On September 11, 2008, I was 19 weeks and 6 days pregnant with Miss Ava Blaire. I went in for my 20 week ultrasound and left the hospital almost a week later! I went for my routine ultrasound, and towards the end of my appointment, I was moved to a room and my doctor was on the way. "We've found a small complication, your Doctor will be here soon!"
Those words cut me deep! They scared the life out of me and I never wish to hear that again! So a little while later, my Doctor showed up and began to start explaining to me that I have a Short Cervix, which falls under the Incompetent Cervix Category! At 19 weeks and 6 days my cervix was roughly 1.5 inch long and already dilating, meaning I was high risk to go into pre-term labour. I was then faced with two options, stay in the hospital until 36 weeks, or have a cervical cerclage placed into and around the cervix. With this done, I could go home but I would be on moderate bed rest until 36 weeks, at which time, they would remove the cerclage.
All I could hear was my mom saying, "Whatever is meant to be will be!" and all I knew was I couldn't stay in the hospital! Bruce and I made the decision to have the cerclage done, and thankfully the surgery went well! There is a chance that having the procedure done can rupture the membrane and I'd go into labour anyway and at 20 weeks, she wouldn't have the best chance at survival, this was the biggest of the con's.
I was placed on Short Term Disability with the company I worked for at the time. They were incredibly understanding and supportive! Then I proceeded to basically have an ultrasound every month or so and doctors appointments between my GP and my OB every two weeks, then every other week. It felt like I was always being poked and prodded by someone!
It was then around 28 weeks, at another ultrasound, that I was then diagnosed with Polyhydramnios, which basically in simple terms means there was too much amniotic fluid in my Uterus. They became worried that her lungs weren't working properly, as it is her lungs that regulate the fluid. Polyhydramnios comes with its own list of complications and the highest on the list was pre-term labour. It really felt like the odds were stacked against us!
That and all the rest considered, I was a mess and I was monitored closely! The words I was being told, the conditions I was being diagnosed with weren't anything you just read randomly in all the pregnancy books. These conditions are small subsections of something else. Cervical Insufficiency, ...those words were so hurtful and offensive! One of the biggest jobs a woman can have is growing a child and I get to hear, "Incompetent" and "Insufficient! OUCH!
There was nothing about this situation that made me feel like a glowing pregnant woman. I didn't feel pampered, I was being poked and prodded every time I went near a doctor! It's not like this was a common thing that every woman experienced, I was alone! There is only so much Bruce could take/understand, but he most definitely couldn't offer any advice! It wasn't supposed to happen like this! The only friends I had were by text message or on Facebook, no one wanted to make the trek out to see me in Burnaby, I learned really quick who my real friends were out here in BC!
I became depressed and I never reached out to anyone. I was lonely and scared, my sweet little baby threw me for a loop every chance she got. At 36 weeks, I went into my Ob's office and the cerclage was removed. I was told to pack my bags cause I'd probably go into labour anytime! This happened on January 2, 2009, my official due date was January 30, 2009. I was now finally allowed to go and live! No more BEDREST! I went into labour with Ava on January 30, and she was born on the 31st at 3:52pm.
Not a single problem with this little girl so far.. (Knock on wood). Miss Ava was born 7lbs 7oz and 20 Inches long. She was a perfect little bundle of joy! Was it worth it? Every moment!
But now, let's consider all of the above and two LEEP procedures after Ava finding out we were pregnant again, we opted to have an elective cerclage done as soon as we could after the 1st trimester. This didn't stop the need to take it easy. I quickly learned that I would not be able to remain working. I was experiencing cramping, back pain, abdominal pain, anxiety attacks, high blood pressure and complete overall discomfort! Dr. Rossi and I had already done one baby together, so as I sat in her office crying and struggling to breathe, there was no question to her that I should not be working! After a short conversation between my GP and my OB, they both agreed that it was time for me to be finished work!
Up to 28 weeks, I was going to see both doctors at least once a month and from 28 weeks on I will now go to my OB every 2 weeks and my GP every 3 weeks. Soon after my appointments will go to every two weeks for both and then down to every week. At 36 weeks, I will have the cerclage removed and then it could be anytime!
I'm finally back on track with my weight, which due to the stress of a few events prior to our trip to Saskatoon, I hadn't put on as much weight as they liked. So far everything looks good but I will be back at my OB on September 4th to double check that my cervix hasn't started to shorten anymore.
Crossing our fingers, the rest of this pregnancy goes well but as I experienced last time, there are so many complications that you haven't even heard of and well to google them all will turn you into a crazy MESS! Happy New Mama's recently did a blog post called "How to help a pregnant friend feel less lonely!" Please have a read and realize not all pregnancies are fun and just because you can't see it, there could be something weighing heavy on your pregnant friends shoulders! Be there to listen... even if you cannot relate!
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| Miss Ava Blaire Shearer... copyright 2009 Bruce Shearer 4dpmedia |
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