I am primarily writing this entry for my sisters in the Facebook support group, All about APAS and Immuno-Reproductive Cases. I am part of a small population of women whose immune systems recognize growing babies as enemies, hence attacking the growing fetus. There are several categories of these Immuno-reproductive cases, some are about blood compatibility of the mom and dad, allergic reactions to sperm, etc... It's a frustrating and expensive condition ! I intend to write more about that in another article, but for now, here's my birthing story!
(I will update this entry with links to relevant blog entries as I complete them.)
Samantha
Olivia, our little Maia, was born via elective CS last August 2, 2017. OB and
Immunologist both recommended to deliver at around 36-37 weeks to prevent labor
and stress for both mom and baby.
History:
2009 –
missed miscarriage (M/C) at 14 weeks, waited 3 months for natural M/C, had D&C (note: "missed miscarriage" is when the baby loses its heartbeat but stays in the mom's womb)
2010 –
emergency C/S at 37 weeks due to weak/ irregular fetal heartbeat via Doppler.
Baby boy was in NICU for 11 days due to low birthweight and sepsis (pneumonia,
UTI). I was not yet diagnosed for APAS then, our first miracle-rainbow baby is
now 6 years old!
2014 – another missed M/C at 16 weeks, 2 weeks before natural M/C, had D&C
2017 –
positive pregnancy test, searched for a new OB (who referred me to an
immunologist), got tested for RID, diagnosed Cat 3, and subsequently treated as
APAS. Elective CS at 37 weeks, healthy (though small at 5.2 lbs) baby girl.
Hospital:
St. Luke’s BGC
OB Gyne: Dr.
May Anne Tabaquero
Immunologist:
Dr. CJ Gloria
Vitamins and
Medication:
Folart
Duphaston
Caltrate
Trihemic
Solgar 5
Billion 2x a day / Culturelle 15 Billion once available :)
Clusivol OB
Aldomet
(gestational hypertension manifested during 2nd trimester)
Aspirin (up
to 33 weeks)
Innohep .35
(1 shot a day, up to 2 days before surgery, and then resume 2 days after
surgery for 10 more days)
Betamethasone, 2 shots 24 hours apart at 24 weeks for baby’s lung development
Betamethasone, 2 shots 24 hours apart at 24 weeks for baby’s lung development
Aminovita (from
34 weeks onwards, increased dosage from every other day, to daily, to twice –
3x a day!)
Intralipid
transfusion (once at 35 weeks due to low birthweight of baby)
Additional
support that I think helped:
Oatmeal
(whole oats) for breakfast to manage constipation
Other
probiotics such as Yakult and yogurt
Essential oils for immunity and allergy support (click to read more)
I really
felt well taken care of during my pregnancy! Perhaps it was because I knew already that we had the immune disorder, and was doing something about it -- unlike the previous pregnancies when were always guessing. I also had the privilege of knowing Dr. Tantoco (OB/ Perinatologist/
Sonographer) who did most of my Doppler studies, and also Dr. Young
(Anaesthesiologist) who helped make the whole C/S process as “comfortable” and
less traumatic as possible.
The whole experience at SLMC-BGC was also pleasant. The nurses at the 8th Floor (I think it's the maternity floor) were all nice, approachable, and had good bedside manners.