nauseas, headaches, and sinus problems, but overall it's fine.
I was looking for this second pregnancy as I felt robbed of my last pregnancy's nineth month, but I realise I just want this pregnancy to go fast and knwing my baby will be ok.

To all who gave birth early, you will know that it can be very stressful and you are left with a feeling of decption as we weren't able to carry the baby full term. As long the baby is ok, it's all that matters.

Sandy

PreMature Blessing

I was 21 years old and my Husband who happens to be my high school sweet heart and I are having our first baby.

Around 24 weeks I started having labor pains. I was supposed to go on bedrest but due to the economic conditions I could not afford to not go to work. I have a office job so I went to work anyway. around 30 weeks I went back to the hospital. My cervix was dialated 1 inch. A got a shot to stop the contractions and everything seemed fine. I only had 4 more weeks to go for her to be healthy.

On July 8, 2009 my water broke. I didnt do my research so i thought that I would have to go to the hospital and get the water put back in. Once I got there i was told that I may be having my baby soon.

My daughter was born at 32 weeks she was 3 pounds 14 ounces. She was so little and I was scared she would have problems and develop slowly. It was quite the opposite!

My daughter is now 20 pounds at 7 months. She has teeth she is laughing, trying to talk, and a healthy eater.

So even if you have your baby early dont stress because things will work out!

Jay