blood pressure issue and pitocin question

lily87

 

Just got back from the dr and now my bp has spiked from my normal 90/60-110/70 to 144/84. They said that I have no protein though so that is good. But, they are still making me do a 24 hour collection anyway. And, I have to go back for a bp check and an NST on Friday. She said if the bp is worse they might admit me until I am 37 weeks next wed and induce because of the bp. I so don't want an induction.

But, here is my question. I was hoping to have a med free delivery. If I get pitocin, is it to hard to handle without meds? I am under the assumption that it makes the contractions more intense- but I haven't read the book that far yet! lol

I swear that this baby is only coming early because we are moving on Saturday! And, because I am so not prepared! Baby nugget needs to stay put!

 

 

MsCrispy

It is still possible to go natural with pitocin. Pitocin will make the contractions more intense, so it will make it harder, but not impossible. Over on the natural board there are a few moms that managed to stay drug-free even with pitocin, you might get some useful advice posting over there.

Try to relax this week and lie down as much as possible and hopefully your blood pressure will go down and you won't have to deal with this. Good luck!

LaComtesse

First of all: stay right there, nugget! You behave and be patient so you can get to your new house on time!

Now that I'm done talking to your baby...

Pitocin is known to make contractions more intense. There are women who can still go med-free without it, but others decide a change of plan is in their best interest.

laurasuzanne2006

in fairness i didnt get into active labor, but i was on pit for 22 hours.  There were times the contractions pretty much were back to back.  the real dilemma i had was the mag sulfate (cant get out of bed with it) and my bp was so high i could only labor on my sides because it was higher on my back.  I think without the mag i really wouldnt have been so miserable.  as long as you would still have other relaxation techniques such as position changes available, i think you should be fine.

eortman

For me, pitocin was unbearable. However, my DS was sunnyside up, so I know that added to the pain, also.  I did end up without an epidural, but only because it didn't work, not by choice.  It was not something I would recommend for my worst enemy. However, every woman and every delivery is different so you may be able to do it.  I would just keep an open mind as far as getting the epidural and don't be disappointed if you end up with one.

BarefootAndSinging

In my opinion, yes Pitocin does make the contractions harder. But yes, it is still possible to go med-free. Especially if once your contractions start, they back it down and let your body take over.

I personally gave in and got an epidural when I was induced w DS1 (also for high BP issues). But my sister has had 2 cervadil/pitocin inductions, and 2 epidural-free births. So it really is possible.

Silver lining: If you've never had a baby or been in labor before, then how will you know if the contractions are "harder"? Harder than what, right?

brit072206

I'm kind of surprised that they would induce you based on that one reading. I had GD, bp spikes like that about once a day, and I've had protein in my urine, and I'm 38 weeks, and I'm not getting induced because of any of it. I would wonder about this decision . . . 37 weeks is pretty early . . . if they're checking for pre-e and protein in urine, it seems a bit over cautious . . .

BluBerryMuffin

I had my labor augmented with pitocin with DS. The contractions were the single most horrific thing I have ever felt in my life. I had to get an epidural.  Everyone handles pain differently, but I definitely could not labor under pitocin without pain relief.

TheFannins729

my contractions didn't stop with pitocin.  At least with natural contractions, you have a break between them.  I didn't get that break.  I'm sure I could have done it without the epi, but I would have been in a tremendous amount of pain.  The epi allowed me to actually enjoy my L&D experience.

lily87

brit072206:

I'm kind of surprised that they would induce you based on that one reading. I had GD, bp spikes like that about once a day, and I've had protein in my urine, and I'm 38 weeks, and I'm not getting induced because of any of it. I would wonder about this decision . . . 37 weeks is pretty early . . . if they're checking for pre-e and protein in urine, it seems a bit over cautious . . .

I feel like there may be more going on than I am getting. I don't know if any of this matters, but I went into preterm labor at 33 weeks. I am already at least 2 cm dilated and 75% effaced- could be more as they didn't check today but that is what I was at 34 weeks. And, i have been on bed rest so this reading is after doing very little for weeks. I also have had some unexplained weight gain. In less than a week I have gained 5 lbs and I have had some recent swelling issues. 

What I can't tell is what they are looking for. She said that it is most likely not pre-e but just a blood pressure issue. But, I can't tell if for some reason the total picture is concerning which is why she said if it is up on Friday it will be a L&D issue or if she is being overly cautious and just telling me all of the possibilities. 

I do also have a family history or heart attacks- my dad died early from one. So maybe that is the reason for the over concern about the hypertension. I will definitely ask when I go in on Friday- but it took me by surprise too because I see ladies post much higher numbers here for bp all the time. But, she said it isn't the number as much as the trend that it keeps going up and how much it has gone up from my baseline.