A little overwhelmed...

[thedenverduo]

is how I am feeling right now. I have had a fantastic pregnancy. My due date was yesterday, (the 15th) and my midwife and I were all set to go another 2 weeks before talking about some "natural" induction methods. I am not feeling ready for the pregnancy to be over at all!

Friday I had a regular prenatal appointment. Thursday night I started feeling really dizzy, then woke up in the night with a terrible headache. Friday morning I woke up feeling the same (dizzy and headache) and my vision kept getting blurry or I would see stars. So at my prenatal appointment I talked with them about this and for the first time in 40 weeks my blood pressure was high! UGH! It is not super high, but definitely a lot higher than mine is normally. So the plan was for me to do a 24 hour urine, but by the time my appointment was over they were nervous about sending me home because I was having such intense dizzy spells and vision issues. So I went over to L and D. It was actually a pretty good experience, even though I was really unhappy about it at first- the nurses were really understanding and very helpful, and as soon as I was on the monitor for 20 minutes (baby looked fabulous) and they drew some blood and urine samples they encouraged me to go home so I could feel more comfortable and rest. I turned in the 24 hour urine on Saturday, still feeling pretty lousy.

Sorry this is getting so long! So, I bet you can all guess what's coming... I'm spilling tons of protein in my urine and my numbers on the preeclampsia blood panel are all high. Now I am looking at an induction on Wednesday if I don't go into labor on my own by then. I know I could refuse the induction (I am really scared of it), but I also feel like I need to listen to my body. I am feeling lousy for a reason.

I am around 2 centimeters dilated, really soft, and 75 % effaced. Please tell me that will make for a smoother induction if it comes to that! I've been having contractions off and on for a week or so, but now I really feel rushed. On one hand I am excited that I only have 3 days tops before I get to meet my little guy. On the other hand I am scared of all the interventions that come with an induction and sad about evicting the baby.

Any positive induction experiences or encouragement would go a long way for me at this point.

[Spring Sun]

I don't have experience with induction myself, but as a doula I do know that often times it is neccassary and can be a wonderful experience. I know it is hard, but try to remember that you can still have a great birthing experience, and that it is great that we have so much technology to be able to help you through this.

Do you have a doula? That could really help you to still have the birth you want. And it sounds like your cervix is already working and doing its thing, so I doubt you will have any trouble once you are induced. I can recommend a few doulas if you wanted to consider one...they can really help with inductions.

Hopefully some other people have some good experience/advice to share with you. Best wishes!

[Jilian]

I've seen 2 inductions as a labor doula and both have gone pretty well. My sister's was the best and she was 41 weeks and slightly effaced and dilated. It sounds like you will do well. Your cervix is already dilating and effacing so it is well on its way. Have lots of sex and use some EPO vaginally to help get your cervix even more soft. Actually EPO taken orally can lower blood pressure and help soften your cervix and fish oil or omega 3,6,9 can also lower BP.

Listen to your body, if it is telling you that it is not feeling well then it is time for baby to come out. Try as many natural induction methods that you can before Wed, even if they don't put you into labor they will help get you more ready.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

Natural induction methods???? Maybe a lot of walking with squatting and nipple stimulation. You can roll them in between your fingers. Thats what I did.

[writteninkursive]

I would definitely shoot for something natural to induce labor on your own before letting them hook you up to Pitocin. I was given Pitocin with my first baby (on her due date... because I had "protein in my urine" - which turned out to be a lie, one that they are telling me again this pregnancy) and I must say, if it's your first baby... being induced will increase your chances of having a c-section! It doesn't guarantee it, but it definitely increases the odds! Also, if you're induced, the contractions hurt more and are harder and then they'll convince you that you need an epidural when maybe you wouldn't want one otherwise, and epidurals also increase your odds of ending up with a c-section, especially if it's your first baby.
My induction experience was awful. I would give anything to go back to that day and WALK OUT OF THAT HOSPITAL and wait for her to come on her own. My bp was a little high, but it wasn't something I couldn't have dealt with for a week. Instead, I had two surgical births and am fighting a hard fight to end up with a natural birth this time! It was not worth it for me.
That said, your experience could be completely different. Just remember that "protein in your urine" is one of the most common excuses hospitals give to get you in and out and done with. They hurry births, in typical hospital fashion. (They tried to c-section me at 37 w, 4 d for protein spillage that probably doesn't exist or is so minimal that it doesn't matter all that much with this pregnancy). It's not uncommon to have elevated blood pressure at the end of pregnancy, and as a wise DO once told me... if you're at the hospital for any reason, your bp is likely to be higher because you're probably stressed a bit.
I would see if I could lower it naturally, put myself on some sort of bedrest and get lots of sleep, and try natural induction methods. Anything before letting them drug you into labor. I hope hope hope everything turns out really well for you. I know it's hard to say no to induction at the end of pregnancy because you're so uncomfortable and you just want to meet your baby. But it's worth it if you can put it off until it happens naturally.

[redpajama]

Originally Posted by writteninkursive

I would definitely shoot for something natural to induce labor on your own before letting them hook you up to Pitocin. I was given Pitocin with my first baby (on her due date... because I had "protein in my urine" - which turned out to be a lie, one that they are telling me again this pregnancy) and I must say, if it's your first baby... being induced will increase your chances of having a c-section!
My induction experience was awful. I would give anything to go back to that day and WALK OUT OF THAT HOSPITAL and wait for her to come on her own. My bp was a little high, but it wasn't something I couldn't have dealt with for a week. Instead, I had two surgical births and am fighting a hard fight to end up with a natural birth this time! It was not worth it for me.

The OP was experiencing other symptoms, though--dizziness, headache, and visual disturbances--before seeing her midwife. At that appointment, her blood pressure was elevated. *Then* she did the 24 hour urine, which apparently came back quite high in protein. It's not as if she was asymptomatic, registered a little protein during a routine urine screening, and her midwife is sending her to the hospital for an induction.

I'm not a proponent of induction--far from it. I was induced with my first child (not for suspected pre-e) and it wasn't a pleasant experience for me. But there are times when it is called for, and I think you should stay open to the fact that this might be one of those times.

As for the efficacy of an induction and the likelihood that it will result in a c-section, I think it sounds like conditions could be relatively favorable for you, OP. If you google "bishop score" you will find a rubric for assigning a score to your cervix that is thought to indicate how well a pitocin induction will be received. Given the information you provided, you are at a 5 (2 points for being 75% effaced, 2 points for being "soft," and 1 point for 2 centimeters dilation). You can find the rest of your score if you know the station of the baby (how low in the pelvis it is), and the location (posterior, anterior, et cetera) of your cervix.

Anyway, if an induction is necessary, it really isn't the end of the world, despite how disappointing I know that must be for you. Best of luck!

[redpajama]

Also, I agree with Spring Sun's recommendation that you hire a doula, if you're able. I realize this is all very last-minute, but a doula might be really helpful to you as you cope with a labor that might be significantly different from what you've been anticipating.

[thorn]

I agree with redpajama, sounds like the OP has a legitimate reason for induction.

Good luck

[spiritedmama]

Drats! Good luck! Maybe your baby will come on its own before wed.!

[thedenverduo]

Thank you so much everyone! I went through with the induction, and all in all it was a really positive experience. I definitely still wish it could have worked out differently, but I think I did the best thing for me and my baby. After the delivery I felt like a new woman! No headaches and I had forgotten what it felt like to not be dizzy. Will post my birth story soon...

[GenomicsGirl]

Congratulations!!!!! I'm so glad your induction went well ::::

[Jilian]

Originally Posted by thedenverduo

Thank you so much everyone! I went through with the induction, and all in all it was a really positive experience. I definitely still wish it could have worked out differently, but I think I did the best thing for me and my baby. After the delivery I felt like a new woman! No headaches and I had forgotten what it felt like to not be dizzy. Will post my birth story soon...

I'm so happy it went well! In your case an induction was truly medically necessary. Inductions tend to get a bad rep because they are overused but they can be a lifesaving intervention. Pre-e is nothing to mess around with, 2 years ago we lost a HB MW in our area who had pre-e turn into full blown eclampsia and she delivered her baby at 34 weeks by emergency cesarean and never got to meet her. You did the right thing mama