What do you do when plans don’t go as planned? As many of you know, I had planned on a home birth. I had planned on going into labor naturally, being able to labor in my own clothes, go outside to take a walk if needed, lay in my own comfy bed if I wanted, and finally crawl into my pool for the rest of my labor and delivery.
It didn’t get to happen that way. And I wouldn’t change that at all.
When Plans Don’t Go as Planned:
Around 20 weeks, my mom mentioned I looked very anemic, I was also dealing with severe fatigue. I found an herbal iron supplement and began taking it. I also started taking another supplement to help my liver out, since I assumed the anemia and fatigue was stemming from that.
The anemia went away, but the fatigue never really did. In fact I had to keep a stool in the kitchen and learn to do most things sitting down because even standing for more than 5 minutes at a time in one place would have me breathless.
Around 25 weeks I began waking up in the middle of the night with my feet on fire. They itched horribly and I wanted to cut them off. I assumed this was due to my body changing and cutting off the circulation. They itched in the morning too and the palms of my hands would at times as well. The itching wasn’t an every night thing, but as my pregnancy progressed, it became more and more frequent.
At my 30 week checkup, one of the midwives asked if I had any itching. I told her my feet would itch at night but I thought it was due to poor circulation. The midwife told me that itching was a sign of ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy). I brushed it off and said I was fine.
Cholestasis is a rare condition where the liver quits working properly. Instead of dumping toxins and bile acids into the “exit pipes” it releases them back into the blood. The bile acids can attack the placenta and kill it, ultimately killing the baby.
The more I thought about what the midwife said, the more I wondered. So I did some research and realized that this wasn’t something I could ignore. A call to my midwife resulted in a Dr appointment and blood work. At 34 weeks my blood work came back “ok” according to the dr.
However, according to my research, it really wasn’t okay. I spent the next 5 weeks doing things to help my liver dump the toxins properly and I believe it really did help. At times the itching would completely go away. However, by 38.5 weeks, I felt that slipping away. The itching was worse and I felt like I was no longer controlling it. I called my midwife again about it and after a lengthy discussion we decided that more blood work was needed.
This time, cholestasis was confirmed. At 39 weeks and 3 days, I got a call saying that I really needed to be induced, so I made an appointment to the see the Dr before I went to the hospital. I was term and the risks to the baby became greater the longer I waited. (Usually the worst damage happens in the last 4-5 weeks)
Part 2 Accepting a Different Plan
Part 3 Joy Comes in the Morning
raisingcropsandbabies says
June 24, 2014 at 5:45 amI am so glad already you were where you needed to be. I had a traumatic homebirth with my first son (a severe shoulder dystocia resulting in his severe brachial plexus injury… lifelong with some other consequences). He is a miracle baby, but I made sure to give birth at the hospital the next 3 times. Anyway, once you have a complication you realize on such a personal level how much a healthy baby and a healthy mama mean! Glad your midwife was on board with your decision too. I’m sure that was helpful.
Kendra says
June 24, 2014 at 12:58 pmI really trusted my midwife team to help me make the best decision for our little one. I still have hopes of a homebirth in the future, but this is all up to the Lord.
Jane says
June 24, 2014 at 7:55 amCan’t wait to read the next one, I’m just SO thankful that you and your little one seem to be doing well now, or at least I hope?
Take care of you and baby!
Heddy says
June 24, 2014 at 12:11 pmOh, I hope you & baby are ok! Please write more soon! This reader/follower is at the edge of her seat! My prayers for health and strength!
Jennifer S. says
June 24, 2014 at 12:14 pmI’m looking forward to reading the next part. I too wanted a home birth for my first, and in fact, started out labouring at home. Things didn’t go well though and thankfully my midwives recognized a need for the hospital. We ended up with a caesarean which I have no doubts was totally necessary. The end result made it worth it all. 🙂
Kendra says
June 24, 2014 at 12:56 pmHomebirth can be wonderful, but I am so thankful for midwives that can also see the need for modern medicine! I’m sure you are too!
Mandi says
June 24, 2014 at 12:14 pmGoodness! I’m so ready to read more so don’t leave us hanging too long! Lots of prayers for all of you, I’m sure little one is happy and healthy and you are so in love 🙂
Alicia Figueroa says
June 24, 2014 at 12:42 pmWow! I know that cholestasis is really rare – it is so weird though that I was at an event last month where I met two women who had also had it! I’m sure that was really rough, but I’m glad you started the article by saying you wouldn’t change anything since the 2nd part probably has a happy ending 🙂
Kendra says
June 24, 2014 at 12:50 pmMy cousin’s wife also had it. My midwife team said that they have been seeing it more frequently in recent years. Not sure what is causing it, but I hope it can get figured out.
Kim Sullivan says
June 24, 2014 at 12:44 pmI am also on the edge of my seat. Don’t leave us hanging too long! Prayers for you and your family!
Kate @ http://majesticgoldenrose.weebly.com/ says
June 28, 2014 at 3:12 pmArent we all?
Godly Indian Mom says
June 24, 2014 at 1:08 pmKendra hope you and your little one are doing well?
http://www.godlyindianmom.com/
https://www.facebook.com/godlyindianmom
Kendra says
June 24, 2014 at 1:42 pmWe are doing wonderfully!
Godly Indian Mom says
June 28, 2014 at 1:47 pmSo happy for you 🙂
Blessings! says
June 25, 2014 at 4:46 pmOh how I wish you all the best as your liver gets back to doing what it should as it should. Good job paying attention to your body. Keep that up. *smile* Our first was induced for other reasons. I also wish you all the best as you bond with your son. *smile* Remember to pray always! Sincerely, Mommy of two growing blessings & so much more!
Melinda Mitchell says
December 14, 2016 at 11:47 amThank God for good midwives!!