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12-20-2012 at 2:55 PM
JabberJay
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JabberJay is not online. Last active: 05-05-2013, 11:07 PMNewbie

Induction at 35 weeks - question and freak out

Hi all,

I haven't been around much lately (life got crazy) but I have a lot on my mind and need a sounding board who might understand.

Background:  I have had two previous pregnancies.  

DD:  Partial placental abruption at 36.5 weeks, delivery at 37 weeks (no induction - she just came).  

DS:  Complete placental abruption at 36.5 weeks - he passed away as a result of the abruption.  I had a PE after delivery.

I am pregnant again - coming up on 32 weeks.  From the beginning, the 'plan' has been to start weighing the pros/cons of delivering at 34 weeks, with delivery likely between 34 and 36 weeks.  I was comfortable with that.

Now, the doctors are starting to sing a different tune, saying that baby looks fine, growing well, healthy pregnancy, and no need to deliver early.

I am COMPLETELY freaking out.  I don't necessarily want a baby born at 34 weeks.  But the closer I get to 36.5 weeks, the more terrified I am.  My loss wasn't some random occurrence.  We know what caused it, and the doctors know that they can't 100% prevent it from happening it again.  So when they tell me that they aren't going to take the baby early, all I hear is "we're leaving it up to chance".   How am I supposed to just sit by and watch the weeks tick by?  The closer I get to 36 weeks, the more I feel like a ticking time bomb.

My son was 5 pounds 12 ounces at 36.5 weeks.  He would have been an average-large size baby if he had made it to 40 weeks.  So the growth scans that they are doing to reassure me that the 'placenta is doing its job' don't really mean a whole lot to me.

To top it all off, my DH had a recurrence of his brain cancer.  He had surgery last week, and will be starting radiation and chemo in January.  I am going to be SO stressed out, and SO worried about what that is doing to baby.  My MFM tried to tell me that "stress doesn't cross the placenta".  But last time I checked, stress can cause high blood pressure, and high blood pressure can cause abruption.

So.  Am I crazy to fight for delivery by 36 weeks?  On the surface, ASKING to deliver at 36 weeks sounds absurd.  But I feel like I am risking my baby's life by letting him stay inside any longer.

 Sorry that this is kind of a jumble.  I needed to unload a bit, and also get some feedback and reality-check from people who understand. 
Loving my Little Bird (DD 3), Missing my Monkey Butt (DS) and Hoping for my Rainbow - due 2/17/13 
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12-20-2012 at 3:01 PM
MBush4
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MBush4 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 3:45 PMBronze
I don't think you're crazy. Your concerns make sense to me. While I would say "trust the doctors", you know your body and situation much better than I do. I say push for it but be prepared to be turned down  and/or for there to be complications either way.
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12-20-2012 at 3:05 PM
lucy460
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lucy460 is not online. Last active: 05-07-2013, 9:32 PMSilver
MBush4:
I don't think you're crazy. Your concerns make sense to me. While I would say "trust the doctors", you know your body and situation much better than I do. I say push for it but be prepared to be turned down  and/or for there to be complications either way.
I agree. At the end of my second pregnancy, I pushed my OB's HARD for an induction starting around 35 weeks, due to complications in my prior pregnancy and indications that the same was happening again. My OB kept saying no and offered me an MFM consult to get a second opinion. I would ask your OB about getting a second opinion. Yes, it's awkward, but oh well. Who cares? I'm sorry you are going thru this. It is understandable that you are feeling extremely anxious about it all. Best of luck for healthy LO.
Mama to 2 late-term preemies (7/10 & 11/12) due to HELLP Syndrome. 
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12-20-2012 at 6:21 PM
Abeja1226
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I can totally see why you are pushing for an early induction, I would too if I were in your shoes. I guess my advice is to beg your OB or find one who will do it knowing your past.
My daughter was born at 35 weeks and she was fine. She was 5lb 11oz and had some minor near term preemie issues but came home after 10 days, she had no breathing trouble just had an Iv for a few days. While I don't want another preemie I think in your case the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.
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12-20-2012 at 7:07 PM
Teacher Cl...
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Teacher Clark is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 7:10 PMSilver
If I were in your situation I would be pushing for an early induction. It can be so frustrating when drs don't understand a very valid concern like yours.
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12-20-2012 at 8:34 PM
mgade001
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Ugh, this is my second attempt to post a response. I hope it doesn't post a bunch of times...

First of all, I can't imagine what you must be going through as you face all of this. I am a neuro nurse, so I'm familiar with the treatments for brain cancer. I'm sure you've already been through some tough times with DH being ill. That is a lot for anyone to deal with, let alone the complication of pregnancy. It might be really helpful for you to have a therapist as you're making these important decisions- if you don't have one already. 

I agree with PP about second opinions from another practice. Hope to hear good news from you along the way. 

 

 
 
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12-21-2012 at 5:07 PM
jbranden12
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((hugs)). I dont usually post here but had to jump in. I know this is hard. My daughter was stillborn at 31 weeks and we have no cause. it kills me that if we would have just known something was going to go wrong, we could have gotten her out and she would have had a very high chance of survival (she was over 4 lbs and completely perfect). I am now at viability  and I am terrified that I will leave this baby girl in too long and she will die to. Right now my husband and I feel that if we trust our doctors, that is the best we can do and there will be no blame regardless of the outcome. However, my feelings are starting to get more difficult and I'm not sure it will be so easy in a couple of months. I think if I have a strong gut feeling, I would make a plan with my doctor and push for what I believe I need. I think a second opinion is a good idea, but ultimately I am like you and I would rather have a preemie than another sleeping baby.
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12-21-2012 at 10:04 PM
lkm2006
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lkm2006 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 10:26 PMSilver
I remember your story from the November 2011 board.. I knew you were expecting again and I'm so glad to hear things are going so well. I was hoping for an update!

To answer your post, I would definitely push for an induction. While delivery at 36 weeks isn't ideal, you know your baby will do well on the outside and I don't think anyone could blame you for wanting him here.

Could you set up a game plan with your OB? Induction with steroid shots prior?

I had my DS at 36 weeks 2 days and he was 5.3. We were prepared for the induction so I had already received the steroid shots. He did great and didn't require any nicu time. We did experience some of the late term preemie issues such as jaundice and latch issues but it was definitely more safe on the outside at that point.
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12-23-2012 at 12:50 AM
weddedwife
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Hi JabberJay, nice to see you!

I don't think you're crazy. Push for it. Get a second opinion. Do what you have to do to make your concerns heard.

If they absolutely refuse, is there an alternative? Like, would they consider hospitalizing you at 34w so you could be closely monitored? I know that might suck, and depending on how fast things progressed w your previous abruptions maybe it wouldn't even help...but it might be worth asking about.


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