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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Admitted with preeclampsia, being induced

35 replies

Padstar · 03/01/2021 19:32

It’s not quite how I expected my day to go... I’m sat here now on the antenatal ward, I was admitted earlier with preeclampsia. It’s moderate-severe from the blood and urine tests and the consultant said there’s really only one way to go from here... First pessary is done and I’m here alone (DP can’t come in until I’m in active labour 😔).

Just feeling a bit shell shocked, I’m 37 weeks and wasn’t prepared for induction, had no signs of imminent birth and was quite happy just with my normal birth plan and being pregnant, it’s been totally normal and straightforward all the way until now... anyone got any words of advice or a hand to hold? It’s all got a bit scary and would love some virtual company x

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/01/2021 19:34

Sounds like they are taking care of you. How are things progressing?

HungryHippo20 · 03/01/2021 19:36

Oh no sorry you're facing this unexpectedly and on your own for the first part!! I can't imagine how you're feeling. I'm 30 weeks pregnant with my first so no real advice just offering a hand hold for you! think of the positives, your health is most important right now and you will get to meet your baby sooner than you thought 🥰I hope things move along quickly so your partner can be with you. Any signs yet? X

BobVance · 03/01/2021 19:39

Oh bless you, OP. I had a few preeclampsia scares in my pregnancy so I know what it’s like to be a bit nervous about it but not to actually go through it. You’re absolutely in the safest place you can be and they will be sure to look after you. I’ll certainly hold your hand and I can try and distract you a bit, if you like?

Is it first baby? Do you know if you’re having a girl or boy or is it a surprise? Have you chosen names?

My friend had her baby two weeks early and she thought of it as an extra two weeks with her baby which I thought was a lovely sentiment.

Wishing you all the best - hopefully your DP will be allowed in shortly and your lovely baby will be here soon.

Mommabear20 · 03/01/2021 19:47

I was induced unexpectedly too, had a growth scan on the Friday and was admitted on the Saturday morning, DH couldn't come with me either due to covid restrictions, it is scary but just know you are in the best place for you and baby.

I found walking around my room helped get things going, and once your contractions start, if they start getting uncomfortable, don't get worked up (I did and balled my eyes out on a midwife because I felt alone and scared), get in the bath, it REALLLY helped me relax and it's amazing how much it helps with the pain.

Hoping for a swift and uncomplicated labour for you and a healthy momma and baby at the end of it!

Good luck!

wizzler · 03/01/2021 19:48

Op this was me almost exactly 14 years ago. I already had a DS .. I had pre eclampsia with him largely managed via midwife checks. I wasn't expecting to be admitted at 37 weeks pregnant with DD. I was induced and 10 hours later on 4th Jan she was born via VBAC. She's a bit stroppy now but it's probably not to do with the pre eclampsia!

Original poster
Padstar · 03/01/2021 20:00

Thank you so much for the replies, it’s a weird and lonely place and has come totally out the blue. I feel so awful that DP couldn’t even come up to the ward, he’s worried and there’s not much I can do or say to help him either 😕

Nothing happening yet although there’s no surprise there, baby wasn’t planning on arriving for a while it seems so I don’t think things will get moving too quick. Although I have no idea how this all works anyway, they did explain and I have a leaflet and asked some questions but I didn’t really take it all in. The midwives and doctors are all lovely though, I can’t fault a thing.

@BobVance it’s my first baby, we don’t know what we’re having but have 2 names picked for each, that’s a lovely way to think of it that we get extra time with our baby. It took me a few hours to realise that actually I should keep thinking that I’m about to meet him/her any time, it just doesn’t seem real yet. I’m so used to all the wriggling and kicking on the inside but haven’t yet got my head around that turning into a baby, that sounds so strange to say!

OP posts:
BobVance · 03/01/2021 20:39

I remember the feeling - especially towards the end when I was feeling a bit hot and tired (due early September and it was a hot summer) - of not wanting to be pregnant anymore but it never really dawned on me that the end of the pregnancy meant that the baby would be here and I’d have to figure out motherhood! I did like being pregnant for the most part though.

How exciting you don’t know if girl or boy. I do love a surprise.

Some good advice from PPs. Definitely have a bath if you can. I had one during labour and it was absolute BLISS!

Do you live far from the hospital? Is DP waiting at home?

Keep us posted Smile

flippit81 · 03/01/2021 20:42

Hiya I had pre - eclampsia with my first. I clearly remember my first night in hospital when they started inducing me. It was a scarey time - waiting for it all to start and not knowing what to expect and also being in shock knowing that the baby was imminent when I thought I had a few weeks to go still . Rest when you can , listen to your midwives , understand your options at each stage and try to take it a moment at a time. I now have three teenage boys - but even as my eldest argues with me over politics and whether he can use my car or not , I can always remember the first time I saw him. Meeting him for the first time was just like nothing else before or since. I hope all goes well, you will holding your new baby soon! Exciting times

KB13 · 03/01/2021 20:51

I was induced unexpectedly with my 1st at 37 weeks as well. I went in for a routine appointment to be measured and found out I was leaking fluid and had been for some time, so the safest thing was to get baby out. I remember having the peccary at 6pm on the Friday and then was put on a drip 24 hours later to speed things a long. My daughter was born at 1.36am on the Sunday. I found the best thing was to just keep moving around and baths were a great help. Virtual hug, hope all goes ok and just keep reminding yourself you will have your baby to hold soon :)

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/01/2021 20:54

Definitely have a bath if you can and listen to some relaxing music.

A little hard work on front of you but there's a prize at the end, your lovely new baby Thanks

Dyra · 03/01/2021 20:56

I can completely relate. This happened to me at 36 weeks. I was so shell shocked as it came completely out of the blue. I was symptomless, and it was only caught at a midwife appointment. I was so prepared for baby to come late, that I hadn't even put together my hospital bag. I hadn't even started maternity leave!

It's a huge thing to wrap your head around I know. Especially when it happens so fast. But you will get through this, and months down the line, it'll be one big bizarre memory. I don't think I fully realised I was having a baby until she was placed on my chest.

If it helps, my induction (also at 37 weeks) was very slow to start. Once I was on the drip, labour went near enough textbook after that. Now my baby is 16 months old, and is currently more interested in pinging my bra strap rather than her bedtime feed...

Good luck with it all. ❤️

Rummikub · 03/01/2021 21:07

Hi there
I had this with my first. Admitted with pre eclampsia and being induced.

Have you been given or offered an epidural?
I had a very kind midwife who did very simple things like turn the lamps away from me and got me extra pillows. I’ll never forget her. I even begged her to come back the next day!

Second / third option of a bath if you can.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/01/2021 21:39

Do you know when they're staring the drip?

flossiegrippiter · 03/01/2021 21:39

I could have written your post OP with my first, was picked up at my 36 week check and sent straight to hospital to be induced, I'd only popped out for the app on my lunch break! 3 days of induction didn't work with every possible method and in the end they gave up and I had a section - like you say baby and body were just not ready regardless of what they did! Section was actually great and DS was perfect. You'll be surprised how quickly you get into the rhythm of the hospital, I look back on those 3 days fondly now. Good luck!

Original poster
Padstar · 03/01/2021 21:39

Honestly, you ladies have no idea how much it’s helping to read your messages, thank you.

Just had another trace done and baby is perfectly happy (clearly doesn’t suspect a thing yet) which is the main thing and helps me feel more relaxed. Hearing the heartbeat pounding away is lovely and I’m getting plenty of wriggles. I’ll miss that once they arrive!

I think I’ll spend a bit of time re-thinking a birth plan. My midwife led waterbirth is a distant memory, I’ll have to be monitored throughout but like a few of you have said, I still have choices and it’ll help to feel I’m still making those for myself. It’s great to read all your experiences, I’ll have to see about a bath. There’s just a shower here which isn’t great but still felt amazing just to freshen up and put on clean PJ’s. I can’t do much walking round because of Covid rules and only have my phone (and the bag I’d packed expecting to go into natural labour) until DP can get a visiting slot tomorrow. Luckily we only live 10 mins away, he’s feeling so lost though. I did point out that he always complains how he’d love some peace and quiet, this really is his last chance!

I definitely don’t think reality is going to hit until I’m holding this baby. But I can’t wait for that moment and I love that it will be a memory I have forever 🥰

OP posts:
Original poster
Padstar · 03/01/2021 21:45

@JiltedJohnsJulie drip will be after the pessaries start working, I’m having a second one soon and they’ll do an exam to see if the first has done anything but I think unless
I’m sensitive to them it might take a while, my body wasn’t really ready for labour yet

OP posts:
sandyposy · 03/01/2021 21:59

I had preeclampsia and inductions for both my births and I found both to be very positive experiences - it was worrying at first but the midwives were great. I found an epidural essential as with the drip contractions build in intensity very quickly so for the second birth I asked for (and got one) before the drip started. After that both births were great and I even kneeled up to deliver my first! Trust that you’ve got this - am wishing you all the very best ( and try to rest if you can before it really gets going!)

Chocolatecakes · 03/01/2021 22:03

Hi, I had pre eclampsia with my first baby, I was induced overnight on the antenatal ward as well. DD is 7 and totally fine and I had her brother 3 years later with no problems. Try and relax, it sounds like they are taking care of you. Good luck

Gooseysgirl · 03/01/2021 22:09

I also had an epidural - I asked for it after about 20 mins on the drip as my contractions were very strong. The ward was quiet and the anaesthetist was available - I was delighted to get it! Have you got data on your phone so you can watch some telly as a distraction?

Smallbus1 · 03/01/2021 22:13

How are you doing OP? I was admitted with pre eclampsia in my last pregnancy, also out of the blue. This was during the first lockdown so DH couldn’t visit. All I will say is, make the most of the last few hours of calm (even if other people on the ward are loud, the food is rubbish etc etc). Read a magazine, eat some snacks and breathe. Soon you will have a gorgeous little baby to enjoy and this unexpected part of pregnancy will be a distant memory.

Roadhouse111 · 03/01/2021 22:14

Another one here I diced with first baby due to preeclampsia, I have my first pessary at 10pm and baby was born the following morning at 11am. I had the epidural too, apparently helps with the BP and tbh the drip made the contractions very difficult to bare. You should be able to have a bath? I had one from about 2am for an hour or so and it really helped with the first niggly pains, wishing you well OP, I'm sure you are scared but it's an experience I have oddly find memories of ❤️

Roadhouse111 · 03/01/2021 22:15

*induced

ceebee21 · 03/01/2021 23:12

I was induced last month dur to high BP at 37+4. I had the propess pessary 24hr fitted first which didnt do a lot, but then had the 6 hour gel fitted at 7pm the following evening. I gave birth 6 hours later without anything else happening I.e drip etc, it all progressed very quickly following the gel!

I had every intention of getting an epidural had I needed the drip!

Try and keep an open mind, and I hope DP can be with you ASAP!

Xx

redastherose · 03/01/2021 23:52

Hi OP, I was birth partner for a friend in April during the first lockdown. I've also had two children of my own. Take as much time to rest as you can whilst you're not in established labour as it is very tiring once it does start. As pp's have said it is best to keep moving once labour has started if you can (provided that you aren't being monitored) as it really does help. If you can do have a bath because the warm water really does help with the contractions.

LegoAndLolDolls · 04/01/2021 00:08

I had this with with my FB but it was picked up around 35 weeks. I was in and out of hospital and was finally induced at 37 weeks