Question on chorioamnionitis

[Semanthia]

The reason I went into labor early was because I had chorioamnionitis. When my doctor told me that was the reason (on top of possibly having IC) I asked her if that is something I should be worried about now, like do I need to be put on antibiotics? She simply said "delivery is the answer. You don't need to be concerned." However with how my whole pregnancy went I am a little nervous. So I am just wondering if anyone has had this or just know about it? Am I'm good or should I be on some antibiotics?

Thanks.

 

[lizziedripping]

It's ok hun, your doc is right. The threat to you and baby remains whilst you are pregnant, and certainly by two weeks after delivery you are no longer at risk. Antibiotics can be given whilst you are pregnant if the CA is detected at the time - but once the infection is present, it is very difficult to prevent its devastating effects

CA is usually a result of infection tracking upwards and thru a funneled/dilated cervix. The barrier which usually prevents such infections is no longer there. This is very sad for you and your lo hun, and it does imply possible IC, especially if your cervix dilated "silently". This is a condition which can thankfully be fixed in future pregnancies.

Hope you're doing ok love - you have been thru a really heartbreaking experience, take care xxx

 

[KrystalDawn]

Hi,

I had twins last year at 23 weeks and 5 days and my daughters sac had CA. I was put on anti biotics for 1 week after birth. However 3 weeks after birth i got an infection and had to take more anti biotics. If you have no sign of infection all should be well with you x

 

[Semanthia]

Thank ladies! I was just nervous about it. I've had some unusual things happen since becoming pregnant and I'm a little gun shy.

 

[midori1999]

I also went into labour at 23+5 with twins due to choriamnionitis, which I got after prolonged rupture of the membranes around twin 1.

I was given IV antibiotics at the onset of symptoms/labour and then also (IV) for three days after the birth, four times daily, then oral antibiotics for another three days.

I'm not sure whether it was precautionary in my case or because infection had clearly been present but without symptoms at all (was having bloods three or four times weekly to check for infection and in hospital monitoring, but nothing showed up) for quite a while. (weeks)

 

[sk100]

Sorry you experienced this. My daughter passed away from this. No idea how this happened as I am sure if I was leaking fluid. V interesting to read about silently dilating cervix. Daughter was born at term and passed away a day after. I was not given any abs after she died and nor was I swabbed. Due to give birth on wednesady. Swabs have been negative for strep b. Still, I am worried. Placenta will be sent to pathologist straight away for testing.

Wish you all the best

 

[sk100]

I too had no symptoms beforehand at all.

 

[loveofmylife]

To Semanthia and sk100

I recently lost my babyboy due to chorioamniotitis of the placenta as well. I was wondering, Were any of you ladies taking pre-natal vitamins during the pregnancy?
I kept researching and saw that scientists claim that taking prenatal vitamins and a high dose of Vit C could prevent Chorioamniotitis.

Please let me know.

 

[Semanthia]

To Semanthia and sk100

I recently lost my babyboy due to chorioamniotitis of the placenta as well. I was wondering, Were any of you ladies taking pre-natal vitamins during the pregnancy?
I kept researching and saw that scientists claim that taking prenatal vitamins and a high dose of Vit C could prevent Chorioamniotitis.

Please let me know.

Yes I was taking my prenatals and I was in LOVE with juice that were high in vitamins. The reason I got Chorioamniotitis is because my amniotic sac was exposed. My doctor continued doing pelvic exams after she knew my amniotic sac was exposed because she wanted "to see what it looked like". I suspect I got it from that although it was probably just a matter of time since they didn't give me a preventative antibiotic. I am not sure if any amount of prenatals or vit. C could prevent it when your doctor is basically shoving the bacteria towards the sac. But that is very interesting, I will def. look into that for my next pregnancy since I have been told I have an incompetent cervix.

 

[AmyLouise89]

I just went through all this on april 11th after bulging membranes & emergency cerclage. I'm still on antibiotics. I lost my 2nd baby girl due to IC & infection.

 

[Semanthia]

I just went through all this on april 11th after bulging membranes & emergency cerclage. I'm still on antibiotics. I lost my 2nd baby girl due to IC & infection.

I am so sorry .

 

[loveofmylife]

To Semanthia

I kind of agree with you in saying "I am not sure if any amount of prenatals or vit. C could prevent it". The reason I asked you that question though was because I was only able to take my prenatal vitamins for like 2 months but I made sure to continue taking the folic acid for a total of 3 months which is when experts say it's the most affective. I was unable to continue with my prenatal vitamins because they would get stuck in my throat for days and I'd be literally choking on them while it was stuck. I tried breaking it in two one day which got it down good but then as soon as It touched my stomach, I threw it right back up. So from then on, I relied greatly on food to get most of my nutrients which I believe I did ok on. I ate cantaloupes and strawberries like crazy. So overall, I too don't believe diet or vitamins can prevent Chorio but as a mother u still get stuck in the "what if I had done this that way". It's human nature.
Some days I wake up and am able clearly that God is in control and then other days it all replays back in my head and then I feel like im going crazy. To be able to feel a baby moving in you and then suddenly loose him or her is devastating. It's pain I wouldn't wish on anyone. In my case, I was in labor for about 36 hrs. and none of the health care workers would ever look at the fact that it was contractions. First I was told by my OBGYN that the pain was probably my ligaments stretching to make room for the baby and then later that same day when I ran into Emergency they there told me that it could possibly be a bladder infection even though they had no proof of that because my WBC were only slightly raised which is normal in most pregnancies. I think what gets to me the most is the fact that I had possibly one of the worst pregnancy symptoms until everything ended. My stomach blew up by the 3rd month and by the 4th month my stomach was looking more like I was 6 months pregnant. IT hurts now cause I look at my pouch that I never got anything out of and my baby would of been a summer baby.Through it all, I try to believe that indeed God is in control and will heal my pain as well as restore my happiness once again.
I'm sorry for the loss of all you ladies and may your hearts heal through it all. Afterall, our babies are in peace now.

 

[Semanthia]

To Semanthia

I kind of agree with you in saying "I am not sure if any amount of prenatals or vit. C could prevent it". The reason I asked you that question though was because I was only able to take my prenatal vitamins for like 2 months but I made sure to continue taking the folic acid for a total of 3 months which is when experts say it's the most affective. I was unable to continue with my prenatal vitamins because they would get stuck in my throat for days and I'd be literally choking on them while it was stuck. I tried breaking it in two one day which got it down good but then as soon as It touched my stomach, I threw it right back up. So from then on, I relied greatly on food to get most of my nutrients which I believe I did ok on. I ate cantaloupes and strawberries like crazy. So overall, I too don't believe diet or vitamins can prevent Chorio but as a mother u still get stuck in the "what if I had done this that way". It's human nature.
Some days I wake up and am able clearly that God is in control and then other days it all replays back in my head and then I feel like im going crazy. To be able to feel a baby moving in you and then suddenly loose him or her is devastating. It's pain I wouldn't wish on anyone. In my case, I was in labor for about 36 hrs. and none of the health care workers would ever look at the fact that it was contractions. First I was told by my OBGYN that the pain was probably my ligaments stretching to make room for the baby and then later that same day when I ran into Emergency they there told me that it could possibly be a bladder infection even though they had no proof of that because my WBC were only slightly raised which is normal in most pregnancies. I think what gets to me the most is the fact that I had possibly one of the worst pregnancy symptoms until everything ended. My stomach blew up by the 3rd month and by the 4th month my stomach was looking more like I was 6 months pregnant. IT hurts now cause I look at my pouch that I never got anything out of and my baby would of been a summer baby.Through it all, I try to believe that indeed God is in control and will heal my pain as well as restore my happiness once again.
I'm sorry for the loss of all you ladies and may your hearts heal through it all. Afterall, our babies are in peace now.

First I am so sorry to hear about how you were treated and what you went through. I too had a bad experience with doctors and hospitals.
I totally understand the "what if's", it is just torture. I had a bad gut feeling about many things and I totally beat myself up over it for the first month. I blamed myself but I had no control over my cervix or my doctors poor choices and most importantly nothing I could have done would have changed anything because God had a plan. Right now and most of the time I feel very at peace with the fact that God took her and I trust that there is a reason. However I get so angry and upset when I look through my medical records or think about my doctors and how they failed me time and time again. MY baby would have been a summer baby also. Everytime I see a pregnant woman or a baby it is like being kicked in the gut again, my stomach churns, my heart aches and there is a lump in my throat. Where I live there is only one specialist so I feel a little bitter that I can't pick the pieces up and carry on with my life and start trying again. We want to find a doctor by my parents before we try for the best medical care.
I am sorry for your loss.

 

[loveofmylife]

To Semanthia

I agree. God has a plan. MY two favorite verses in the bible are, "What man meant for evil, God has meant for good" and " Your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways said the Lord". I think those two verses explain themselves.
I agree with the awful feelings you get sometimes when you see a pregnant lady. On and off I've felt that way also. I have about 3-4 friends that were so close to my due date and I still see them. We all had plans for our babies but God has a better plan for them. Getting my baby's footprints made me cry the first time I got them but I'm sort of glad I got them. It's serves as a closure. Everyone had recommended that I not see my baby when he died. I agreed with them somewhat but I knew It would be one of my greatest regrets ever if I had not seen him. So beautiful and so at peace. I thank God for every little moment I got to spend with him in and out of my womb. No matter what I went through my pregnancy months, I was always happy to know that he was inside of me. Once again, God is in control.
To be honest, I don't trust any doctor or specialist. From Day one, I always told God everything was in his hands and indeed it still is. God's will will always be no matter what. Amen
I believe that all of us will have a successful pregnancy the next time. There's actually a verse in the bible where God promises that there shall be no miscarriages on the land no'r should a woman bear her fruit before it's time. The very night I first found that verse, amazingly the next morning I went to church, that's exactly what my pastor was preaching on. It was so amazing because I was like 1 hr. late for church that morning but it seems as thought that specific part was saved for me. It was like God promising me that this would never happen again and I believe that. IF you look through Exodus 23, you'll see the verse I'm talking about. Most ppl don't know this but when you do know it, that's when you're able to stand on it and believe.

May God bless you:

 

[Skyeyes]

I am familiar with chorioamnionitis. I have lost many babies between 3 1/2 months and 5.5 months before switching doctors who would listen to my symptoms of an incompetent cervix and actually doing something about it. It is hard for all of us that have lost babies...you never forget and I don't think we have to...pain just lessens. If I had my way after my bag of waters was bulging and I was 4 CM dialated in preterm labor, one would think they would start checking the cervix next time.
Anyway...find a doctor that will follow up with this. I have a 15 1/2 yr old and 12 1/2 yr old and was surprised after several years to find out I'm pregnant. Now I had switched doctors and have the symptoms of an incompetent cervix for me down pat. So when I was 11 weeks, I told the doctor it was starting to happen. I would feel like scratching on the top of my cervix (almost like when you have a wound and something nicks it--know that feeling). So they did an ultrasound and my cervix was 3.1, which was good (that was on a Wednesday). By the next Tuesday I knew things were changing fast (I called the doctor and they got me in...he did a manual check and thought the cervix looked fine--I shook my head and said it is happening and asked what #s they were looking for in regards to the cervix before they would put a stitch in). So he said me to ultrasound to just check. We waited an hour for him after and he said, well you need to get a stitch in (I was already down to 2.5 in less than a week).
I whole point in this is don't ever let the doctors let you lose more than one baby for thier stupidy. It takes a whole 5 minutes for a cervix ultrasound and a lot less pain for the mom and dad and prevently an early delivery and death. Be your own best asset and start demanding ladies.
So on the good side I was almost 24 weeks--the farthest I have gotten in years. I have thankful to my doctor and my family for all the help they provide. I'm hoping to get pretty far now that I have a cerclage and hopefully will have a healthy baby boy Good luck to all!

 

[Semanthia]

I am familiar with chorioamnionitis. I have lost many babies between 3 1/2 months and 5.5 months before switching doctors who would listen to my symptoms of an incompetent cervix and actually doing something about it. It is hard for all of us that have lost babies...you never forget and I don't think we have to...pain just lessens. If I had my way after my bag of waters was bulging and I was 4 CM dialated in preterm labor, one would think they would start checking the cervix next time.
Anyway...find a doctor that will follow up with this. I have a 15 1/2 yr old and 12 1/2 yr old and was surprised after several years to find out I'm pregnant. Now I had switched doctors and have the symptoms of an incompetent cervix for me down pat. So when I was 11 weeks, I told the doctor it was starting to happen. I would feel like scratching on the top of my cervix (almost like when you have a wound and something nicks it--know that feeling). So they did an ultrasound and my cervix was 3.1, which was good (that was on a Wednesday). By the next Tuesday I knew things were changing fast (I called the doctor and they got me in...he did a manual check and thought the cervix looked fine--I shook my head and said it is happening and asked what #s they were looking for in regards to the cervix before they would put a stitch in). So he said me to ultrasound to just check. We waited an hour for him after and he said, well you need to get a stitch in (I was already down to 2.5 in less than a week).
I whole point in this is don't ever let the doctors let you lose more than one baby for thier stupidy. It takes a whole 5 minutes for a cervix ultrasound and a lot less pain for the mom and dad and prevently an early delivery and death. Be your own best asset and start demanding ladies.
So on the good side I was almost 24 weeks--the farthest I have gotten in years. I have thankful to my doctor and my family for all the help they provide. I'm hoping to get pretty far now that I have a cerclage and hopefully will have a healthy baby boy Good luck to all!

I am so sorry you had to experience that twice
I hope and pray you make it as close to full term as possible! I don't recall feeling symptoms for my incompetent cervix. The only thing I experienced and I don't know if it related is my whole bump would tighten occasionally like a hold and release. However it felt NOTHING like the contractions I had the night I delivered. So IDK. I will def. pay attention to that next time because I didn't think anything was wrong in the beginning and it was my first so it could have gotten over looked.
I am starting my search for a doctor May 2nd and I am excited because now it isn't just an idea or thought it is actually happening. The sooner we find a doctor that is right for us the sooner we can try again and the sooner we try again the sooner we can move on from this dark part of life. I will never forget my baby girl and my heart will probably ache for her forever but if I don't try to carry on with my life I will just be sucked into the depression I have been struggling to stay out of. Thank you for sharing your story and giving your advice I will keep your story in mind, as well as many others, when talking with these doctors. I wish you the best of luck with this little one!

 

[velvetina]

Saw this post and firstly had to say how terribly sorry I am for all of those who have lost their babies due to this devastating cond. I was shocked so many people have experienced such heartache and sadness for something that I read is suppossedly uncommon.

I had never heard of it, until my 3rd baby. My waters broke at 36+6 and I went in to be told all ok (was swabbed but not immediate results) to go back in morning for induction if nothing happened. Late the same day I went back in very concerned about lack of movement. I was monitored all night and started with induction, but the monitoring showed a lack of peaks and lows in the heartrate, it was too flat. I was told later by the registrar who was on duty that night "he got his backside kicked for letting me go all night and not sectioning me immediately".

It was a midwife just before shift change that took it to a consultant and suddenly it was all systems down to theatre. My dd was born with an Apgar of 0, it took nine minutes for the crash team to resucitate her and then she was taken to special care. The consultant told me he has seen very few babies survive like that, and it was miraculous her oxygen levels had not been compromised. It appears I had chorioamnionitis with Strep b. We both had antibiotics, dd had them for 5 days.

I didn't realise how much this had affected me, but everything I did with her was like I had never had a baby before, I was obsessed with what could have been. I swear my late father must have been looking down on us.

I am going to go back to birth reflections, I feel ready now to ask the many questions I have. I cant find the words to describe how I feel to have come out of this, but breaks my heart to read all the stories on here, my heart truly goes out to all of you.

x x

 

[mafiamom]

i have no answers, but i read your blog and just wanted to offer you many many hugs... also - i am soooo mad at the care you received. your blood must be boiling.

i am so very sorry for you precious loss~