Feel bad - need to decide what to do.

[Lalla525]

Posting here mainly for the traffic, need a hand to decide what to do.

Here's the story. 32w pregnant with vasa praevia. Vasa praevia is a condition due to which fetus's uncovered blood vessels (which are generally safely enclosed into the cord) are outside the cord and close or over the birth canal. No problem, until membrane break during labour. If they do, baby dies due to blood loss. For undiagnosed cases (the majority) the stillbirth rate is 60-90%. When diagnosed, the protocol is to admit the mother between 30-32 weeks and schedule a c-section between 34-36 weeks (this is to be close to theatre is case of premature labour and the early birth at 34-36 weeks is to balance risks of prematurity with risks of spontaneous labour).

I came to the hospital at 31w3d (4 days ago) because of some contractions and some period pain. They let me stay the night for monitoring. Thankfully, contractions seem to be only braxton hicks and period pains went away. They did some test to check how likely it is that I will go into labour in the next 2 weeks and it came out that the probability is very small (2%).

Since then, doctors keep asking me if I want to go home. I feel like they (and the midwives) think I'm being overly cautious and should really move on and free up the bed (not occupy it for the next 4 weeks). In the report yesterday the dr mentioned "we did all tests but she is not reassured enough and she has decided she will stay here until delivery". Today I have also been informed that midviwes are talking about my presence here and that if the bed is needed, dr might re-assess my stay.

I feel absolutely fine physically and the thing with this condition is that it is not a problem, until it is. So I seem healthy and good while other women here are struggling, and it feels like, according to the experts, I should just go home.

However, guidelines and my fear tell me that I should ignore everything and stay here. Worst case scenario they'll think I'm paranoid, but at least baby will be safe. However, 4 weeks of being pushed away feel very bad.

What do you think?

*with someone like you (sorry)

Stay put. Not worth the risk IMO.

I would ask for the names of the midwives saying those things. I suspect the nurses will clam up pretty quick if you do. They are most likely bullshitting.

Have you got a birth partner? Have them with you next time and make it clear from both of you that you are not moving, that pressuring you isnt on and were something to happen due to said pressure- be it you having left and labour- you would be placing fault directly on them.

Stay put. Hospital is a horrible place to be stuck - NO ONE would choose to be in hospital if it wasn't necessary. Do not feel guilty, you are doing the right thing. I cannot begin to imagine how you would feel if you went home and something went wrong. Unless they actively kick you out, stay.

It's just that I was not expecting this. Protocol is clear and risks are high, so I thought that, after 4 days and repeatedly stating my stance of wanting to remain in until birth, that it would be out of order to just keep asking and keep returning on the subject. Just that, really. First time they ask, it did not bother me. 10th time, I am starting to worry they are going to kick me out soon.

Stay put. Assert yourself a bit - tell them directly that you are uncomfortable with the repeated questioning of your decision to stay in hospital given the protocol, and how far you would be from hospital if you left to go home.

Talk to PALS who can intervene if needed.

Go with your gut instinct - stay.

You're another patient, another number to them. Ultimately if they send you away and something bad happens they won't care.

Stay. Protect you. Protect your baby.

You're doing the right thing.

Stay put x

How are you getting on today OP?

100% stay

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists do not necessarily recommend staying in hospital in all cases. They say that it should be an individual decision based on all the factors of the situation, including whether you have had any bleeding already and your risk of pre-term labour

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg27b/

Stay put! Not worth the risk. Good luck op and hope everything goes well.

Do the doctors know how long it will take you to get in to hospital. I would ask that it goes in my notes - patient is staying in hospital as if goes in to labour will need to be operated on within 5 minutes and lives one hour away. Something down there in black and white explaining it clearly.