Ruptured womb at 20 weeks

[gemmz83]

Hi,

I just wanted to share my story with other mums/mums to be. I apologise for the essay, but what happened was so complex.

Last March I was over the moon to find out I was pregnant. There was trepidation because I had suffered a miscarriage/pregnancy of unknown location a couple of years previous.
At approx. 7 weeks pregnant, I was having pains on one side, so went to the EPU and had a scan. Panic set in when the sonographer said she thought it could be ectopic. She wanted a second opinion before rushing me to theatre. The second opinion thought I could possibly have a biconate uterus, but wanted a third opinion. Third opinion confirmed I had a b.u and that baby was very far on the right hand side, but everything was fine.
This threw us into turmoil. I'd never heard of b.u before. After reading about it online (not the best idea!) it was constantly on my mind.
Because I am a larger lady, I was classed a high risk pregnancy so was eventually put on heptarin injections to thin my blood and prevent clots. I was visiting the hospital at least once a week.
Everything was fine at our 12 week scan, which was so relieving.
On a Saturday morning in June, I started having extreme pain in my stomach. I could barely walk so headed back to EPU. I was checked over, babies heartbeat was fine. After some painkillers, the pain subsided a bit, so I was sent home with the explanation it was round ligament pain.
I woke up in agony in the early hours of Sunday morning. My partner rang the gynae ward who advised it would be the round ligament pain and to give me pain killers.
I spent the first half of the week still in pain. I had to go back to the hospital on the Tuesday to have my bloods checked because of the heptarin. I nipped back to EPU just for peace of mind really but there was quite a long wait so decided I'd ring later and possibly go back when it was quieter.
I rang that evening and spoke to the midwife who had seen me on the Saturday. I explained I was still in pain, and should I go back to see them. She said my swab results were back from the weekend and it showed I had bacterial vaginosis so needed antibiotics. I asked whether this could be the reason for my discomfort and was told yes. Once again I consulted the internet and b.v doesn't really have any symptoms. I knew this wasn't the reason for my pain, but didn't feel I could argue with professionals.
I picked up my antibiotics on the Wednesday. In the early hours of Thursday morning, I woke up once again in complete agony. My partner once again rang the gynae ward who said pain killers. When I collapsed in the bathroom, we headed to hospital. I could barely stand I was in so much pain. My initial thoughts were that it was appendicitis. The nurse tried to take my blood pressure, but couldn't actually get a reading. My veins had collapsed which made getting IVs into me very difficult. A surgeon came to examine me. He said he had a man on the table but needed to cancel him so he could take me to theatre. There was also a gynae surgeon on the way from Liverpool.
I had a scan and that was the last time I saw my little boy alive. As I was taken to surgery (with 2 surgical teams at the ready as we still didn't know what was wrong) the last thing I remember saying was "please don't let me die".
I woke up in recovery and the first thing I asked was whether my baby had survived. Devastatingly he hadn't.
After speaking with the surgeon later that day in ICU, she explained that my baby had attached to a weak part of my uterus and it had ruptured. In her 30 years in medicine, she had only seen this once before when she was a student. I had to have 5 blood transfusions, and was very lucky to be alive. My first question was if she had managed to save my womb. She had, but this is now irrelevant as myself and my partner have decided not to try again, but are looking at adoption/fostering.

It has been a long recovery with my wound taking several months to heal, infection and now I have developed a hernia in my belly button. I finally feel I am on the road to recovery mentally. I have been being treated for depression for several months.

I suppose me sharing my story is to let people that have been through tragedy know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and things do get easier, no matter how unlikely it seems. I have the support of a wonderful fiancé, fantastic family and brilliant friends, without who I don't think I would have coped.

The worst day of my life was baby Jacobs funeral. I have never felt so vulnerable. Not a day goes by that I don't think of our beautiful son, his beautiful face, his tiny hands and feet.

Thank you for reading!

[saintlyjimjams]

I'm so sorry, how tragic. Were you able to get any footprints or handprints from Jacob?

I wish you well on your journey to adoption or fostering.

[gemmz83]

Hi,

Thank you.

Yes, the hospital were fantastic. They took photos and got hand and foot prints for us. We also spent time with Jacob and took our own pictures too.

[Iatemyskinnyperson]

So sorry to read of your loss. RIP Jacob. Best wishes xxx

[saintlyjimjams]

I'm glad the hospital were good - and pleased you had a chance for photos. It sounds incredibly difficult :(

[RhondaJean]

Hi gemmz

I am so sorry for the loss of your little boy.

I have a bicornate uterus too; we knew before we ttc and I was lucky enough to have two healthy if early babies. I remember living with the fear and possibility of something like this happening through both pregnancies.

Thank you for sharing with us, I am glad you are starting to find peace in your heart and I wish you joy in your future.

May your little Jacob sleep peacefully x

[Lottystar]

I have not experienced anything like this op, but I just wanted to say I think you're an incredibly strong lady. Your little one would be very proud of his Mummy for managing to survive all of this and then be offering her love to a child who desperately needs it. Good luck to you in future with the fostering / adoption process x