Hello!  My name is Deloris.  I am an LPN in a small town Emergency Room.  My story actually starts April 2001.  I was 16 weeks pregnant and diagnosed with fetal demise.  Following diagnosis I had a D&C, and genetic testing.  All testing came back okay, and my husband and I were told we could begin trying to conceive again after 3 months.  We did exactly that. 

I found out I was 6 weeks pregnant in September 2001. I did everything by the books determined that I would prevent another trauma in my life.  I had a fairly good pregnancy, with the exception of gestational diabetes which was diagnosed at about 24 weeks.  Once again I did just as I should, saw my ob Dr weekly & followed a strict diet.  At 35 weeks I was told my blood pressure was high, there was protein in my urine and I had lots of swelling, so as you already can guess.......BED REST & NO MORE WORKING!!!!  Keep in mind throughout my pregnancy I had several (probably 10 or so) ultrasounds (I knew the tech well in my hospital and was paranoid because of my previous pregnancy).  Everything was always "PERFECT". 

After being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, I had to have weekly non-stress test done.  They were all normal except for one.  My sons heart rate dropped into the 40's I obviously got very scared.  The OB nurse said it was nothing to worry about but I wouldn't take that for an answer.  I called my obstetrician and he ordered a biophysical profile.  My son failed the first one, there wasn't enough movement.  We repeated the us that afternoon and it was normal.  We also repeated in 1 week and it also was normal. 

Lets move on to 39 weeks 4 days.  My weekly visit.  BP high, lots of edema, and more protein.  Guess what?  Were going to the hospital for induction.  Suppose to be a slow, up to 3 day process.  My doctor inserted cervidill at 6 pm, by 8:30pm the contractions started.  I had 4 contractions each one my sons heart rate would drop!  I asked for the nurses and expressed my concern.  I was told one time it was my heart rate the monitor was picking up, which was totally false, my heart rate was about 120 due to nervousness.  I demanded she phone my ob doctor immediately,  and she did.  He arrived shortly after 9pm congratulated me for dilating to 1 and told me we were going for an emergency c-section, the baby was in distress.  My pediatrician was phoned and at 10:23 pm my son Will arrived.  5lb 14 oz, so so small compared to the 10 lb baby we were told to be expecting.  Everything was perfectly fine with Will, Thank you God for mothers intuition and me being slightly educated. 

My obstetrician came into recovery to visit me and explained that my cord was extremely short, approx 8 inches, and was velamentously inserted.  I had no clue as to what he was talking about, and why was this condition not caught on one of my many ultrasounds?  The subject has been dodged every time I ask.  All I was told was it is a 1 in a million, and if my water would have broke, me nor my son would be here today.   

I have since tried to research but can't find any information, then a friend of mine (who is trying to help me find info)  told me about your website.  Please help me put my mind at rest and send me info if possible.  You may also use my story if it will help others.  My main concern is if my son be normal.  Did he do without to much during my pregnancy that he may be affected later in life?  Also what are the chances of this happening again with future pregnancies?  Thank you so much for taking the time to let me tell my story and keep up the good work.