Can we talk about induction?

[wanderinggypsy]

I'm 36 or 37 weeks now, depending who's calculating.... everything has been great this pregnancy, and we've been planning a beautiful home birth.

Enter the crisis.

My midwives think I have choleostasis of pregnancy... my billirubin levels are high, I'm itchy, my pee is dark... this really sucks and I'm lost somewhere between sad and worried.

So my research indicates that the only 'cure' is to end the pregnancy. I don't personally feel like labor is imminent... my cervix is high, although soft and open 'a fingertip'. With my second child I was induced by prostaglandin gel implant at 41 weeks. The labor was fine, it worked great. But I was 41 weeks. Obviously my body was ready to boogie. My concern is that this early, or anytime prior to term, my body might not accept induction so happily, and my worst fear (well, one of my worst fears) is ending up with a C section.

So those of you who have been induced prior to term, I am really needing your stories right now. I need to fortify my soul and find the strength to do what is best for the baby.

Thanks, guys.

[Yummymummy74]

Hey!

Just want to chime in here.. I am pretty sure I had this as well.. but my itching was not as severe as most describe it.
My Bilirubin was high.. my urine dark and some other marker was off as well I suspected it before I even had blood drawn.

Oddly the healthcare providers I consulted with did not catch it.. they did not mention the connection to me.. I was already aware of risk factors so decided to watch and see myself .. lest give them something else to harass me about.

Anyways.. I just kept close tabs on my baby .. did kick counts and in general I am really in tune.. so I knew the baby was ok.
I carried beyond 42 weeks like this.. so it *can* be done.

[ktmelody]

Well,
I just had my induction last weds. I was 36 w 4 days. I was induced for IUGR.
The induction went well but was slow going. I was 2 cm and 30 percent when admitted.
I atribute the dilation to taking eveining primrose oil for 2 weeks prior. I wanted my cervix to be ready. I think it helped. The whole labor was 12 hours from when we started the pitocin til delivery.
I did get stuck a few times but got up and moved around a bit and got things going.
Good luck, i was terrified of needing a section too, but it worked out in the end for me.

[wanderinggypsy]

Thanks very much for responding.

I'm really stressed over all this... it's almost 4 in the morning and I can't sleep, there's just no way.

[Doula Gina]

s - g

[mtnsunshinemama]

Have you thought about acupuncture??? It can help address the cholestasis and induce labor/ cervical ripening etc.
talk to your midwives about it!

[kdtmom2be]

choleostasis question

Originally Posted by wanderinggypsy

My midwives think I have choleostasis of pregnancy... my billirubin levels are high, I'm itchy, my pee is dark... this really sucks and I'm lost somewhere between sad and worried.

Was the itching really sudden?? I have been fine up until tonight, but over the course of the last few hours my hands and feet have started to turn red and ITCH really badly. I have no other symptoms, but have been under a lot of stress at work all week and sick with a cold so I am attributing my lack of sleep to that and not anything else. Oh, and the swelling/edema that I've been having is going down, which may contribute to the itching a bit, but not to the extent that I am itching!!
Help please!

[wanderinggypsy]

For me, the itching came on fast and furious. In fact, I was at a midwife appointment that morning with no complaints. By late that night, I was a wreck. The good thing is that in my case it was not accompanied by any redness or rash. However, with what I"m learning about cholestasis, it's best to be checked if you have ANY concern. And often times care providers are not very well versed in this particular disorder, so I'm finding I have to advocate for myself a great deal where doctors are concerned.

[MommytoTwo]

I was induced at 38 weeks with my first and after 33 hours of pitocin I had a c-section for failure to progress. When I went in my cervix was high and closed and I had cytotec.

Ask what your bishops score is - that will give you a better idea of your outcome. Though the fact that you have had one vaginal birth is a plus.

[~Heyokha~]

Originally Posted by MommytoTwo

I was induced at 38 weeks with my first and after 33 hours of pitocin I had a c-section for failure to progress. When I went in my cervix was high and closed and I had cytotec.

Ask what your bishops score is - that will give you a better idea of your outcome. Though the fact that you have had one vaginal birth is a plus.

I was induced at 38 weeks for pre-e. I was in labor, on pit, for 36 hours. I am really suprised I didnt have a c-sec. I had no idea what a 'bishops score' was at the time.... I wish I would have. My thoughts are with you wanderinggypsy- soon you will be holding your sweet baby and all of this will be an itchy memory!!

[kdtmom2be]

Originally Posted by wanderinggypsy

For me, the itching came on fast and furious. In fact, I was at a midwife appointment that morning with no complaints. By late that night, I was a wreck. The good thing is that in my case it was not accompanied by any redness or rash. However, with what I"m learning about cholestasis, it's best to be checked if you have ANY concern. And often times care providers are not very well versed in this particular disorder, so I'm finding I have to advocate for myself a great deal where doctors are concerned.

Thanks,
it is coming and going now and I am covered in hives, so I am wondering if it is something else. I'm going to give it until tomorrow and if it's not better I'll go ask for blood tests. *sigh*