Gutted, high BP with planned water birth does not go!

[YogaMummy2B]

I need cheered up! I had been planning a lovely Hypnobirth in a birthing pool in the lovely home from home unit, where you get your own room etc. However after routine BP test yesterday was admitted to hospital last night and now on medication to lower BP. Means I will not be allowed into the unit!
I know the health of myself and the baby is paramount and this policy is in place for a reason, however I just can't stop crying. I spent the last 6 weeks imaging this natural, easy birth in water, not to be!

[tiokiko]

Poor you - not sure I can cheer you up but wanted to sympathise as I was in a similar position when PG with DD. I had planned a waterbirth but high BP meant it was no go - I wasn't admitted to hosp but had medication when I arrived in labour which controlled it.

How close are you to due date? Sounds like maybe it's imminent?

All I can say (which will hopefully reassure you) is that not using the pool/home from home unit doesn't mean that you have to have a full-on medicalised birth. I ended up having as close to my 'perfect' imagined birth as I could have hoped, despite needing monitoring/no pool - used TENS/hypnobirth then G&A from 8cm and all was well, v positive experience.

Talk to your MW or hosp MWs about your concerns - some places will let you labour in the pool (but not deliver) but even if this isn't the case you should still be able to have as active a labour as possible, alongside monitoring if it's necessary.

Use your hypnobirth techniques now to try to relax as much as you can and keep things in perspective. Even being able to use the pool doesn't mean you're guaranteed to have a lovely time so at least you know in advance that things will be a little different from what you'd expected.

Hope you feel better soon!

[YogaMummy2B]

Thanks Tio you started me off crying again! Just got home from hospital 1/2 hour ago and have been wallowing a little!
I'm 37 weeks, so things could happen soon enough.
Your kind words and empathy were just what I needed and a good point about labouring in water, must investigate that option.
Going to indulge in some online baby stuff retail therapy, that might cheer me up.

[doodledee]

I was in same position - really wanted water birth but diagnosed high bp at 36 weeks - ended up being admitted twice and started on labetalol. When labour did start all happened very quickly, was 8 cm by time got to hospital, gas and air and delivered hour later. Only annoying thing i had to have monitor on abdomen constantly but could still move about. Hoping for water birth this time round....