[tweetmeme source=”ibethyap”] Yesterday, during my regular baby check-up, I got the shocked of my life. My blood pressure was 150/100. I was just reading about Pre-Eclampsia this weekend and here I was, suspected to have one. This is one of the complications in pregnancy, hypertension in common language but it’s still scary.
My 10 minute routine check-up extended for hours and I was sent to the delivery room. So from the 10 minute walk to St Luke’s, I was ordered to proceed to Makati Med for the rest of the tests. At first I didn’t know what needs to be done. I was literally panicking. I called up Gen to calm my nerves and I’m glad I did. Arriving at the hospital, I was semi-calmed and I looked for Valiant. He explained the procedures that would be done and accompanied me. I’m super thankful for him. Otherwise, whatever the doctor was saying are all alien to me.
I had to go through 3 tests, Urinalysis, Ultrasound and Fetal Monitor. Being super scared, Urine sampling became easy for me. But the result would be after an hour. Ultrasound came in next, another shock from the doctor… my baby has no breathing. It’s not the same as the normal breathing of an adult. But they said, normally when the baby breathes, the head portion of the baby would grow. Coming from a finance world, you can only think… WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? A reactor was use to stimulate the breathing of the baby but he just won’t breathe. So for the Biophysical Profile, we got an 6/8. The doctor said, this is still okay as long as the Fetal Heart Monitor would be stable. Other vital signs are all normal but he’s a bit small for his age.
Next test I went through was the Fetal Heart Monitor, I have to lie down for more than 30 minutes, and we are monitoring the heartbeat and movement of the baby. I was given a device that every time the baby moves, I have to click it. Hearing the heartbeat of baby calmed me a lot. It means he’s still alive and kicking. The result of this test was okay. He has normal heartbeat… My blood pressure at this point was down to 130/110 and finally 120/100. Overall we passed the exam. Last result we were waiting for is the urinalysis. If the protein is positive… then I would be confined and my blood pressure would be monitored until it normalizes. Good thing it was also normal. So it can be concluded that I don’t have Pre-eclampsia.
But my doctor said I can’t work for 2 weeks, need to rest to make baby grow bigger. There should be no stress. I’ll be taking vitamins to make baby grow stronger. I was also referred to High-Risk Pregnancy Doctor for second opinion. We checked the blood flow of baby, it was normal… Baby’s size was also recalculated, he’s a bit small but within the range. So as a safety precaution, I’ll be given steroid shots so that baby’s lungs would develop quicker. I’ll be undergoing check-ups on 18th and 21st as well. I sure hope that the tests would show normal result. Otherwise, I’ll be on pre-term labor and baby would spend the rest of his days in the incubator. His chance of survival is high even if I go on pre-term labor but it would be financially problematic. I can’t afford 100K a day. But needs to do everything I can to save baby.
So my 2 weeks bed rest starts and I need to think of ways to spend my days wisely. I had my shot of steroids yesterday and another shot is expected tonight. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt much. Maybe I’m thinking more of baby or Navin is really good. :). Yesterday night, my blood pressure was down to 120/100, I think. At this point in time, I’m still worried but I’m looking at things on a positive perspective. Just like Kalvin is saying, as long as the doctor is not yet panicking. We still have hope. I’ll keep on monitoring baby and eat all the proteins and vitamins needed. We can do this baby!
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