A bicornuate uterus, uterine irritability, and navigating pregnancy after fetal loss

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of fetal loss and miscarriage. Merelise’s guest this week is Carolyn Donaldson, who shares her experience with a rare condition called a bicornuate uterus. In this heartbreaking but also hope-filled episode, Merelise and Carolyn dive deep into pregnancy trauma, loss, and PTSD, but also the incredible ability of a mother’s heart to heal and hold onto hope.  If you’re navigating loss and wondering what’s next, or maybe even looking for a sign that everything will be ok, this episode is for you. Prior to her first child’s birth, Carolyn had no idea that she had a very unique congenital abnormality, called a bicornuate uterus. Complications from her unknown condition led to a very difficult pregnancy and early delivery via C-section, during which her unique uterus was discovered. Thankfully, even though her son was born at 34 weeks, he was very healthy, and Carolyn and her doctor didn’t have too many concerns about what her condition would mean for any subsequent pregnancies. Devastatingly, her second and third pregnancies resulted in losses. During her third pregnancy, they were shocked to find out at 20 weeks that her son had passed in the womb and needed to be immediately delivered. Carolyn then went through the unthinkable experience of birthing her son, knowing she wouldn’t be bringing him home. They ultimately discovered that her son’s placenta was implanted on the “septum” of her bicornuate uterus, which contains tissue that isn’t conducive to a healthy pregnancy. Blessedly, they were able to correct the septum in her uterus via surgery to avoid the same complication in future pregnancies. Her fourth pregnancy was physically uneventful but marked by PTSD and extreme mental exhaustion. She delivered a healthy baby girl via C-section at 38 weeks and thought she was “done”...until she wasn’t! Her fifth pregnancy was a beautifully redemptive experience, free from so much of the physical and mental pain she experienced in her prior pregnancies, and her second daughter was delivered peacefully via planned C-section at 39 weeks. Resource Links: Learn more about Spinning Babies Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: This podcast contains general information and discussions around health and related subjects. This information and the other content provided in this podcast and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is this information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.