DESPERATE FOR ADVICE!
I started contracting Saturday at 7 p.m. I ended up in the hospital at 9 p.m. Spent all night there with them giving me terbutaline and procardia to stop the contractions, none of which worked. They did an ultrasound the babies are fine BUT my cervix has shortened from 3.13 cm to 2 cm in a week. So they admitted for observation.
They said they won't give me pain relievers because I am the "best gauge as to the extent of the contracting and whether they should be checking my cervix or not" and if they took my pain away they would be unable to judge it as well. They told me they will no longer give me terbutaline nor will they give me magnesium sulfate because they have not been shown to prolong a pregnancy just take away contractions so they are not treating the babies but me. So they had the contractions stopped for part of the evening. I got about four hours sleep before they started again. The peranatologist came in to see me and told me that she was upping the procardia and that they would have some break through doses available also to try and keep the contractions under control.
The medication was ordered at about noon and the pharmacy didn't get it here until an hour and a half late, 5:30 p.m. So that whole day I suffered with contractions. It took the original dose and a break through dose to finally calm the contractions. I slept for 2 1/2 hours and then woke up with cramping again. They gave me some more procardia and I slept for about 5 hours before waking up with more contractions. I had to wait for my next dose. I took a shower and after that got my dose.
I had nearly 3 hours of more contractions even with the break through dose. I am just cramping right now, not right out contractions. They had me on the monitor for a while and then the nurse came in and said "I am just going to take you off the monitor, no matter what we do you contract so what is the point. They won't do anything extreme to stop them because you are only 21 weeks and they are not viable."
No one has checked my cervix since Saturday at the ultrasound, the point to my having pain was to know that I needed to be checked so no one knows if my cervix is changing or not. I feel the babies moving so that is not an issue. I am in pain, having contractions and really feeling like the babies just are not going to be saved if I do start preterm labor because nothing has been "proven" to lengthen pregnancy. I am 2 weeks and 2 days from viability!!! I do not understand why it isn't worth trying everything to keep them in those 2 weeks and 2 days if need be.
My OB just came in while I was writing this and I talked to him and he is sending a NICU doctor over to speak with me. They are going to do the babies EKGs today since I am here, because I am diabetic and that can affect a babies heart development. I told him that I was receiving comments that made me feel like the babies were expendable. He apologized that I was getting that impression and told me that they were not. He just kept saying that if there was something they could do that they knew would keep them in they would definitely do it.
I don't know what to do, or say or feel at this point. I cannot quit crying. I know I need to calm down to help keep from contracting. They have this lullaby music that goes off when a baby is born and it went off twice a little bit ago and that set me off.
I AM TERRIFIED!!!
They said they won't give me pain relievers because I am the "best gauge as to the extent of the contracting and whether they should be checking my cervix or not" and if they took my pain away they would be unable to judge it as well. They told me they will no longer give me terbutaline nor will they give me magnesium sulfate because they have not been shown to prolong a pregnancy just take away contractions so they are not treating the babies but me. So they had the contractions stopped for part of the evening. I got about four hours sleep before they started again. The peranatologist came in to see me and told me that she was upping the procardia and that they would have some break through doses available also to try and keep the contractions under control.
The medication was ordered at about noon and the pharmacy didn't get it here until an hour and a half late, 5:30 p.m. So that whole day I suffered with contractions. It took the original dose and a break through dose to finally calm the contractions. I slept for 2 1/2 hours and then woke up with cramping again. They gave me some more procardia and I slept for about 5 hours before waking up with more contractions. I had to wait for my next dose. I took a shower and after that got my dose.
I had nearly 3 hours of more contractions even with the break through dose. I am just cramping right now, not right out contractions. They had me on the monitor for a while and then the nurse came in and said "I am just going to take you off the monitor, no matter what we do you contract so what is the point. They won't do anything extreme to stop them because you are only 21 weeks and they are not viable."
No one has checked my cervix since Saturday at the ultrasound, the point to my having pain was to know that I needed to be checked so no one knows if my cervix is changing or not. I feel the babies moving so that is not an issue. I am in pain, having contractions and really feeling like the babies just are not going to be saved if I do start preterm labor because nothing has been "proven" to lengthen pregnancy. I am 2 weeks and 2 days from viability!!! I do not understand why it isn't worth trying everything to keep them in those 2 weeks and 2 days if need be.
My OB just came in while I was writing this and I talked to him and he is sending a NICU doctor over to speak with me. They are going to do the babies EKGs today since I am here, because I am diabetic and that can affect a babies heart development. I told him that I was receiving comments that made me feel like the babies were expendable. He apologized that I was getting that impression and told me that they were not. He just kept saying that if there was something they could do that they knew would keep them in they would definitely do it.
I don't know what to do, or say or feel at this point. I cannot quit crying. I know I need to calm down to help keep from contracting. They have this lullaby music that goes off when a baby is born and it went off twice a little bit ago and that set me off.
I AM TERRIFIED!!!
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I am very sorry you're going through this!
There was a lady on here.... she had her baby early (26 weeks?) but she started labor around the point you're at --- she had to call from hospital to hospital to find one that would be willing to treat the baby as viable at 22 weeks. Most put it at 24 weeks.... She finally found one and moved herself into that hospital.
Maybe you can do a little research and find a hospital in your area that sees 22 weeks as viable versus 24 weeks?
Hopefully there are others who can shed more light on the subject !
Keep us updated. My fingers are crossed and you're in my prayers!
Cindy
There was a lady on here.... she had her baby early (26 weeks?) but she started labor around the point you're at --- she had to call from hospital to hospital to find one that would be willing to treat the baby as viable at 22 weeks. Most put it at 24 weeks.... She finally found one and moved herself into that hospital.
Maybe you can do a little research and find a hospital in your area that sees 22 weeks as viable versus 24 weeks?
Hopefully there are others who can shed more light on the subject !
Keep us updated. My fingers are crossed and you're in my prayers!
Cindy
Surgery on 4/25/05 , Dr. Alverdy in Chicago. God Bless the DS !!!
Highest Weight = 412lbs, Surgery Weight = 359lbs, Current Weight = 155lbs (5'7" tall)http://www.picturetrail.com/gid8138761
Sweetheart, you need to talk to the charge nurse about your concerns...that nurse should have NEVER told you your babies are not viable and so there is no point in doing anything. They are there to do anything and everything to keep those babies baking....PERIOD...whether they think it will work or not is neither here nor there...they are supposed to TRY anytthing and everything to keep you pregnant until those babies are viable. Now, if they have tried everything possible, and it does not work, then that was God's plan and we all have to accept it and try to deal with it, but you DO NOT have to accept an attitude of well...whatever will be will be as they are not viable. I would be seriously considering transferring hospitals or changing OBs. Like I said...at the very least...speak to the charge nurse about your concerns. You are emotionally and physically in a very fragile state and they need to treat you with kid gloves. If I was there, I would advocate for you, but I am not, so all I can do from here is simply pray and be here if you need any advice...Please let me know if you need anything.
I will be praying steady for your babies and you!!! Take care sweetie!
Hugs !
Laura
I will be praying steady for your babies and you!!! Take care sweetie!
Hugs !
Laura
You are at St Joe's, I take it! The lullaby tipped me off as it's where I had my son. I remember going there when I was in preterm labor and they treated me like **** too. My friend that is a Mary Bridge NICU nurse SWEARS by St Joes but I decided NOT to deliver there this time.
I am soooo sorry you are going thru this. I would come sit with you if I wasn't on bedrest. I had to have the Turb shots a few weeks ago and now I am home on the pills. They don't really work either. I can't believe they aren't checking your cervix!!! You are 22 weeks, can't they do a cerclage or something to keep it closed?? I landed in the hospital with the twins at about 22 weeks for an arrhythmia with one of the babies and Auburn was super sweet about it but they did politely say that they couldn't even get them on the monitors, and being that they weren't viable yet, there wouldn't be a whole lot they could do.
I don't know why they have to treat you like they are disposable. 22 weeks is more than halfway there with multiples, they are moving, and they are alive. People are such *****s. Again, I'm so sorry! I wish I could be there so you at least had someone NOT in scrubs to talk to!
Please keep us updated. I am definitely keeping you and the babies in my prayers!
Sandy
I am soooo sorry you are going thru this. I would come sit with you if I wasn't on bedrest. I had to have the Turb shots a few weeks ago and now I am home on the pills. They don't really work either. I can't believe they aren't checking your cervix!!! You are 22 weeks, can't they do a cerclage or something to keep it closed?? I landed in the hospital with the twins at about 22 weeks for an arrhythmia with one of the babies and Auburn was super sweet about it but they did politely say that they couldn't even get them on the monitors, and being that they weren't viable yet, there wouldn't be a whole lot they could do.
I don't know why they have to treat you like they are disposable. 22 weeks is more than halfway there with multiples, they are moving, and they are alive. People are such *****s. Again, I'm so sorry! I wish I could be there so you at least had someone NOT in scrubs to talk to!
Please keep us updated. I am definitely keeping you and the babies in my prayers!
Sandy
i am so sorry you are going thru this...i can somewhat understand... i came into the hospital at 23 weeks and have been here ever since...i am currently 26 weeks...i wont go into my problems over here (and i do have them)...lol
but i just wanted to agree with the other girls....definately speak up to the charge nurse....and make sure you are getting the appropriate care you deserve!!!! that nurse had some nerve and is just plain ignorant! ultimately she follows your doctors orders....and if you feel the doctor isnt doing what he should be doing then maybe you need a second opinion or new doctor/ hospital!
please keep us updated....and you and your little bundles will be in my prayers!!!!
but i just wanted to agree with the other girls....definately speak up to the charge nurse....and make sure you are getting the appropriate care you deserve!!!! that nurse had some nerve and is just plain ignorant! ultimately she follows your doctors orders....and if you feel the doctor isnt doing what he should be doing then maybe you need a second opinion or new doctor/ hospital!
please keep us updated....and you and your little bundles will be in my prayers!!!!
I don't have any advice, I am a first time Mommy-to-be but wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are headed your way. I am with the other ladies though - get the charge nurse ASAP and tell her what happened. I might also have your hubby / mom / signifigant other / whoever is at the hospital visiting you raise holy hell with the charge nurse. I would also get them to call around if you aren't happy with the hospital ad get an idea of who can best help your babies if they do come very early and / or they can't get these contractions under control - maybe a hospital with a top rated NICU.
Best of luck and keep us posted!
Liz
Best of luck and keep us posted!
Liz
Oh, I can understand your fears. I've been having contractions since 22 weeks. I'll be 28 weeks tomorrow. Here's some of the meds we've tried/or are currently using: Turb. injections, procardia xl once a day, next option will be regular proacardia once a day, and then 3 times a day if that doesn't work. I still end up at the hospital and get the turb. injections as needed. We are also doing progesterone injections 25 mL IM weekly. Once I hit 26 weeks, they also gave me steroids to develop the babies lungs. Maybe some of these things can be options for you also. The doctor also started me on zoloft 12.5 mg daily to help with emotional toll this was taking on me.
The other ladies gave you good advice as far as speaking to the nurse about how you've been treated. If you decide to look for a new hospital, maybe try to contact the March of Dimes in your area since they have tons of info on pre-term labor on their website. They might point you in the direction of a more undestanding department.
These babies are very important and everything possible needs to be done to keep them baking. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennifier
The other ladies gave you good advice as far as speaking to the nurse about how you've been treated. If you decide to look for a new hospital, maybe try to contact the March of Dimes in your area since they have tons of info on pre-term labor on their website. They might point you in the direction of a more undestanding department.
These babies are very important and everything possible needs to be done to keep them baking. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennifier
Momma to Alex 1/08/2007
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