[SchmennaLeigh]

Here's my story, from the beginning:

When I was 18 weeks pregnant with Munchkin, I was working an early shift. I was feeling very tired and had a pain from my back right side all the way through to my front. Round about ten o'clock, one of my coworkers asked if I was okay and I broke down in tears saying how much pain I was in. They sent me home for the day, telling me to get some (much needed) rest.

I ate a quick sandwich and went to bed. I woke up around three o'clock in the afternoon, covered in sweat. My parents were on vacation in Las Vegas so I called my paternal grandparents to see what I should do. Grandma instructed me to take my temperature which was around 102 degrees. She told me to call my doctor who told me to get my butt to the Emergency Room.

I was whisked off to labor and delivery first to make sure the baby was okay; she was. Then came the long process of finding out what was wrong with me. Since the pain came through to the front they initially thought it was appendicitis. I had to pick a surgeon. I wasn't allowed to eat. (Hello! I was a pregnant woman! Give me food!!!) After a very "un-fun" test to see if I had appendicitis (only those who have had appendicitis or been tested for it will know what I mean) and a sonogram on my back the two (young) doctors came into my room after eleven o'clock PM to tell me that I had Hydronephrosis and would have to have surger to insert a stent in my right ureter in the morning.

I was drugged, tired and scared and did not know to ask questions. I went through surgery the next morning. After the surgery, one of the OB docs came in to my room to tell me that I was now a High Risk pregnancy. (Where was this information PRIOR to surgery?!?!) The stent was more apt to cause infection and infection after a certain point will cause premature labor. Lovely.

The first two weeks after the surgery, I was immobile from the pain and spasms in my kidney. I was forced to leave work and spend most of my time at my parents' house on the couch.

At 29 weeks, I started experiencing premature labor. Not braxton hicks contractions but full blown ones. I was given three rounds of terbutaline shots in the hospital to stop the contractions. I was then scheduled to have surgery (yes, at 29 weeks) to remove the stent. My Mother was by my side at that point doing my arguing for me because I was totally out of it. The pain was horrible. After the surgery, I had to be cathed in order to go to the restroom, but they still discharged me the next day.

After three days of excruciating pain just to get out the smallest, tiniest bit of urine, I burst into stronger contractions. At one point I was laying in a tub of lukewarm water, doing my breathing and my Mom came in and WATCHED my stomach tighten. I explained that I couldn't urinate anymore and I was in premature labor AgAIN even though I had been given oral terbutaline to take at home.

My Father then drove us to the hospital. By drove I mean sped. Flashers on. He passed two cops but they never pulled us over. We laugh about it now.

At the hospital, I even scared the doctor. Three shots of terbutaline did NOT stop the contractions. I was then put on a Magnesium drip (which SUCKS) and it also did not stop the contractions. I was then put in an ambulance and raced (LIGHTS AND SIREnS!!!) to West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh which is the best Premie hospital in our area.

It took until mid-afternoon for them to stop my contractions. I was exhausted. I was even visited by the NICU Doctor to explain what Munchkin's chances of survival would be. It was definitely scary.

The rest of the pregnancy went as planned with Munchkin arriving two weeks early. Okay.

Post-placement I kept getting infections and having kidney pain. Eventually (meaning, eight months later), I got referred to a nephrologist. It took awhile to get in and see him because he knows what he's doing.

So, right after our wedding, I got all of the tests run. Thankfully, I have no cancer causing these issues. Instead, my right ureter coming from my kidney to my bladder is significantly smaller. When my uterus grew, it pinched off the ureter causing backup, infection and swelling of my right kidney. According to my doctor, we are to have all of our children in the next five years. *blinks* But "no pressure." Yeah, OKAY!

I know we are going to be met with some opposition to getting pregnant so soon after our wedding and other people will moan and complain that it's too soon after placement. However, due to the fact that I will eventually lose my kidney and you can't have a pregnancy with only one kidney if you want to do things in the best interest of the mother and child, we need to do this now. There is no other option.

So, here we sit.

And, to keep everyone update, first month of trying was a bust. Hurrah.

[Shoshana]

Gosh, Jenna, what an ordeal! Coping with the the trauma of your pregnancy alone would be a challenge for anyone. I'm amazed at how strong you are.

If you're worrying about opposition from others - just remember that it's impossible to live your live in a way that will make all the other people happy!

When I was thinking about having a baby, before I started the adoption process, I decided to get pregnant. Being single and older, I figured I should just start off with a fertility doctor. There was an internationally reknown reproductive endocrinologist within a hour's drive. I went through all of the tests, hormones were good, ovaries were still "young" and had taken one month of oral fertility drugs, then one month of injectable fertility drugs. I didn't have any emotional or physical reactions at all. But I did get pneumonia and end up in the hospital a week before the first AI was scheduled. I have pretty bad asthma and when I get sick, I frequently get very bad pneumonia or other lung infection. When I was in the hospital on oxygen, and bemoaning the fact that I would miss my appointment, I started thinking about pregnancy & asthma. 25% of asthmatics get significantly worse when pregnant because there is a hormonal connection. I had a "light bulb" moment and thought, "what are you thinking!" I cancelled my appointments and started the adoption process. Xiomara was home exactly one year later.

My point in telling you all of this is to suggest that, given the time constraints you're under on becoming pregnant, you consider finding a reproductive endocrinologist (especially if it's covered by your insurance). I was so pleased with the experience, and what I learned about pregnancy. He/she would do a thorough evaluation to see if there were any impediments to becoming pregnant. You'd learn how to increase your chances, and there are non-invasive, minor ways of increasing the chances (i.e., oral fertility meds - and not all of them lead to multiple births - especially at low doses with young women.)

Well, thanks for listening to my rambling. You've touch my heart and I'm always interested in hearing how you're doing. Take care.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Elizabeth,

Josh and I have all ready discussed that if we have a problem after a year of trying (because, now really, is "trying" for a year going to hurt us ) we will definitely head off to a specialist. I all ready have SO MANY doctors that I'm not looking to add one more just yet. It's definitely not something that I am opposed to though. We have quite a few good fertility docs in Columbus (OSU hospitals) so it's nice to know that option is there.

I'm hoping that I don't have to have a "light bulb" moment regarding my kidneys. It's stuff like that ... that makes me absolutely petrified.

And thank you so much for popping in to share. I always love your posts and am grateful that you came to share with me in my journey. *sending hugs*

[Jensboys]

Jenna your story is truly amazing ...

Totally off topic I think you should put back the "Kissing" Picture For inspiration!

Jen

[SchmennaLeigh]

Originally Posted by Jensboys

Jenna your story is truly amazing ...

Totally off topic I think you should put back the "Kissing" Picture For inspiration!

Jen

*chuckles* I guess I SHOULD put the kissing picture back. I didn't even think of that. Thanks, Jen.

And while my story may be amazing... it's only amazing to me because I've come out of it even remotely healthy. If you would have seen me around 19-23 weeks pregnant, I looked skinnier in my arms, face and legs than I ever had been... EVER. It was so weird to see this super skinny faced girl paired with a baby belly.

[cathy102]

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck getting pregnant fast... Thanks for sharing your story..

Cathy

[my_igit]

Hello! I read your post about kidneys and wanted to let you know that you CAN have a successful pregnancy with just one kidney. I have had kidney issues since I was 16- and have been seeing a nephrologist since then. I also have a transplant doc. If I would need a transplant someday- I would only have 1 functioning kidney- and would only have to wait 1 year before being able to have a baby. So- you can do it- talk to your doc about it! I don't think you need to rush. By the way- I am an amom to one beautiful little girl!!

[lisaann57]

Jenna;

I just wanted to let you know that you can carry a healthy baby with only one kidney. I only have one myself, I was born this way. Polycystic kidney disease runs in my family and it caused the death of my mom at age 55 and my uncle as well, thank gosh I tested negative for that!!!. But along with only one kidney, I also have a bicornuate uterus, which in plain english, means my uterus is divided in half. The babies were all delivered by c-section, because after a certain size they don't have room to turn around into birth position. I had 4 healthy babies and only a couple of kidney infections. Don't let this get you down, it will happen for you. Best wishes Lisa

[SchmennaLeigh]

Thanks for the reenforcement, everyone. I know it will happen for us. My doctor was rather adamant about me having my children BEFORE we have to think about the removal of a kidney. I have enough problems with one and a half . LOL.

But what would life be without a challenge? Certainly not as interesting. On we go.

[HappyMomAnna]

Jenna--I wish you great luck in this too.... and want you to know that while it is not good to be pregnant with only one kidney and any doctor in his right mind would never advise someone to do so---My best friend LORI had her son with NO Kidneys.... while on Paratinial Dyalisis! High risk to be sure but both mother and son made it the baby was fine--the doctors rippin mad.... This was 14 years ago! So sometime things are possible--It doesn't mean ignor the doctors--but I wanted you to know that there are stories of sucess even facing the greatest odds.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Originally Posted by HappyMomAnna

the doctors rippin mad

OH MY! I can only imagine! My Mom, all ready busy doing research, found that yes, you can carry a child with only one kidney but it is definitely not recommended by Medical Professionals. (She's so good at research.) Of course, she keeps panicking that I'm going to pull a Steel Magnolias on her. She's a nutcase sometimes.

Thanks for sharing that your friend made it through with no kidneys ON DIALYSIS! That's freaking AMAZING and super cool for them!! I love positive stories about human spirit and determination.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Kidney update: Function is still fine at last appointment this past week.

TTC update: Oh, we're trying. Believe me. And enjoying the ****ens out of it. In other news, our fertile time runs right up to before Valentines' Day so any conception wouldn't necessarily be a Valentines Day baby but a... uhm... week of love??!! baby. LOL.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Dear Body,

Please stop sucking and begin to make some general ounce of sense.

Thank You.

Your Owner.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Coming upon another month of testing. 8DPO. 6D til testing.

Going insane.

And, side note: KIDNEY, FREAKING BEHAVE! I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE SODA ALLLLL WEEK.

*kicks kidney to the curb*