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Erica

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a place to share my story and maybe get some feedback and some advice. I had a baby girl 4 years ago and she is healthy and happy today. But my road to get there was not an easy one. I found out I was pregnant on Super Bowl Sunday in 1997. It was the happiest time and then it went down hill.

During my third month being pregnant I got a call from my doctor and was told that I should think about abortion cause my baby tested very high for spina bifida. Then I had a second opinion to be told that it was a fine result. After this date I started to have tons of problems. I had headaches every day, I couldn't sleep I was completely uncomfortable, I was swollen in my legs and feet, I was so itchy that I mademyself bleed by scratching. To all of these the doctors I went to said that it was just symptoms of pregnancy and not to worry. They told me to buy a body pillow and to relax and that it was summer and hot so I would be swollen and uncomfortable.

These symptoms lasted from maybe April until August when the baby was born. I was due Halloween!! I must have gotten sick 20 times the night before I had my daughter. I called the doctor and they said come right in. They checked my blood pressure and it was 160 over 110 (I think - very high) I went from weighing 130 to maybe 148 in a night or two (from water). I had an ultrasound that showed that the baby was not moving - she was under a lot of stress. She was delivered a half hour later.

She actually came out with very little problems. She was diagnosed with Nec, a problem with the bowels, but that was cured in a short time. She had to stay in the hospital for two months until she was five pounds because she was only 1 pound 12 ounces at birth. I had a visiting nurse for a week or so to be sure my blood pressure went down. While I was in the hospital I was on magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures so I don't remember anything after the c-section. I think that is the worst part not remembering the birth of my baby and days to follow.

I am thinking about having another baby in the future and would like some opinions. I am wondering what are the chances of this happening again?

Thanks a lot
Erica


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