I wanted to share my story to give
people hope and because I found
comfort on your site through a really
difficult time.
I have 3 older children and with a new
partner in conceived after 2 years of
trying, so it was a much wanted
pregnancy. Everything was great
considering my age (44)even nuchal at
12 weeks was positive.
After xmas we went for a couple of
days break in London where i
developed a cough.
I had a unsettled night with the cough
and i developed bad asthma, although i
had never been hospitalised with
asthma i felt very unwell and decided
to visit nearest hospital.
On admission it was decided to admit
me, i was coughing and vomiting loads
and felt a gush i tried to tell doc
that i thought my waters had broken
but they were more interested in my
asthma.
Eventually after i started crying they
took me uo to a early pregnancy
assessment unit where i waited for
four hours! A midwife said did i want
an speculum examination i nearly said
not to bother but we agreed since
waiting so long i may as well. I saw
all the fluid in the speculum and on
the bed and the midwife confirmed she
was very sorry but yes my membranes
had ruptured. I have some medical
knowledge and knew at 19weeks and 2
days this baby had no chance, It was
explained to us both i would probably
go into labour in the next 48hours and
the baby would not survive. I cannot
put into words how i felt as this
point.
We were moved to the sands room on the
labour ward where my asthma worsened.
Shortly after, concerned for my
health, i was moved to high dependancy
unit to monitor my asthma. At this
point i was gushing lots of fluid and
more upset i was more my asthma became
worse. We were not offered scan
because no hope was given.
In high dependancy my asthma became
really bad and it was suggested i may
have an infection in uterus and to
consider inducing my baby or my life
was threatened. i had x rays and lots
of treatment for my asthma because it
was thought my baby had no chance.
On day 5 in H.D.U. it was suggested as
i had not given birth yet and my
health was improving i should be given
a scan. I waited all day not knowing
if my baby was ok only knowing that
fluid was not gushing any more.
The next day a brilliant angel of a
doctor visited me and was appalled i
still not had a scan and gave me one
within 10 minutes of meeting her. The
baby was fine the A.L.T. or fluid
level was at 5% all around the face.
It was felt my waters had gone due to
the pressure of my excessive coughing
and vomiting with the asthma and not
infection. I was still slightly
concerned as how low had the fluid
gone, why had it ruptured but realised
the questions would probably never be
answered.
I was discharged 2 days later and the
care was taken other by my local
hospital and consultant.
My consultant was great he scanned me
every week i also had blood taken
twice a week to check if my infection
levels were becoming high which may
indicate uterine infection.
i stayed at home and tried although
stopped work tried to carry on as
normal. Fluid continued to drain for
another couple of weeks in small
amounts but then stopped.
my consultant decided to give me
bethamethasone at 26 weeks which i
agreed to.
The fluid around the baby continued to
rise until it reached 50% the optimum
and stayed that way.
After a further scare at 28 weeks I
contnued a normal pregnancy, Although
it did not feel it i was warned i had
a higher risk of prem labour and was
anxious most of the time.
We agreed to induce at 39+ weeks if
not given birth mainly due to my age,
i was happy wth this i just wanted to
see my baby.
Two days befor induction day i srom
and did not go into labour so i was
induced the next day.
On may 17th 2007 I gave birth to 6lb
7oz Imogen Olivia who with exception
from initial slight jaundice is now 12
days fully breast fed beautiful happy
baby.
I realise how lucky we have been and
how i felt throughout this experience.
I wanted to give some hope to those
who are experiencing a similar
situation.
Initially they gave Imogen no hope
then this went to less than 5% i hope
i have put that percentage up.
Good luck
|
|
