 | Hi, I've just started reading this site today and I really wish that I did a long time ago. I am 29 years old and have a three year old daughter. Labor and delivery with her were very uneventful, as far as not having any problems or complications. She was born two days before her due date. When she turned two; June 2002, my husband and I decided to have another baby. We became pregnant without a problem. When I was eight weeks, I had some cramping and spotting. My doctor did an ultrasound and said that everything was okay, there was a heartbeat. When I was 22 weeks, I had a very, very small amount of spotting without cramping. My Dr. suggested that I come in to the office to be checked, but since I wasn't having any cramping, that I didn't need to come in unless I really felt the need. I almost did not, but I did go in. First he did an ultrasound and the heart beat sounded good. Upon the examination; he discovered that I was 4 cm. dialated!! I was sent the the hospital. Once I arrived; I was put into a bed that had the head tipped toward the floor, an IV of fluid, and an IV of Magnesium Sulfate, which relaxes the uterus, and stops any contractions. The Mag. made it hard for me to breath, along with very bad headaches. A high risk pregnancy Dr. came in to see me. He did an ultrasound, and discovered that I had a bicornuate uterus. Late that night I was given an epidural and a cerclage was put into my cervix. He said that it was a very risky procedure for me because the bag of fluids was bulging out of my cervix ready to burst. There was a chance that he would break my water with the needle. But the procedure was successful although the Dr. said that since my cervix was so thinned, that there was not much to sew together. I spent 11 days in the hospital, with my head tipped towards the floor. I couldn't even sit up. And the entire time I had an IV of Magnesium. The next day, the stitches came out of my cervix. On the 10th day, I started having contractions. The magnesium dose was increased, but it didn't help. About 4 hours later, our little girl was born at 24 weeks. I was informed of the complications that she would have due to being so very premature. She weighed one pound. She was taken to Childrens Hospital late that night. I had to spend another night in the hospital without my baby. Once I was released; I spent the next 4 days at the hospital by her side. My husband and I were not able to hold her until right before she was taken off of the ventilator. It was the hardest decision that we will ever have to make in our lives. Still to this day, I feel great guilt. We were told that her chances of surviving, and being healthy were slim.
We don't know why my Dr. that I saw during my first pregnancy was able to see that I have a bicornuate uterus, and two cervices. Since my first daughter's birth; I have been told that she broke through the vaginal septum, and then through both cervices. When the cervices healed they healed together as one weak cervix. If this was known, when I got pregnant the second time; I would have had an abdomonal stitch, and a cervical cerclage, both early in the pregnancy, with complete bed rest. And even if all of those measures were to be taken; there would still be the chance that I could miscarry, or go into preterm labor.
I didn't send this message to alarm or scare anyone into thinking that this is what will happen to you. Every pregnancy and woman is so very different. I'm sorry if I have upset you, or worried you in any way about your pregnancy. I wish you the very best of luck.
Sent in loving memory of Alexandra Hope.
12/27/02 - 12/31/02. |
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