Appendicitis in pregnancy

[Pidgy]

So, I've just had possibly the worst 2 weeks of my life in hospital with a nasty appendicitis.

Diagnosis was complicated by the fact that I'm now 10 weeks pregnant so whilst they ummed and ahhed about what could be wrong, deciding I had hyperemesis gravidum and that the pain I was feeling was 'pregnancy related', my appendix leaked out a lot of gunk!

Anyway, I finally saw a surgeon and was on the operating table within an hour, but I've had an infection afterwards.

Just really wanting anyone's experiences of this? Was your baby ok?
I've been pumped full of antibiotics (ones I know pass through the placenta) and anti sickness drugs (which I believe are safe), but I couldn't eat or drink for 5 days, and I'm very worried the effect this could have on my baby. :-(

Your poor thing that sounds like a horrible experience, I hope you're feeling better now.

I imagine not eating or drinking for 5 days would be ok as the baby takes what it needs from you and you're the one that suffers. Many people get hyperemesis in pregnancy and can't keep food or drink down for long periods and their babies are ok.

I imagine the doctors at the hospital would ensure any antibiotics they gave you were ok to take in pregnancy. But if you're worried about the effect of the appendicitis or the antibiotics can you have a chat with your midwife? Or go to an early pregnancy assessment unit and explain what has happened - I'm sure they'll chat to you about it and may offer you a scan.

Thanks Melvin.
I had a scan before and after the op, and there was a little heartbeat. :-)
I suppose I'm just worried about long term effects that might not be evident until the 20 week scan or after. I just wanted the best possible start for him/her as everyone does, and not sure what the effects would be as all the organs etc would still be forming.

Hi I am just 4 weeks from having the same.

I had lots of morphine and 3 lots of antibiotics on drip.

I was 19 weeks when I went in and am 23+3 now.

Baby is fine and moving like normal again but was quiet for a week after the operation.

I'm sure everything will be fine for you.

I've put a full description on here before entitled 'my recent trauma for anyone who may experience this'

Lots of people where commenting to reassure me do go have a read of that. One of them was an anaesthetist with good advice.

Xx

Thanks Newmum. Will go look now.

Glad you're recovering ok.

I dread to think how many antibiotics I had. At least 3 a day of iv for a week and for a few days I was on 2 types of iv. :-(

Newmum - just read your thread. Why did they wait so long after diagnosis!!
I can sort of see why they didn't initially think mine was an appendicitis as I was in pain, but no where near as much as I should have been. But, another doctor did say that pregnancy can mask the symptoms. I too had a high temperature so that should have been a warning sign.

It's the metronidazole that I'm quite worried about. I'm still on tablets and it states clearly that you shouldn't use it in pregnancy. But, I suppose it was that or die. My baby is still so little and not even fully developed.

Anyway, only time will tell I suppose.

Congrats on your scan! It won't be long and you'll be holding your dd in your arms. And trust me, labour is nothing compared to what we've been through!
There is a positive reason for the pain you might feel and you won't feel ill with it in the same way as the appendicitis.
I'd opt for childbirth a thousand times over rather than go through the past 2 weeks again!!

No experience of appendicitis but I have taken metronidazol for nasty wisdom tooth infection and I am in third trimester and baby seems fine.

I also took it for an infection post-birth when I was breasts wedding DS2 and all was fine.

Most medicines are not licenced for use in pregnancy so the packets will say do not use but can be used under close supervision. The tablets I take for my gestational diabetes are also "not to be taken in pregnancy" and are ok.

Breasts wedding? = breastfeeding

Lol at the wedding for your breasts!
Thanks for the reassurance. That's interesting to know about the drugs. I suppose you don't get many pregnant women offering to test out new ones, do you! So I suppose they hopefully are safe but they can't state that on the leaflets.