Pre Eclampsia & Induction

[EnchantingRaven]

I was looking for abit of advice / a handhold really.

I’m almost 39 weeks pregnant and I’ve recently been diagnosed with pre eclampsia which has come as a complete shock to be honest. My BP has always been normal and urine samples okay with the odd trace of + protein here and there. Today my urine has indicated a high level of + protein and with recent headaches, seeing them flashing lights a lot and family history of high BP. I feel stupid looking back now and not realising but as I’ve suffered with HG I assumed the lights were because I was being sick / dehydrated.

I’ve been told I’m going to be induced in a few days and I’m really starting to panic. I was offered a sweep today but with all this information of inductions, c sections etc and being on my own (typical really as it was just a normal midwife appointment until I was referred to the mat unit and still thought nothing more of it, I didn’t bother to call my DH or DM until I left hospital) I turned it down. I think I may still be processing it all at the moment. Thankfully My LO is okay she monitored well, is active and is growing fine - I guess it’s just me who’s not feeling well at all. It doesn’t help that I’m massively constipated at the moment too.

What were your experiences of a sweep? Or induction? Im not sure why I’m so terrified as I’m only a week ahead of EDD anyway (aware I could have gone over I guess) I’m worried it’s going to hurt more than naturally going into labour & just generally worrying that the worst is going to happen

Hello

I was induced at 37 weeks with my eldest daughter as I suffered pre eclampsia with her. Induction doesn't hurt any more than normal labour tbh hun you will be fine. If you ever want to talk or anything I am always a message away.

I was in and out if mat unit till they decided to induce me.

I haven't had an induction or pre eclampsia so can't comment on those. I did have a sweep though and found it to be weird, but not painful. I think it depends on how favourable your cervix is as it seems to vary for each woman. Good luck, I hope everything goes well for you :)

I was induced at 37 weeks for pre eclampsia. It had all come as a bit of a shock, went in for monitoring due to reduced foetal movements and was taken up to labour ward for 1 on 1 care due to sky high blood pressure and protein in wee was very high.

I had same fears as you with the induction - I’d read so many horror stories about it taking forever. The consultant told me ladies with pre eclampsia labour quickly as it’s the bodies way of healing - once the placenta has gone the pre clamspsia should go.

This certainly was the case for me - baby hadn’t engaged yet and cervix wasnt favourable and it only took one 24hr pessary to trigger labour. Baby delivered 10 hours after it was
Inserted, contractions started within the first 30 mins. I dilated 7cm in less than two hours and pushed baby out in 20 mins. It’s my first so I’m not sure if it was more intense than natural labour, suspect it was intense because it was so fast, but not a bad outcome and I’d take that over a 5 day induction!!

Good luck, stay calm, and know you’re meeting your baby soon xx

Thanks for your stories it’s made me feel more at ease. I don’t know anyone who’s had pre emclampsia & been induced in RL

As for the sweep I’m still up in the air about it, did you have any bleeds or horrible cramps after?

Thanks bella that’s exactly what it is, there’s so many horror stories online! And I still bloody read them - why?!

If you have pre empclamisa, are deemed as high risk and they induce you, is there a chance they will let you go home until you are in more established labour? Or will they constantly be monitoring me? Probably sounds like a stupid question but it’s been bugging me all day!

@enchantingraven I very much doubt you’d be let home - they will want to monitor how baby reacts to the induction and as I mentioned, ladies with pre eclampsia tend to labour fast. My induction was on labour ward not ante natal and I had a lot of ctg monitoring.

I was induced with preeclampsia and they didn’t let me go home or even go for a walk around the hospital (like they Said I’d be good to do) as I was hooked up to multiple monitors throughout. Good luck!

Thank you both - I thought as much! X

I don’t have experiance with preeclampsia but I was induced almost 4 weeks ago and had a great experience.

The pessary was put in at 8;30pm Thursday night & removed in the morning as my heart rate was scatty - I was having surges / contractions shortly after the pessary was in.

Shortly after it being removed I was taken down to labour ward around 12:30pm - my waters were broken shortly after and I was able to carry on naturally and had my boy around 2pm with gas & air and squatted him out!

Hope you’re ok and wishing you all the best for delivery and labour - keep us posted!