high blood pressure - water birth / refusing induction etc.

[goldenegg]

Hi - hope somebody can give some advice. I am currently 35 weeks (first baby) and have high blood pressure which i'm being treated for. It's only borderline at the moment (145/93) so not sky high. Before this issue came about I really wanted a natural birth, preferably water birth. I've asked whether this is still possible but none of the midwives will commit to anything at this stage. The problem is the not knowing is now stressing me out! From reading I understand that if the blood pressure can't be controlled then I may be induced early - this I am quite fearful of as it seems to be a lengthy/painful process. It may sound ridiculous given my initial wishes to want a natural birth, but i would actually rather have a c-section over induction. So my questions are:

1. Has anyone been in a similar situation with high BP and gone on to have a natural / active / water birth?

2. Has anyone refused induction and gone straight to c-section for blood pressure reasons?

Golden egg,

I do hope things go weel for you and that you do not develop pre eclampsia. I wanted a home birth, but was kept in for pre eclampsia, and went into labour before they had a slot to induce me. It was an extremely sudden and short labour. It felt like my body had expelled the baby. I didn't even push. They recorded length of labour as 40 minutes. Afterwards my blood pressure shot up and the doctors brought it under control quickly with medication. I think that the midwives don't want to get your expectations up for a water birth because they know that if you develop pre eclampsia it won't work. However, if the time comes and you are showing no other symptoms of pre eclampsia, there is no reason why you can't have a water birth.

Jules. I am so sorry to hear about your experience and loss