Curveball

I'm going to fast forward a bit here. I'm now 28 weeks. At 20 weeks I was diagnosed with a rare condition called vasa previa coupled with a Transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound. "Vasa previa is a rarely (1:2500) reported condition in which fetal blood vessel(s) from the placenta or umbilical cord crosses the entrance to the birth canal, beneath the baby. The condition has a high fetal mortality rate (50-95%). This can be attributed to rapid fetal exsanguination resulting from the vessels tearing when the cervix dilates, membranes rupture or if the vessels become pinched off as they are compressed between the baby and the walls of the birth canal." www.vasaprevia.org A Velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord is "an abnormal condition in which the umbilical cord does not insert into the placental mass but, instead, traverses the fetal membranes before it inserts into the umbilical cord." from Medterms.com 2002.

Sounds scary! Well, I'll admit it is a bit scary. Especially, when you go online and read about it, but I'll tell you the good news. I have a wonderful Doctor. They were able to diagnose the condition at 20 weeks pre-labor using a Transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound. Most importantly is because this condition was diagnosed early my baby is going to be just fine and the other good news is this is not something likely to happen with my next pregnancy. To manage the condition I was put on bed rest at 26 weeks. Yesterday my doctor called in the morning to let me know they were admitting me to the hospital in the evening (4/22) for the rest of my pregnancy. Though I'll admit it was a bit of a blow I knew it was coming.

Thankfully, yesterday was a beautiful sunny day. I spent the whole day laying outside on our patio enjoy some fresh air before being admitted to the hospital for hopefully 7-8 weeks. The hopefully has nothing to do with my desire to be in the hospital, but everything to do with my desire for our little boy to cook as long as possible. Oh yeah! We are having a boy! If all goes well and we have no additional complications and my doctor will deliver via c-section at 35-36 weeks.

My husband has been a saint through this whole process. I couldn't ask for someone more supportive. I called him at work to let him know we'd be heading to the hospital in the evening. He headed home early to help me pack, and stopped at the store to pick up a bunch of things we thought I need for the hospital. (shower shoes ect) It was like I was going away to summer camp! We moved a bit slow and finally checked into the hospital at 9:30 pm.

After completing and signing a bunch of paperwork we headed to our floor. We were greeted by my evening nurse. She was wonderful, and really made the process easier. I'm starting off in a double room until a single is available. Luckily, I had the room to myself and got the bed next too the window! I need sun! After a bit Jessica came in and hooked my up to a fetal monitor to hear the baby's heart rate and make sure I wasn't contacting. She also took us through what I assume is there standard new patient intake and unit intro. It just entailed a bunch of basic questions, and an introduction to how the unit works! The unit is strictly for women with pregnancy complications that require preventative monitoring. Here are the highlights. I was on complete bed rest except to use the restroom. As long as my doctor approves it I could have wheel chair privileges and attend a weekly social hour on the unit. Visiting hours were 12-8 pm for friends and family. My husband could visit from 10 am-10 pm while I'm in the semi-private room, and 24/7 when I get moved to a private room. Since I had no roommate at the hospital he was allowed to stay as long as he wanted last night. I finally made him head home and get some rest at about 1:30 am. Oh and I almost forgot that my dog can visit! I think that's awesome. I absolutely love my dog Jazz. Also, my friends could most likely hold a baby shower at the hospital.

My doctor was actually at the hospital delivering a baby, she stopped by around 11:30 pm. Well let's just say she is really! No, wheelchair rides, no social hour. Stay put. Additionally, she requested that I have an IV put in just in case I need blood quickly. Not fun. She stayed and chatted with my husband and I for about 45 minutes, and in addition to small talk she made it clear that she was very concerned! She was really direct and emotional about what was going and how serious it would be if I actually started bleeding. Recently, she had a patient that did.. Thankfully it turned out okay, but it very easily could go the other direction.

I was pretty disappointed that I was truly locked down in the hospital room, but I'm very thankful to have a doctor that truly takes the time to talk and explain, vs just dictate orders. Even at 11:30 pm when she's obviously tired and needing some rest.

It's now 7am the next morning 4/23. So far I've had to drink what tasted like a concentrated orange Kool-aid and had my blood drawn for a glucose test and a bunch of other stuff. My Doctor stopped by again this morning to check on my for a few minutes, my nurse has been in and out and a resident stopped buy. It's been party central this morning. Good thing I woke up at 5am! The only problem is I didn't go to bed until about 1:30 am. So at the moment I'm feeling a bit tired, and a bit hungry. Breakfast should be sometime soon, then the residents come by and do some fetal monitoring. Hopefully, things will slow down after that and I can take a nap.

Till next time....