Induced labor and sent home

MargaretC5

Hello Ladies,

I have not posted here before, but I have been lurking my whole pregnancy.  I was wondering if anyone had a similar experience and had any advise.

My pregnancy was totally uneventful until 38 weeks, at while point my blood pressure went up from 110/70 to 140/90.  I had blood work multiple times and an ultrasound at 39 weeks, both came back with no issues.  No signs of pre-e, except the HBP.  My doctor pushed really hard for me to get induced.  She kept throwing out that I could have a stroke or seizure.  My DH and I got scared and agreed to the induction.
I went in at 40 weeks and 1 day to get induced.  I was 2cm and 50% before I went in before going in.  They tried Cervidil first but 2 hours later the baby's heart rate started dropping slightly, so they pulled it.  No change in my cervix.  Next they went to Pitocin.  They started at 2 (not exactly sure what that measure is) and kept it there for 2 hours.  The baby did not have any negative reaction to the Pitocin.  The on call doctor changed at this point.  The new doctor came in and said I heard you did not want your water broken (the first doctor offered and I declined, she did not push is).  He told me it was going to break anyway, so he might as well do it, I declined again.  At that point me just left and I never saw him again.  They kept increasing the Pitocin until it was up to 16, I was feeling no contractions, but they were picking up regular contraction on the monitor.  It was midnight at this point and there was no change to my cervix, so they turned down the Pitocin and suggested I get some sleep.  The next day, they cranked up the Pitocin to 20.  I felt nothing again until it got to 18 and then I just felt a little pressure for some of the contractions, but most of them I felt nothing.  They checked my cervix again, still no change.  The resident said 20 was the highest dose they would do without an internal monitor for the contractions.  I expressed again I really did not want my water broken.  I was worried about having my water broken because it would put me on the clock and I really did not want to have a c-section due to not progressing.  She said she would check with the on-call doctor on other options.  It was a different doctor at this point, he came in and asked if I was interested in trying "extreme measures" (his words) or if I would be open to calling it off and going home.  He said the entire time I was there (2 days), my blood pressure was high but stable and the baby was perfectly healthy with great readings on the monitor.  I opted to go home, which he seemed totally on board with.  He said he did not see a medical reason to do "extreme measures" at that time, unless I just really wanted to have the baby.
I went to my regular doctor the next day (today), she walked in the appointment and said she wanted to reschedule the induction and there were other options they could of tried to ripen my cervix.  I declined and said I wanted to wait since it did not work and I had just got home from the hospital the night before.  She said that was against her advice, told me to schedule a ultrasound and blood work for Monday, then left.

At this point, unless I have new symptoms, I am thinking I would not want to reschedule an induction until I am 42 weeks (I am 40 weeks and 3 days now).  I know my doctor does not agree with this decision, but the doctor that released from the hospital did not seem worried about not delivering the baby right away, because my blood pressure was stable and the baby was doing well. 

Do you think I am taking too high a risk waiting?  I never heard of anyone else having no reaction to Pitocin and I really think I am going to end up with a c-section if I go back for another induction before my body and baby are ready.  I was really hoping to have a natural (or an natural as possible) birth, but I want to make sure I don't hurt myself or my baby in waiting.  I know you are not doctors, just hoping others have had a similar experiences they could share, because my doctor does not want to discuss other options besides another induction.

I know this is a long post, thanks for reading.

rooftop

It sounds like your doctor is just being stubborn. I would not see any reason for induction if everyone is doing fine and there aren't any other symptoms. The fact that the doctor was ok with sending you home reinforces that thought and the fact that you didn't react to the pit would make me think baby is not ready and you may have more health concerns if you induce and baby is too early. JMHO

barista411

My MW doesn't become concerned about blood pressure until it is over 150. If there is no protein in your urine, swelling is under control, no headaches, or seeing spots and your labs came back clean I would hold off on the induction. You may want to request more testing or monitoring to ensure you and baby are ok. You may also want to request a presciption for a blood pressure cuff so you can monitor your own blood pressure at home.

MargaretC5

Thanks you both of you.  No other symptoms (headaches, swelling, vision, protein).  My doctor seems very in favor of more testing, I have had blood work done 3 times in one week, so I will know pretty soon is anything changes.  There is also a Walgreens at the end of my street, so I will probably stop in there to check my blood pressure more often. 

Glad to know I am not the only one who would wait to induce.  I have discussed this with my DH also and it is too late at this point to get a new doctor, but I will be changing doctors before any future pregnancies.

cbear47

Sounds like you're doing what you should. You're advocating for yourself and your family. LO isn't ready to come out, let him/her stay all warm and cozy as long as your body (and doctors) will let them! Keep it up and keep us posted!

scole1414

I agree with the above posters - you should follow your instincts and let your body take the lead. Please let us know in the comings days how things work out. Best of luck to you as your baby will be here soon

MargaretC5

Thanks for all your comments.  I really appreciate the support.  I am going to wait and hope my LO comes on his own.  I will let you all know how it turns out.

MargaretC5

Hello, I have not been on the bump in a while, but now that I am back on I did want to thank everyone here for their support.  I did end up going into labor naturally 12 days after my due date and was very gratefully for the time I could labor at home instead of the hospital.  Unfortunatly, after 35 hours of labor I did end up having a c-section due to not progressing and by that point I was just completely exhausted.  My LO ended up being 9lbs 4.6ozs and sunny side up, the doctor thought the combination of these two factors was the reason I was not progressing.  He is perfectly healthy and doing great!  I am loving being a mom

rooftop

congrats on the baby! sorry things didn't turn out as planned but you did all you could have so good job anyway!

wintersong

Congratulations on your baby! :-)