Friday, February 26, 2010
Such a workout
So it is actually a pretty nice day today in Utah. It is in the 50s and sunny! I decided that since I didn't need to be completely bundled up to be outside, I would throw the ball for the dogs. We have a Chuck-It (a throwing apparatus) and it definitely helps get the energy out of the dogs. I must have really warn them out because Mick gave up on actually getting the ball and Bodee would only bring it back 3/4 of the way. They were panting pretty good and started searching for water. Now with these two dogs no ordinary water bowl would do. I allow them to drink out of the tub's faucet so I don't have to continually refill their water bowl (weird, I know, but it works). Well I guess Bodee was really thirsty because he just helped himself.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
"New" Health Problems...
WARNING: TODAY'S BLOG ENTRY MIGHT BE TMI (TOO MUCH INFORMATION) FOR SOME. SO IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW PERSONAL INFORMATION, DISCONTINUE YOUR READING NOW.
Okay, here we go. I am going to make the beginning of the story fairly short. I could go into more detail, but I don't think it is needed. Thursday night I was nauseated, had diarrhea, and was throwing up. Friday morning I was nauseated, had diarrhea, and now had a sharp pain in my right lower abdominal region. Not a good combination. I went into work to have my boss look at me (I work in a doctor's office, remember?). I had talked to her the night before about the diarrhea and nausea, but the vomiting and sharp pain were new. Once she heard about that, she was concerned about my appendix. She did a couple of tests and only one came back positive. Still worried, we decided that I needed an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound to rule out appendicitis and cysts on my ovaries. Now the real story begins.
I was able to get in for the ultrasound that same day. While doing the ultrasound, they were not able to find my appendix or free standing fluids. This was a good sign; at least my appendix had not burst or was not inflamed. They also said my ovaries looked good, no sign of cysts on either one. Now the tough part. While looking at my uterus, they discovered that my cervix was open, normally it is not supposed to be. Also they discovered what is called a "Bicornuate Uterus" or a "Double Horned Uterus". It is easier to show than to explain what it is, so here is a picture:
The top image in the picture is that of a normal uterus. The bottom image is a Bicornuate Uterus or what I have. From what they could tell, mine was a complete bicornuate uterus, meaning my uterus is not one chamber until just above the cervix. This is a birth defect so it is something I was born with and did not do anything to cause it.
Now the problems with both of these discoveries. With an open cervix I have no problem getting pregnant, but staying pregnant. The cervix is there to help keep the fetus in the uterus. So when they talk about a pregnant woman being dilated, it is her cervix they are talking about. It is stretching/opening to allow the baby's head through. Now this can be fixed. They can "sew" it shut once I am pregnant to increase the chances of a full term baby.
The biggest issue is with the bicornuate uterus. Here are the problems that can arise with it:
1. Recurrent pregnancy loss
2. Preterm birth
3. Malpresentation
So in layman's terms the risks are:
1. Higher chance for miscarriage due to the lack of room in the uterus for the baby to grow (miscarriage is more likely to occur in the 2nd trimester)
2. Higher chance for the baby to be born premature, which also decreases the chances of the baby's survival (if born too early)
3. A breech or transverse birth, meaning the baby is not head down in the birthing canal due to the lack of room to move
Now my uterus can be surgically fixed, but most doctors will not recommend this and will not do it (so I have read).
While this may be a very dark cloud over my world right now, there is a silver lining. I have read about many women with this same defect that have had multiple healthy births. Studies show there is about a 60% live birth rate for women with bicornuate uteri.
What's my next step? I am going into an Ob/Gyn to discuss fertility and my Bicornuate Uterus. We will just have to wait and see what my options are. Until next time...
Okay, here we go. I am going to make the beginning of the story fairly short. I could go into more detail, but I don't think it is needed. Thursday night I was nauseated, had diarrhea, and was throwing up. Friday morning I was nauseated, had diarrhea, and now had a sharp pain in my right lower abdominal region. Not a good combination. I went into work to have my boss look at me (I work in a doctor's office, remember?). I had talked to her the night before about the diarrhea and nausea, but the vomiting and sharp pain were new. Once she heard about that, she was concerned about my appendix. She did a couple of tests and only one came back positive. Still worried, we decided that I needed an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound to rule out appendicitis and cysts on my ovaries. Now the real story begins.
I was able to get in for the ultrasound that same day. While doing the ultrasound, they were not able to find my appendix or free standing fluids. This was a good sign; at least my appendix had not burst or was not inflamed. They also said my ovaries looked good, no sign of cysts on either one. Now the tough part. While looking at my uterus, they discovered that my cervix was open, normally it is not supposed to be. Also they discovered what is called a "Bicornuate Uterus" or a "Double Horned Uterus". It is easier to show than to explain what it is, so here is a picture:
The top image in the picture is that of a normal uterus. The bottom image is a Bicornuate Uterus or what I have. From what they could tell, mine was a complete bicornuate uterus, meaning my uterus is not one chamber until just above the cervix. This is a birth defect so it is something I was born with and did not do anything to cause it.
Now the problems with both of these discoveries. With an open cervix I have no problem getting pregnant, but staying pregnant. The cervix is there to help keep the fetus in the uterus. So when they talk about a pregnant woman being dilated, it is her cervix they are talking about. It is stretching/opening to allow the baby's head through. Now this can be fixed. They can "sew" it shut once I am pregnant to increase the chances of a full term baby.
The biggest issue is with the bicornuate uterus. Here are the problems that can arise with it:
1. Recurrent pregnancy loss
2. Preterm birth
3. Malpresentation
So in layman's terms the risks are:
1. Higher chance for miscarriage due to the lack of room in the uterus for the baby to grow (miscarriage is more likely to occur in the 2nd trimester)
2. Higher chance for the baby to be born premature, which also decreases the chances of the baby's survival (if born too early)
3. A breech or transverse birth, meaning the baby is not head down in the birthing canal due to the lack of room to move
Now my uterus can be surgically fixed, but most doctors will not recommend this and will not do it (so I have read).
While this may be a very dark cloud over my world right now, there is a silver lining. I have read about many women with this same defect that have had multiple healthy births. Studies show there is about a 60% live birth rate for women with bicornuate uteri.
What's my next step? I am going into an Ob/Gyn to discuss fertility and my Bicornuate Uterus. We will just have to wait and see what my options are. Until next time...
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