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Diagnosed with pre-eclampsia - positive stories/ c-section or early induction

36 replies

croon979 · 25/04/2015 21:10

Hello mumsnetters.

I have had a whirlwind couple of days and was admitted to hospital yesterday feeling absolutely awful. I had high blood pressure, pains in my abdomen/right shoulder and swelling. Tests also revealed some liver abnormalities and I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia today. I am 33weeks + 4. The consultants have been very reassuring. I have been told that the baby will be delivered at 37+6 at the latest, if I can hold on that long, if they can control my symptoms and baby continues to grow and be happy. They have given me injection steroids to help with baby's lung developments and I am being given blood thinning injections too.

Whilst I know that I am in good hands and that I am at a fairly good gestation level already, after being quite calm today, it has all rather hit me suddenly this evening and I could do with some positive stories and hand-holding.

Has anyone been in a similar position? If so, was your baby born at a decent weight (am having growth scan on Monday to try and give an idea of baby's weight so far)?

Also, I am very anxious about being induced for a natural birth at only 37/38 weeks when my body may not be ready for it. Would rather an ELCS than a failed induction and crash section. Any advice or experience here?

Sorry this has turned into a bit of a ramble. I not sure if I am staying in hospital until i deliver yet or will be allowed home. Trying to relax to help my BP but finding it hard. First baby so no experience generally.

Thanks v much - any comforting words appreciated.

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Autumn2014 · 25/04/2015 21:29

I was delivered at 31+5 for severe pre eclampsia and hellp syndrome- you might to Google that as it sounds like you have some of the symptom- the elevated liver enzymes being one of them. I had horrendous back/shoulder pain and my bp was over 200/145 when I got to hospital, so it's great that you are being monitored in hospital now.

would prepare your self to deliver earlier than the target the Doctors has suggested. The thing with pe is that it can get worse very quickly. Eclampsia actually means bolt from the blue.

u might like to read up on nicu or Scbu depending on what level hospital you are in. Bliss is a good starting point. They have a handbook you can download or ring the helpline and they will send you. I liked having areal copy to refer to and keep at my side. Most babies do great but be prepared for them to day that they will nred to stat in until their due date. Sometimes they do better and come home a little earlier which is a bonus, but pe and high bp van also affect their birth weight and so they can often be smaller and need some extra time to gain weight.

sure I'll think of some mo're things later. I'll be thinking of you.

Sorry about typos- on my phone.

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croon979 · 25/04/2015 21:42

Many thanks Autumn. I will definitely download the handbook and literature to have a read. I like being prepared. Do you mind me asking what weight your little one was? Many thanks

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croon979 · 25/04/2015 21:43

Should have said that HELLP did cross my mind but it hasn't been mention by the hospital yet...

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Autumn2014 · 25/04/2015 21:54

He weighed 3 lbs which was on the smaller size of normal for that gestation. I forgot to add that I had an emergency section due to the severity of my condition. I had to be delivered immediately and needed 1-1 nursing care for the first 24 hrs because I was so at risk of fitting. I know you said you wanted positive stories so I hope this hasn't scared you but I think it's really important that you understand the condition.

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sbear22 · 25/04/2015 21:54

My mum had pre-eclampsia with both me and my brother. With my brother, her first baby, she was admitted to hospital at 33 weeks and delivered, induced, at 36 weeks. Brother was born at over 7lbs, he was fine and 26 years on he is still fine! wishing you the best of luck!

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croon979 · 25/04/2015 21:57

Thanks Autumn, that's fine, I should have said honest stories rather than positive. Would rather know the score and, as you say, understand the condition as much as I can. Downloading handbook now....

Re delivery mode - I got the distinct impression from the consultant that whilst some inductions can be carried out, often the cervix is not favorable or the body read so c-section is often the way to go. Also, as in your case, it is often an emergency anyway. I am not really bothered about the mode of delivery as long as safety of me and the baby is paramount.

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croon979 · 25/04/2015 21:58

Thanks sbear, that's great to know. Good weight for 36 weeks and glad to hear all was well.

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Autumn2014 · 25/04/2015 22:05

That's a great outlook to have croon. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you xxx

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croon979 · 26/04/2015 10:52

Thanks autumn. Trying to stay positive Smile xx

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Mummytogoldie · 26/04/2015 11:57

I had pre eclampsia with dd1. It got diagnosed at 33 weeks , I spent 2 weeks in hospital then was allowed home for a weekend, my bp went up again at home so was admitted back to hospital. Bp rose to 200/120 so was induced at 36 weeks , unfortunately dd got into distress so had emergency section shortly after being induced. Dd was 4lb 4pz and now a healthy 10 year old xx I am now pregnant again and very scared x Hope everything goes well for you

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croon979 · 26/04/2015 13:16

Thanks mummy...especially useful to know your experience with the early induction which is what I am most anxious about. Glad it all worked out well for you. It is scary, good luck with your current pregnancy x

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Liney15 · 26/04/2015 13:31

I got diagnosed with pe at 36 weeks and had DD a couple of days later T 36.5. I was induced (don't even try and have a sweep! Doctor insisted on doing 2 and I cried with pain as my body wasn't ready at all) which was fairly painful and as per poster above DD got in distress and oxygen deprived and ended up being delivered by emergency c-section which I was knocked out completely for.

DD was 5.5lb when she was born and had problems feeding at first. She is now however a very healthy and lively 5 year old.

Good luck to you.

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Number3cometome · 26/04/2015 15:46

I had eclampsia (seizures) with DS, was EMCS 9lb 40 weeks.
DD pre eclampsia 38 weeks 8lb 2oz
37/38 weeks should be fine

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ChatEnOeuf · 26/04/2015 17:49

I was born at 34+ after my mum had spent a lot of the pregnancy in hospital with blood pressure issues and pre-eclampsia. I was fine, weighed 5lb+ and just had some jaundice and feeding difficulties for a week or so. It was an induction that took about 8hrs, normal delivery.

Inductions that aren't successful don't all end in 'crash' sections - that term should be reserved for big emergencies. An unplanned section, while still technically classed as an emergency, doesn't have the same 'bells and whistles' drama attached. It can be (and often is) a much calmer affair, so don't feel it's elective or crash :)

It's worth asking to look around the neonatal unit if it's looking likely you'll deliver before 34w, after that, many babies can stay with their mum with extra support from the MW and paeds teams.

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Babetti · 26/04/2015 18:11

I was diagnosed with moderate preeclampsia on my first baby and delivered at 38 weeks after a successful induction with gel.

The labour was incredibly quick and intense. I went from 2cm to 10cm in two hours which took everyone by surprise. Baby was in distress and my BP was incredibly high so midwife suggested epidural followed by clip to monitor oxygen. It was only when she did a VE before organising clip, that she realised I was 10cm dilated. Suddenly, there was a room full of people and had an assisted delivery with suction cup. We were both absolutely fine in the end - although it has taken me a while to come to terms with how it all happened.

My advice would be to listen to your body. Apparently, short labours are common in women with preeclampsia so I felt relief when I sort of pushed during a contraction but I thought this can't be it because they said I was only 2 cm. I wish I told someone!

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croon979 · 26/04/2015 20:01

Thanks all, this is all really useful. Learning lots and starting to feel calmer about it all. Fortunately, the monitoring in hospital appears to be going well. My blood pressure has stabilised a bit and I am much less swollen. Still weighing up c-section v induction preferences but ultimately will always go with medical advice provided it is properly explained to me and I can understand the reasoning. Thanks again x

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CoffeeBeanie · 26/04/2015 20:19

I had pre eclampsia with my second child but really late in pregnancy and was induced on my due date. It was my easiest birth, 4 hours in total from getting a drip to his first cry.

My dsis had pre eclampsia and hellp syndrom with her first and that was a whole lot more serious. With hellp, your symptoms can get worse quickly, and every day is a bonus day for baby. My dsis' liver values took over 6 months after birth to get back to normal. Her boy was induced at 38 week and was fine.

My friend had hellp syndrome with her second pregnancy, went downhill quickly after diagnosis at 32 weeks, baby born at 33 weeks by cs, and now a healthy 6 year old.

30+ weeks is brilliant, you're in a good position. If your blood pressure stays under control they might let you go home.

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Babetti · 26/04/2015 20:20

That's good news Croon. Ask lots of questions to help you make the best decision for you. I forgot to mention that my BP remained quite high for maybe two weeks after delivery so be conscious that it might make you feel a but more run down than you would typically. Very best of luck with everything.

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wizzler · 26/04/2015 20:26

I had pre eclampsia wqith both my DC.

With DC1 I was induced and ended up with a c section, 1 week after the due date.

With DC2, I was admitted at 35 weeks, and then induced after a week. She was VBAC.

Both DC are fine . I would say that although I was diagnosed with Pre eclampsia, I felt generally ok... just a bit headachey, it was the medicl tests ( blood pressure and urine) that forced my admittance... I didnt have the pain that you are experiencing.

Good luck !

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TheresOnlyOneWayOfLife · 26/04/2015 20:38

Hi, my 3 DS's were all born at 37/38 weeks due to similar problems with blood pressure & pre eclampsia.
I was induced with all 3 of them, all normal deliveries (DS1 delivery was forceps and a bit traumatic but only spent 24 hours in SCBU)
DS1 (now a 5'7 14 year old moody teenager) - 7lb 2ozs
DS2 - 7lb 12ozs
DS3 - 6lb 3ozs

My blood pressure was monitored for a good two weeks after and had to take BP pills after the 3rd one but it was fine.

Hope all goes well for you and your little one.

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littlefrenchonion · 27/04/2015 09:57

Flowers handholding here as I know exactly how you are feeling - I'm being induced on Wednesday (will be 37+1) for the same reasons. I'm stressed, scared for the baby and me and feeling really, really rubbish.

As soon as I can I will let you know how it all went - but in the meantime, try to stay positive (I know it's easier said than done). I've got a few friends who went through the same at your gestation and successfully and safely got to 40weeks as they were doing so well on the drugs they were given, so it's not impossible xx

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croon979 · 28/04/2015 08:54

Update - my condition deteriorated rapidly last night and I was rushed to theatre for a EMCS. Baby Austin (tin tin to his friends) was born at about 7.30pm last night. He weighs in at just under 5lbs and is completely gorgeous. He is breathing on his own and I feel v blessed SmileSmile

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TiddlesUpATree · 28/04/2015 09:08

Lovely news croon. Congrats xxx

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Autumn2014 · 28/04/2015 09:39

Congratulations! enjoy your newborn cuddles.

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CoffeeBeanie · 28/04/2015 13:35

Lovely Smile Congratulations Flowers
Welcome, Baby Austin!

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