mojomama

Random update but I thought I would post that I am still pregnant at 25w4d. The IUD remains in place, by u/s it appears embedded in the placenta. Looks like a very happy, healthy baby boy in there too :) My job is going well, I am loving labor and delivery. My managers are very supportive. I'm sad I will only be taking off 6 weeks for postpartum, but it is what it is since I do not qualify for any maternity leave or FMLA having not been employed there for a year yet.

Well, my risk for miscarriage is higher right now. I emailed my OB professor (CNM) from school and filled her in on what's going on and she said it goes from 10% to 15%. I am at risk for developing an infection, which we all know with any infection could lead to sepsis (which can lead to a hysterectomy, or possibly death). Infections could possibly resulting in PTL, early delivery (thus possible neuro deficits), hemorrhage. Basically anything that is high concern in any pregnancy is slightly heightened with this issue. I will not be seeing a "High Risk" OB, he will continue to see me. However, he will see me more frequently and do more ultrasounds. He said there is not a concern for any birth defects from the copper IUD. My OB is less concerned about all of the above until I get past the 1st trimester. His biggest concern right now is if I miscarry to let him know ASAP because I am blood type A (-) so I need a Rhogam shot. He said he is currently not as worried about infection also since I am negative for G/C, syphilis, etc and since I am pretty healthy in general. I go back in 2 weeks. Thanks for all the congratulations, concerns and prayers everyone :) I greatly appreciate it!

Had the ultrasound yesterday.... definitely pregnant. 6w3d

Just another update: HCG Quantitative levels- Friday 7/1: 7,342 Tuesday 7/5: 13,728 Dr. personally called me today (does that ever happen?? Maybe just a first for me). Said it is "favorable" but didn't want to make any "promises". I told him not to worry about it, I'm going day by day, if it happens it happens, if not then it doesn't. I did tell my nurse instructor over the entire internship and she was really nice about it. Basically she said that I was already selected, and they really wanted me, so not to worry about losing my job. She told me my health was priority first. I may not get paid maternity leave (I would be able to take off obviously) if I am pregnant only bc I will not have been there for a full year (she wasn't sure), but the fact is that I wouldn't lose my job and they would work with me to make sure I succeed in my RN internship :) I have an appt. tomorrow where I will find out more. Pretty crazy if I am carrying a viable pregnancy with an IUD... we will see. Like I said... If I am, then I am. If not, then that is fine too.

Well here is an update: I went to the dr. They did a lady partsl exam, ultrasound, and blood work. He attempted to remove the IUD but it is too far up inside of me. The ultrasound showed a sac, conveniently sitting next to the IUD. He can't tell if it is a blighted ovum, a missed AB, or just too soon to see anything (like I'm not as far along as I thought). I go back on Tuesday for more blood work to see where my HCG levels are at. He wants me to go in on Friday or the following Monday (the 11th) for an appt/follow-up u/s. I told him I would try to see how that would work with my orientation stuff. So for now, I'm taking prenatal vitamins and just waiting and seeing if I am going to miscarry or not.

Thanks everyone! I will go ahead and post an update this afternoon, after my appointment.

Well, I should clarify that I think the OB-GYN that put it in did not put it in correctly, as my strings are not hanging out. It's been an issue for a couple of years, and for all I know it has embedded in my uterine lining and that is why it didn't work.

No, it's not that it's bad to deliver there. It is one of the top places to deliver in our area. I wouldn't have picked that place to work if it wasnt. In fact, I delivered my other two girls at the county hospital (by a CNM) in our old city we lived in prior. I guess I should clarify that with this pregnancy (if it's not ectopic) I would want a CNM to deliver me at a birthing center, which is why I wouldn't be delivering at a hospital (hopefully). Most of the CNMs in this area have their own birthing centers. In the other city we lived in (it was a small college town), the midwifes there either did home births (not what I want) or delivered at the county hospital, no birthing centers. So if I can have that option to deliver at a birthing center, that is what I want. Sorry for sounding like I'm dissing the county hospital, that's not my intention.

Very appropriate, lol! And not to worry... I won't deliver where I work, it's the county hospital and a 27 mile drive for me!

I'm starting my career in Labor and Delivery.

@Rainn- I called immediately, I'm going in tomorrow because of the high risk of ectopic pregnancy. To all of you- Thanks for the replies. I appreciate hearing this. If this is a legit pregnancy (i.e. not ectopic) it would make #3 for my husband and I.

I'm needing some advice here. I just graduated in May, just got a job and have orientation next week. I just took a pregnancy test because I was late and it is WAY positive (it almost jumped out at me). I'm completely freaking out for a ton of reasons: 1. Yeah, starting a new job.... not sure this is the best impression. 2. Um... Way to go Paragard! This was obviously NOT planned. 3. Tell my new employer immediately? Wait? I don't know what to do. I'd appreciate any advice out there.

I just got a job here in TX as well at one of the county hospitals in L&D. What county are you in?

I just wanted to share my experience. I just graduated in May and officially accepted a position as a nurse intern at one of the major hospitals in Houston in labor and delivery. It was very VERY competitive and they only took 3 into L&D. First of all, be willing to work in any field but L&D bc of the competitiveness. I was up front in my interviews when they asked me what unit I wanted to work. (What I said verbatim basically was "My ultimate desire is to work in Labor and Delivery. However, I know that any field will help prepare me for my future career in Labor and Delivery. For example, in telemetry there is a lot of monitoring involved, just as in L&D with fetal monitoring. In MED/SURG I would be learning to prioritize, which is fundamental in L&D. In an ICU or ER setting I would be dealing with high-acuity patients, just like in Labor and Delivery. L&D is my field of choice, however I am open to anything as I can apply it to my future." I told them what I wanted, but that I am open to anything in order to achieve that goal.) Second, join a professional organization. I am a member of both AWHONN and CAPPA. That is a resume builder, and the charge nurse was impressed with the fact that I was already a member. That leads me to number 3... attend the meetings of the org. you join! What better way to network, than in a room full of L&D nurses??? Plus, you get to hear some really great topics and speakers. Like I said, it's a tough field to start out in. Think of it this way... my school had about 150 people graduating. There are probably 5 other BSN programs in the area, as well as a good handful of ADN programs. That is a lot of people graduating and looking at the same time for a job. I know the hospital I applied to had 500+ applicants for 45-50 spots (remember, only 3 were L&D). Anyway you can make yourself stand out and let your desire be known is the best way possible. I can't stress enough though that it is difficult to get into. If you get a job, consider yourself blessed, as many of my classmates still don't have a job. This is partly bc they get stuck in the mode of wanting to work in only one area... you have to be open to all possibilities (see tip #1). Hope all of this helps!

@Pamela, where does he work, my sister does anesthesia also. @TheGuy, I haven't talked to anyone, just emailed the recruiterrb email