amniotic embolism? anyone know about it?

[lexxi]

I never had until someone brought it up to me.. I am sure they didn't mean to absolutely terrify me but that is exactly what it has done. I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and panic disorder. I've noticed that ever since i got pregnany my anxiety and panic have.been much worse and way more frequent. When i first got pregnant i was so excited, and when i hit right around 10 weeks my.friends cousin had almost died from a blood clot while she was pregnant. I never knew that you were more prone to them when pregnant, i never focused on negative or things that could go wrong with my first child. But after that i was so scared of a blood clot that it affected my life, i was scared to get out of bed, and i couldnt be alone.. Just incase something happend, of course it didnt and eventually around 19 weeks i was able to completely let that fear go. And i was having a happy, good pregnancy up to last noght when someone brought up the amniotic embolism. I spent the last 12 hours looking through site after site after site, and feeling the panic build. finallt o had to stop myself. I layed down and i prayed, woke up this morning and i have been crying ever since... I will be 28 weeks tomorrow.. I have 12 weeks left and i am not sure how ill make it through these weeks in the state i am in now. I can't obsess over this happening.. The sites I have read i just don't exactly understand completely. I was hoping someone could give me a little more information if they even know and maybe more knowledge will ease the fears... I just dont understand the amniotic fluid, doesnt it all go in the uterus when it breaks? 1 in 15000 odds doesnt really seem that rare to me..

 

[purplecupcake]

Are you getting help for your anxiety? 1 in 15000 is EXCEEDINGLY rare.

 

[CastawayBride]

If you play the odds you will be in for a very long pregnancy. Take it one day at a time, this pregnancy that is how I got through this, one day at a time. I am now nearly 36 weeks pregnant. Also, get a doctor you can trust that will talk you through these different thoughts/fears. My doctor has had me in for many a scan just to ease my mind!

I have to say, I lived through the nightmare. My first born son passed due to a Drs mistake. My son was perfectly healthy. Getting pregnant again took all the courage of my life, but I want to expand our family and have faith that we will continue on our journey.

No one can guarantee a healthy pregnancy. Being your own health advocate for you and your little one is the best you can do....when it gets tough just breathe, be evaluated and before you know they will be here.

 

[londongirl]

Hi Lexxi

You poor thing. I can relate somewhat to your distress. I've had two early miscarriages (6 and 10 weeks), so I had my fair share of moments of heightened anxiety during this pregnancy, though it seems this is affecting you quite a lot.

I definitely agree with the previous poster asking if you have someone managing your anxiety? And also, finding a doctor that is reassuring and really gets you is SO important. Being fobbed off is horrible.

I did a bit of reading up on amniotic embolism, and thought it was worth pointing out the following points:

- they typically occur during childbirth or JUST afterwards - so at 28 weeks pregnant now, it shouldn't really even be a concern for you. You say you're scared of being alone if it were to happen, well you certainly won't be alone when you're giving birth or straight afterwards - you will have people around who are highly skilled and trained to identify such things going on.

- there are specific risk factors that make someone more likely to have an amniotic embolism. Your doctor has studied for years and YEARS, and it is their job to collect information about you so they are aware of whether you carry certain risk factors for certain conditions. E.g. one risk factor for the embolism is having pre-eclampsia. So it isn't that 'random', there are people who meet the profile more closely.

- even if it WERE to happen (and the odds are rare), they CAN treat it. yes the outcome CAN be bad, but given it usually strikes during childbirth or just after, and in the West we are blessed with high levels of medical care, on the SLIGHTEST chance it did happen, there are clear guidelines on how to treat it very quickly.

- final point. When you find out you're pregnant, doctors do a blood screening test - to check for things such as your iron levels, and also blood clotting factors. I am a carrier of some random blood clotting factor, which puts me at a slightly higher risk of blood clotting. If this were the case for you, they'd have told you. All it means is that it's in my notes and the doctors are aware. The only practical thing I can do to help it out is to keep active. So if you do want to take things into your own hands, I suggest you incorporate some brisk walking when and where you can to get the circulation going.

Hope this helps.

 

[NotNic]

Agree completely with the above posters. I think your anxiety here is a much bigger issue. You really need to seek additional support. Pregnancy is an anxious time but it should also be wonderful.

I hadn't heard the condition before, but to comment on the blood clot risk, I have severely varicosing and spider veins that are concentrated behind my knee in a large grapefruit sized cluster. I was taking in at 16wks to be assessed for a blood clot as I had several symptoms that matched DVT. I was in the clear but have to balance resting my leg (sleeping with my legs raised to alleviate pressure) while keeping active during the day. It's necessary to do both. People who suffer blood clots tend to have periods of not moving (such as on a plane), so keeping active is important. There's also normally a number of symptoms that would suggest a problem or risk factors such as flying to indicate a problem so please do not worry

 

[NotNic]

Sorry dp

 

[lala222]

Someone had posted a few months back inquiring about amniotic fluid embolism and I had no clue what it was, and I made the horrible mistake of googling it too. I have severe anxiety as well (actually going to see my doctor about it this week as I have put it off for far too long) and my thought process was exactly the same as yours. Ever since reading about it I stressed so bad and was CONVINCED it was going to happen to me during my c-section. That is what anxiety does to us. I was actually thinking about it everyday and it made the rest of my pregnancy so un-enjoyable as I was so distraught about it. I thought the same as you-1 in 15000 isnt that rare, and what if I am that "one" it happens to? Anyways, by the time the day of my c-section arrived, yes, it was still on my mind but I forced myself so hard to let it go and put my faith in the doctors delivering me and that if anything were to happen, I made myself believe they would take good care of us. I prayed a lot as well. Put your faith in God and He will take care of you! I also reccommend seeking help for your anxiety-I've put it off for way too long, it consumes your life! Try and enjoy your pregnancy and you will be just fine!!

 

[zenaa]

Theres not much we can do but pray for healthy pregnancy and delivery. I got severe anxiety issues as well and have heard about this amniotic fluid embolism. Just like yourself I googled the sh*t out of it and still scared to death but there is not much I can do. Its risky jumping into the car or walking on the street. Consult your doctor and raise your concerns about this problem. Im praying we all have safe and healthy deliveries. Step away from google I've ruined my pregnancy thanks to it.