Questions & Answers

Our little love at 16 weeks 3 days

Questions & Answers

I have received several questions about this pregnancy and my last pregnancy. So I figured the easiest way to answer is a Q&A post. You all know that I am an open book & willing to answer any questions you have. I posted on Facebook asking people to leave their questions in the comments or private message me and this is what I received...

What happened with your last pregnancy?

My last pregnancy lasted 18 weeks 4 days. We were scheduled for an amnio, went in for the appointment & our little girl had no heart beat. She was previously healthy at every ultrasound & scan including when we saw her at 16 weeks measuring perfectly. She was surgically removed on April 6th, 2012. Her original due date was August 24th, 2012. We were never given answers for her passing & I was never diagnosed with any problems. I personally feel that the flu I had a week before she passed was the reason she didn't make it. High fever, severe body aches, talks with the emergency doctor and living hell for three days! We will never know for sure what happened, but we do know that she will always be our angel!

Is this pregnancy extra scary or hard because of the last experience?

Yes! Very scary! I think every pregnant women has daily fears. Miscarriage, bleeding, what you eat, how much you exercise and most of all making it past the "12 weeks mark" when your baby's viability drastically increases. But the chance of losing our last baby was "less than 3%" and we unfortunately fell into that percent. So now we just try to take every day one at a time and love every second we get with this little miracle.

Am I considered high risk?

Yes, I am considered high risk. The beginning of my pregnancy was just like any other. I saw my normal OBGYN and had a phone consultation with a Kaiser High Risk. He was not greatly concerned with my situation, but did prescribe that I add one 81mg Aspirin to my daily routine with my prenatal vitamin. He said he didn't expect any complications with this pregnancy and wouldn't need to see me until my second trimester. I had my first in person appointment with him on Friday, April 4, 2014. He is amazing! Eric & I feel so blessed that I got him for a doctor. He measured the baby and was pleased with everything he assessed. I was informed that day that he would now take over my care & I will no longer see my normal OBGYN. Thankful to feel like we have a doctor that really cares! :)

Any complications this pregnancy?

None so far! Thank god! We still can't believe how smooth this pregnancy has been so far. Beyond blessed.

Is this baby at risk for Cystic Fibrosis like the last baby?

Yes, it is. Eric & I are both carriers of the CF gene. I have known I was a carrier my whole life. Most of you know I have a 30 year old sister & a 26 year old brother with CF and a sister who passed away in 2001 of CF at 15 years old. We did not know Eric was a carrier until 2011. This means our baby have a 1 in 4 chance, or 25% chance, of being born with Cystic Fibrosis. Our genetic counselor has ordered a cord blood test for immediately after the baby is born to test for it. We should know within a couple of day what the results are. Until then, we are not worried! Just thankful for our little one! :)

Am I on bed rest? Am I allowed to continue working?

No, I have not had to do any bed rest so far! Thank god again! Bed rest is the worst. And yes, I have been allowed to work my normal job on the ambulance. I was advised to use proper lifting techniques and not "over do it" and so far I have been very lucky. I am spoiled at work. My partner does everything possible to do all of my work for me on top of his own. There have been some unavoidable situations like cardiac arrest calls with CPR and urgent situations that require all of our help. But for the most part, I can't complain. However, I start light duty work on May 1st. It will be office work at our deployment center until I am ready for disability in the last weeks of my pregnancy.

I hope that answered all of your questions. Feel free to comment or private message me if you think of any more!