This was my first pregnancy, it was a
surprise for us but a sweet one since
we were anyway thinking about planning
for one.
At 10 wks I started bleeding with
clots, thought I was having a
miscarriage. The next day in the Ultra
Sound(US) we saw our baby bouncing and
realised everything was fine. I had
SCH (Sub Chorionic Hematoma, abt 2x3
cm) which I was told was not serious
and will go away on its own most of
the time. I was asked to rest a
lot.
The bleeding continued till about 18
wks. Around that time the screen for
down syndrome came positive and I got
an amniocentesis done. The amniotic
fluid was very dark brown in color.
When the results came I was told that
they couldn't get enough cells to grow
from the fluid taken and I was given a
choice for going for a second
amniocentesis. My doctor and I both
rejected the idea. The 20 week ultra
sound was perfect though. We were told
it was a boy. My perinatologist said I
wouldnt need another US till the end.
The day my water broke it was 23
weeks. I was getting up from the sofa
and wet my pants. I thought I leaked
urine and changed my clothes. I had to
change 2 times in half hour. Felt
something is wrong and called
emergency. they asked me to come and
get checked. The doctor in LDR told us
my water broke, admitted me and
started me on antibiotics. That was
the day I remember the least. We were
told the AFI level is 3.0 and that it
is less than minimum required. The
baby was in breach position. It took
sometime for us to sink in about whats
happening around us. I also got the
steroid shots meanwhile. It was a
friday before long weekend so it was 4
days later that I was able to see my
own gynecologist. He came and then
explaind all the gruesome details of
the situation we were in. He sent in
the most wonderful neonatologist to
explain to us about the baby. It was
23.4 days. We were asked for our
decision about the kind of care they
should give the baby if he comes out
before 24 wks. I had no idea about the
24 week viability. So my immediate
goal was to make 24 wks. That is when
I found this website. We got a better
understanding. My husband and I
decided that I should not get up from
bed at all, and take a day/week at a
time. My mom flew from India to be
with me. After 24 weeks the goal was
28. Each monday I would have an US.
Initially we would get our hopes up
that the AFI might go up even though
we were told not to expect it. I
leaked all the time and after 2 weeks
there was no measurable fluid at all.
At 26 weeks I was diagnosed with
gestational diabetes. My mom used to
make me food with care so that I dont
have to starve eating the small
quantities of diabetic food that the
hospital provided. I would drink
enormous amounts of water, 4-5 litres
atleast. My husband and mom took care
of me so well. Since mine was a
private room my husband used to stay
with me during the nights and my mom
during the day. I was not left alone
at all. I was a favourite patient for
the nurses. They used to say their job
was much easier with my family
around :)..
In the US at 31 weeks there was a
doubt that the baby's chest might be
getting congested. After 9 weeks of
prom they decided that the risk of
infection is high. Doctors from MFM
(Maternal Fetal Medicine) and my gynec
decided that 32 weeks is the time for
my baby to come out.
It was a planned c-section and my Son
was born 8 weeks early weighing 3
pounds and 12 ounces. He cried after
birth and his apgar scores were 8 and
9. He got a surfactant shot. He was on
CPAP for 7 days mostly at room air. He
got jaundice and was under the lights
for abt a week. He was in the hospital
for a total of 3 weeks and 2 days.
When he came home he weighed 4 pounds
and 7 ounce. We named him Naren
Lakshmi Kilaru.
Given the circumstances Naren's
neonatal doctors and our pediatrician
said its an overall positive outcome.
Naren was moved from his 22 cal/ounce
formula to the regular formula right
about the due date (abt 8 weeks after
birth). He is now 6 months old with no
complications. We are still wary and
try and shield him from crowdy places,
bad weather etc. This RSV season he is
getting a Synagis shot.
When it first happened my parents and
in-laws in India went for second
opinion from three different
gynecologists about my situation. They
all said I should opt for abortion and
that the risk of infection is very
high. We are so glad that we are here
in the United States where there are
so many facilities and made it
possible for us to have our son.
For all moms who are going through
this I would like to give hope.
Silpa Talluri
Jan 2007.
Update Feb 2008:
My Son Naren is 18 months old and is a
handful :).. He is just like any other
toddler with no signs of prematurity
at all. I thank god and everyone else
in the world who helped us to get
through this all this time. I am even
planning to send him to daycare and go
back to work.
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