TW: Baby update
A little over 2 weeks ago I got a positive result after years of trying for a baby and so many of you helped me feel better about how long it took after my loss. You all helped me celebrate the excitement of my rainbow baby. Last Thursday we had a sonogram due to light bleeding and pain. We verified that baby wasn’t ectopic. But measuring at 4 weeks and 6 days instead of 5 weeks 2 days like it should. We took a HCG and I was sitting at 687 just a few days after that 345 from the first level check. Fast forward to last night.
TW: Pregnancy complications
At 1 am I woke to a crime scene on my side of the bed. I was bleeding heavily. No pain just blood. My husband and the father of my child took me to the emergency room. We arrived at 1:30, placed in a room at 2. Blood drawn, and back to the waiting room. At 2:30 we got transferred to the room and waited. It took another hour to get my quantitive numbers back. 21,124. A number I never thought I’d see. 2 hours of waiting and finally the doctor ordered ultrasound was done. I was told the gestational sac was seen but nothing more. At the end the yolk sac was finally found. 2 more hours passed with no answers no idea of what happened aside from being told it’s a threatened miscarriage and to follow up with my OB. Low progesterone levels but was told nothing. Had a cyst on an ovary, it wasn’t checked for a rupture. I was dismissed to wait things out. My OB called me an hour later, she sent in medicine to level out that low progesterone number. She coordinated with my pcp. I get ultrasound number 3 next Thursday. She took every precaution, addressed every concern. Picking the right OB matters. If you are newly pregnant or pregnant after a loss. Don’t let your concerns be made to feel like you’re overreacting. I’m 6 weeks exactly today and my OB is doing everything to get me through each week. My village is standing beside me, my husband, the father of my bonus baby, my stepdaughter’s mother, and my bestie all praying we make it one more night every night before bed. Last night was terrifying, I was worried about what I’d tell my little when she’s so excited to be a big sister. How would I be able to explain this. But more then anything navigating a complicated pregnancy, one filled with multiple doctors, LADA Diabetes, and in a person with a panic disorder, doing this without my mother has been one of the hardest battles.
Experiencing a threatened miscarriage and pregnancy complications can be one of the most emotionally and physically taxing journeys a person faces. From personal experience, the uncertainty during early pregnancy, especially after loss, can feel overwhelming. Monitoring HCG levels, as seen with the rise from 345 to 687 and then to 21,124, provides some reassurance but also highlights how pregnancy progression isn't always linear. Ultrasound findings like the presence of a gestational sac and yolk sac without a visible fetal pole are common in very early pregnancy, often requiring follow-up scans to confirm viability. I found that close communication with a trusted obstetrician, who takes concerns seriously and coordinates care with other providers, is crucial for navigating this journey. Managing additional health conditions such as LADA Diabetes and panic disorder adds complexity but can be balanced with the right support. The emotional toll of bleeding without pain, waking up to heavy bleeding, and facing long emergency room waits can lead to anxiety and stress. Having a strong support system—including partners, family, and friends praying and offering encouragement—helps tremendously. If you’re newly pregnant or pregnant after loss, remember that your feelings and concerns are valid. Don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself, seek second opinions, and lean on your "village." Each week in pregnancy can bring new hope and challenges; staying informed about indicators like progesterone levels and ultrasound results empowers you to make the best decisions. This experience taught me that embracing vulnerability and staying connected to caring medical professionals and loved ones is essential while navigating complicated pregnancies.