My BP is up suddenly- induction suggested

[heidirk]

This may get long.

I went to my MW appt yesterday at 10:45 and ended up being there for over 2 hours. I'm really just worried, and I don't know what to do.
I've been REALLY, really tired this week, and not resting, even though my body was telling me I'd better. I just had so much to do.

My blood pressure was 140/96. They went and got the larger cuff. Still the same. Layed down for a while, 120/76. Sat up, took it again, 150/101. I'd noticed some swelling in my hands over the last few days, and then Thursday night my friend my friend told me my face was puffy, which I had noticed but was pretending was in my head. So. they have me lay back down, and bring in a monitor. Passed the non stress test with flying colors at ten minutes. My feet aren't swollen, and by that time, my face wasn't anymore, either.

So they suggested I have them do an induction there at the birth center either that afternoon, or today. I'm thinking, castor oil, or something like that, until the word 'Cytotec' comes out of the Senior MW's mouth! Did I just hear her right? I sadi straight out, I didn;t like the idea, becasue I've heard some nasty things about Cytotec. She said, "Well, they said nasty things about penicillin, too and now we can't live w/o it." Hey! Don't take that patronizing tone with me you stupid UAV! I am not some half informed fearmonger! I asked some intelligent questions about how they (the Mw's instead of the hospital) use Cytotec, dosages, etc, and she started listening.

As tired as I am, physically, mentally and emotionally, I do not want to be bullied into something I know is risky. I asked one more time to be able to pee in a cup so they could test for protein spillage, and they agreed. I told them-and my mother who wants me to have the baby this weekend so she can go camping with my aunt and my grandma guilt free next week- that I understand why they're suggesting it, but I have to have the risks and the benefits weighed out in my own head before I decide. To my very great releif, they all immediately sadi, "Yes, of course you do." So I went and peed, and the younger MW tested it right away.

When she came back, she said, "Well, your urine is NEGATIVE for protein, so how does that influence your decision?" I said, "well, I guess I still have the same choice to make." She said, "Based on your fantastic NST, and the fact that there's NO protein in your urine AT ALL, I'm comfortable sending you home over the weekend on bed rest."

I'm supposed to call today, just to let her know how I'm doing. And I am going in on Monday for a BP check, and another NST, possibly. They drew blood as well, but I don;t know if they'll have the results on Monday or not. Oh, I was also supposed to grab DH and DTD last night, which we did with great enthusiasm, but still no labor. I'm 38 weeks, 5 days this morning.

I took my dad's BP cuff home with me, and when I took it just now, it was 152/105. I am sitting up at the computer, not reclining on the couch like I'm supposed to be. My back is killing me from laying around all day yesterday.


What do I do? I just want to be done, and not worry anymore. :

[PassionateWriter]

alot of us just want to be done. honestly. im a whiney b*tch right now.

but it seems like bedrest is your solution and much less risky than induction..

sorry i want to type more but 1ht bc my toddler has been nursing like crazy.

[mkmb129]

I would try to stay off your feet as much as possible, if laying down helps keep your bp down. Do you have your own bp cuff at home to check it yourself? If baby is okay, and there's no protein, and you're able to rest to keep it down, I'd do that before an induction. If you're so worried, though, that you won't be able to rest, then you need to do what you feel is right. If you don't feel this is right, don't do it. Has this been an on going thing with your bp or did it just start? If it's the latter, it may just have been a fluke yesterday. Lot of help I am, right? I hope your bp calms down!

[NotTheOnlyOne]

that sounds awful. Would they consider a less risky way of induction? I dont know much, but I thought there were safer ways to get labor going. It sounds horrible to be stuck in the middle of two scary decisions. I"ll keep my fingers crossed that you start labor all by yourself soon so you dont have to worry anymore.

[Changed]

Having btdt a few times now *I* would not accept an induction without confirmation of preeclampsia with bloodwork and a 24 hours protein. PIH that can be controlled with rest isn't an indication for induction in my mind. Good luck and I'm sorry that you have to make this choice.

[Faerieshadow]

Just sending a your way. Things like these are never easy decisions.

[heidirk]

I do have my dad's cuff here, and when I just took it while resting on the couch, it was 119/80!!! :

I just ran upstairs to pee, and I'll take it again in a minute.

This just happened yesterday, 10 days ago, my BP was perfectly normal.
I'm inclined to just rest too, but I'm not sure how much rest I'll get when DH goes back to work on Monday. He's staying home today, and he should have tried to get a few hours in.

I'm having a few contrax when I sit up and walk around, so it tempts me to stay up, but then my BP just now was 140/107. Sigh. . .

[Changed]

The nurse told me the other day that at this stage, even light housework is like, aerobic and would cause BP to spike. She said that if it's taken at rest with my arm at heart level, that's an accurate reading. Also, I don't know why but if I take mine before I've eaten it's much higher. Taken about 30 minutes after I eat, perfect. Go figure.

[Skrimpy]

this is so hard for you mama. If I were in your situation, having no protein spillage and lower resting readings, I would arrange to just be at rest as much as possible. Since your NST was good as well, that's further reassurance. Just rest and focus on your babe... perhaps write down some positive affirmations to meditate on?

You are informed and at this point it sounds like bed rest is a safe option. You aren't that far from your due date anyways and your body may decide for labor at any time.

Also since you said you are very tired I would worry about going into labor - and especially an induced one. To me it seems far better to rest, eat well, and work on just buidling up your energy stores before labor begins.

[Turtlemum]

Originally Posted by Changed

Having btdt a few times now *I* would not accept an induction without confirmation of preeclampsia with bloodwork and a 24 hours protein. PIH that can be controlled with rest isn't an indication for induction in my mind. Good luck and I'm sorry that you have to make this choice.

I agree with Changed. You should definately have a 24 hour urine...sounds like they have done the bloodwork. Once that is in I would think a consult with a physician would be indicated (it would be mandated here for me). Your bloodpressure may be managed with bp meds until you go into labour on your own?

Regardless, I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. I can sympathize with just not wanting to worry anymore. ((Hugs)).

[DCRC]

my wifes blood pressure was doing the same thing yesterday. A little high while sitting, but fine when she lyed down. Midwife told her that bedrest wasn't neccessary, but she should take it real easy. Said her body was about maxed out at this time.

Take care of yourself, drink plenty of water and get your rest.

[heidirk]

Thanks, guys.

I feel encouraged when I read your posts, and then I get all wacked out again. I'm going to call the MW very soon, so maybe I'll have more to post.

[TaraRae82]

I don't want to influence your decision with my opinion because this is a VERY personal decision that YOU have to be comfortable and confident in. But, if this were my situation, I'd be doing the bedrest and trying natural things to get labor started. I just feel that with the NST and your UA looking that good, Cytotec sounds awfully extreme to me. If it is pre-e, would you not eventually be dropping protein and seeing more extreme swelling? I think I'd just be regularly monitoring BP, baby's movements, protein in UA. Best wishes to you and your family. I hope you can make a choice that you are at peace with. Keep us updated mama.

[SiobhanAoife]

I just want to give you a hug because I'm facing a very similar situation, and I can directly relate to the internal conflict. My BP is high, though we did a 24 hour urine collection and it's negative for pre-e, so that's reassuring at least. My daughter is fine on all the NSTs (I've had one a day for the last three days! It's getting silly!) They want me to induce (I'm 40w2d) because they say that having high BP entering labor makes it quite likely that I'll have REALLY high BP *during* labor, and that that could compromise the placenta's ability to meet my daughter's needs during the stress of contractions. So, even though they agree that she's fine right now, they've got me wondering if I'm not completely irresponsible if I decline induction.

Since I don't have a birth center option, induction means abandoning my homebirth plan and going into the hospital, a place that always raises my BP immediately and makes me feel under seige. But it would be worth a hospital birth if it was really better for the baby - but how can one tell?

Bedrest for the weekend sounds like a good idea. Have you asked your MW to try stripping your membranes? Here's sending you lots of loving labor thoughts, I hope your baby decides to come on their own and takes the decision out of your hands!

[leurMaman]

I like the idea of bedrest and progressive management of augmentation naturally. Like others said, you can try acupuncture, stripping membranes, even castor oil. I agree with you about Cytotec, but if you have been following birth stories on here you'll read about cervical ripening pills from MDC posters. Midwives still use these. Cytotec scares me, but see what other cervic ripeners she suggests and how she suggests them (for example, there have been deaths from putting the cytotec pill directly on the cervical opening in full dose).

Avoid caffeine and other things that can increase blood pressure. Try and avoid stress, if possible. Take a hot bath. Visualize calming things - like waterfalls and rainbows Give it a couple of days (checking for swelling and checking for protein in urine constantly) and then if it is still up and no progress has been made you might consider an induction again.

[Marcimama]

If they push for an induction I would start with least invasive: castor oil, breaking waters, etc... Take it easy and try not to stress about it. Drink lots and lots of water. Hugs!

[meadowmoose]

Wanted to give you some hugs.

I had the same type of situation at the end of my first pregnancy...I was on bedrest for 2 weeks and then induced at 39 weeks wtih Cytotec. If bedrest does keep your BP down, try to keep your feet up and rest as much as possible. Do what you think is right for you and your little one...and try not to be forced into anything.

[heidirk]

It's so good to hear you all saying what I'm thinking- that Cytotec is a huge intervention in the scale of what's actually happening. I'd rather try some less invasive measures first, too.

I just had a REALLY encouraging convo by phone with the younger MW I saw yesterday. We talked about how my BP's been, what color my pee is, am I having any headaches, blurry vision (no, and no) how's the baby's movement, etc.

My BP's been all over the place, but when I am at rest for a few minutes, it does come back down to about 128/85 ish. The baby is moveing HUGELY, and anytime I get up, I have contractions that are very distinct. I feel fine (bored) and I'm even less swollen than yesterday. She didn't seem to think the swelling had been linked to pre-e because my urine was clean, not even a trace!

So, her verdict is, I get to wait til Monday, have another NST, check for protein again, see what my BP is, and reevaluate. She actually said that we're so close to my due date that she feels safe waiting for me to go into labor! Course that could change on Monday, but still! : I feel so much lighter!

So on Monday, I'll seea bout stripping my membranes, but in the meantime, we'll DTD, and I may try some EPO inserted.

Hopefully these ctrx will resolve into something!

[TaraRae82]

^That sounds like a good recommendation on her part! It's a very good sign that your BP is returning to normal with rest! I'm so glad you're feeling comfortable with your MW's advice!

[sarah1122]

I know exactly how you feel!

Had my week 38 appointment on Wednesday and my BP was at about 140/94 (my BP is usually very, very low). Aside from some minor swelling in my ankles I feel completely fine.

My midwife saw the worried look on my face when she took the reading and assured me that everything is fine and that this just means I'm getting close to having the baby...she actually discouraged me from worrying about this too much and told me not to get obsessive about taking my blood pressure. I have been checking it every morning anyway and it has stayed at about 134/94 since Wednesday. So, I'm drinking fluids, getting plenty of rest and not beating myself up about this too much.

Big hug to you! Don't get too worked up..it will only send your BP higher!