Can you do self-insemination at home ?
The CDC’s HEAR HER campaign has been making waves lately, and I can’t help but notice it more than ever, especially as COVID-19 cases decline in my area. This initiative aims to empower family members, partners, and healthcare providers to truly listen when a pregnant individual expresses concerns about their health. The objective is to raise awareness about critical warning signs during and after pregnancy while fostering better communication between expectant individuals and their healthcare teams.
This campaign resonates deeply with me because, in my own experience during my pregnancy with my daughter, I felt completely unheard. Despite my persistent concerns, I was dismissed, leading to a harrowing situation where both my baby, now eleven, and I were on the brink of tragedy.
My Journey
My journey began at a routine thirty-week check-up with a substitute doctor. Until that point, my pregnancy had been smooth sailing. I was a healthy 27-year-old, and my visits were usually quick and uneventful. However, this time, I voiced my worry about my baby’s decreased movement. The doctor assured me everything was fine and attributed the reduced activity to my small frame. I accepted her explanation and left the office.
As the days went by, my baby’s movements dwindled further. To ease my anxiety, my husband reiterated the doctor’s comments. After all, if there were real concerns, surely the doctor would have noticed.
Then, one Thursday night, I realized I could no longer feel any kicks. I called the emergency line, but the on-call doctor echoed the previous reassurances, suggesting I drink some orange juice and lie down. My husband dashed out for juice while I sobbed, but no amount of orange juice could coax my baby into moving.
Desperate, I insisted on a non-stress test the next morning. I arrived at the appointment with hope, thinking I’d be dismissed again. As I sat in the testing room with other expectant mothers, a new doctor came in, reviewing my file and reassuring me everything was fine. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. I broke down in tears, and she decided to keep me on the monitor longer.
Finally, the test revealed troubling signs. I was taken for an ultrasound, where my baby remained still, even when prompted by the technician. Subsequent tests showed that my baby’s vital systems were failing; she was in severe distress with only hours left to live.
Fortunately, the medical office was connected to the hospital. A doctor rushed in, declaring that my baby needed to be delivered immediately. Within an hour, I was prepped for an emergency C-section. Despite the chaos, a nurse injected steroids to assist my baby’s underdeveloped lungs, and an IV was attached, though time was against us.
When my daughter was delivered, she didn’t cry. She was tiny and pale, requiring immediate blood transfusions and other interventions. I was warned she might not survive the night, and the medical team was also concerned for my health, as I had a placenta accreta—a rare and severe condition where the placenta attaches too deeply to the uterine wall.
Against the odds, both my daughter and I survived. She spent eight weeks in the NICU, demonstrating an incredible will to live that continues to inspire me.
Afterward, the doctor who performed my non-stress test sought me out to express gratitude for my persistence. Had I not advocated for myself, our story could have ended very differently.
Lessons Learned
I learned that my baby’s lack of movement was a critical warning sign, among others like ongoing headaches, dizziness, vision changes, and severe swelling. In the United States, over 50,000 pregnant individuals face severe complications, with approximately 700 fatalities from pregnancy-related causes each year. The risk is even higher for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Black communities. Alarmingly, around two-thirds of these fatalities are preventable.
Dr. Wanda Barfield, Director of the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, emphasizes the importance of listening to pregnant individuals: “A woman knows her body. Listening and acting on her concerns during or after pregnancy could save her life.”
Reflecting on my experience, I realize it should not have taken such a desperate fight to be heard. With the HEAR HER campaign, I hope no one else has to struggle to have their voice acknowledged.
Further Reading
For further reading on pregnancy-related health, check out this excellent resource on infertility and related topics or learn more about home insemination techniques that can help aspiring parents. If you’re interested in the medical details about these situations, you might find insights from this authority on the topic valuable.
Summary
In my experience with undiagnosed placenta accreta during pregnancy, I learned the life-saving importance of being heard. The CDC’s HEAR HER campaign aims to ensure that pregnant individuals’ concerns are taken seriously, as many face severe complications that can often be prevented. My story highlights the critical need for better communication between expectant individuals and healthcare providers.