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Natural Birth
writeonwater
member
Induction With PIH
writeonwater
member
I need to vent about my dr.s appointment last night. It was very discouraging. This post is very long and it will share some previous history. My apologies, but I need some support.
12/26- (36 weeks) Went in for normal OB appointment. BP 140/100. Dr. was worried about it but we thought it was just a busy holiday. After relaxing BP came down to 138/90. No protein in urine.
1/2- (37 weeks)- Went in for normal OB appointment. BP- 148/100. Would not come down after resting. (I think this was because the dr. mentioned that she was going to send me to the hospital for testing if it didn't come down. ) Blood pressure did not come down. Went to hospital for blood testing, BP monitoring, urine testing, non-stress test. Everything came back normal. Blood pressure came down to 130's while lying down. Asked if I should be written out of work for high BP. Dr. said that there was no reason to discuss this at this point. Given 24 hour urine test.
1/7- dr.s apponitment Hospital gave us wrong instructions for urine test. Had to do it again. After working as a teacher for half a day, BP 170/100. I told the dr. I thought it was time to get written out of work. She agreed. After lying down, BP 138/110.
1/10- Urine test complete, blood work done, ultra sound to measure fluid, BP 140/100. Dr. prescribed BP medicine. I expressed my concerns about being on medication. She said the benefits out weighed the risks. That their goal was for me to be able to have a spontaneous labor and be able to have the natural birth that I had planned. All tests came back normal and protein free.
Yesterday: (never met with this dr. before and never will again.) After waiting for the dr. for one hour, on an empty stomach because it was near dinner, we went through the normal tests. BP- 128/86, 138/96 on meds. No protein in urine. Dr. comes in and says, "Some of my patients opt to be elected for induction at 39 weeks." This sounds like a suggestion. Right? Wrong. (My EDD is 1/24/13). I told him that the only way I would induce was if there was a true problem, such as my BP not being controlled by the meds or protein in my urine signalling pre-eclampsia. He told me that he has women begging to be induced. I told him I'm not like other women and I know too much about the dangers of induction to do it frivilously. He then went on to play the dead baby card and said that it is standard procedure to induce someone who has high blood pressure at 39 weeks. I reminded him that my BP is no longer high because I'm pumping chemicals into my body. Chemicals that were prescribed to me at that practice. So in the end we did a non-stress test. Baby was fine. I have to take another 24 hour urine test. Yes, this is my third one. I also suggested to the doctor that I would be more then willing to come in daily for BP, non-stress test, and urine monitoring to make sure nothing dangerous is happening. He said that it is not necessary. So my baby and I are in so much danger that we need to be induced, yet it is not necessary to come in for testing? I was insanely angry by the time I left that office last night.
Also, I did talk hypothetically about induction options if I had to be induced. I asked if it had to be done, could I use a Foley catheter and 2 rounds of Cervidil to see if that would work before starting pitocin. He said, "How do you know about that?" What do you do for a living? I told him that I have done my own research and asked for advice from my doula. He was so happy about that.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Induction With PIH
Full disclosure: I did not have a natural birth nor I was hoping for one. However, I did not start out my pregnancy with that mindset. It developed over time as a result of chronic hypertension that landed me solidly in the high risk category. As my pregnancy progressed my anxiety increased, and my doctor and I both felt comfortable with an induction before my due date.
I understand your frustration and your desire for a natural birth. But PIH is serious, and though it's controlled with medication, the protocol (as explained to me by my OB) is to deliver no later than 39 weeks. If baby is not doing well, then an earlier delivery is warranted. I was told that if I needed to go on medication to control my blood pressure I would have twice-weekly NSTs and monitoring until I was 39 weeks. I haven't heard of many doctors recommending or requiring daily monitoring.
Now certainly you may decide to decline an induction until you are term (or beyond), but your doctor is required to explain to you the risks of choosing to do so, and those risks do include an increased risk of stillbirth. You cannot give informed consent without that explanation. It's probably true that most women hear that risk and opt for the induction - I was one of them. But then again, my mother and her sister both had full-term stillbirths and I was desperate to avoid that same outcome.
An induction before term is not ideal, I'll grant you that. But neither is PIH. You are balancing risks. Every woman has her own comfort level with the risks inherent in one choice over another. I really and truly hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly and that you don't need an induction.
Married Bio * BFP Charts
I abolsutely understand your frustration. I am pregnant with baby #4 and have been induced with all my pregnancies due to PIH, and slightly low platlets... But everything else has always looked good. I understand the situation can sometimes be dangerous, but I often feel my doctors have jumped to induction too quickly with pit. In fact, I am heading to see a midwife next week and might be switching.
I would make sure you see your typical ob at your next appointment and discuss all the risks, benefits and options for possible induction. He may be more willing to work with you if you already have an established relationship. Good luck!
Also, not sure if its too late for brewers diet?