We didn't even think about our decision until we dropped M off at nursery this morning. What followed was a terrible hour or so where we discussed the options and couldn't decide. Do we continue with this pregnancy even though it is unlikely to end well?
We couldn't reach a decision.
So today we saw the consultant again and asked more questions. What chance is there that we will get a healthy baby? Less than 10%.
What sort of disabilities can we expect? Cerabal palsy is very likely if he is born after 24 weeks but before 28 weeks. He is likely to need lifelong care from us.
What is the termination procedure if we decide to go down that route? Be warned before reading this I was shocked - feel free to skip... At 23 weeks there is a chance he would be born alive so they would want to stop his heartbeat to save him any pain before birth. This involves an ultrasound scan where they insert an injection through my stomach to the baby to stop his heatbeat. They then watch for 3 minutes to ensure the heart has stopped. I would then be sent home after taking a tablet and asked to come back for the induction process a couple days later. What follows is pretty much a normal induction process. The whole process would likely take 4 days.
I was shocked on hearing the termination process. I just felt i could not allow anybody to stop our son's heart. Not if he has a chance no matter how small. I worry about continuing the pregnancy. What if we continue and he is subjected to a lifetime of painful operations and procedures? How would having a severely disabled brother affect our other son? How will it affect our relationship?
We asked the consultant what he would do. He said he would continue with the pregnancy and that if we get to 28 weeks then the risk of disabilities goes down and they should be able to assess lung function within about 6 hours of birth.
No decisions were definitely made but I think we both knew on getting the consultant to answer the questions that we had to continue the pregnancy.
Showing posts with label 22 weeks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 22 weeks. Show all posts
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Friday, 7 May 2010
Fetal medicine consultant
Today we saw a Fetal Medicine Consultant. He did a detailed ultrasound scan and told us all the facts about what has happened to us. I have what is known as premature preterm rupture of the membranes (pPROM). Normally when this happens women go into labour within three days of rupture. However when they don't they can carry on the pregnancy for days or weeks before they go into labour.
He did a scan. He was looking at the level of amniotic fluid left around our son. He said they look for a deepest measurable pocket of 2cm or above and I didn't have that. I had about 1.5cm. He said that lung development goes through a critical stage between 18 and 24 weeks and fluid is needed during this time. If there is 2cm or more lungs should be ok. So our son's lungs are unlikely to function. He did say because we had fluid for part of the period the lungs might be ok. There is no way to tell until birth.
He gave us the option of termination. He agreed to see us in a few days to think about it. He explained it is likely I will go into labour sooner rather than later and so as well as lung issues our son would have prematurity issues. Cerabal palsy is highly likely if we deliver around the cusp of viability (24 weeks).
In the meantime I am to take my temperature regularly during the day. I will go to the day assessment clinic at the hospital twice a week. They will take blood samples and check my white blood cell levels and crb levels, if they go up it could be a sign I have an infection. Once a week I to have lower vaginal swabs again to check for infection. Twice a week they will also check the heartbeat and do the normal pregnancy checks of blood pressure and urine.
The consultant told me not to have baths, just wash with water, no trousers, cotton underwear, change sanitary pads regularly.
So have to rest, not moving around much. We are going back Tuesday to discuss what we want to do.
It is so awful I cannot imagine what to do or how to cope. We are so close to 24 weeks and a little hope, 13 days away... On the day after my waters broke I had 6cm fluid now just 1.5cm.
Below is a link to a leaflet on pPROM aimed at women who's waters have just broken:
RCOG pPROM Leaflet
He did a scan. He was looking at the level of amniotic fluid left around our son. He said they look for a deepest measurable pocket of 2cm or above and I didn't have that. I had about 1.5cm. He said that lung development goes through a critical stage between 18 and 24 weeks and fluid is needed during this time. If there is 2cm or more lungs should be ok. So our son's lungs are unlikely to function. He did say because we had fluid for part of the period the lungs might be ok. There is no way to tell until birth.
He gave us the option of termination. He agreed to see us in a few days to think about it. He explained it is likely I will go into labour sooner rather than later and so as well as lung issues our son would have prematurity issues. Cerabal palsy is highly likely if we deliver around the cusp of viability (24 weeks).
In the meantime I am to take my temperature regularly during the day. I will go to the day assessment clinic at the hospital twice a week. They will take blood samples and check my white blood cell levels and crb levels, if they go up it could be a sign I have an infection. Once a week I to have lower vaginal swabs again to check for infection. Twice a week they will also check the heartbeat and do the normal pregnancy checks of blood pressure and urine.
The consultant told me not to have baths, just wash with water, no trousers, cotton underwear, change sanitary pads regularly.
So have to rest, not moving around much. We are going back Tuesday to discuss what we want to do.
It is so awful I cannot imagine what to do or how to cope. We are so close to 24 weeks and a little hope, 13 days away... On the day after my waters broke I had 6cm fluid now just 1.5cm.
Below is a link to a leaflet on pPROM aimed at women who's waters have just broken:
RCOG pPROM Leaflet
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