PIH, terrified of induction, need wisdom please! - Page 2

[Spiralshell]

Thank you everybody

Thank you everybody for your responses.
(Seriously, I think without this DDC I would not have been able to handle this pregnancy at all, let alone this weird stuff at the end!)
It's really good to hear that many of you did have inductions, and had good outcomes. It's also good to hear that even those of you who had hard inductions, or even c-sections, came out OK in the end.
I think that my fear is holding me back here. I need to give myself enough relaxation and 'letting-go' to allow myself to ripen and get ready for labor. And if I need to be induced in a few days, or if I go without induction, letting go of the fear will be important either way.
My BP sitting up today was 133/94 (avg of 3 readings)-- still above 90 diastolic, which is not great, but it's holding.
Right now I am drinking a ton of RRL tea and taking EPO 3X per day (and I will start vaginally tonight when I go to sleep). I broke out the breast pump today and did a few rounds of 10 minutes on each side, because I've read a few studies that say that the pump can stimulate oxytocin release and improve my Bishop's score. I actually saw my first few drops of colostrum today! (Wow, cool!) I also, ahem, spent some quality alone time with myself today, since I know that orgasm also releases oxytocin. (DP is terrified of hurting me, so DTD is not an option.) I am trying very hard to eat good protein with every meal (high protein and no carbs always makes me light headed, so I have to balance). I am drinking a ton of water. I am also staying off my feet except to get food and go to the bathroom.
I feel much less "edgy" today -- I think I was very worked up yesterday , and I need to make certain that I avoid that. Lots of deep breaths and calm thoughts. I took a nice looooong hot shower before and just really tried to focus on relaxing my whole body. I have some nice lavender oil that really soothes me, so I'm rubbing that on my temples too.

For now, I'm going to watch and wait and hopefully ready my body for birth, whether I end up needing induction or not.

Much love to all of you for your support. It really really helps!

[Charlize]

I had pre-eclampsia with DD1. I'm not sure if I had any cervical changes, but I did have several bouts of preterm labor with her. I had her without any drugs whatsoever and had an "okay" labor with her. The actual delivery and pushing stage were so horrible for me since I freaked out and didn't have adequate pelvic space for her. And she was a very small baby.

I think alot of the c-section rates depend on your situation and the hospital you're delivering at. Alot of times OBs want to hurry up and get baby out ASAP when dealing with pre-eclampsia and PIH and therefore c-section becomes the preferred method. The only thing that prevented me from having a c-section was the fact I had no clotting factors. But also keep in mind I was transferred to a large hospital with NICU capabilities. Can you discuss your fears with your midwife? She could possibly assist you in delivering at a small, rural hospital that has a very low c-section rate.

[Pookietooth]

to you. I sure hope everything comes out ok no matter what. I sure hope it improves but if not, I hope the induction or c-section goes well. Prepare for the worse but hope for the best.
Oh, and taking lots of nettles tea and drinking magnesium can definitely lower your blood pressure -- mine tends to be low and I'd been drinking nettles tea and taking magnesium citrate, and it dropped even lower (top number below 100).

[pjs]

My mw has me taking passionflower tincture to help with my bp.

[LiamsMommy]

Nausea and vomiting should I call L & D???

I have a similar situation however my bp has been fine until just the last few days. I have had to do the labs and NST twice now. One of my highest readings was 150/100 and that was at L & D so it was accurate.

Both times I went in it was the the same drill. Labs (blood) were great, BP came down after I laid down and relaxed. I did the 24 hour urine catch. I just gave it to the lab yesterday so I don't know the results. The little cup test at my prenatal showed a little protein for the first time.

The midwife said if the bp doesn't go down they will induce. But it did for now. They sent me home and told me to watch for spots in my field of vision, blurry vision, sudden and severe headache and just not feeling well. (that is a tough one because I feel like crap!) They didn't say anything about nausea or vomiting but I have had that!! Should I call them??

I am also afraid on induction. We took a Bradley class and were hoping to go with as little intervention as possible.

I feel so crappy I don't know how I am going to get through labor especially with the added bonus of Pit!

Oh and my cervix is soft, baby is a -3, and I am dilated to 1cm. the midwife stripped my membranes yesterday and I have been feeling way more intense BH that seem to last longer but they are not regular.

[RMM1117]

Yes, call L&D! This could be very serious with PIH/Pre-E. I just went through it myself.

[Spiralshell]

Liamsmommy - I'm sorry you're going through something similar. I'd be more worried about you than me because I've been on a loooooong slow creep of elevating blood pressure, like over months, but yours has come on quickly which to me seems like it's more likely to keep going up quickly.
Nausea and vomiting sound like they might be normal, or might be a sign of something bigger happening. I would definitely call your midwife or OB or L&D. Worst thing that happens is that they bring you in for a Nonstress test and just check up on the little one... if something's the matter then you're there. If you're fine, they'll send you home to bake some more.
Hugs -- hang in there! In a week or so this will be behind all of us!

[fyrebloom]

Depends on where the nausea is. You're looking for upper right hand side pain, a sign your liver is failing. Nausea is also a sign of impending labor too so it's a tough call. If it persists You should def call in and maybe have some liver function tests drawn JIC.

[Serenyd]

Hope she's okay.

[yaya'smum]

Spiralshell,

I can't advise on the health conditions...

I can say my first section was devastating, I was shocked and completely unprepared.

This time I was shocked, a little devastated, and completely prepared.

Have a c-section birth-plan, I didn't but had one in my head this time and was able to ask questions, and request a few things.

-They wouldn"t let DH in the or while I was prep'd but this time a midwife stayed with me, that made it a little better, until DH could come in.

-ask if they will delay cord clamping.

-REQUEST THE BABY AND DH STAY WITH YOU IN RECOVERY!!!!!! this was the hardest part of dd's birth, I didn't see her for like three hours, and it killedme. This time we were all together, and I got to nurse right away, even before the numbness wore off. talk to you HCP about this now. Demand it!!! as long as baby doesn't have to go to NICU, it should be allowed.

_know your rights, during your hospital stay. If you dont like a nurse you can speak to the charge nurse and have her changed.

-you or DH can stay with baby at all times, even for exams and blood work. you can decline/delay any procedure.

GOOD LUCK! take your EPO vaginally, you can even take two.

Do you have a doula?

[LiamsMommy]

I am here and ok. I called L & D they were not much help. They just said I should come in if I don't feel good. Anyway I took a long warm bath and then just laid down and watched a movie. Spiral I hope you are feeling ok. I will keep u posted!

I have a doula and have been doing epo vaginally. I think I take some orally too. I sure don't want to be induced.

[Spiralshell]

Thanks for the c-sec plan recommendations yaya'smum! I am hoping I don't end up there, but if I do it's good to be prepared.
(See this is where my mom and I really diverge -- she insists that all the reading I've done on induction and c-sec is only going to make me nervous. But then I tell her about different interventions and standard practices, and she is amazed to hear what they do today. She had us in 1974, 1975, and 1979... things were a little different then! Being informed can only help, I think! So that if I do have to be induced, I know for example to refuse cytotec/misoprostol, or if I do need a c/s I know to ask for the baby to be with me ASAP, etc.)

Liamsmommy, glad to hear that just resting made you feel a bit better. Sorry that L&D were no help!

I'm hanging in there. If I am lying on the couch, pillows under my right hip, feet above heart for a good while, my BP is ~135/95. But I was up for a trip to the bathroom before, then stopped in the kitchen and spent literally 2 minutes putting a few glasses and cups in the dishwasher. When I took it again upon sitting down, it was ~151/105, and it didn't go down.
I wonder if it's still up..... checking now....
I haven't moved in 2 hours -- I'm reclining propped up against pillows so I can type, and it's 152/102 right now. Ugh.
I am SURE that it will be high again at the midwife tomorrow because I'll have been sitting up in the car, walking into the office, sitting in the waiting room, etc. I am expecting her to want to induce, and I think if my bishop's score has become at least minimally favorable, I'll go for it. I'm nervous that the exertion of labor will be impossible for me to take with my BP shooting up so high, and the sooner I give birth the more likely I'll be able to keep it in control, and so hopefully be able to birth naturally.
I do think he dropped a bit... I could see my belly button yesterday, but today my belly moved and I can't see it any more -- it's "over the belly horizon". That's good, I hope!!

[LiamsMommy]

Spiral take it easy!

In the Bradley class I took they stress getting enough protein. I think a pp mentioned this. I thought about and realized I had been slacking off. So DH made me a turkey burger ( Had to force it down) then about an hour later I started feeling better. Then I had a massive chicken burrito and continued to feel better.
Don't get me wrong I still have preggo complaints but I don't feel *sick* like I was feeling
Read somewhere fresh pineapple can help labor along ...hm owell I love pineapple so I ate a whole today!

Then sent dh to the store for black and blue cohosh tinctures. I know it is still induction but if they are talking inducting with pit I would way rather try to do it with herbs first.

I go in tomorrow at 3pm to be monitored...

[LiamsMommy]

Originally Posted by fyrebloom

www.blueribbonbaby.com It seems counter intuitive but it really does help.

For some reason that link isn't working. Here is a link that talks about the Brewer pg diet
http://www.bradleybirth.com/PD.aspx

[sam1980]

I'm glad you are hanging in there. Just remember, the closer to your due date you can get the better. Even if induction becomes necessary it is more likely your body will be gearing up for labor anyway and respond well.

[LiamsMommy]

We went back to L & D today for the check on the monitors. Bp was great! Highest reading was 137/82 and best was 117/63
Keira looked fantastic the nurse said. They checked the fluid levels again and they too were also great.
I go back again on thursday.

[LiamsMommy]

How ya doing Spiral????

My baby is here! Went for a check Thursday and bp was in the high 140's over 90's . They induced me and my labor once active was very fast. 4cm to delivery in 1 hour 36 minutes! We are both healthy...yay! She was born at 436 on friday 10/30, 7lbs 8ozs an 19". She is perfect!

[Spiralshell]

Originally Posted by LiamsMommy

How ya doing Spiral????

My baby is here! Went for a check Thursday and bp was in the high 140's over 90's . They induced me and my labor once active was very fast. 4cm to delivery in 1 hour 36 minutes! We are both healthy...yay! She was born at 436 on friday 10/30, 7lbs 8ozs an 19". She is perfect!

I'm so glad you had a quick and easy induction LiamsMommy!

I wasn't so lucky -- the induction was very hard, and to make a very long story short, after 24 hours of labor my blood pressure went through the roof, I started to shed protein in my urine so PIH had turned to preeclampsia, I developed a slight fever 21 hours after my water broke, he had turned posterior and asynclitic, and he started seriously decelerating when they tried to turn him and with each contraction. I had the c-section that I was so terrified of -- I had to, either one or both of us was going to crash. Turns out that even if they had turned him, he didn't have enough cord to descend -- it was wrapped around his neck 3 times.
He ended up in the NICU for 3 days due to my low fever, and we got a horrible start with breastfeeding which we are still trying to recover from. It was a hell of a week.
However, we are home now, he is 100% awesome, and I recognize that this was one of those times when a csection actually is necessary. I feel like my body failed, but there's nothing I can do to change it now so I just have to find my peace with it and give all the love I can to this beautiful little boy.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Cindy.A....eat=directlink