A high-risk pregnancy brings triple reward
With a history of endometriosis and infertility in her family, Joyce Wolfrom-Roos of Mount Laurel knew that becoming pregnant would be difficult. But she wasn't fully aware of just how far she was willing to go to have a baby.
In vitro fertilization
There may be more than one
Preventing premature delivery
Preparing for the birth
In vitro fertilization
"After my husband Marcel and I tried to get pregnant for two years, we finally went to an infertility specialist to find out what was wrong. From there, we endured another year and a half of tests, evaluations and fertility drugs before we finally decided to try in vitro fertilization."
On the first try, the embryos did not implant. But on the second try, four of them did. "When the doctor told us that four of the embryos had implanted, I thought Marcel was going to pass out," exclaimed Joyce. "Of course, we knew there was a higher chance of multiples with in vitro fertilization, but we were surprised that there were so many."
There may be more than one
Couples who go through this procedure are at a higher risk for multiples. "They're counseled on their options," says Ronald Librizzi, DO, chief of perinatology (high-risk obstetrics) at Virtua West Jersey Hospitals. "Though faced with difficult decisions, they need to be made aware of their options so as not to compromise the health of all of the fetuses or of the mother." In Joyce's case, her body naturally reduced the pregnancy by one, so now she is carrying triplets.
Now, the difficulty comes in waiting the next few months for the babies' arrival. Joyce left her job as a secretary so that she could rest full-time and carry out her pregnancy for as long as possible. "With multiples, a woman is at higher risk of premature delivery," says Virtua obstetrician, Marie Henselder-Kimmel, MD. "Dr. Librizzi and I would like to see her make it as close as possible to 35 weeks before delivering; each day is critical to the development of the babies."
Preventing premature delivery
On a weekly basis, Joyce sees both Dr. Henselder-Kimmel and Dr. Librizzi who are working hand-in-hand to monitor her pregnancy and her health. To help prevent premature delivery, Dr. Henselder-Kimmel performed a cerclage, a procedure in which sutures are placed through and around the cervix, tying it closed to prevent premature dilation and delivery.
Joyce is relieved that this procedure will help extend her pregnancy, but she still has concerns about the health of the babies. "At one point, one of the babies wasn't moving as much as usual, so I called the office and they brought me right in to see what was happening. It turned out that the baby just changed positions and I wasn't feeling him move as strongly." This extra concern for her needs really puts her mind at ease: "Both my general and high-risk obstetricians have been so wonderful, supportive and caring. It's a comfort to know that they're as concerned about my pregnancy as my husband and I."
Preparing for the birth
To prepare for their delivery at Virtua West Jersey Hospital Voorhees, Joyce and Marcel have taken a tour of the labor and delivery unit and also have visited the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). "We want to be prepared for anything, so it was reassuring to visit the NICU and see the level of care they provide to newborns with special needs."
With their minds at ease about the care of their pregnancy, Joyce and Marcel can concentrate on the important task of naming the triplets: "We know we're having two boys and a girl so that gives us lots of options."
At Virtua Voorhees, our Thomas Jefferson University-affiliated perinatal service acts as an "invisible partner" with Virtua's obstetrics staff to help care for women with high-risk pregnancies. The perinatologist works with the general obstetrician to monitor the health of mom and baby, as well as to review any advanced tests or ultrasounds that may be needed.