Pre-Eclampsia Watch Dog on the loose. - Page 17

[kir]

Hospital bedrest to postpone delivery?

I have some slight hypertension (140/90 was the highest ever), and am taking some meds that control it well. So I really shouldn't be getting TOO scared about pre-e....But I'm now almost 32 weeks, with twins, so i know it's a risky situation for developing pre-e. My doctor says if ANY weird stuff develops in my blood work she'll deliver the twins. Has anyone had experience being on hospital bedrest to postpone delivery? Is this something I should bring up, or is it foolish to wait if pre-eclampsia develops?

Thanks for your thoughts. And please send good wishes that nothing turns up in my tests tomorrow!

Kiran

[shannon0218]

Well, if full out pre-e develops, I'm guessing she won't give you that choice-kwim? It sounds like she's on top of it and that's great. I was on hospital bed rest for 10 days before I delivered. My bp had shot up and I was scared--however, my hospital can't deliver until 36 weeks--I DID NOT want to change hospitals, my hospital and my OB were so awesome. So I was on hospital bedrest to take her to 36.5 weeks. Blood work was done twice a day, NST's were done 3 times a day and a machine was left in my room in case I got worried about her. I was controlled until the night before, my bp shot up, bloodwork was still basically normal, I was told that night that I would be a mom the next day.

[shannon0218]

Oh and mega good vibes coming your way

[kir]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I need to take this one day at a time. I never would have thought I'd feel this way, but I'm so eager to give these babies a good start that I think I'd be totally motivated to stay on the kind of bedrest/testing you describe if it would give them another week!

But let's see....I feel fine, but I get nervous every time I give blood for tests.

Kiran

[gossamer]

Kir, it sounds like your doctor is ontop of things. Bedrest is usually used to control BP, so if your BP is under control via medication, I am not sure bedrest is a viable option. As much as you want to give your babies every opportunity, sometimes, being in utero is more dangerous than being born. 32 weeks is 98% viable and pre-e is very deadly. So it is a tightrope we walk. Keep an eye on your bp's, take it easy and keep us updated.
Gossamer

[gossamer]

I am 36 weeks today. An official take home baby. I saw my Perinatologist on Monday and the baby is doing great. He is still in the 70% and weighs between 5.5 and 6 pounds. I got an 8 out of 8 on my biophysical profile.

Tuesday I went to my cardiologist and my meds were upped a little bit becasue my bp was creeping up again to the 130's over 80's. But my bp responded immediately and is back down to the 120's over 70's. The next time I see him will be in the hospital after the baby is born.

THursday I went to the OB for another biophysical profile. I did not like the ultrasound technician. SHe asked so many questions. "WHen did you last see the peri. WHy are you here today? Why did you start seeing the peri? It has a cute face, boy or girl?" TOtally pissed me off. I told her I saw the peri on monday, the office called and told us to come in for an NST, I started seeing the peri because my last baby died." Then she said he measured in the 39th% percentile because his leg was short and his head was small. SO the whole time I was waiting for the OB I was terrified that he was suffering from IUGR. BUt everything turned out ok. The OB said I scored an 8 out of 8 on the biophysical profile which is the most important thing right now. We are scheduled to deliver via C-Section on Nov 2nd at 7:30 am.

So all in all, very good news and very exciting news.

Tomorrow we go to the infant care and breastfeeding class at the hospital. Things are really moving but I am still in denial. THe baby's room isn't even close to being ready, I haven't done any laundry, I don't have an outfit picked out for him or anything. As I told my grief counselor, denial is still really working for me.

Gossamer

[MrsMoe]

Originally Posted by gossamer

I am 36 weeks today. An official take home baby. I saw my Perinatologist on Monday and the baby is doing great. He is still in the 70% and weighs between 5.5 and 6 pounds. I got an 8 out of 8 on my biophysical profile.

Tuesday I went to my cardiologist and my meds were upped a little bit becasue my bp was creeping up again to the 130's over 80's. But my bp responded immediately and is back down to the 120's over 70's. The next time I see him will be in the hospital after the baby is born.

THursday I went to the OB for another biophysical profile. I did not like the ultrasound technician. SHe asked so many questions. "WHen did you last see the peri. WHy are you here today? Why did you start seeing the peri? It has a cute face, boy or girl?" TOtally pissed me off. I told her I saw the peri on monday, the office called and told us to come in for an NST, I started seeing the peri because my last baby died." Then she said he measured in the 39th% percentile because his leg was short and his head was small. SO the whole time I was waiting for the OB I was terrified that he was suffering from IUGR. BUt everything turned out ok. The OB said I scored an 8 out of 8 on the biophysical profile which is the most important thing right now. We are scheduled to deliver via C-Section on Nov 2nd at 7:30 am.

So all in all, very good news and very exciting news.

Tomorrow we go to the infant care and breastfeeding class at the hospital. Things are really moving but I am still in denial. THe baby's room isn't even close to being ready, I haven't done any laundry, I don't have an outfit picked out for him or anything. As I told my grief counselor, denial is still really working for me.

Gossamer

such wonderful news!!!

[kir]

Originally Posted by gossamer

Kir, it sounds like your doctor is ontop of things. Bedrest is usually used to control BP, so if your BP is under control via medication, I am not sure bedrest is a viable option. As much as you want to give your babies every opportunity, sometimes, being in utero is more dangerous than being born. 32 weeks is 98% viable and pre-e is very deadly. So it is a tightrope we walk. Keep an eye on your bp's, take it easy and keep us updated.
Gossamer

It's good for me to hear you think my doctor's level of vigilance is reasonable! Sometimes I feel that she's out there looking for problems, and it stresses me out.

Everything has been FINE this past week, which is great! My doc has me going once a week for a full liver profile blood test, and in addition I'm getting a color doppler every 15 days to monitor fetal growth. This is reasonable, right? I think that with my awareness of pre-eclampsia in moms of multiples it's actually most important that i don't get too nervous, and stay as relaxed about this pregnancy as I can for now.

Kiran

[shannon0218]

Gossamer Wooo Hoooo!!!!
Kir, sounds totally reasonable.

[emmasmommy]

Gossamer - that's a wonderful update!!

As for me, my little one made her appearance Oct 17 via c-section. My bp kept going up despite the meds and bed rest (though no other pre-e symptoms) so my OB scheduled a c-section for 38.3 weeks. Annika Victoria Louise weighed 8.8lbs and was 20.5in. She is doing great. I am feeling good too, but my bp has been slow to come down (same as last time).

[cherubess]

Emmasmommy: Congratulations to you and your new family!

Kir: Staying relaxed is good

Gossamer: Pleased to hear all is well. Looking foward to reading the birth announcement soon.

[Gunter]

This thread is really informative. My BP has been great all through pregnancy at 100/60 at first but 110/70 every time since. Well, last night at my 35.5 week visit, my BP was 125/85 so my MW said I need to keep an eye on it. No swelling, no seeing spots, no headaches though.

Any specific tips on lowering BP or keeping it low? I am vegetarian but have been for years so I am aware of keeping enough protein in my body.

TIA

[gossamer]

One abberant reading is not that worrisome, especially this late in your pregnancy. BP tends to rise in the third trimester. Just be aware of the other symptoms, keep an eye on your bp's, maybe asking your mw if she can do more frequent readings. Soaking in epsom salts can be helpful because they contain magnesium. Make sure you are hydrated. I think being aware of the symptoms is the most important thing you can do. Congratulations and I can't wait to hear about your brand new pre-e free baby.
Gossamer

[clavicula]

i have a question, please answer me....
i posted my story here, i had severe pre-ecclampsia with pg #1 (delivered naturally though 37w3d)
we are healthy (again).
we would like to TTC#2 next summer or so, and i need advices how to avoid pre-eccl with #2?
more rest? naturopathy? excercising? herbal tea?
any advice or experience?
i am a bit worried, of course, i hope i can avoid pre-eccl. next time somehow!

[gossamer]

clavicula,
I am so glad your little one was born safe and sound. I would suggest you ask your OB to do some DNA testing to see if you have any genetic blood clotting disorders or autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis etc. IF you are negative for any genetic indicators, talk to your doctor about vitamin C, Vitamin E or Aspirin therapy. I had a pre-conception visit with my OB and we went over all of the possibilities and mapped out our game plan. Just some ideas for you. I wish you well. Also www.preeclampsia.org has some good ideas and questions to ask.
Gossamer

[cherubess]

For Gossamer ...

Gossamer,

Not long to go now!

I wanted to wish you a happy, safe, comfortable delivery of your baby boy and to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I can't wait to read his birth announcement on MDC.

[gossamer]

Thank you so much. Yup, 3 more days and then Wednesday morning bright and early my son will be born. It is so surreal to me. ANd praise God, I have not had any symptoms of pre-e. I have had my meds adjusted a couple of times because my bp kept creeping up, but nothing else. My bp reacted immediately to the med change, my kidneys stayed functional and my liver panel always came back normal. I could not have asked for a healthier pregnancy. Thank you all for your prayers, I know they worked.
Gossamer

[Gunter]

Just wanted to let you all know that my BP was down to 117/80 last I checked on Thursday. Yay! Hope that each of you is well and healthy! I do feel like I have grown so much in just one week.

Gossamer- looking forward to hearing how your birth and baby bonding goes my fellow Nov. mama!!!

[Satori]

Gossamer, I hope that you are happily holding your little bundle now and that every thing went well!


Since Gossamer is having a baby right now can someone please tell me about Vit E and Pre-e? I remember reading something about it a few years back.

[AmyGirl28]

Gossamer- I am in your November DDC and I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your birth. I know it might be awhile before you feel like getting back to the computer. I am soooo happy that you didn't get Pre-E this time and were able to carry this baby to term. I am hoping the same thing for myself. I'm praying for a sucessful VBAC, but I will be happy with a healthy baby either way.