I am the 0.5%.
This pregnancy has flown by so quickly that I can hardly catch my breath. Or, wait...was that just because I have a baby hanging out on my diaphragm?
The midwives seemed confident that from Weeks 20-30 that my partial placenta previa would resolve itself as my uterus expanded. 90% of previa cases do, in fact, resolve themselves. Well, after 3 ultrasounds last week, the doctor confirmed that my placenta had not moved at all, not even a centimeter. And the white spot on the heart was still present. The doctor seemed completely unconcerned with this soft marker for Down's saying it's basically not an accurate or reliable sign of anything.
I've been scheduled for another ultrasound come Week 34. There is still a small possibility that the placenta could move up the very necessary 2 centimeters which would allow me to have a natural birth. Please, please pray that God would place His hand on my belly and move that life-giving placenta up! Do you know how much 2 cm is? It's not very much, but it will make all the difference!
The danger of giving birth naturally with the placenta residing so low is hemorrhaging - basically bleeding to death. I was trying to think what this diagnosis would mean for me as a first-time mother 100 years ago. This would be my death sentence. I believe only 0.5% of all pregnancies have previa so it's a very small percentage of women, but I am that small percentage. I've perhaps been researching a bit too much. Naturally, I'm scared of a c-section. I mean what the heck?! They rearrange your organs (i.e. instestines, uterus, etc.) when they put you back together! Ewww! Not to mention catheters and enemas, 5 day hospital stays, and a possibility of a blood transfusion or emergency hysterectomy? I'm trying to be thankful & see that this potential and dreaded c-section is a lifesaver - a true blessing & second chance at life that my little boy & I wouldn't have had 100 years ago.
I'm clearly preparing myself for the worst case scenario and praying that the Lord would move in other ways, literally and figuratively!
I have peace knowing that God knit me together in my mother's womb and is knitting baby Cash in my own & that HE alone is in control. I will rejoice and hope in Him no matter what may come.
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| Normal placenta (L), Placenta previa (R) |
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| *That's my placenta on the bottom left, partial placenta previa. |
I've been scheduled for another ultrasound come Week 34. There is still a small possibility that the placenta could move up the very necessary 2 centimeters which would allow me to have a natural birth. Please, please pray that God would place His hand on my belly and move that life-giving placenta up! Do you know how much 2 cm is? It's not very much, but it will make all the difference!
The danger of giving birth naturally with the placenta residing so low is hemorrhaging - basically bleeding to death. I was trying to think what this diagnosis would mean for me as a first-time mother 100 years ago. This would be my death sentence. I believe only 0.5% of all pregnancies have previa so it's a very small percentage of women, but I am that small percentage. I've perhaps been researching a bit too much. Naturally, I'm scared of a c-section. I mean what the heck?! They rearrange your organs (i.e. instestines, uterus, etc.) when they put you back together! Ewww! Not to mention catheters and enemas, 5 day hospital stays, and a possibility of a blood transfusion or emergency hysterectomy? I'm trying to be thankful & see that this potential and dreaded c-section is a lifesaver - a true blessing & second chance at life that my little boy & I wouldn't have had 100 years ago.
I'm clearly preparing myself for the worst case scenario and praying that the Lord would move in other ways, literally and figuratively!
I have peace knowing that God knit me together in my mother's womb and is knitting baby Cash in my own & that HE alone is in control. I will rejoice and hope in Him no matter what may come.
I"m so sorry to hear your diagnosis...but also thankful. Thankful it isn't something much worse and that they were able to determine what was going on BEFORE the birth day! I'm praying for you and can't wait to hear how your little Cash will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. What an incredible blessing. Love you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteJesus is the Good shepherd who tenderly loves His lambs!!!
ReplyDelete"He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young." Isaiah 40:11