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Natural Birth
Natural Birth with Preeclampsia?
I'm 36 weeks and was diagnosed last Friday with mild preeclampsia. This is my second and with first was induced about 38 weeks because of PIH. I labored pretty far without an epidural then got one at what I then realized was the end. Have been very motivated to have this one without epi and was looking forward to laboring at home as long as possible. This diagnosis kinda came out of the blue and has been really frustrating...
On bed rest at home and trying to let LO bake as long as possible. Bp is fabulous at home and not very bad at office. Only signs I really have are protein in 24 hr urine (315). I understand preeclampsia can get bad very quickly so trying to stay positive and hoping maybe I can make it until possibly go into labor on my own...
Anyone have any birthing experience (hopefully positive ones!) with preeclampsia?
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Re: Natural Birth with Preeclampsia?
I was planning a natural birth and was diagnosed with PreE at the very end of pregnancy (39 weeks). The day I was diagnosed was also the day I was induced. I won't go into specifics of my birth experience because it was far from ideal, but I thought I'd give you some ideas that, in hindsight, I wish I had thought of.
Ask your OB if you'll have to be on Mag Sulfate. I did, and it completely blindsighted me and changed all my birth plans at the last minute. I wish I had some time to research this medication and restrictions while on it. If you do need to be on it, talk with your OB if you'll still be able to walk around, set out of bed, eat/drink, etc. If he/she says "no" ask why. If you will be restricted, come up with some ideas about how to manage conctrations while working around the restrictions (ie. changing positions in bed, breathing/vocalization, etc).
My OBs told me that it was very rare for blood pressure to be so high that an epidural would be necessary. Maybe talk to your OB about what their views are regarding epidurals for lowering BP.
Start thinking about induction methods now (plan for the worst, hope for the best). What is your Bishop score? Are you favorable for induction? Could you be induced by a non-medication method first (ie. Foley bulb, AROM)? If you are already dilated, would you rather be induced using Pitocin or AROM? Can your OB do a low-pitocin induction?
I know how hard it is to think about these things. Please know that natural birth IS possible with PreE, it just can be more difficult. Next time, I plan to try for a natural birth again, whether or not I get PreE. Best of luck!
BFP#2: EDD 2/11/14, MMC confirmed 7/15/13 (growth stopped at 6 weeks), D&C @ 12 weeks 7/25/13
I was able to have a natural birth with preeclampsia. I was 3 weeks early too.
Luckily though, I was already 3cm & 80% effaced when my doc started talking induction at 36 weeks. He agreed to sweep my membranes and followup 2 days later after another protein test. This was a Tuesday afternoon, and then Wednesday night I woke up with my water breaking and gave birth 4 hours later (pain med free and vaginal in a hospital) I wasn't able to have my home birth like I wanted with preeclampsia. After I gave birth, my blood pressure was crazy high, and they put me on magnesium sulfate. At least by then the baby was out, and I got to have the labor/birth experience I wanted for the most part.
My baby was born at 37 weeks on the dot, healthy and beautiful. He required no NICU time at all (would have been mandated if born one day sooner the hospital said).