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Hypertension and VBAC

floflo1981floflo1981 member
in VBAC

Hello All! I have enjoyed lurking and thought I would just jump right in! I am 31 weeks with #2 and have one son named Memphis who is nearly 22 months who was born with a c/s due to being breech.

 I am currently on Procardia XL 90mg daily due to chronic (not pregnancy or pre-e) hypertension and am considering a VBAC. My OB is very encouraging for me to have a VBAC even with my BP problems and says it is going to be a touch and go thing during the last month of my pregnancy. My question is...

If you had the added complication of high BP would you just do a RCS? I have struggled with this decision and really cannot make up my mind. I had alot of anger about my first delivery and have switched OB's and have done my research, have a doula and am pretty well set on trying to VBAC but can't wrap my head around all of the "what ifs" not just with the VBAC itself but the added pressure of my high BP.

 Any advice/personal experience is greatly appreciated! Thanks Ladies!

 

~Flora

Wife to Anthony 3/21/2009 Mommy to Memphis Drake 12/22/2009 Due with Son #2 12/15/2011
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Re: Hypertension and VBAC

  • Temp856430000003146Temp856430000003146

    I had gestational hypertension, so I might be a little different. I think I had "white coat" syndrome mixed with some stress that caused mine. After we sold our house and moved my BP went back down to a semi-normal range (high was 140s/90s and "normal" for me is high 120s/80s). I ate a lot of protein every day (100-110 grams) and that helped my BP a lot. I went on to have a successful VBAC!

    What risks do you have compared to someone without hypertension trying to VBAC?

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  • BlinkingLight1BlinkingLight1 member
    ^ I replied that. That was my old SN.
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  • floflo1981floflo1981 member
    Thanks for your reply! I think my query is that with High BP with a VBAC if my blood pressure is running high during labor my movement may be restricted to the bed. You know the "lying on the left side to control the bp" and such. I am worried also that my doctor said he is ok with using pitocin with a VBAC and I AM NOT comfortable with that aspect of it. I would rather a RCS than use pitocin to augment labor. Does that answer your question?
    Wife to Anthony 3/21/2009 Mommy to Memphis Drake 12/22/2009 Due with Son #2 12/15/2011
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  • BlinkingLight1BlinkingLight1 member

    imagefloflo1981:
    Thanks for your reply! I think my query is that with High BP with a VBAC if my blood pressure is running high during labor my movement may be restricted to the bed. You know the "lying on the left side to control the bp" and such. I am worried also that my doctor said he is ok with using pitocin with a VBAC and I AM NOT comfortable with that aspect of it. I would rather a RCS than use pitocin to augment labor. Does that answer your question?

    Yes it does. I understand your concerns. My BP was high during labor at certain points, but they never restricted my movement.

    FWIW, I used pitocin to augment my labor with no problems. An augmentation is safer than induction, but the risks are lower if you induce with pitocin when your cervix is favorable. If you use low dose pitocin, it does increase your uterine rupture risk - but only slightly. A c/s is a guaranteed uterine rupture Wink

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  • manbearpig31610manbearpig31610
    You have to decide what you are comfortable with but if it were me I would definately give it a go. If it becomes unsafe for you to proceed with the vbac you can always change your plan. My situation is a bit different because I do not have chronic hypertension but I did have PIH with my first pregnancy. This time around I have been (loosely) following the brewer diet and my bp has been great thus far. Not sure if this would help you or not but if you're interested you can google brewer diet and get the info. Good luck!
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  • floflo1981floflo1981 member
    imageBlinkingLight1:

    imagefloflo1981:
    Thanks for your reply! I think my query is that with High BP with a VBAC if my blood pressure is running high during labor my movement may be restricted to the bed. You know the "lying on the left side to control the bp" and such. I am worried also that my doctor said he is ok with using pitocin with a VBAC and I AM NOT comfortable with that aspect of it. I would rather a RCS than use pitocin to augment labor. Does that answer your question?

    Yes it does. I understand your concerns. My BP was high during labor at certain points, but they never restricted my movement.

    FWIW, I used pitocin to augment my labor with no problems. An augmentation is safer than induction, but the risks are lower if you induce with pitocin when your cervix is favorable. If you use low dose pitocin, it does increase your uterine rupture risk - but only slightly. A c/s is a guaranteed uterine rupture Wink

     

     

    Thanks for that last statement...that is profound really. I am just hoping for the best and that things will happen naturally and safely :)

    Wife to Anthony 3/21/2009 Mommy to Memphis Drake 12/22/2009 Due with Son #2 12/15/2011
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