Emergency surgery at 17 weeks pregnant...

 I am currently 19 weeks pregnant. 2 weeks ago I had to have emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction. It was so scary. I came close to dying and they basically prepared me to lose my baby. Worst thing I have ever gone through. 
BUT, good news is my baby is a fighter! The baby made it through with a strong heartbeat. We also found out that we are having a little girl! She is a feisty thing, thank God! 
Just got her checked again today and she was moving around with a strong heartbeat. We are so thankful!
I just wanted to share this little miracle with you all! 

I'm glad everything worked out and you are okay. 

Can I ask what your symptoms were that resulted in them finding the bowl obstruction?

 Sure! I actually wasn't feeling well one night. My stomach was very bloated and I was very gassy. Felt like I needed to go to the bathroom and couldn't. I thought the gas would give me some relief but no. My stomach looked almost double the size and it felt harder. I ended up just going to bed. I woke up 2 hours later with just excruciating pain. I went to the bathroom, had the runs. Then tried to pass gas and go again, nothing. Then I started throwing up only stomach acid or bile. Not sure what exactly it was but it hurt like heck!
I tried to lay down and would scream in pain. We finally called 911 and they thought I was in labor. Dr. checked my cervix and it was closed. Checked baby and she was fine. So they gave me zofran, tylenol, and a GI ****tail. Hours later the pain lessened and I could finally pass gas and was able to go the bathroom a little bit. That weekend I only went to the bathroom a couple times which is not normal for me,  I had no appetite and I was very bloated. 
I contacted my surgeon and he said to get on a plane asap. Next morning I was in MN at his hospital. They ran tests; x-ray, ultrasound, and MRI. I wouldn't let them do a ct scan because of how harmful it is on the baby, The tests showed nothing! Lab work nothing! My surgeon new better and said I need emergency exploratory surgery.
He found that it was a bowel intusussception. The bowel was telescoped into another portion of the bowel, cutting off the blood supply. Usually people are dead if this is not found within 2-5 days and fixed immediately because the bowel dies. 
It was hard to find and diagnose because it was my small bowel. Also this is very difficult to diagnose in pregnant women because typically we have gas, bloating, and constipation, and nausea. But let me tell you, this pain is intense. I was actually told it is worse then child birth. You want to die it is so unreal. Also my doctor said I should never ever be throwing up bile. He was sure there was something wrong and I thank God I listened to him or me and my baby would be dead right now.
So follow your instincts and make sure you know your body! ALso, get a 2nd opinion if you question the care you are receiving! 

Thanks for sharing. 

I often worry about something like that happening to me.  Lots of people say I am a hypochondriac;  Probably am lol.................  My stomach gets bloated and hard lots and sometimes its pretty sore.  I guess I would have additional symptoms like you did. 

Thanks again for sharing and I am so glad you and baby are okay. 

You and I are about the same along. I will be 19 weeks on Sunday. 

Sorry you've had these problems, but I am so thankful you and your little one are okay!!!

 thanks so much!

That sounds so scary! I am glad you two are doing well. Lets hope that was the excitement for this pregnancy and the rest is easy sailing!

I'm glad you have a surgeon who listens when you tell him something's wrong. 

I assume they had to do the surgery by open surgery?  I hope your healing is quick, and that the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful.  Enjoy those little kicks reminding you of your miracle.

I'm so sorry you had to go through this! I am sooooooo glad your little girl is doing well. That must be such a relief!

OMG I had the exact same thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We are sooooo rare, you know that right?  It's very uncommon for adults. Espeically not to find a leading edge, which means watch out becasue it could come back even after pregnancy.  

Were they able to do yours all lap?  They started lap on me but had to open and not I have a nice 6 inch sacre right up the middle of my belly.  ( Well I had a TT in Nov so now my tummy just looks like a road map, owell)

 I was 30 weeks preggo so I was so scared my baby was going to come early.  But she did not arrived perfect in every way 9 weeks later.

Here is my story.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/IN/4171885/Was-heading-to- my-baby-shower-and-ended-up-in-E-Surgery/