Am I likley to carry full term with a healthy baby?

Question

I'm nearly 30 weeks pregnant, I have worried so much about miscarage right from the time I found out I'm pregnant.

I read too much about listeria laying on your back for too long, overheating etc etc. I'm paranoid about how long I cook food for and how hot it is and I won't eat seafood except for a very small portion of fish a week.

My ultasounds at 12 and 22 weeks show baby is very healthy but I wonder what causes some healthy pregnancies to result in still borns or birth defects?

Answer 1

First and foremost.. I want to say... your feelings are normal.. I had a miscarriage the first time i got pregnant and when i got pregnant the 2nd time around... I was so nervous and scared until I delivered my healthy little girl.. I am going to post some facts I found on a website for you. These are not to scare you. These are to educate you.

Following a stillbirth, parents frequently ask, "Why did this happen?" Sometimes a reason is found; other times a specific cause remains unknown. Extensive and careful evaluation of the baby and placenta following delivery may help identify a reason in about 40%-50% of stillbirths. When a specific cause is not identified, evaluation may still be helpful by at least ruling out potential high risks for recurrence.
Identifiable causes of stillbirth generally fall into one of three different categories: birth defects in the baby, problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, or maternal illnesses or conditions which may sometimes affect pregnancy.

• Birth defects are common but often overlooked causes for stillbirth. About one-fourth of babies who are stillborn have one or more birth defects that are responsible for their death.

• The placenta and umbilical cord are the baby’s "lifeline" for oxygen and nutrients. Problems in either one may completely cut off or severely interfere with the needed flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the baby. Although commonly pointed to as the likely cause for death of a baby, problems with the placenta or umbilical cord actually account for only a moderate number of stillbirths.

• Although uncommon, maternal conditions may be responsible for stillbirth. Certain illnesses in the mother, such as diabetes or hypertension, and their treatments, sometimes cause stillbirths. An increased risk for stillbirth is also associated with the use of certain recreational drugs, particularly cocaine.

In addition, there are many other rare causes of stillbirth. Whether or not a specific cause for your baby’s death is identified, it is most important to remember that stillbirths most often are not caused by something you did or did not do.

Again, these are not to scare you...but this does happen. It is a risk you take when you decide to bring a baby into this world. The good news is... If you are recieving good maternal care and are taking care of yourself, you will MOST LIKELY end up with a beautiful baby at the end. Please try to just enjoy this time and stop worrying. Worrying about this will not make it any better. Being positive really can help bring out a positive outcome.

Answer 2

Holy crap. What would make you assume that your body would fail your child? Had it failed you so far? Apparently its doing everything as it should. Unless you have some congenital defect, or raging infection, or such stress that you cannot remain sane, there is no reason for you to lose a baby this far into your pregnancy.

Laying on your back does not effect your baby, thats a myth. Your legs fall asleep and you roll over before it effects the baby. Cooking cannot hurt the baby at all, unless you freaking sat in the oven.

Have a little common sense and give your body some credit. Its MADE to make babies. Women havent always lived in houses, and had food from the grocery. Once upon a time we were hunter gatherers, and look how many of us resulted from it.

Every woman has fears, but this is insane. You cant even enjoy this special wonderful time of being one with your child. Good grief. Relax a little.

Answer 3

Hi. Please stop stressing, that in itself is not healthy for the baby... You are lucky to have a baby who is showing all signs of being healthy.

There isn't really much you can do. You could worry about tomorrow, but you will miss today. Do all the things that are recommended for pregnancy and chances are everything will be fine.

I found out there was something extremely wrong with my eldest daughter at my 20 week scan. Even then, there wasn't much I could do about it, but enjoy my pregnancy and hope for a good outcome. Luckily, she survived and is now 3 years old.

If you get worried there isn't much movement etc, go to the doctor and they will be quite happy to monitor the baby for you.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and it won't be long now you will be holding your darling baby.

Answer 4

we all get paranoid when we are pregnant. you most likely will carry the baby to term and s/he will be healthy. you've made it this far and chances are very good that if your baby were to be born now, it would survive with specialized care. try not to worry so much, continue to take reasonable precautions. birth defects would have been detected by now if you have been getting the routine tests done.

Answer 5

During my first pregnancy many, many years ago I began to spot and I contacted my obgyn for advice. At that time he told me to put my legs up on a pillow and have a high-ball. Why, the alcohol would relax the uterus. I did as I was told, the bleeding stopped and months later I delivered a healthy baby boy. But you must rely on your doctor's judgment today. It is probably nothing to worry about, but always check in with your doctor.

Answer 6

right about now if your more than 20 weeks you dont have to worry about a miscarriage it will be a still born but if your baby is healthy you dont have to much to worry about because as much as people say stress can cause a miscarriage or stillnirth it actually cant so losin your baby is the lest of your worries right about it time for you to start pickin out girl or boy names

Answer 7

its ok to be concern about this kinda stuff. i was the same way when i'm pregnant. Knowing that ur pregnancy and baby is doing well, i suggest u just enjoy ur pregnancy and just relax. I'm sure everything will be fine. just think positive.

Answer 8

if the baby is really healthy, don't get paranoid about it. just do what you've been doing and the baby should be fine.