having trouble in the last few weeks

[bluevervain]

***this is also posted in the I'm pregnant forum, I wanted to hear from the folks here too***

I really need hugs....

I'm down to my last few weeks, but my last two prenatals have shown an increase in BP and I've had some mild pitting in my feet and lower legs. I gained 6 lbs. in two weeks, but balanced out by actually losing a 1/2 lb the two weeks afterwards.
I've had no protien in the urine (or a trace at max.)

My mom did the same type of thing with all of her pregnancies, swelled significantly, had BP increases in the last trimester and gained a TON of weight (I've only gained 15 lb. total).

I've cut back at work (to 4 days from 5) am drinking water like a fish and eating *really* well. I rest when I get home and walk the dog as far as I can manage to get exercise.

I'm not sure what else to do...I'm really afraid that I'll "risk out" of homebirth. The irony is that I'm a midwife and I feel like I know nothing now that it's me.

Thanks,
Christina

[owensmom]

and more s!

I'm not sure what to say - but just wanted to send you some love and good vibes. Sounds like you are doing everything my midwives told me to do towards the end. One thing that happened to me in the last 3-4 weeks was my heart rate was over 100. I cut back on dairy (had been eating a lot of yogurt, string cheese, non-fat cottage cheese to get protein but not the fat) and they thought I had developed a dairy allergy. I cut back on it and up'ed (is that a word? upped??) my water even more (drinking so much water is maddening isn't it???!!!) and my hr stayed where it belonged. Not that this has anything to do with you, but I never would have thought about those two being related, and my dairy intake had increased significantly with pregnancy...

Good luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[naturegirl]

Have you consulted a chiropractor. acupuncturist or massage therapist?

That's what I would do.

[Jane]

Have you looked in the Brewer diet (www.blueribbonbaby.org)?
I have not used it, but I did do atkin's diet, which is also high protein, and the induction plan just KILLED OFF my swelling. I sometimes have pitting edema on my legs (not pregnant), so I am optimistic about more protein reducing swelling.

[Chloe]

HUGS to you! Can't offer any advice, but I will send positive thoughts!

[lorijds]

Increase your protein intake (up to 100 grams a day, if you can). That will pull fluid out of your legs and into the vessels where it belongs. Drink tons of water, with a little lemon in it if you can now and then. Put your feet up, rest (lying on your left side is best) for several minutes every hour. Meditation--visualize your blood pressure lowering, your body relaxing, your swelling decreasing, your liver and kidneys functioning optimally. Take nice, deep cleansing breaths while doing this. Soak morning and night in a bath (this has been shown to lower blood pressure, and is often used in non-pregnant people with blood pressure issues).

I don't have Susun Weed's Wise Woman Herbal in front of me (and dh is asleep in the room where it is), but I distinctly remember her saying that one should consume a cucumber a day, preferrably one that is a bit yellow--that this will help with blood pressure and edema problems.

Rather than cutting back the days that you work, can you cut back the hours instead? Instead of working 5 eight hour days, can you work 5 six hour days, with a one hour break in the middle (opportunity for you to put your feet up and rest)? I don't know what your situation is, of course. If you cut back to four days a week, see if you can get two days on, then a break of a day or two, then another two days, then another day or two break--to help you recoup.

Good luck! The more you stress about this, of course, the greater your BP increase. Visualize yourself staying healthy, having the homebirth that you want. You can do this. You must believe it.

[indigolilybear]

sending more hugs to you. .. What you are describing doesn't *sound* that risky. I HB"ed w/lots of "complications" too, high BP, borderline gest. diabetes, etc.
anyway, I did think your comment was intersting ...

>>>>and I feel like I know nothing now that it's me.

Truthfully, IMO, this is a GREAT place to be while preparing for a birth, because you are OPEN.....I mean, really, we never truly know anything anyway, KWIM? And now you are free to respond to the moment. It sounds like you are feeling the fear of the big moment and it might help to just center and listen to that small voice that *knows* you can birth this baby safely, and easily at home!! good luck strong mama!

[bluevervain]

thank you all for replying...

I see my chiropractor 1/week to keep my neck in good alignment (C2 vertabrae is linked to BP).

I'm currently working 3 days (and leaving early if needed), taking a day off then working 1 day and having 2 off...it's helping me mentally if in no other way!

I started taking Reishi mushroom and hawthorn capsules for cardio support on the advice of an acupuncturist friend...I'm not sure if it's making a huge difference or not, but it feels good to be doing *something*.

I'm consciously choosing lean protien at every meal plus snacks: I'm trying to get in a protien drink daily (variety of soy, whey, rice etc).

I have had sock lines every day of my natural life, so it's not a huge surprise that I'm swelling, but the implications are scary. I'm breathing, trying to hold good visions, avoiding people who upset me, taking baths etc. I've got 3 weeks to go til "due"...I'm gonna make it.

Thank you so much for your support. I can't tell you what it means to me. It's nice to be "around" people who are just letting me be a pregnant woman and aren't saying "but you're a midwife, don't you know???"

blessings all,
love,
Christina