Poor placentation and terrified

[Pollifilla]

Hi everyone,

I've never posted, but have often read threads on here when I have had worries or questions so far in this, my first pregnancy. I have to say, it's been so reassuring, so a huge think you to everyone who takes the time to post responses - you are helping more than the person who posted the original thread.

Yesterday, at 15+4 weeks, following a low PAPP-A result and subsequent scan, me and my husband (and bump!) found ourselves in a consultants room being told that my placental blood flow is lousy. I have been prescribed aspirin, daily heparin injections and high dose folic acid to try and improve things, but we have a very long 5 week wait to see if it is going to work.

We asked our consultant for a realistic prognosis and he was very guarded. He did admit that we are an extreme case though :-(. I asked if there was any way we could have an interim scan to see if things are going in the right direction and was told there is no point - there is nothing more that they can do for us as I am on everything they can give us at the max dose.

Quite frankly, I am terrified. More of the unknown than anything else. It would be great to hear from other mums who have had similar experiences, or who are going through the same thing.

Thanks in advance.

Im so sorry to read your story, what an awful situation.

Im just trying to find the study, but scientists have found oestrogen can increase blood flow in the placenta, i dont recall at what stage though, but this might be an avenue to explore.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you x

Thanks Topsy - that's interesting, do let me know if you find it. I am a vet, so am finding really hard to resist the urge to look up a load of papers! I did that when I got the original PAPP A result and scared myself silly!

Really sorry that this is happening to you.

Step away from the research - it will only scare you. In situations like this google is not your friend.

I wish you all the best for the next 5 weeks. Please try and enjoy the pregnancy- I know that's hard, and I know that it sounds strange, but you have this baby now and you obviously care deeply for it, enjoy it and love it.

Thanks Junosmum. I have banned Google for myself because you're right - anything I read does not relate to our exact situation, so why worry myself with it?

Trying to remain positive buy it is hard - especially in the wee small hours when I can't turn my stupid head off.

Still, there is nothing more that we can do other than what we have been told. What I would do for a crystal ball right now though!

Cant find the research paper, but Tommy's mention within their placenta research, link here www.tommys.org/page.aspx?pid=359

I do agree with junosmum, try and enjoy the pregnancy, whatever happens your baby is loved. I had a miscarriage is january and have found it really hard to enjoy this pregnancy.

When your brain is working overtime, get a Notebook and write down questions, thoughts etc and then make another appointment to see the comsultant as those questions and ask for the research papers they use to write the guidelines

It most certainly is loved :-)

Thanks for the link and notebook tip. I do keep a note page by my bed because I am always waking up and remembering things that I need to do and I can't sleep again unless I make a note. My midnight mind wanderings tend to be all the random various possible outcomes and invariably end up at really trivial thoughts such as 'well how will that affect Christmas?!' which is ridiculous, buy probably just my brain trying to cope or something.

Sorry to hear about your miscarriage Topsy - that must be horrible :-(. Great that you are pregnant again though although I can only imagine the worry you must have. I guess just take your own advice and enjoy what happens each day rather than look ahead and worry about 'what ifs'.

I shall try and do the same, although I've just found out my lovely Grandad died last night. I'm not sure that I have many more tears left :-(

Oh no, i am so sorry to hear about your Grandad. Take care of yourself xx