Sheehan syndrome

Jill Sheehan 39, CANADA

Jill's tips for dealing with pregnancy complications:

1. Try to stay positive; a healthy attitude can work wonders during times of stress.

2. If your doctor orders you to bed rest, take it seriously. It may save your baby.

3. Stay informed about your situation; it will help you make confident decisions and reduce your fears.

WHEN MY HUSBAND, BRIAN, and I were married in 1997, we decided to have children right away. At the time, I was 32 years old and my daughter, Kristen (from a previous marriage), was 4. Kristen wanted a sibling as much as we wanted to give her one.

Two years passed and I did not conceive. My husband and I sought medical help and discovered that Brian needed a varicocelectomy, a surgical procedure to correct a collection of varicose veins in the scrotum. The condition, varicocele, can cause infertility.

A few months later, I endured a painful dye test called a hysterosalpingogram. Dye is injected into the uterus and X-rays are taken of the fallopian tubes to determine if they are clear. No dye entered my tubes, meaning they were completely blocked.

I had laparoscopic surgery to see if my fallopian tubes could be cleared. Unfortunately, both of my tubes were completely blocked with scar tissue that had developed after Kristen's birth. Nothing could be done.

Brian and I grieved deeply. Our last option for conception was in vitro fertilization. We decided it was not an option for us: I didn't know if my body was up to it, and the expenses involved and large failure rate solidified our decision.

We gave up hope of ever having our own child but continued to pray for a miracle. We thought that if it was meant to be, the Lord would make it happen. Another three years passed, and our prayers became less frequent.

One day, I prayed again that we would be blessed with a baby. A month later, after six years of trying, I found out I was pregnant! God had answered our prayers.

However, my pregnancy was difficult. The immediate concern was that I would have a tubal pregnancy because of my blocked fallopian tubes. I was tested to make sure my hormone levels were rising appropriately, which indicates a normal pregnancy. Fortunately, the tests came back fine.

At eight weeks, I started bleeding heavily, and although it lessened, I experienced continual spotting. My doctor ordered me to three months of strict bed rest. When I was 21 weeks along, I had a flare-up of ulcerative colitis (chronic formation of ulcers in the colon that causes abdominal cramping and rectal bleeding), a condition I have battled for years. I had to take prednisone (steroids), which can be dangerous to the fetus if taken during the first trimester. But my doctors assured me it was safe to take since I was past that stage.

My next blood test showed that I was down a pint of blood and my iron levels were too low. I could not take an iron supplement because my doctor said it could trigger the colitis, so I had weekly iron shots instead.

Then, tests showed I had a 1-in-150 chance for having a Down syndrome baby, which is considered a positive result. Brian and I were upset about the possibility, but we knew we could handle whatever we were given.

I'm ecstatic to say that Kyle Brian was born on Oct. 3, 2003. The labor and delivery went smoothly. Kyle was a full-term, healthy baby with no signs of Down syndrome.

The doctors said there is no clinical explanation for Kyle; he is a miracle. When I look at my son, I feel as if I am looking into the eyes of an angel. He is truly a miracle to our family.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group