Here is how my journey began: I was 19 weeks pregnant with my second child (boy) when we travelled to Australia for a very good friend’s wedding. About the third night after we arrived there, I started bleeding heavily and we rushed to the hospital. After extensive sonar tests the doctor said that he thinks I have Placenta Accreta, and he was very worried about my safety and travelling back to SA. He also said it was a miracle that they were able to pick up this problem so early in my pregnancy.
We stayed on in Australia till the end of our holiday, to make sure I am okay – luckily the bleeding stopped and I had no problems during the flight back to South Africa. The following morning I had an appointment with my gynaecologist, and he was also very worried. We stayed in Thabazimbi at the time, and I was told to move to Pretoria to be close to the hospital in case I would start bleeding again. We drove back to Thabazimbi the Friday, I had loads of washing a planning to do (after a long overseas holiday J) – but the Friday evening I started leaking amniotic fluid. We drove back to Pretoria the Saturday morning and I was booked into hospital. All I could do now was lie flat on my back.
The Monday morning I went for more sonar scans and a cat scan to see if I did indeed have Placenta Accreta or worse. My amniotic fluid was almost gone, but my baby boy still had a strong heartbeat and kicked me all the time. That evening my gynaecologist told my husband and me that he would have to operate on the Wednesday morning, because my life was in serious danger and it wasn’t about my baby anymore. I was prepped on the Tuesday and said all my goodbyes (signed my will), but also prayed that myself and my baby Liam would make it out fine.
I was 22 weeks pregnant when they pushed me into theatre. Liam didn’t make it – he was just too small, but fought till the very end. I lost 3 litres of blood, had a hysterectomy, they removed one of my ovaries and part of my bladder. I also had a catheter for 3 weeks after and a stent for 6 weeks.
I am thankful every day that I survived and that I have another little boy to look after!
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| Marelize and her beautiful family. |
In October 2014 I decided to have an art exhibition in remembrance of Liam. I painted 7 paintings and far beyond my expectation, sold all of them! I really did it because I find healing through painting and not because I wanted to make money….but now I am happy to say that a new season started in my life, where I paint for a ‘full time’ job. (I used to be a self-employed Graphic Designer).
https://www.facebook.com/Marelize-Bester-Art-171346499904731/
https://www.facebook.com/Marelize-Bester-Art-171346499904731/
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| An art exhibition in remembrance of Liam. |
I am also a percreta survivor and what I think that you are doing to honour your son memory is great I love the paintings. Rachael
ReplyDeleteI didn't have placenta arccreta, but my story is very very similar to yours. The only difference was my situation was caused by a very bad infection. I lost my son at 22 weeks gestation, and also had to have a hysterectomy. I like you lost a lot of blood. They had to give me a total of 52 units before and during my surgeries. Actually them not being able to stop my bleeding is what made them decide on a hysterectomy. I am apart of a hysterectomy group, and a lady commented with the link to your blog. I'm so sorry about your loss. You have been through a lot. I hope you have found some peace through it all. I know I am still looking for mine.
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