Low Risk to DEFCON 1

This adventure Blog is intended to document the goings on of my current experience and should not be used as medical advice under any circumstance. If you are pregnant and currently don't bother talking to your doctor about your issues, start. Seriously. Get off the Internet and interact with the person who has more training on the subject than the panicky Patrice with the shit outcome. 

If you are a member of our extended family or friends and are just learning about what is going on with Wade and I, please understand that we needed time to digest everything prior to freaking everyone out, in our opinions, unnecessarily. With our strong support network of friends and immediate family and each other we will get through this and accept it for what it is: Unchangeable and under full control. Yes the situation sucks, but stressing out about it is pointless busy work. Read on.

On July 17 my pregnancy went from low risk to high risk in the span of 2 hours. We arrived for the 9:15 ultrasound like good patients, 15 minutes early. During this whole pregnancy adventure, I had been prepared for appointments by leaving the requisitions in the car. This requisition had been in my hands for over a month and I hadn't actually looked at it. Until that morning. Which is probably a good thing considering what was written on it. 

At my June 19 doctor's appointment, my doctor mentioned that I had a low lying placenta. No big deal given that I was 18 weeks on the ultrasound and the placenta usually migrates north as the pregnancy progresses. I made a mental note and moved on, given the lack of concern the doctor had for the placenta situation. 

Fast forward a month and I read over the requisition, thinking that they were just following up on the placenta. But there was another note. ¿Vasa Previa? I knew what a Previa was. But vasa was a new word. Given that I have a grotesque thirst for medical knowledge, I Googled it. That was a bit of a shock. (I'll spare you the need to Google it).

Vasa Previa is a complication that occurs when unprotected fetal blood vessels within the fetal membranes cross over the internal cervical os. And my requisition had that, surrounded by question marks. The side effect of this issue is the very large potential (50-100%) risk of fetal death, if it is not diagnosed.

I felt a bit nervous sitting there in the waiting room. I was just hoping to find out what we're having, since the baby opted for being shy at the last ultrasound. Now we were facing a complication that would take me from a marginally uncomfortable low risk pregnancy to an extraordinarily high risk pregnancy. 

We were called in and the nice nurse took a set of vitals and moved us to yet another waiting area. Shortly after that we went in for the ultrasound. My back and pelvis were super sore and I was put flat on my back. Not a fun combination. The ultrasound tech was a nice young lady who quickly identified that we are having a girl. Apparently 3 lines and nothing sticking out is the telltale sign. This threw me for a bit of a loop since I was thinking I was having a boy. So much for the old wive's tales. Bitches all.

She changed over from the standard black and white 2D ultrasound to the Doppler to take a look at the placenta and other vessels. She really needs to work on her poker face. Her expression was a mix of confusion and concern. She then mentioned that she would be doing an internal. Oh the internal. For those who are unfamiliar with this wonderful type of ultrasound, it involves a condom sheathed probe and instructions to insert it yourself then the tech takes over. Yeah. As in the professional version of a no touching bi curious probing. 

You have to have an empty bladder for this. MS prevents the full emptying of one's bladder. I tried my best and went back for my probing by the female tech, while holding Wade's hand. Does this count as a threesome? I didn't bother asking anyone at the time.

She was gentle and efficient. Her concern and confusion continued. Once she was done, she mentioned that she would have to have someone else look at the scan. She left the room. 

Wade immediately asked about names and putting one name he had consistently wrinkled up his face at, back on the table. We had already picked out boys names and were set one one. Now we would have to come up with a girl's name. The one he brought up was on the table briefly and taken off again.

The tech returned with an older man. He introduced himself as a doctor. I was expecting a more senior tech, as opposed to the radiologist. He took over the scan with her help with the typing. In addition to a confused and concerned look, he provided a running commentary of the internal goings on of my uterus. 

Some of his comments surrounded the cord insert and questions like where does that go, and a lot of huhs. He also completed both internal and external exams. The tech was super fast at putting on the new condom, which impressed Wade. I questioned her technique when the tip was not properly burped.

With all 4 ultrasounds completed and my back screaming in protest we were moved to the waiting area. After a while, we were lead into a small room with a very large recliner to discuss what the doctor had found. As with most doctors (and most front line medical staff for that matter) he started off pretty grave and quiet, judging my reaction. He explained that I have a marginal placenta Previa, vasa Previa and a abnormally placed (velamentous) cord insertion. He drew me a picture of my uterus (which looked suspiciously like a party balloon) detailing all of the things that were going on. He mentioned that I would probably be admitted to hospital at 29 to 32 weeks for the rest of my pregnancy. He said he would call the clinic I was being seen at with his findings.

We left the ultrasound clinic with a creepy picture of our daughter (think emperor from Star Wars) and our new found knowledge of her ability to lack attention to detail when forming pregnancy associated supporting structures.

The appointment with the low risk clinic was brief. I was hot potatoed out of there. They referred me to a high risk OB with a dry sense of humour and a no non sense way of dealing with complications. The appointment as set for one week later. I was given strict instructions to take it easy (no exercise) and go on full pelvic rest. No more sex. No more walks with the doggy. Nada. Zip. 

Of course Wade would be scheduled to go out of town that week. My friends and family rose to the challenge of helping me out. I walked Ringo a grand total of twice the whole week. 

The day of my appointment came and with my good pal Jen in tow, I met the new doctor. The appointment was short. And blunt. I had the weekend of freedom and I would report to the Antepartum unit at the Foothills Monday July 29. For the rest of my pregnancy. He was also intentionally vague about how long that would be.