Newbie

Hello everyone

I had my gorgeous boy Thomas back in August 2009 at 28 +4. My bp has always been borderline, and I was under a consultant, and bp was being monitored. But if I am honest I think it all started a little late, and signs on my part and the hospital were missed.
Thomas was in SCBU for 14 weeks, which was a horrid time. He got a very nasty infection which attacked his already delicate lungs. This resulted in him coming home on oxygen. I think its only now as I look back I do wonder how on earth we coped!

Thankfully Thomas is off the oxygen, and doing fantastically!

We are having thoughts about trying again, and this website fills me with much hope!
Lauren.x

Hi Alison

Thanks for replying! Oh yes, I thank my stars every day and realise just how lucky we are to have Thomas and touch wood dont appear to have any long term affects of his prematurity.

I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriage.

I have an appt with a cons at my local hospital about trying for another, although have a feeling it may be a waste of time. I think like you I would benefit from seeing a PE specialist. Can I ask what happened during your appt? I know they cant predict whether PE will or wont happen in future pregnancies, but can they say if its more likely to develop later or give you a percentage?

Just so hard, would love to have another baby but just cant go through the emotional rollercoaster again. I dont think I would survive! I desperatly want Thomas to have a sibling too, just dont know what to do.

How is your little onw doing?x

Hi Alison

Thanks so much for your in depth reply! really made me realise how I need to see a PE specialist,a nd that my appt at my local hos next week will probably be a waste of time. So I have asked Liz, and hopfully she can gve me some advice regarding a specialist. Can I ask how long you had to wait from the referral to when you actually saw the specialist?

Its such a hard decision, it plays on my mind all the time! I too would love a term pregnancy. I get so jealous being around friends who are pregnant, and when they whinge that their backs hurt or they are so uncomfortable I think god you are so lucky!
Fingers crossed that will be us one day!

Thomas sounds like Max when it comes to colds. Although so far we have been fortunate that Thomas hasn't needed an inhaler. But I cant wait till the winter is over! i'm afraid I am a wee bit neurotic on the germ front, and whenever we go to friends with kids houses I scan them for snotty noses, coughs etc..!

Good luck on the trying front!x

Hi Lauren,

Just wanted to say welcome to the forum and sorry that you have been affected by this awful condition, but glad your little man is thriving!

You might have already seen my story, but I was diagnosed with severe pre e at a routine midwife appointment at 24+2 weeks. I was admitted to hospital where they managed to stabalise me until I developed HELLP. Unfortuntately my baby boy was born sleeping at 24+6 weeks.

After I had lots of blood tests and scans done to test for underlying conditions, which all came back negative and we were given the go ahead to try again. I was lucky enough to fall pregnant again almost straight away and am currently 36+3 weeks pregnant, and apart from being diagnosed with gestational diabetes and having a LOT of anxiety, there has been (fingers crossed!!) no signs of pre e or HELLP (yet anyway, still sort of expecting it!). I have been so well cared for by my hospital though- fortnightly scans, a doppler at 23 weeks and seen at least once weekly throughout. I have also been on low dose asprin throughout. I'm being induced in 11 days time so fingers crossed I get there.

Anyway, sorry, didn't want to babble on about myself- just wanted to tell you what was done for me and hopefully give you some hope that you could get further in future pregnancies. There are so many women who have this horrible disease so early in their first pregnancies and then go on to not get it or get it a lot later in subsequent pregnancies. It all depends on the woman though, so hope you get all the answers you need from a specialist.

Sorry for the essay and good luck in trying again,
Emma xx

Hi Lauren

Welcome to the site, sorry I didnt get here earlier to welcome you.

I think your story resounds with many of us here, the inner battle with yourself to try again or not...and searching for all you can to protect yourself and your baby in the future.

Knowledge is really the only weapon against thsi horrible condition and the fact you have already started asking the questions gives you power.
I agree with the ladies, it may well be worth seeing an expert in PE.

If you PM me where you are in the UK, I can return the names of your closet specialists.

Looking forward to getting to 'know' you.

Best Wishes
Liz

Hi Lauren, welcome to the website. I found it a Godsend - it filled me with lots of hope as there are loads of inspirational stories (and people) on here. We made the difficult decision to try again and I have just found out I'm pregnant. I am going to start on aspirin daily and I will be under a Consultant as opposed to a midwife which makes me feel much better.

I think the thing this website helps you with as well is having the confidence to demand what's right and what you're entitled to. My Doctor didn't want to put me on aspirin initially but Liz was lots of help in this field, her knowledge is amazing.

Good luck with everything.