Tuesday, July 31, 2007
9w4d
I feel so conflicted. I'm a member of a couple of message boards, most of which are mommy-oriented. There have been quite a few posts from women who've been diagnosed with SUA and they are looking for advice and stories of moms who've been there. I really believe these women are posting looking for reassurance that their babies will be okay, so I have never replied with what happened to me. I know it's not what they want to hear, and I don't want to scare the hell out of a mom for no reason. Most healthy SUA babies are born alive and healthy. But there is this part of me that wishes someone would have told me. What if someone had said, "hey, i saw you've been diagnosed with a two-vessel cord. your baby is probably going to be just fine, but I didn't have a good outcome. You should be aware of what happened to me and talk to your doctor about ways to reduce the risk of it happening to you"? Would I have done anything differently? Maybe I would have been a little more paranoid about the reduced movement around 36 weeks, and asked my doctor for an ultrasound. Maybe they'd have seen Gregory was in distress and he would have been born alive. What if months from now one of those moms who posted looking for advice and stories posts her own tragic tale, and I have to carry it with me forever that I didn't speak up? I always get so close to replying, and then I back down because I don't want to scare the hell out of her. No mom wants to hear that her baby could die. What do I do with this awful knowledge and experience?
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7 comments:
Froggy mommy,
I have considered the exact same question. In fact, a lot of traffic to my blog is for people looking for information about SUA. I don't belong to message boards (they drive me crazy.. literally, not hyperbole, so I don't see direct questions about SUA. I am glad that people come across my site because I think it may compel them to ask more questions of their OB. I've often thought about putting a side bar on my blog with the heading: If you came here googling SUA.... And then just tell them to make sure their OB does weekly NST and or BPP and INDUCES EARLY!!! I remember after we got the SUA diagnosis, the only info. we found is how it could be a soft marker for other genetic defects and such. AFter we got the amnio to rule out these defects, we felt pretty confident that everything would be fine, especially since our OB said so. Sure, we had extra ultrasounds, but looking back, more could have been done. I really wish I had seen a site that said all these things. I know it sucks to be frightened, but if it helps someone, it might be worth it. Besides, our goal isn't to frighten, but to educate. It's up to you what to do.
BTW, how are things going?
Thanks for the push! I wrote a post about SUA and I hope it helps someone.
Hilarious, I just commented on your blog before coming here. I'm glad it pushed you!
Maybe you could tell them something along the lines of what Monica said on her blog -- or just direct them to Monica's post, which I thought was really well written and informative without being too scary.
It sounds like many doctors underestimate the risks of SUA, unnecessarily putting babies at risk. If the women understood the potential problems, they could make sure they're getting the care that gives their babies the best possible chance.
Froggy mommy, what you say about SUA is true. I was detected with SUA and was shit scared to read all the comments on the web. There were couple of sites with reassurances which helped me through. But I kept longing for a site with more information with scaring you. YES.. DOCTORS DO TAKE IT VERY LIGHTLY.. especially after the ultrasound comes back saying no anamolies were found. I kept asking my doctor about the growth but she kept replying back that there was nothing to worry. I was 41 weeks before they induced me. There is somehting about pitocin and SUA babies. Even though I asked her, she said inducing is fine but the baby din't take it well and kept stressing out. The heart rate just went crazy.. the doctor was with me the whole time. I was in labor for20 hours before they decided to do a c-section. Still your doctor might know what is best for you, but i think you should be aware of all the things there. I kept asking about the growth rate too.. they said in unltrasound the baby was 7pounds something, but the baby came out 5pouns and 11 ounces. In the end it was a happy ending. We have a happy and healthy baby. Our pediatrician ordered a kidney ultrasound as soon as they saw the SUA. It came out as 1mm dilated. So we were asked to do a urine reflex test.. my god that was a nightmarish test. they fill the bladder wtih a dye and make the baby pee and check if everything comes out. Only people growing through this or who have gone through can understand the agony i had when this was done and my prayers that everything should be ok. It did come out ok...but people should be aware of this issue adn ask for this test even if the doctor doesn;t order it. My doctor pointed out that incase there was a reflux the kidney could be effected. I also would like to point out thatin the level 2 ultrasound they didn't find the dilation. So ask as many questions as you want to make you feel peaceful. My whole preganany was messed up becuase of this but i am grateful for a healthy baby. SUA people hang in there gather information and ask your doctor. I felt my doctor brushed my concerns. Ask them. Keep yourself positive.
I was just told I have SUA, I am 20 weeks along. My dr's office just scheduled me for a high risk u/s. In our regular u/s they had a hard time locating both kindeys. I am, of course, frighented and worried. Although, I don't want anyone to hold my hand. I want to know exactly what to look out for etc. I have read some negative things online by dr's. BUT everyone that has an SUA they always post a positive comment. That gives me reassurance although, I feel that my dr. may not take this as seriously as I like. I am looking all over online for something that has to do with kidneys and SUA...and all I can find is that the kidneys are the more common anomalie.
anyone with information on this i would be interested in hearing. Also, any websites would be helpful. thank you.
I had my 20 week u/s and the technician seemed to take quite a long time taking measurements, etc. I told my husband I am worried that took longer than usual. Well one week later I go to the dr. for results and am told baby has SUA. I am in a state of shock and worried sick. I am currently around the 22/23 week mark and not scheduled for any additional u/s under my dr.'s care. I scheduled my own 3D u/s privately, but I know that they are not allowed to tell me much of anything to do with SUA. I go back to my dr. on the 28th of August and I want more tests done, just not sure what at this stage.
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