Tonight I looked into any tips on being prepared for an emergency specific to this condition. I was surprised to see so little consistent advice on the subject. I must have surfed for 45 minutes straight. A hint here and a hint there... with 1 in every 200 pregnancies having this issue, I'm baffled that there isn't more on this subject; even to offer assurance. Because every pregnancy is different, there isn't a 1 way of doing things. Meanwhile, I read stories of regrets and "only if I" type statements. Everything seems to come down to, "If you bleed, go to the hospital.
I'm gathering what happens is, nobody wants to "worry the pregnant lady" or add stress. So the general advice is to "leave it to the professionals." Simultaneously, I also read the professionals get it wrong - A LOT. What a conundrum. Few seem to think that knowledge is power. Instead the general philosophy is that ignorance is bliss, take it easy, knit some booties. Not in my case.
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| I wish it was this easy. |
So here is my offering to the community from one paranoid mom to the next:
Bare Bones SHTF List
- Have a telephone on you at all times. Two is even better. Make sure it's always charged and you have a backup battery and charger in your pocket book. When in the house, keep your cordless in your pocket.
- Set your alarm clock/phone/pc to go off every hour if sleeping, especially while home alone. Wake breifly to check for spotting, roll over and go back to sleep. It will suck at first but since you'll be getting up every few hours once the baby is born, it's not a bad idea to learn to sleep lightly.
- Stay within 30 minutes (driving, in heavy traffic) of a hospital with an ER. The closer the better if possible. If this isn't doable, ask your hospital and municipality about services and resources in your area. I read somewhere that the people at Ronald McDonald House actually have resources also.
- Create and distribute a contingency plan with phone numbers, insurance numbers, passwords, basic information including medical information, bank access information, will, notes, instructions for child care of other kids etc. Keep a copy in your bag. Keep a copy on you. Give a copy to a few trusted emergency contacts. Just imagine being unconscious and nobody knowing your allergies or your hubby's phone number. Also include in the plan a pickup for young children. Having to collect them from SOCIAL SERVICES later should be a last resort if avoidable (but remember, you can call them too if you have absolutely NOBODY else to call.)
- Pack the basics now and have a list of things that aren't packed but needed in case of hospitalization. The proverbial pregnancy "bug out bag" may not have your laptop, smartphone or things you use daily; but at least you'll not have to leave your bra selection to your mother. List the location of the bag in your contingency plan.
- Practice relaxation techniques, get a therapist and try biofeedback too. Stress and panic cause bleeding to accelerate. If you start to bleed, staying extremely calm is essential to slowing blood loss.
- Get the best care you (or your insurance) can afford. Many places will assure you that your OB is good enough. If you choose to be with them vs. a specialist because of comfort, that should be the only reason. Otherwise, seek a Perinatal specialist to be involved in your care. I hear it can make a big difference in results.
- Don't avoid steroids, Rhogam or other prepatory treatments as advised late in pregnancy if CPP is persistent. These can be life saving. I try to stay as natural as possible within reason. But avoiding these defies reason IMO, when your actual immediate life and baby's immediate life is in the balance.
- Listen to your body. If you feel weird, stop whatever you're doing and if possible, lay or sit down. Many accidents seems to happen when women ignore bodily warnings or act like a super-hero.
- Be conditioned to call 911 FIRST, not your husband, doctor or anyone else, at any sign of bleeding or concerning pain. Even if you are going to have someone drive to the hospital because you'd get there faster, give the operator your route regardless of defiance. Never drive yourself, as you could pass out while driving. [Many advise women to wait for an ambulance but it's impractical when for instance, you're 5 minutes away and the ambulance takes 10-20 just to arrive; and someone can take you NOW.]
