I Almost Had An Emergency C-Section at 35 Weeks!

I went in for a follow-up check yesterday because contractions were seen last Thursday on my Non-Stress Test. I was actually supposed to come in and have my follow-up check up today however, my doctor cancelled her Saturday clinic schedule. The hospital visit was unexpected on our end and our driver was already out on an errand yesterday hence, we opted to take an Uber to go to St. Lukes Global. I feel like I need to mention this because with our personal driver, I am very adamant that he be careful with bumps on the road as I feel it aggravates the aches and pains I feel during this pregnancy. 

Alas, the uber/cab driver was far from being careful. I felt every bump, every sudden break and what's more, he changed route halfway through the ride because he mistakenly entered a U-turn slot that took us back to Manila. 

After almost two hours on the road, we arrived at the hospital with me feeling very tired. I felt my tummy tightened but was quite relieved to know that I was already next in line for my doctor's appointment. A few minutes after arriving at the clinic, my name was called and I went inside the doctor's room where she asked me to lay down so she can perform an ultrasound.

When my doctor was scanning me, I immediately noticed a concerned looked twitched across her face. She said the fetal heartbeat was only at 99 beats per minute (regular range is between 110-160bpm). She sent me straight to the operating room for an emergency c-section!!!

I was crying all the way because I only hit 35 weeks today and our target was 37 weeks (not full 40 weeks because I have APAS and it is considered risky for APAS patients to go beyond this point). Right before they started the operation, my OB ordered the nurse to hook me up on a fetal hearbeat monitor and THANK GOD, his heartbeat registered at 140s.

 

They transferred me back to the high risk pregnancy unit where I am now being kept for possibly a few days. I've had one shot of steroids to support my baby's lung development if in case he comes early; I've also has one shot of medicine that's supposed to stop the preterm contractions.

I really wanna go home because I am on a private hospital and I can practically hear the bills raking up with every passing hour.

By the way, the cab story is only meant to relay the fact that I feel the bumpy ride kind of contributed to the drop in heartbeat, as my doctor said I possibly had a long contraction that's why the sudden decline. 

I do hope our situation stabilizes and the contractions stop. I need the baby to continue baking for at least one more week or optimistically, two more weeks. As my doctor said, every 24 hours inside my womb is crucial to my baby's development.