A California woman has revisited the moment an ordinary checkup while heavily pregnant sparked her worst fears about her unborn baby.
Siran Kirakosyan, a registered nurse based out of Los Angeles, took to TikTok, posting under the handle @SleepyBabyTech, to share what happened when, at 32 weeks pregnant, she went for an ultrasound scan.
“I remember being heavily pregnant and going to what I thought was going to be a regular checkup,” Kirakosyan told Newsweek. “Then, in the middle of my appointment, the doctor printed my baby’s scans and dropped the biggest news.”
Writing in the post shared to TikTok, Kirakosyan recalled how her doctor “printed a picture of my baby’s head and then ran out the door.” “I was left alone in the room freaking out,” she said.
When the doctor returned, Kirakosyan was informed her baby’s head appeared “too big for his gestational age.” Her doctor was concerned the baby could have fluid in his head, which would be a serious health concern.
Kirakosyan was referred to a specialist, but would have to wait three weeks for her appointment. “I was in such shock,” she said. “I left that checkup room with the biggest lump in my throat and I started bursting into tears. Everyone at the hospital was staring at me, but I just couldn’t hold back!”
Pregnancy can take a toll that goes well beyond the physical. Data compiled by the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance showed that 33 percent of women develop anxiety or depression symptoms during pregnancy.
At that moment, Kirakosyan’s anxiety was going through the roof. She described what followed as the “worst three weeks of my life” as she waited anxiously to get a clearer idea of whether there were any serious concerns.
Finally, the day came. Kirakosyan underwent a detailed anatomy scan where doctors checked her baby’s brain and spine in extreme detail. This time, she didn’t have to wait long for the results. Soon after the scan finished, her doctor told her that her baby was fine.
Kirakosyan was told her son’s head looked “perfectly normal” and “he just had a big head generally.” The relief she felt in that moment is something she has held onto in the years since, in part because of what preceded it.
Kirakosyan said: “I will never forget that feeling of being hopeless, helpless and lonely. I wanted to share my story for other moms who maybe got bad news during their pregnancy so they can know they are not alone. It’s so important not to rely on just one doctor’s opinion, but to seek multiple opinions whenever possible!”
The video struck a chord online, racking up over 257,000 views.
Kirakosyan’s son is now 2.5 years old and has gone from strength to strength since those anxious few weeks. Kirakosyan, meanwhile, has parlayed her experience as a mother and nurse into the world of business.
Working alongside her husband, she has created Sleepy Baby, a hands-free sleep aid for ages 0+ that gently pats and lulls babies to sleep and helps them stay asleep. It has already featured on the show Shark Tank.
For all the success she has enjoyed since, Kirakosyan still keeps what happened all those years ago with her, in her mind. “I always remember that day at the hospital.” she said. “So, when tough times arise, I look back and remember how lucky I am.”
