Yet another L&D visit--preeclampsia??

[ilovemykids]

The midwife called me today and asked me to come in right away. My protein is very high in my 24 hour urine collection and they wanted to check me for other signs of preeclampsia. I have a lot of the signs EXCEPT for the one they usually go by and that is blood pressure. I typically have a low blood pressure anyway, but mine is still under the curve at 118/79. I have progressed from a fingertip on Sunday to 3 cm 75% and -2 today. They decided to wait a little bit and keep an extra close eye on me by bringing me in every couple days for an NST and u/s. I lost a little of my mucous plug today and hopefully my body will kick start on it's own, although it never has before They want to try to avoid using pitocin since I'm a vbac and I don't want to opt for a c-section unless it's absolutely necessary. Anyone else have any experiences like this?? Looking for insight.

[deleria]

Hey mama, not from your DDC, but I am a former preeclampsia sufferer with my first pregnancy.

I first had ICP (nasty liver condition) from around my 7th month, but everything else seemed fine. At 39 weeks I developped 'sudden onset preeclampsia' and was admitted for induction immediately. Up until then everything was fine with my BP, I had no amazing amounts of swelling, etc. The protein and the sudden hike in BP were my indicators. However, you can have preeclampsia without high blood pressure, which is why the urine is tested.

Can you start some natural induction stuff at home? A stretch and sweep courtesy of the midwife? It sounds like your body is ready to go and at this point it wouldn't hurt to help it along, IMHO. I totally get not wanting to use pitocin as a VBAC (I'm also going for one this time around), but there are other things you can do.

I believe that my body had just had enough of being pregnant. My little one was born at 39 weeks weighing 10lbs 6oz. I think it was my body's way of saying it couldn't take much more, KWIM? If I end up with preeclampsia this time (hopefully not - my second pregnancy was clear as well) I won't hesitate to get things moving along naturally if at all possible. It's not something I want to mess around with again.

Best of luck to you, mama! Oh, and http://blueribbonbaby.org is a great site on the subject. Eat a LOT of protein!

[ilovemykids]

I have been taking EPO orally for about 5 days now, red respberry tea, and my midwife did try to "help" things along today when she examined me which is why I think I lost some of my plug. I had 4 min apart ctrx while there but they have since died off. I'm going to take a warm bath before bed tonight and get some rest while I can. THANKS!!!

[Mrs_Hos]

Hey Tabitha!
I thought of you this morning as dd and I were walking by your house on our 'power walk'...I'm not sure which house is yours so I was looking for the 'it's a boy/girl sign' and since I didn't see one I figured you hadn't had the baby yet! hahaha
I'm glad to hear the midwife is not jumping right into induction or c/s...I have a feeling that SOME of the Drs there would've (Dr Ball comes to mind...)
I'm thinking of you and hoping you are in labor right now! (I have insomnia...)
Let me know if you need anything!!