premature baby

After I was discharged with my second child, I returned to the emergency room very next day after discharge because of heavy bleeding.  Was told that there were still some placenta left and needed D&C.  Well, procedure appeared to have gone well until I became pregnant shortly thereafter.  During my pregnancy, I noticed blood and blood clots on several occasions and contacted my doctor.  Each visit to here ended with same results.  Ultrasound was ran and everything seemed to be normal.  So doctor sent me home assuring me that everything was fine and I just need to be on bed rest.  Now I have a premature baby in critical condition.

Was there something that the doctor could have done to make sure all placenta was removed during delivery.
If not, shouldn't the D&C have removed anything leftover from delivery.  
Was there anything else that the doctor could have done besides ultrasounds after all the warning signs.

[kellym]

I don't think you have gotten any replies because I am confused.... Was this your 3rd child that was born premature? How premature?

[ashtontruong]

This is my 3rd child.  Born at 28 weeks 2 pounds 4 ounces.
Is currently in nicu with grade 4 IVH.  Doctors have recommended withdrawing life support.

[AnnieBrooke]

The bleeding might have been separate from the earlier retained placenta and D&C.  It seems like the D&C should have gotten everything that was left behind.  Did you happen to have a beta hCG done after the D&C that showed your hCG levels to be below 5?  If so, the issues of the next pregnancy are probably separate from the issues at the end of the prior pregnancy.

As for your question of what the doctor could have done -- besides recommending bed rest it is hard to know if there is anything a doctor can do to prevent a premature birth.  Every case is different and every cause is different.  Your only option is to have your records sent to another doctor, and to ask for a full review of the situation.

I am so sorry about your child.  It must be terrifically difficult.  

[Annice1234]

Okay, the decision is obviously up to you...buuuuut..
I had a baby born at 22 1/2 weeks.  Your baby should be in MUCH better shape at 28 weeks.  My drs would have been thrilled if i made it that far.
He had bilateral grade 4 ivh's.  I guess one side went down because on all of his paperwork now it says one side was grade 3 and the other grade 4.  They wanted us to take him off of life support as well.  We believed it wasn't our decision..it was God's.  
Like I said, you can do whatever you want, and I won't judge you. You are the parent.  
I am thrilled we did not listen to the drs.  He is now 7 months (3 months adjusted), and the drs are all very please.  We got discharged from the hosp when he was 4 months old.   The main problem right now is he has poor vision.  He developed sever ROP, but that's because he was soooo early.  Your babies lungs should be better than his, and hopefully won't be on a high frequency vent for so long.
No one can tell you what your baby will be like.  I'm sorry I'm not answering your question, but I just want you to know to not give up hope...
PM me if you have any questions...
I'm sorry you have go through this and I hope you find answers

[Annice1234]

Ohhh, and I re read your post.  I had a placental abruption...it was chronic and I was bleeding heavily, and passing hugeeee clots from 16 weeks until I had him at 22 weeks.  There was nothing they could do to stop it.  It took 4 ultrasounds by 4 different people to even find out what was causing the bleeding..

[ashtontruong]

after the emergency c section and hysterectomy doctors informed me that I had what is called placenta accreta (and after looking over labwork papers it is showing abruption +  placenta accreta). Saying that the placenta had grew onto outside of my uterus muscles and was trying to grow on the outside so my uterus was taken out as well.

[ashtontruong]

We are advise by the doctor to make a decision on whether to keep or withdraw support. So we were wondering if anyone outthere that has gone through this would mind sharing what and how the outcome was for them either way. What was the final factor in deciding what you did? How is the baby doing, growing,maturing now? Any help, advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[mum2beagain]

My son was born at 32 weeks and had grade 3 IVH, he's now 5 and a lovely child.
He has mild cerebral palsy because of the bleeds and had to be shunted because the bleeds caused accqired hydrocephalus. For us James his cerebral palsy delayed his motor skill; he only walked at 2 1/2, and he now walks with a limp on the right side and some fine motor skills have taken longer for him to learn, he also wears glasses. We recently found out that his hydrocephalus has resolved itself and his shunt is no longer doing anything, we will leave it in for now though.
My son was also diagnosed with autism at 4 years old, until that point it was assumed his developmental delays were as a result of the brain bleeds. The doctor that diagnosed him said that prematurity, brain bleeds and hydrocephalus are not factors that cause autism though.

[kellym]

Ok, I'm sorry now I understand. I have not been in this horrible situation and I send you my thoughts and prayers. It must be so hard I can't even imagine.  I hope your sweet baby is strong and proves everyone wrong!

[mum2beagain]

It is a very hard decision, could you ask them if you could have a bit more time to consider this and see how your child does over the next little while? With grade 4 bleeds it is very likely that your child will have some sort of developmental issues and/or disabilites that you will have to deal with and unfortunatley only time will tell what those will be.
My very best wishes to you at this difficult time.