Anhydramnios aka: No Amniotic Fluid
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peepacabra
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Hi everyone! Just wanted to give everyone a little update on our 33 week appointment. My kid sister is in town from Oklahoma, so I took her with me since my husband had worked a long shift last night. She's going to school for nursing, and she's my bff, so I thought it would be educational and less stressful to have her along with me.
I think she may have been my good luck charm!
Anyway, the NST was a bit bumpy, but only because Scarlett was moving around too much! It was the good kind of problem to have. It was a bit hard to keep a steady reading on her, but that didn't seem to bother Dr. P too much.
Then it was time for the ultrasound, and I was so happy we had my favorite U/S tech, Amber. She's the lead there, and is always very honest, but in a positive way. We chatted, and then when she came back, she brought Dr. P in with her, which almost made me pee my pants, because I only usually see him if something is wrong, or if they're going to admit me.
However, this was a good visit! It turns out he just wanted to stop by and say hi, and to let me know he was happy with how her vitals had been lately. He thanked me to staying tough and doing my part, and said he was happy we were still chugging along. He has been working very hard to keep her in there as long as possible. I remember when they admitted me in early November at 26 weeks, he really fought to keep her in there. We were talking about it today, and he admitted that if we had been forced to deliver her then, she would have had practically no chance of survival. He is much more optimistic about her chances now.
The best piece of news though, other than that her breathing looked good on the monitor, was that he thinks we might be able to go 39 weeks!
I am elated! Though he can't guarantee anything, if her vitals stay this way and nothing unexpected causes us to believe otherwise, she might have a great chance of going full term, and hopefully having lungs that are able to function! Now, it's just a hope of ours, but seems much more likely of becoming a reality than it was just a few nightmarish weeks ago.
Anyway, they sent me home, and now I'm getting ready to go in to work at good old Sephora. I'm going to treasure this happy moment for a bit.
As always, thanks for reading our story, and I hope all of you had a great holiday!
I think she may have been my good luck charm!
Anyway, the NST was a bit bumpy, but only because Scarlett was moving around too much! It was the good kind of problem to have. It was a bit hard to keep a steady reading on her, but that didn't seem to bother Dr. P too much.
Then it was time for the ultrasound, and I was so happy we had my favorite U/S tech, Amber. She's the lead there, and is always very honest, but in a positive way. We chatted, and then when she came back, she brought Dr. P in with her, which almost made me pee my pants, because I only usually see him if something is wrong, or if they're going to admit me.
However, this was a good visit! It turns out he just wanted to stop by and say hi, and to let me know he was happy with how her vitals had been lately. He thanked me to staying tough and doing my part, and said he was happy we were still chugging along. He has been working very hard to keep her in there as long as possible. I remember when they admitted me in early November at 26 weeks, he really fought to keep her in there. We were talking about it today, and he admitted that if we had been forced to deliver her then, she would have had practically no chance of survival. He is much more optimistic about her chances now.
The best piece of news though, other than that her breathing looked good on the monitor, was that he thinks we might be able to go 39 weeks!
I am elated! Though he can't guarantee anything, if her vitals stay this way and nothing unexpected causes us to believe otherwise, she might have a great chance of going full term, and hopefully having lungs that are able to function! Now, it's just a hope of ours, but seems much more likely of becoming a reality than it was just a few nightmarish weeks ago.Anyway, they sent me home, and now I'm getting ready to go in to work at good old Sephora. I'm going to treasure this happy moment for a bit.
As always, thanks for reading our story, and I hope all of you had a great holiday!
Glad to hear your 33 week appt went well. Does Scarlett still have no fluid? I wish my Dr.s were as optomistic as yours. Way to stay strong for your little one and celebrate the milestones. Continuing to pray for you and your little princess. Did Dr.s ever suggest you terminate? Right now we are going week by week and I think the Drs are strongly encouraging us to terminate if we don't have any fluid by 23 weeks. Its so difficult, but I don't want to bring a baby into this world that won't have a quality life due to a lack of lung development, but I also don't want to end a pregnancy with a baby that still has a stong heartbeat. EHH!
peepacabra
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Hi Obrien38! I have been thinking about you! No, still no fluid (and I'm certain we have less in there than your little one does). Also, no, our doctor never mentioned the option to terminate. Now, that might have more to do with the fact that I am delivering/going through a Catholic hospital than anything. Also, when I got that horrible prognosis a few weeks ago from that random OB, I asked him why they never even recommended termination if there was "no chance" like he said. The mean doc only shrugged and said "we're hoping for a miracle." I felt the same way as you! Though no one wants to end a pregnancy, we were thinking about her quality of life. However, I'm glad in our case we have been able to chug along.
Thank you so much for rooting for us (and that goes for everybody). We're still going against the odds here, but I know whatever happens, we're in great hands. It's strange that milestones like this are so minor for most people during a normal pregnancy, and to us, they're like winning the lottery. I try to keep my head up, but my husband and I have bad days too. I truly hope your baby gets the fluid he/she desperately needs, and I really hope you can continue on your search to get another opinion. I remember those horrible ultrasounds those first few weeks after the diagnosis. By far the most stressful thing, because you're just hoping they find some pockets of fluid.
My husband and I are both thinking of you! Please keep me updated, and if you don't mind me recommending, it's helped me a great deal by updating our situation on here, because the mommies on here are so supportive. They really help with the stress. If you start a thread, I'm certain you'll have some great cheerleaders to support you during the stressful times!
peepacabra
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Well, everyone, I am incredibly sad to say that yesterday, while at my 34 week ultrasound, they could not find Scarlett's heartbeat. They initially took me in for an NST test, which is no big deal, but could not find her little heartbeat. Thinking she had merely moved to the back of my belly, they sent me over for an ultrasound to see where she was situated. I could tell as soon as I saw the U/S tech's face that she was gone. I was in shock. I couldn't even cry. My sister was with me once again, and immediately ran over to me, hugging me and telling me how sorry she was. They sent me to a counseling room to call my husband. He was asleep when I called (he works third shift and sleeps during day), and he immediately rushed over.
As I sat there shocked, I started wondering how this could have happened. My last appointment had gone so well, they told me not to come back until next week. The worst part is that now they think that the baby had been dead for at least a few days. I keep replaying over, and over in my head, trying to remember when the last time I actually felt baby move was, and wondering if they had had me come in as they usually do, if they'd have caught it and been able to save the baby.
To make matters worse, my specialist was on vacation. His partner, who is a wonderful man and the man who helped with the birth of my first child, Shelby had to consult me. He recommended an autopsy and genetic testing, to which I readily agreed. I felt a bit more comfortable with him after he revealed that he and his wife had gone through the same thing (stillbirth) at 37 weeks with their own baby, and that they eventually were able to conceive a healthy baby.
So, they sent me up at 6:00 for my c-section to remove the baby. Everything went pretty smoothly there, though it was a somber environment. My husband held my hand tightly throughout the whole thing, wiping my eyes as I cried and couldn't do it myself. He is absolutely wonderful.
The only other BIG SURPRISE that day was that we didn't give birth to a "she". but a "he". Scarlett was actually a boy! Gender didn't matter to us, but I know my husband desperately wanted a boy. They must have missed it on the ultrasound because of the lack of fluid and way he was sitting. We decided to name him Gavin Michael.
After he was born, the nurses took me to the recovery room and asked if we wanted to see him. At first I hesitated, thinking it would be too hard for me to handle seeing a baby I'd never be able to bring home. However, my husband said yes, and I'm glad he did. They brought him in to us and let us spend as long as we wanted with him.
His little body had already started to break down a bit from the fact that he had been gone for a little while, and the placenta had started to soften his skin and skull. So his little nose was a bit soft and his skin looked a bit blistery in places. I didn't care. To us, he was perfect. We held him for nearly an hour in complete awe and silence before handing him back to the nurse, who made feet prints, hand prints, molds, and took pictures of him. I'm so glad I got to spend that time with him.
Now I am currently in a hospital room recovering. I didn't want to be placed in labor and delivery, because I didn't think I could handle walking by all the sweet, healthy, happy babies, hearing them cry and whimper. I am sore physically, but the emotions are still so raw. We knew this was a possibility, but didn't think we would have to say goodbye this way. Hopefully, once the autopsy comes back, we'll know what happened to our little man. If I had a guess, I'd say it was something birth defect related or heart related, but we won't know until then.
Lastly, we chose to have him cremated, and to just have a small dinner memorial for just the family. I want to honor him, but I just can't go through the idea of leaving him buried in a casket all alone. So, we are going through a foundation in our city that helps people that meet certain financial guidelines pay for cremation services. Tomorrow we pick out the ash container, but we're going to spread his ashes at our favorite spot on Lake Erie, where we went for many of our first dates, and where we often take my daughter Shelby to play in the sand.
I just wanted to thank all of you for following us on our journey, and though it didn't end the way we wanted it to, at least I know my child passed peacefully in the womb, not attached to a million machines. We'll always love him and honor his memory, and I will use his memory to raise awareness for babies and moms going through anhydramnios. I have turned my back on religion, but I do hope all of you hold and cherish your children, and I know my son will always be with me.
Les
As I sat there shocked, I started wondering how this could have happened. My last appointment had gone so well, they told me not to come back until next week. The worst part is that now they think that the baby had been dead for at least a few days. I keep replaying over, and over in my head, trying to remember when the last time I actually felt baby move was, and wondering if they had had me come in as they usually do, if they'd have caught it and been able to save the baby.
To make matters worse, my specialist was on vacation. His partner, who is a wonderful man and the man who helped with the birth of my first child, Shelby had to consult me. He recommended an autopsy and genetic testing, to which I readily agreed. I felt a bit more comfortable with him after he revealed that he and his wife had gone through the same thing (stillbirth) at 37 weeks with their own baby, and that they eventually were able to conceive a healthy baby.
So, they sent me up at 6:00 for my c-section to remove the baby. Everything went pretty smoothly there, though it was a somber environment. My husband held my hand tightly throughout the whole thing, wiping my eyes as I cried and couldn't do it myself. He is absolutely wonderful.
The only other BIG SURPRISE that day was that we didn't give birth to a "she". but a "he". Scarlett was actually a boy! Gender didn't matter to us, but I know my husband desperately wanted a boy. They must have missed it on the ultrasound because of the lack of fluid and way he was sitting. We decided to name him Gavin Michael.
After he was born, the nurses took me to the recovery room and asked if we wanted to see him. At first I hesitated, thinking it would be too hard for me to handle seeing a baby I'd never be able to bring home. However, my husband said yes, and I'm glad he did. They brought him in to us and let us spend as long as we wanted with him.
His little body had already started to break down a bit from the fact that he had been gone for a little while, and the placenta had started to soften his skin and skull. So his little nose was a bit soft and his skin looked a bit blistery in places. I didn't care. To us, he was perfect. We held him for nearly an hour in complete awe and silence before handing him back to the nurse, who made feet prints, hand prints, molds, and took pictures of him. I'm so glad I got to spend that time with him.
Now I am currently in a hospital room recovering. I didn't want to be placed in labor and delivery, because I didn't think I could handle walking by all the sweet, healthy, happy babies, hearing them cry and whimper. I am sore physically, but the emotions are still so raw. We knew this was a possibility, but didn't think we would have to say goodbye this way. Hopefully, once the autopsy comes back, we'll know what happened to our little man. If I had a guess, I'd say it was something birth defect related or heart related, but we won't know until then.
Lastly, we chose to have him cremated, and to just have a small dinner memorial for just the family. I want to honor him, but I just can't go through the idea of leaving him buried in a casket all alone. So, we are going through a foundation in our city that helps people that meet certain financial guidelines pay for cremation services. Tomorrow we pick out the ash container, but we're going to spread his ashes at our favorite spot on Lake Erie, where we went for many of our first dates, and where we often take my daughter Shelby to play in the sand.
I just wanted to thank all of you for following us on our journey, and though it didn't end the way we wanted it to, at least I know my child passed peacefully in the womb, not attached to a million machines. We'll always love him and honor his memory, and I will use his memory to raise awareness for babies and moms going through anhydramnios. I have turned my back on religion, but I do hope all of you hold and cherish your children, and I know my son will always be with me.
Les
AllMacsNow
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Les,
I just am so so sorry.
My prayers are with you and your family.
I just am so so sorry.
My prayers are with you and your family.
dear les, I am so sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing with us your story. you made me cry with your post , I am in the same situation as yours, I just started my week 31and my baby has no fluid since week 17... my prayers are with you and your family...
Lina
Lina
mummyof3babas
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iv also been reading this thread im so very sorry for ur loss fly high lil one,xxx
Twinkie210
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I am so sorry for you loss. I hope you were able to make a few cherished memories with your little guy. Give yourself time to grieve and heal. And I hope you are blessed with another miracle when you are ready.
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