I feel like things are spiralling out of control

[trimestersdoula]

Well I went and saw my new doctor....the one that is going to be delivering. She is super nice and just an awesome lady. Everything was going great until she took my BP. She said it was very high. I don't know how high because she never said but it must have been fairly high because she asked if I had been having headaches or abdominal pains....which I haven't. She immediately sent me to the hosptial for a bunch of bloodwork and urinalysis and put a rush on the results. She said that she would get the results this afternooon and if things looked bad she would be calling me later on. If she doesn't call this afternoon I have to go back and see her on Tuesday morning. She said everything was fine with the baby but she was concerned about me. She is booking me an ultrasound to make sure though (something I wanted to avoid). Normally the doctor will give you the ultrasound paperwork and you have to take it in and book it, but she made it urgent and said she would book it for me herself. I will be getting a call about when I have to go in for that as well this afternoon. She never said the word "induction" but the look was on her face and that is where she was headed with what she was saying if things don't look good.

Girls I feel like I have lost total control over this pregnancy. This is why I didn't want to use a dr. in the first place. I feel like things are spiralling out of control. I am trying to stay calm (not being very good at it), but I am terrified right now that she is going to call me this afternoon with bad news. I am preparing for the worst news but hoping for the best. I wanted this baby to come soon, but not like this.

[carolina~mom2be]

big hugs momma. I'm sure that everything is fine! Try to relax and not worry...easier said than done I know, but we'll keep our fingers crossed for you Keep us updated!

[lee1203]

Aw man. Sorry things are seemingly falling apart. I'm hoping for the best with you!

[Amber Lion]

Deep breaths!!! You still have control, even if the results are bad news. You still have the right to fully understand what is happening and make decisions. Even if induction is what they recommend, you still have control over your choices. Momma, sending you good strong vibes!!

[DCRC]

I feel for you as we are in a similar situation.

Take care of yourself. High BP is serious. Your blood pressure should lower if you stay laying down as much as possible.

My wife is now on bedrest until the baby gets here because her BP is also high.

I hope you did not have any protein in your urine. If not there is medication for gestational hypertension.

Found these two on the web.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methyldopa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labetalol

Take care of yourself.

[heidirk]

TD- Do NOT panic! First of all, this is what happened to me, and I am convinced my induction should have been avoided. Find out exactly what your BP was, and I agree with DCRC- get your urine tested for protein. If the bab's HR and your urine is fine, I would decline the U/S.

The more I think about it, chances are, during the last stages of PG, they're likely to find at least three things they don'tr like. Do not surrender your control, I know it's scary- but personally, I'd make them give me a VERY good reason to even do an US.

They were aasking me about headaches too, and nmy BP was only 140/90's, which /I've had people tell me is not actually that high, especially for the end of PG. It was aqlsio evident that there was absokutely NO problem with me or the BB, as we tolerated labor beautifuuly, and thetrec was NO sign of high BP in the placemta, either.

HTH- not exactly NAK

[crystaldawn]

Hang in there mama. I hope that all your labs and your u/s come back reassuring. Hopefully you just had a high bp because you were at the DOCs office.

Sending calming, low bp vibes your way

[DCRC]

MW also said that with bedrest to avoid breads and pasta as it is alot easier to get constipation.


Eat fruits and vegetables and high fiber foods. Avoid sugars and starches.

Also read taking magnisium and calcium can help.

Were think about you.

[Marcimama]

Agreeing that you need to take charge and show your DR. that YOU are in control of the care YOU receive from her. Some where down the line we have let ourselves think that we should serve (or do the bidding) of drs, not the reverse. Remember that she should be giving you all the details and facts so that you can make a good decision from that.
If I were you I'd call up the office and ask to know what your BP was. If it is under 140 I would drink a ton of water, rest and take some cal/mag. and see what it is next time. It is normal for BP to go up at the end of a pregnancy. Especially, if you aren't having other symptoms of problems.

[trimestersdoula]

Thank you so much everyone. You all really lifted my spirits. I tell women these same things all the time but when it is you, it is different, KWIM?

I didn't get a phone call from my doctor today so my labs and urine must have been fine. I also didn't get a call from the hospital with a date for my U/S. Even with urgent U/S's it can take a week or more to get one, which means I might not even have to tell her I don't want one....I may have my baby by then LOL.

I imagine my BP was over 140. My BP has been consistantly at 130/80-130/90 since week 20.....I never took it before that. The only time it has been higher was at that dr.s office. It was 148/90. Me and BP cuffs and dr.s offices don't have a great relationship LOL.

[heidirk]

I so know just where you're at. I have white coat syndrome too, and to me, those stupid cuffs HURT! I think I finally understand how doctors (and even midwives) have the power to scare women into doing what is against their better judgement.


You and your baby are healthy and strong. I'm sending you strong labor vibes, maybe this is your weekend!!

[JBaxter]

My mom is a nurse and also had bp issues with one of her pregnancies. She said she was taught that if your baseline goes up 20 pts then you start to watch if it goes up 30pts over baseline then you worry. Lay down rest take it easy. OH and dont cross your legs if when they take your bp it makes it higher ( crazy huh but it does)

[myrmom]

try and rest as much as you can to help keep your bp lower...and hopefully baby will come soon on it's own...hugs!!!

[TaraRae82]

Oh I'm so sorry you're feeling overwhelmed and out of control mama. Please try to rest and take it easy and try some affirmations that your body is doing what it needs to do to birth a healthy baby. Keep an open line of communication with your new dr and be sure you go in with a sound mind and all your knowledge as "ammo".

[Turtlemum]

Sounds like you have gotten some great advice so far. I think the doctor panicked as this was the first time she met you. Hard to comment without knowing your BP but remember it is the bottom number that is more concerning. If they didn't call most likely the results are fine and you can decide if you want to consent to the US. If it takes a week to get an urget ultrasound then she might have called to book it herself to try to arrange one sooner if needed and that might have lead to the feeling of urgency...

Is your midwife still able to be in a supportive role for you? It sounds like you could use an advocate (doula or midwife) seeing as you are just establishing a relationship with this doctor - who may or may not be tech happy!

Hugs. Take a deep breath. Vent here as often as you need.

[trimestersdoula]

Thanks again, everyone. I feel very relaxed and calm tonight. More than I have lately. I think it is because I finally met this doctor and she took me on right away and didn't look at me like I had a third eye because I have been seeing a midwife.

Yes, my midwife will be my doula when labor starts and will be coming with me to the hospital, which is awesome! She is just amazing and I am soooo happy that she can still be with me during the birth....even though she won't be the one calling the shots.

[OkiMom]

Not in your DDC but I really don't like doctors offices.. especially those blood pressure machines. Next time ask if she can take the blood pressure manually instead. The machine and me don't get along and it is always reads higher than my actually blood pressure. For example last appointment mine was 138/90ish (which is high for me), the doctor thought it was odd so he took it the old fashion way and it was 110/60 (which is what it usually is when Im pregnant). The doc told me he really hated those machines because they aren't as accuate in his book.