Delivery with Preeclamsia

[Milk_Monkey]

Im 35 weeks and Unfortunately it looks as though i've developed PE - i've been borderline, but its become worse.

Im not looking forward to being forced into a bed 24/7, if it comes to that, but im mostly concerned with delivery. I'm not too bothered if i have to have an early delivery, but i am worried that i will have to have an epidural.

Has anyone had any experiences of delivery as a result of PE? What advice were you given?

[sugar n spice]

I know all about PE
Dont be afraid of the epidural, i was but it really is the best for pain relief and its usually required to reduce your blood pressure which goes up even more when in labour.

I have had PE twice first birth was a VBAC and second was an emergency c section. if you have any questions feel free to email me at rachethshel@hotmail.com

[sopolicha]

I had it with my first pregnancy. Blood pressure shot right up, had the visual disturbances etc. Ended up with an emergency c-section at 34 weeks.

Some Doctors will treat the blood pressure and hope for the best.

[Natsmummy]

I had pre-eclampsia and ended up spending a month in hospital on complete bed rest before my son was induced at 37 and a half weeks. It got pretty boring I can tell you! Still though, you'll spend so much time running around after the baby is born its probably good to catch up on your rest while you can.

I did have to have an epidural because my blood pressure was so dangerously high - they didn't offer me gas or pethedine. It seemed to bring my blood pressure down a bit and took the edge off the pain but I could still feel everything. In the end though my blood pressure was still going through the roof (it got to 210/120 and then they stopped telling me) and they needed to get bubs out in a hurry so gave me an episiotomy and used forceps. The pain of childbirth was so horrific for me I think if I have another child I'll ask for an epidural even if I don't get pre-eclampsia again.

Lots of women with p-e end up having caesarians but I'm so glad that my doctor understood that I wasn't keen and that my circumstances weren't so dire that I didn't get a choice. While the labour was painful, the women I know who had caesarians around the same time as me were in pain for weeks afterwards, whereas I was sore down below for a few days and then everything was fine.

Feel free to post again if there is anything else relating to p-e that you want to chat about - this is the first post on bubhub I've found about it and its interesting to compare other people's experiences to my own. How is your blood pressure and your proteins? Are you retaining much water? I looked like the elephant woman by the end of it - swelling was particularly bad in my face, hands and legs/feet. My feet were so swollen I could barely walk on them before I went into hospital. :eek:

[Funkychicken]

I was induced with my DS#1 due to PE. It wasn't life threatening but my GP thought I should rest in hospital for a few days (I was 39 wks then). The next day the resident OB came around to do an exam and an internal and decided to induce me. I am still unsure as to whether it was essential I be induced right then or whether it suited him but either way, I was. I don't really carry any bitterness about it, thankfully I was happy to follow their lead). Anyway an induction for me started with a manual rupture of the membranes followed by a syntocin drip to speed it along. This was my first bub and the shock of how painful it was (instantly) didn't help and I became overwhelmed pretty quickly. Being on a drip meant staying on the bed too. After 9 hrs of what seemed like one long worsening contraction, my BP went up again and I started to see floaty bits around the room. This was when they suggested an epidural which I agreed to. Eventually I was 10 cm but had no sensation at all so I was pushing according to the dips and peaks on the monitor (the monitor was horrible, it hurt my belly). I was way too exhausted and kept falling asleep between pushes so an episiotomy and forceps followed. My son was fine and I was ecstatic that he was here and thankfully I wasn't bitter at all, just ecstatic!
I guess though once the process began, the ARM, it all snowballed and this situation seems really common. I can only suggest you take notice if you are told to rest and do exactly that. if an induction is suggested or offered ask if it is a medical necessity or just an option. if there is no medical reason you should be able to continue until natural labour occurs. If you take an induction, be aware that it is VERY common for all the other interventions to follow.
Good luck and rest up!

[Ky]

The worst that can happen is that if they decide on inducing you early after bedrest, then the induction may not work!

I was induced at 37 weeks with my dd and after 5 days of gently labouring I didn't even get to 1cm, so was sent home to come back at tea time to have a c/section. It was not stressful, nor rushed and I recovered very quickly with a very healthy litle baby girl ... I couldn't have asked for more!

The doctors will do all they can to avoid having to induce you and at the same time, it will be a definite consideration if they are unable to keep your pe under control. Just trust that everything will be ok, remain relaxed (great for your bp!) and enjoy the end result of a healthy Mum and bub!

[Sheer Bliss]

I was threatened with hospitalisation at 34 1/2weeks, but since my blood presure was a bit lower the next morning & I finished work that day I was allowed to stay home, advised to rest & had two appt a week to moniter both me & bub. I desperately wanted to deliver naturally, so at 36weeks dr checked my cervix and as it was not ready scheduled a c-section for a week later. I went into labour a few days later (have been since told the dr has magic hands for ripening a cervix!) and labour actually lowered my BP!! It was perfect the whole time, but came up again for the few days after. I didn't even have an epidural, just gas, but was kept on a drip with nil by mouth just in case an emergency c-section was needed.

Maybe ask them to moniter your BP in the first hour or so of labour before you have an epidural, you might be able to avoid it that way. But everyone I know who has had one - LOVED it!!

[newmum2one]

I just want to thank the p-e ladies for sharing their stories - I had p-e but had read very little on it, and don't know anyone else who had it. I had c/s at 30 weeks after being diagnosed the day before. I had expressed concerns to my gp re: swelling but he said it was normal and my BP at the time wasn't too bad. (Last check at 26 weeks was due to go back the week DS was born!) I felt really alone and I feel a lot better knowing that I'm not the only one (I know I'm not the only one, but it felt like it at the time!).

[misskittyfantastico]

I was 39 1/2 weeks when my BP went throught the roof (I have a condition which causes high BP anyway so was on meds before and during the pregnancy. I was induced immmediately. Four ours after the drip was put in I delivered my DD vaginally but need the vacuum...so I guess it was assisted technically.
It took a good 2 months to get my BP back under control but all's well now.

[Percy]

I was induced at 39 weeks. It was diagnosed at 25 and i was put on best rest, but didnt get extreme until the last week.

Im probably not much help because the whole thing was a bit of a blur, but i can advise you to take the epidural! it was a lifesaver for me!

Good luck!:fingerscrossed:

[Milk_Monkey]

Thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences - i feel so much better about the whole situation now. Ultimately i think educating yourself on all the possiblities so that you can at least be prepared about your circumstances helps ease any worries. people are always scared of the unknown, right?

The doctors have decided to put me on blood pressure pills, and hopefully the PE doesnt develop much more. But regardless, its reassuring knowing that others have gone throgh it and come out on the other side. thanks :)