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

[croon979]

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.

Congratulations x how are you feeling?

Thanks for your messages. So here is what happened, taken into hospital again on Friday morning feeling awful. Blood pressure really high, headaches, swelling and really sore gastric/shoulder pain. They watched me all weekend but didn't really improve and on Monday I started deteriorating rapidly as organ were failing. Diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome and within half an hour of this diagnosis, I was prepped for c-section. Had baby Austin on Monday evening under general. Tin-tin is perfect, just tiny, tiny. Just shy of 5lbs and he is in neonatal although he is breathing on his own and just needs a bit of feeding help. Have had a couple of cuddles with him. I am feeling less ropey too. Think we will both be in hospital for several weeks. I have needed blood transfusions and am still very anaemic. My blood pressure is improving but have been told that the next couple of weeks I will need to be monitored continuously.

So, if in any doubt ladies about the symptoms you have, don't take any chances, get them checked out.

Am very blessed though, my little man is perfect, just tiny. X

Well there's me reading through ready to chip in my experiences and then here is is. Congratulations OP, you've been through the ringer by the sounds of things so take it easy and enjoy little Austin, he's a decent weight and clearly a strong little guy :)

sounds familiar. glad you are both being looked after. I had to stay on my bp meds after delivery for about 7 weeks. keep talking about it, it's a lot to process.

Tintin, what a great nn, love it

Croon, take things easy, you've been through a lot, physically and mentally. Take time to recover, you'll feel very vulnerable for a while.

Hope you get Tintin in your room soon.

Congratulations. Love the name. The last 2 boys born to my friends were both called Austin too (different sets of friends, unknown to each other or it might have been a bit odd). They are both utterly lovely so I feel well qualified to assume your Austin is equally brilliant.

My DH was born at 31 weeks after his Mum got up one morning, couldn't get her shoes on, felt odd and collapsed. She had severe sudden onset preeclampsia and DH was born as quickly as possible via crash section. 33 years later, he seems perfectly normal. I mean he's congenitally incapable of putting his dirty clothes IN the laundry basket as opposed to next to it, but otherwise, he's just smashing.

Take very good care of yourself. That's a lot of stress and worry and your body has been through a mill, still is really. Thankfully, your wee boy is just fine, a good weight and with some good care and support, I think you've got the most magical time ahead of you.

It's okay to feel wobbly though. It's particularly hard I think when the hubbub, excitement and whizz of medical care calms. In that quiet bit when everything's okay and 'normal', it's okay to then have it hit you and to feel teary. There's no time limit on feeling overwhelmed and you've been through it.

Congratulations to you. He sounds wonderful.

I had pre-eclampsia with my last pregnancy I was admitted to hospital at 34 weeks exactly while they monitored me and tried to control my blood pressure. I had the steroid injections too and a growth scan. My daughter was delivered at 34+6 by 'planned C-section' (by planned they just said if your blood pressure is the same or higher tomorrow we will want to deliver the baby). They did offer me an induction, but like you I didn't want a failed induction and after examination they said my cervix was unfavourable, so a section was the best option. She weighed 4lb 7oz. Before my section they sent a doctor from the baby unit to talk to me about what they would look for and explained what would happen if she needed to go to nicu, but fortunately she was fine and stayed with me. We stayed in hospital for 48 hours before both being discharged. I would say it turned out to be a fairly nice birth experience in the end, all except the worry. That was three years ago and I am now 20 weeks pregnant with number two. Good Luck!

Sorry I didn't read all the way through before posting!!

Congratulations!! Take good care of yourself as well as your special new baby boy!!

Congratulations...

Wow, congratulations and early welcome to little Austin
You both sound like fighters, love luck and happiness for the future.