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cervix problems

I AM IN MY 16TH WEEK AND THIS IS MY 2ND TRY. I AM 41 AND I HAVE A SHORT CERVIX, I HAVE BEEN PUT ON BED REST UNTIL THEY MEASURE MY CERVICAL LENGTH. I MAY HAVE TO HAVE A CERCLAGE. ANYONE HAVE LUCK WITH ONE AND GET THROUGH IT AND GIVE BIRTH?

HELP REALLY WANT TO KNOW ONLY SUCCESSFUL STORIES, BECAUSE I CAN RELATE TO THE LOSSES AS I HAVE GONE THROUGH IT.


THANKS ALL

julie

managing gestational diabetes--what worked for me

My doctor diagnosed me with gestational diabetes at 7 weeks. Actually, I may have had diabetes before I got pregnant since it runs in my family--I just have to wait to be tested after I have the baby. It was really scary at first--I had never been on any kind of diet before and wasn't sure I'd be able to follow one. My ob sent me to a nutritionist who went over the diet with me and I realized it was mostly about portion control. I did ok for awhile--my sugars were low and I actually felt like I was eating more than before since I had to eat every couple of hours. I do not take insulin, but I do take medication that helps lower my blood sugar. If I didn't eat regularly, my sugar would drop and I would become hypoglycemic. Then at 14 weeks, I went to the hospital with cramping and bleeding. I was on 2 weeks of bedrest until my doctor found out I had placenta previa. He told me I basically had to be a couch potato until either the baby was born or the condition corrected itself. So since I wasn't allowed to exercise--in fact, I really wasn't supposed to be physically active much at all--my blood sugar became much more difficult to control. Things I ate before, such as fresh fruit, with no problems now sent my sugar through the roof. Pretty much anything I ate for breakfast made my sugar run pretty high--in the 175-200 range. My doctor kept saying he might have to put me on insulin, and I did not want that. He gave me one more thing to try. He wanted me to put myself on a schedule--getting up at the same time everyday and eating my meals at approximately the same time each day. He also told me to take my medication 20 minutes before breakfast each day. I didn't understand why this was important, I'm not really a morning person and some days I liked to sleep until noon. But I tried it--and it worked. Managing my diabetes is so easy now--since I've been on this schedule, I've noticed there are certain times of the day when my sugars tend to run high and when they're low. I know that my sugar is usually high in the morning, so I stick to high protein breakfasts and I don't have any fruit or milk before noon. In the early afternoon, my sugar is pretty low--I've found that I can eat almost anything I want at lunch time as long as I control the portion size and it won't affect my sugar that much. At dinner I have to be careful--I can have some carbs, and drink some milk, but I have to watch the portions very carefully. And now that my doctor has finally allowed me to resume some physical activity, it's getting even easier. Everything has been going really well--my baby is right on track as far as growth is concerned, which is good because I hear these horror stories about women with gestational diabetes having huge babies. At my last ultrasound, everything looked really well--no sign of birth defects. I am proud that I have been able to do this--giving my baby the best start in this world is what is most important to me. It hasn't been easy--but it's worth it.

Liz

Liz

Genetic Testing-whats good and whats not?

I gave birth to a baby boy in June, 2001, who has Down's Syndrome. I was 30 and had no amnio to screen for the Down's. I took an AFP blood test that came back normal. Do not bother with that test! They can be very inaccurate! And ultrasounds don't help unless the doctor is looking for something. I believe every mother should have the right to choose any type of prenatal testing whether they are high risk or not-not just those selected.
Now I am pregnant with my 3rd child (my 2nd also has a genetic condition) and my genetic counselor is offerring for me to do a gene chip thru Baylor University-to cost me about $3200. Any one have info on this test?

Rachel B.

my son blake

my son blake now 6 is my angal.he has downs i found out after he was born i was a mess but as time went on i relized god blessed me this baby is going to help me also.i was 20 when i had him hes so loveing sweet and a doll we were blessed thats how i see it god is with us.blake does every thing my other children do he is very active and he trys so hard to talk to me.but im his mom i know what he wants before he says it.he doesnt really look like alot of kids i have seen with downs.he has had no surgry thank god and i just want to say that kids with downs are the sweetest.i dont like it when doctors use the words retardedand things like taht because there not there justbrighter kids my blake is my world.and he knows that .im concered about later in school but i know i will be able to deal with it in time .thanks for reading my story

felisha hendon

Son born at 32 weeks

After having a perfect first pregnancy my second one was unfortunately not the same.

At my 28 weeks check I was told I had Diabitis and put straight onto insulin. Then at 30 weeks my waters broke and I went straight into hospital. There I stayed for the next two weeks, being given steriods for the baby's lungs and various other injections.

Unfortunately after being allowed home for two days I went into labour. Two hours after arriving back at the hospital my son was born weighing 5lb 15oz. Both my husband and I were quickly shown him and then watched as the staff whisked him away to the Neo Natal Unit.
That first visit to the unit was awful - seeing him wired up to various machines and a feeding tube. But, the staff were fantastic and explained everthing to us. After a four week stay he was finally allowed home (which was the best thing in the world)

That was two years ago now, and I watch him running about and jumping all over the place and can't believe what a tough start to life he had. He truely is my little angel.

Sam