advice about maybe getting a Dr consult?

[*mama moose*]

My MW mentioned last week that if my BP stays with the bottom # around 90 we need to go get a Dr consult with a NST, etc. Luckily, I've gotten it down to the 130-120/80-85 range, so so far we're in the clear. However, something is bugging me and I'm not sure what. I'm not sure if its just fear or frustration or intuition, but something is telling me to ask for the consult anyways. Part of it is that I'm measuring a few weeks behind, I know that can be normal but it didn't start until my BP started going up. I've also gained 8lbs in a little over a week, despite trying to flush out retained water with cornsilk tea and drinking tons of water, etc. Last night I kept waking up every half hour thinking something is wrong, but I don't know WHY. Shes been moving less, but I don't know if thats just a normal end of pregnancy thing. DD1 was still trying to break my ribs at this point in pregnancy lol, whereas I'm lucky if I get a little flutter from DD2 lately.
But see, this all could be nothing, I had this same feeling about getting an u/s, got one, and nothing was wrong. Do you guys think I'm just being paranoid? If I go in for a consult is that automatically going to risk me out of homebirth, how does that work? Karen, they sent you to someone medical, right? What did they do/say?

[sunmamma]

Well, my first thought is to just get a NST, that's what you'd be getting, right? Just to ease your worries. Even though it was nothing when you got the US, it made you feel more at ease, right? I always say follow your intuition. Just be aware that if they check your bp, it may be a little high b/c you will be nervous or concerned about being there. (at least that is what happens to a lot of mamas who do not like to go to teh doc!)and you could ask them to check it again after you have been there for a bit. Usually it is lowered once you are more relaxed in the environment, and a nst is, well, boring! You just sit there on the monitors!
What does your mw say? Isn't it up to you two to decide if you are good still for a homebirth? If so, then it doesn't really matter what a doc says. It would be just his opinion, and not the final word on your location for birthing. It may help you to find out everything is fine, and proceed into your homebirth knowing that. If you have these worries that something is wrong and go into labor without really knowing, you could set yourself up for a long or stalled labor. Little worries or doubts surely get in the way! I would talk it out with your mw and I bet you'll come to the decision that feels right for you.

[Summertime Mommy]

Go with your intuition mama. Even if its nothing, you'll feel better knowing that you checked.

[kltroy]

Go with your gut on this one. A consult will not hurt, and it sounds like it will give you peace of mind. Remember - this is what doctors are there for. Besides, I don't think *any* of us would knowingly compromise the health of our baby for our perfect birth experience - so if you're worried about the baby it's good to get some reassurance that everything is fine [and then go have your perfect birth ].

[*mama moose*]

Now that I posted she's of course moving around in there like crazy
I think I'm going to talk about it more with her on Friday at our apt, especially if I'm still measuring behind. I think everything will be ok waiting until Friday, I just called her yesterday about the cotton bark, I feel like such a nag lately.
I just wish I didn't have to think about any of this and I think its really getting to me. I seriously woke up every half hour last night, not to pee or anything, just having insomnia over worrying about all this crap
I hope this isn't setting me up for PPD too.....

[*Karen*]

I have been working with a CPM and a CNM. Whenever I feel like it may be over the CPM's head (well actually it is usually her feeling like it is over her head) then we call the CNM. I mostly went in to see her to get a prescription for rogam for after the birth which my CPM can't prescribe. Then we talked about my BP issues at that time and decided to watch it closely.

This last time I went in for preeclampic blood panel. It made me and my MW feel better to know that all of my internal organs were working! The CNM said that I was looking great and that my lack of swelling and no rib pain was excellent and that as long as my lab results were normal that we would proceed until delivery. The labs were all normal and I feel better and we are just waiting for bean to arrive.

I didn't feel a need for an NST or an ultrasound at all. I haven't been measuring small though. I really think that late pregnancy ultrasounds are so often wrong that I didn't even want to go there unless they both insisted, which neither of them did. I wanted to make sure that my body was working appropriately, and it is.

But didn't you say that your non-pregnant BP is a lot lower than mine? Mine right now is actually about where my non-pregnant BP sits, maybe a little higher, but less than ten points both systolic and diastolic.

I think that if getting tests will help you relax, then you should do it, because a lot of mine is anxiety. And when I feel relaxed about it, it is way down.

HTH.

[*mama moose*]

I talked to my MW this morning and she basically said if we go in for a consult now I'm probably facing another hospital induction.
This really sucks.
FTR, I'm not going, shes ok with us still staying home as long as I keep it under 140/90. Today its 136/85. I'm just done.

[*Karen*]

Originally Posted by *mama moose*

I talked to my MW this morning and she basically said if we go in for a consult now I'm probably facing another hospital induction.
This really sucks.
FTR, I'm not going, shes ok with us still staying home as long as I keep it under 140/90. Today its 136/85. I'm just done.

s mama. Don't let it get you down/worry you. Just keep positive thoughts and it will get better!