Siobhan Corr's diary
Siobhan Corr opens the pages of her personal diary to share the ups and downs of her first pregancy.
Siobhan Corr - 36 years old (spina bifida and hydrocephalus), full-time teacher, member of the committee of the Bolton and Bury ASBAH local association.
Husband - Martin, 41 years old, trainee Probation Officer.
Married for 11 years, both originally from Northern Ireland and now living in Bolton.
Wednesday, 14 April 2004
It's the Easter holidays and my parents have been visiting from Northern Ireland for the Easter week. We've been busy entertaining - visiting some local sites of interest. My mum and dad leave today and I act immediately on a suspicion that I might be pregnant. I rush to the pharmacy as soon as they leave and nervously carry out the pregnancy test - it is positive.
During the week that follows, I start feeling increasingly nauseous in the afternoons from lunchtime onwards. Unfortunately, I cannot face any truly healthy foods at present - broccoli and all those other folic acid rich foods simply make me feel ill, both in terms of taste and smell. I am trying to keep up my fluid intake too but this is difficult since I cannot face tea, coffee and many other beverages.
My biggest problem seems to be constipation. I am afraid that constipation is making my sickness much worse. The GP assures me that I can rely on Senokot for relief of these symptoms, dried fruits and prunes are also good remedies.
Friday, 30 April
I see my GP who is happy to refer me to the local specialist hospital. I should expect an appointment in the next 2 weeks. In the meantime, I am receiving my ante-natal care thanks to aol.com. Worryingly, not one person has recommended me to take folic acid. Of course I am dosing myself with it - the higher dose.
Wednesday, 5 May
I spoke to Marcia Conroy (ASBAH adviser) about ante-natal care today. She has confirmed my decision to seek treatment and suggests that I ask about foetal monitoring. Marcia suggests also that I should have a general MOT at the Spina Bifida clinic. Marcia proposed that I could contact some women who already are mothers. I search the ASBAH website for contacts and advice and find that much of the information is child-focussed rather than adult-focussed.
Sunday, 16 May
The neurosurgeon rings us at home. She thinks that I should have my kidney function checked at the Spina Bifida Clinic. She assures me that she will arrange an appointment at the Spina Bifida Clinic. A referral to the specialist hospital would be the best choice for ante-natal care.
Wednesday, 19 May
I have my first ante-natal appointment at my local GP practice. My blood pressure and protein levels in my urine are all normal. This is the first time that I have been advised about the use of folic acid. I am about 10 weeks pregnant and if all women are only advised about the use of folic acid at their first ante-natal appointment then surely the advice comes rather too late for most!
Thursday, 20 May
I have an appointment at the Spina Bifida Clinic. An ultrasound of my kidneys is carried out. It is reported that they appear fine. My medical notes relating to any surgery and test results prior to this appointment appear to have gone missing. My doctor is keen to ensure that I maintain contact with the Spina Bifida clinic in order to monitor any changes in my kidney function.
Friday, 28 May
I go back to the GP, as I am now increasingly anxious about the lack of specialist treatment/care I am receiving. We have not heard anything from the specialist hospital and it appears that the GP has forgotten to refer me.
Tuesday, 1 June
At last an appointment - but not until Thursday 17th June. I will be more than 14 weeks pregnant by then. It has been a real struggle up to this point to access proper specialist ante-natal care, but at last I feel that I am being listened to.
Thursday 17th June
I am 14 weeks pregnant now and have my first antenatal appointment with a specialist at the Hypertension clinic. I had a scan, too early to see any minor anomalies but sufficient detail for them to spot any major problems.
However, they are delighted with the scan results and put our minds at rest that everything appears absolutely normal. I have been prescribed a low dose of antibiotics to avoid any Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) as these can bring on labour. Two litres of water a day seems to be the advice to reduce the onset of UTI. My consultant says there is no need to take folic acid now - hurray.
The Midwife talked to us at length about the “double test” - a blood test which gives an indication of risk of chromosome abnormalities. It does not predict structural abnormalities such as spina bifida etc - the 20-week scan is the most reliable indicator of spina bifida. We decide that we wish to have the test, they schedule it for Monday 21st when I will be 15 weeks pregnant.
Friday 25th June
I ring to get my results of the “double test”. The results are not as we had hoped - they advise me that the results indicate a high risk of Downs Syndrome. We are both devastated.
The Midwife advises me to consider my options - either to continue the pregnancy, knowing the risks are high or to have an amniocentesis which would accurately tell us one way or another. We decide to have an amniocentesis.
Wednesday 30th June
My amniocentesis is booked for 9am. The Consultant explains the procedure - a needle would be inserted into my tummy and some amniotic fluid drawn off, the Consultant tracks the progress of the needle using a scanner.
We were offered the quick test (which you have to pay for) where results regarding the risk of Downs Syndrome could be gained after 3 working days - we declined this. The procedure was not unpleasant. The Consultant was very positive and felt that in his experience the baby appeared normal as the scanning equipment could create a very accurate image and he was able to measure all the key limbs and organs which might indicate any anomaly.
The risk of miscarriage was quoted as 1/300 with this procedure. I was told to rest for a few days. I have a 2-3 week wait for the results. I have only told a few of my closest friends about the test since some people have very strong views about testing and might make unfair judgements about my motives.
Tuesday 13th July
The Midwife rang to confirm that the amniocentesis results were normal. We are so relieved, as I am starting to feel some fluttering in my tummy now and some friends are starting to comment on my thickening waistline.
It would have been such a difficult decision at this stage if the amniocentesis result had shown up any abnormality. I have always been pro-choice, but to some extent, this has made me much more aware of the issue of choice as regards termination and how complex an issue it is.