Kelly Whitehead - High-Risk Pregnancy-Why Me? Understanding and Managing a Potential Preterm Pregnancy

Understanding and Managing a Potential PretermPregnancy

A Medical and Emotional Guide

by Kelly Whitehead

with Dr. Vincenzo Berghella

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 by Kelly Whitehead.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may bereproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronicor mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by aninformation storage and retrieval systemwith the exception of areviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed ina newspaper or magazinewithout written permission from thepublisher. For information, contact Evolve Publishing, PO Box 276,McAfee, New Jersey 07428.

This book includes information from manysources, including research abstracts, articles, various reviews,medical texts, opinion pieces, website information, etc., as wellas many quotes/commentaries based on personal experiences. It ispublished for general reference and is not intended to replaceconsultation and guidance from a medical care provider. The book issold with the understanding that neither the author nor thepublisher is engaged in rendering any medical or psychologicaladvice. The publisher and author disclaim any personal liability,directly or indirectly, for advice or information presented within.Though the author and publisher have prepared this manuscript withutmost care and diligence, and have also made every effort toensure the accuracy and completeness of the information presented,we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, orinconsistencies.

ATTN: QUANTITY DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE TO YOURCOMPANY, CHARITY, HOSPITAL, PRACTICE, OR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONfor reselling, educational purposes, patient education resources,subscription incentives, gifts, or fundraising campaigns.

For more information, please contact thepublisher at: EVOLVE PUBLISHING PO Box 276 McAfee, New Jersey 07428

For more information and ordering visit: http://www.hrpwhyme.com

As a nurse-midwife working with womenexperiencing medically complicated pregnancies, I try to educatewomen and their families, empower them, grasp onto whatever hope wecan find, and navigate the complex medical world into which theyhave been thrust. Kelly understands, and gives women this supportin the form of a comprehensive, practical, honest tome. Shes got agreat style. This is your sister talking to you. She doesnt mincewords. She aims to help the women who have suffered throughpregnancy loss and trauma and she succeeds brilliantly! - CarolSudtelgte, M.S., C.N.M. Thomas Jefferson University Division ofMaternal Fetal Medicine

Why Me? is a must-have guide for any woman atrisk for a premature birth. Kelly Whitehead has done a brilliantjob of addressing all the issues that weigh on the hearts and mindsof mothers facing a high-risk pregnancy. - Carol CirulliLanham, PhD, Author, Pregnancy After a Loss

This in-your-face book provides the medicalstatistics, while also breaking it down into clear and honestterms. Kelly tells it how it is, while being very easy tocomprehend. As hard as it can be, when in this situation, to graspall that is going on, the magnitude of emotions, and the manyquestions, I truly wish I had this book duringmy pregnancyand during the time in which we lost our son Tanner. I felt so inthe dark. Knowledge is power! Kelly has done an excellent jobgathering the information and organizing it. I plan on giving oneto my OB, the Labor and Delivery floor, and my Perinatologist!- Danah Claridge, Founder/Creator of the Incompetent Cervix SupportForum (http://ic.hobh.org/forums)

I LOVE this book and Kellys no-nonsenseapproach to dealing with a high-risk pregnancy. Why Me? echoesSidelines straightforward method of educating and empowering awoman with pregnancy complications to become the most importantmember of her medical team. A must read, physicians and midwivesshould be handing itout along with prenatal vitamins towomen at risk! - Candace Hurley, Founder/Executive Director,Sidelines National Support Network (www.sidelines.org)

If a non-medical person wants to getreliable, practical, and understandable information about pretermbirth, you now have a source. Kelly Whiteheads new book is a mustread for all women in this situation. - Daniel OKeeffe, M.D.,Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist, Phoenix, Arizona

High-Risk Pregnancy-Why Me? is a book thatevery woman who is facing this difficult life scenario should havenear them at all times. Kelly not only gives accurate and extremelyuseful information about every aspect of early labor and itscomplicated medical maze, but she also gives the reader emotionalsupport. Her voice is comforting, reassuring, and even funny attimes. I highly recommend this book to all women faced with earlylabor and the possibility of a preterm birth. - Dianne I.Maroney, RN, MS, CS, Co-author of Your Premature Baby andChild (www.premature-infant.com)

This will be one of the only books on themarket that tries to address the emotional impact of high-riskpregnancies, such as those complicated by preeclampsia, often anoverlooked but important component of healing and preparing foranother pregnancy. - Eleni Z. Tsigas, Executive Director,Preeclampsia Foundation (www.preeclampsia.org)

To our angels who grew their wings too soon:

you will always be remembered and live forever in ourhearts.

We will treasure the memories of your short stay hereon Earth for eternity.

(Ashton John Whitehead, February 12, 2004)

For those who come too soon: keep that preemie fireburning, fight the fight.

For the families living in fear, who are scared,anxious, or starting parenthood in the NICU... Hang in there andkeep up hope!

Baby Kaiyah was born two-and-a-half months early. Shesuffered a severe brain hemorrhage and wasnt supposed to survive,yet here she is. I find this picture to be truly inspiring, and Ihope you will, too.

To my kids for showing me a love I never thoughtpossible, making everything to get them here well worth thestruggle, stress, and tears. (Okay, so I still wish it wouldvebeen easier; I wont lie.) For my husband for dealing with me(somewhat) throughout the writing and obsessing to complete thisbook. I owe him for everything he had to do for me on the many,many months of bed rest and out-of-commission time to bake ourbabies. The laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning toilets, dealingwith the stress, my constant depression and an ocean full of tears,not to mention becoming a born-again virgin not once, but two timesover. To my parents, family, and friends - you know who you are -for the support after the loss of my son and through the difficulttimes to bear my children.

Now on to the people who helped me to puttogether this book and gave me tips on how to write a good book.(Hey, I never wrote anything longer than a few pages before this.)To Peter Bowerman (www.wellfedwriter.com), for showing me the ropesand his hard-ass approach; I appreciate and learned more from ourdiscussions than I ever thought possible. To my designer, Chris atDiNatale Designs (www.dinataledesign.com), for her beautiful coverand all her insights into the business. To Amy for her help on twoof the most emotionally difficult chapters of this book to write.Your insights as a mom who has experienced losses made thesechapters better so they could help others. Of course, a huge thanksto my Aussie editor, Geoff. All I can say is, Couldnt have beeneasy dealing with a newbie like me. Thanks for all your patience.To my interior book designer, Marian, I cant thank you enough foryour talent, experience, and guidance. Also, to Linda for her chartdesigns and her design insights. A huge thanks to Anthony ZiccardiStudios (www. aziccardi.com) for capturing memories, takingbeautiful pictures of my children, and of course, for a great coverpicture. You have a way of making me look awesome. I always havefun and laughs at our sessions.