The gynecologist said, “Your placenta is not attached”
Incredible amount of pain
I am now 18 weeks pregnant. I am in pain, physical pain, mental pain, but pain nonetheless, a lot of pain. Meanwhile, I am two weeks further since I received the terrible diagnosis of placenta accreta. About a week later, the examinations began. An MRI and cystoscopy were scheduled. Once again, we had to head towards hospital.
The initial investigation
I am no longer able to move myself, so I am forced to once again call upon my trusted taxi. I won't get the MRI results immediately, but they could tell me something about the cystoscopy right away. Nervously, I go along with the very attentive nurse. She tries to make me feel at ease and explains how the examination will be conducted. It's still strange, a camera going against the current into your body. But this feeling is actually nothing compared to the pain I have already suffered.
Some reassurance
My bladder looks relatively neat. Light shadows could be seen, but nothing that would indicate that the placenta is already in too advanced a stage and is penetrating my bladder. Something that reassures me. Because the image that the doctors saw on the ultrasound was already quite extreme for a term of 17 weeks. Quite calmly, I come back outside and decide to immediately make a visit to the restroom. Odd fact: the most unnatural, yet pleasant sensation I've experienced down there so far. The fluid that was introduced into my bladder naturally had to come out. I bet that not many of you have ever experienced an ice-cold pee. Refreshing, indeed...
The MRI
I was advised to stop working
A few days later, I had a consultation with my trusted gynecologist in Zottegem. He reviewed the images, but admitted that this was not his area of expertise. At first glance, everything seemed okay. I had been experiencing more and more back and pelvic pain over the last few days. He could tell by the way I got up from the chair. I had already had so much to cope with, what was a diagnosis of pelvic instability in addition to that? The gynecologist suggested that I should consider not returning to work until after the birth. I went home and decided to enjoy the sun, which was finally shining. It felt blissful, and my pain was also pretty well under control. I resigned myself to the fate that had dealt me some tough luck, but learned to enjoy the little things. With the evening sun on my face, I enjoy my heroes.
A very bad result
That same evening, the eve, my phone rang and it turned out to be the doctor from the UZ. She asked me how I was feeling and I shared the events of my day. I also mentioned that I had found peace and was completely ready to embark on this adventure. She wanted to discuss the results with me and started talking about the cystoscopy. I thought I knew what was coming. Then the MRI, I thought I knew what was coming. But nothing could be further from the truth. Like a cold shower, a hammer to my temple, a wrench from my chest, whatever, I can't describe it. No matter how much I otherwise enjoy searching for metaphors. The MRI was not good. Not good. Not good...
A terrible message
The words resonate. The placenta is neither attached nor grown together. No, the placenta is completely through... An image that is very alarming for this stage of pregnancy. And then the worst news was yet to come. Words that will resonate forever. “We now have to consult with the key opinion leaders in this pathology whether it is safe at all to continue the pregnancy, or whether it should be terminated as soon as possible”. To terminate, to terminate, to terminate...
JOY
