Thread: Casey's Lodge! (lilac0422)

Casey, welcome to your lodge!

I'm a staunch birthing naturally advocate, and I had the same situation come up. Ok, for me it was protein in the urine rather than blood pressure, but they're related. Pre-eclampsia can be dangerous, and this is one of the cases when you do need to pay attention because blood pressure can go up quickly.

Here is a quick recap of my story and why this might not be so bad for you:
When I was told I had to have an induction, I got very angry. But like you, I went to the hospital and had doses of a cervical ripening agent (in my case misoprostol, aka "Cytotek"). I only had continuous external monitoring for one hour before my first dose and then for one hour each time after each dose. I had no IV. I had three doses and after I was left alone for a while because someone else came in at 6cm dilated so they went to attend her. My water broke. I labored naturally (no drugs, able to move around as I pleased, nobody checked me at all) for 3 1/2 hours. Then I said I was pushing, and 25 minutes later my baby was born into my dh's hands as planned. I delivered in a standing up position. And the midwife helped with the head. So, other than those three doses, my birth was totally natural. And it was a great birth.

The plan your doctor is proposing is pretty much this, so I say it sounds fairly reasonable.

Casey, I'm glad too that your doc is taking a slow approach to an induction, but I'm wondering how necessary an induction really is. How high was your bp yesterday? How long has your bp ben an issue? Are you showing protein in your urine? Has your doc run any blood panels since your bp went up? Having elevated bp for one day (unless it was dangerously high) doesn't seem like a good enough reason to start talking induction. I'm glad he's going to do a BPP to assess the baby's condition, but the fact that he's already planning the induction regardless of what the BPP shows concerns me. I think at the stage you're at, if it were me, I'd want to try bedrest, or at least restricted activity, as well as water therapy (soaking in a warm bath - very good for bp) before I agreed to an induction - unless you are showing other danger signs besides elevated bp.

Please keep us posted.

NM

Wow...and I'll say it again...wow. Good for you being a strong, educated, resourceful mommy to be. You have many, many things of which to be proud. Also, you are lucky to have a Dr. that is so willing to engage with you on many levels. I do not have any words of advice or any information (I'm about to be a first time mommy myself), but I did want to drop in and say "you go, girl"...we're all here to support you!

(((Casey))) I didn't even realize that your bp has been an issue your whole pregnancy. I've had bp issues as well - I wish I would have known about your issues a long time ago so I could share with you the stuff my mw has had me doing which has had a very positive impact on my bp. Anyhow, it sounds like you are in good hands. I'm so glad you have a doctor who is respectful and gives you individualized care - that is so important, and yet so rare these days. Hang in there and keep us posted!

NM

Dropping by to see how you're doing today...

I read your previous posts and I just wanted to pop in and lend some support

NM

(((Casey))) you're in my thoughts.