IV Magnesium for Pre-E?

brianandkelsey

So I'm going in on Thursday to be induced. I have mild pre-eclampsia. At my appointment yesterday, I was 2 cm dilated, 90% effaced and -3 station so I guess baby is pretty near ready  

Anyway, doctor mentioned that he would give me IV magnesium for the pre-eclampsia. I was so focused on the induction part of the conversation, I didn't even think to ask but what does that do?

I'm not against the meds and plan on having an epidural but I didn't know what the magnesium does for the pre-e and I can't find much online.

TIA for any answers!  

mmttc1b

It helps to keep you from having a stroke if your BP rises. Also can make you feel awful and give you a constant brain freeze type headache.

JessiF41684

Yeah its no fun to be on I had it with my first. but it can save your life... 

diddlenation

ditto previous post.  Keeps you from having a stroke.  There are some interesting side effects if i remember correctly.  

2BMrs.Carter

I immediately felt hot and nauseous (sp) this time. (ive had 2 emergency c-sections because of pre-e) I had severe pre-e this last time and  was given a high dose at first, then lower doses. Good news is the feeling doesn't last very long. I was on magnesium for 24 hrs after my c-section. Also, they do a blood draw every 6 hours to check your levels. The itching afterwards is really uncomfortable, but they will give you something for it. It may depend on the dosage you get because I didn't itch thr first time.

MommaErica

Talk to your doctor, you're getting bad information here. 

Mag Sulfate is for the prevention or management of eclamptic SEIZURES.  It has nothing to do with stroke.  It is true, if you have ridiculously high BP, your risk of stroke is elevated.  It is true that if your BP comes down, that risk goes down as well but. that only applies in cases of severe hypertension and is a nifty side effect of the medication.  It is not the reason the medication is given.

You really need to discuss this further with your doctor.  It is recommended that women with severe pre e get mag. It is not recommended for routine administration in mild pre e.  However, opinion on that differs and some doctors and hospitals give it for mild cases as well.  Your doctor can best advise you on the risks vs benefits. 

The medication completely sucks and you will feel like absolute garbage for the duration however, something to keep in mind about an eclamptic seizure, while you are seizing you are not breathing. You need to weigh the risks of not breathing vs the risks of feeling like crap for a day or two if you are high risk for an eclamptic seizure. 

shelbyjo11

I had to have magnesium and it made me feel absolutely terrible.  I also had mild preeclampsia, not severe, but wasn't really given an option.  They did end up having to turn it off after about 6 hours because it suppressed my respiratory drive so much I was going in and out of consciousness due to low oxygen.  They attempted to start it again after I delivered but once again turned it off after a few hours because my body reacted so poorly.  But just like any drug, everyone has a different reaction.  I am very sensitive to drugs.

authorofdreamz

My friend had to have it but they said it was because of how ridiculously high her BP was (it was so high they induced her immediately at 36w5d because they were afraid she would have a stroke.) and that if she were to have pre-e again and it was more closely monitored she would most likely not need it. She said it was horrible and describes it as "Lava flowing through her veins" She said it felt like her arm was on fire even though they had it packed in ice-packs. It's the only part of labor/delivery she really remembers.

mmttc1b

MommaErica:

Talk to your doctor, you're getting bad information here. 

Mag Sulfate is for the prevention or management of eclamptic SEIZURES.  It has nothing to do with stroke.  It is true, if you have ridiculously high BP, your risk of stroke is elevated.  It is true that if your BP comes down, that risk goes down as well but. that only applies in cases of severe hypertension and is a nifty side effect of the medication.  It is not the reason the medication is given.

You really need to discuss this further with your doctor.  It is recommended that women with severe pre e get mag. It is not recommended for routine administration in mild pre e.  However, opinion on that differs and some doctors and hospitals give it for mild cases as well.  Your doctor can best advise you on the risks vs benefits. 

The medication completely sucks and you will feel like absolute garbage for the duration however, something to keep in mind about an eclamptic seizure, while you are seizing you are not breathing. You need to weigh the risks of not breathing vs the risks of feeling like crap for a day or two if you are high risk for an eclamptic seizure. 

 

I think you need to do more research. Stroke IS a primary reason for the use of Mag for Pre-E. seizure may be another, but strokes could have worse results.

 You can find information here:  https://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/faq

 

 

flipflops01

I was given it last week during labor.  My doc thought that my bp kept spiking and was entering severe e, so I was put on it, however it does counter the effects of pitosin so it can take longer for induction.  But good news is that although I was on mag and being induced, my labor went a lot quicker than expected (I guess little one was ready to come, one way or another). 

Everyone has very different reactions to drugs, but my experience was that mag was not fun- you are on bed rest 24/7 once you are on it, until 12 or 24 hours after labor.  So you will be required to not leave bed for any reason until you are off of it.  You are also not allowed to eat or have any fluids while you are on it, but see if they can give you something in your IV to help with your energy levels.  I was also given oxygen during pushing to help.  Because the labor happened quicker than expected, I did not have time for an epidural.  The mag for me made me sort of felt like the flu- you may feel sick, incredibly hot (like your skin was on fire) and very out of it and tired.  Once I went off it, it took me another day to feel comfortable on my feet and feel fairly normal and clear headed again.  But the good news is that once it's out of your system, there are no lasting effects from the drugs.

Best of luck with your labor- you'll be in our thoughts!