My pregnancy, a bit difficult to explain, is both high and low risk
I feel reassured because I have a trusted medical team guiding me
My pregnancy is both high risk and low risk, which can be a bit confusing to explain. Because of my Cushing’s disease and polycystic ovary syndrome, my partner and I decided to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF). I’m currently 16 weeks pregnant, and while my pregnancy has been going well, the precautions I need to take can be confusing to navigate.
Interestingly, the low-risk aspect of my pregnancy pertains to the baby. When we discovered I was pregnant, we opted for weekly ultrasounds to ensure that our baby has been growing properly, and thankfully, that’s the case! Each week, I’ve watched my baby develop from a tiny cluster of cells into a recognizable fetus. I still have to do several important scans, particularly the 20-week scan, but so far, everything looks perfect.
Before starting IVF, we conducted some testing to determine if my partner and I had any genetic conditions in common. The IVF clinic offers these tests, and my OB-GYN also provided us with the option during pregnancy. Fortunately, we had no genetic conditions in common, which means our baby is not at risk for those conditions.
We also underwent noninvasive prenatal testing. During pregnancy, the fetus’s DNA enters the mother’s bloodstream, allowing a simple blood test to provide information about the baby. This test only indicates risk levels; it’s not diagnostic, but can help assess the likelihood of conditions such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and sex chromosome disorders.
We needed to perform this test twice because our first results were invalid. Thankfully, we received our results at around 14 weeks, and everything came back low risk across the board. That’s why our baby is considered low risk and we no longer require weekly check-ins.
Now, regarding the high-risk aspect: That pertains to me. Unfortunately, I’m at high risk for heart problems, pregnancy complications, and issues that may arise in the third trimester, including early birth, stillbirth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.
My doctors have done an excellent job of communicating these risks to me. To mitigate potential health problems, I’m taking two baby aspirin tablets twice a day. I also met with a high-risk coordinator who’ll monitor my progress and check in with me during the third trimester.
To stay on top of my health at home, I’ve acquired a heart rate monitor, which allows me to track my blood pressure and heart rate so I can seek medical attention if necessary. Additionally, I had to take an extra gestational diabetes test, and fortunately the results were negative. Lastly, I’m advised against flying or engaging in any intense travel during the third trimester.
It’s important to note that these are just risks. So far, nothing adverse has occurred. My mindset is to consider everything fine unless proven otherwise by a doctor. It’s easy to become stressed by the potential for negative outcomes, but I believe that stress won’t help the situation. I feel reassured because I have a trusted medical team guiding me through this process. I have 24 weeks left until our baby arrives!
You can also follow my journey on TikTok and YouTube.
Note: Cushing’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cushing’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Cushing’s.
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