I had a midwife/NST appointment on Wednesday. My blood pressure that day was 135/91. Protein was negative. The midwife (who I had never seen before) wanted to run a full pre-eclampsia panel, which I declined at that time based on my blood pressure being no different than the Friday before at the Perinatologist, and the fact that there was no protein in my urine. Also, she really irritated me by threatening "well then we may have to induce". Our conversation ended there, as I am not getting bullied into anything. Also, I am not longer seeing the midwives at this practice starting Monday. I requested to see an OB from this point forward because I feel like the midwives are extremely self-righteous and overly afraid of being wrong to the point of being test happy. I may not have better luck with an OB, but we shall see.
Today at the Perinatologist, my BP was 143/92. Cord blood flow and placenta function was excellent and has not declined in the 4 weeks I have been having the biophysical profiles. The perinatologist recanted the previous diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and says he feels confident this is not a pre-e case. He did not seem concerned about my BP at all and told me he'd see me next Friday.
Not thrilled about my BP but also excited that I have escaped the Pre-e diagnosis, which means I will not have to be forced into an induction at 37 weeks, which will be New Years Eve.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Week 36 Update
So, not much news. My blood pressure at my appointment on Thursday was 118/72 (awesome). However, my blood pressure Friday was 147/95, then 130/82 a couple minutes later, which, I'm sure, is due in part to in-law drama immediately preceding my appointment.
No protein.
I feel like the providers don't recognize me from week to week, and they still make passing comments like "if it continues like this, we'll keep you pregnant until 39 weeks", which yesterday, I was so worked up and upset about other issues, I was afraid I would burst into uncontrollable tears if I tried to go up against them and say "no, if everything keeps going like this, I'll go into labor spontaneously". My plan is to start really emphasizing this at my appointment next week.
No protein.
I feel like the providers don't recognize me from week to week, and they still make passing comments like "if it continues like this, we'll keep you pregnant until 39 weeks", which yesterday, I was so worked up and upset about other issues, I was afraid I would burst into uncontrollable tears if I tried to go up against them and say "no, if everything keeps going like this, I'll go into labor spontaneously". My plan is to start really emphasizing this at my appointment next week.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Pre-eclampsia or Pregnancy-induced Hypertension?
To begin, this has been the history of my blood pressure before getting pregnant and throughout my pregnancy:
10/18/11 - 138/82
12/12/11 - 138/96
3/7/12 - 126/83
16w - 134/76 Protein in Urine 220mg/dl (24hr)
20w - 144/90
24w - 118/80
28w - 120/78
30w - 125/80
32w - 155/88
33w - 136/85 Protein in Urine 304mg/dl (24hr)
34w - 126/85 Protein in Urine 400mg/dl (24hr)
So, by and large, my blood pressure measurements are in the "pre-hypertension" category with a couple of exceptions. The perinatologist said that if my blood pressure remained stable, that I could go to 40 weeks, with each day I am able to remain pregnant obviously lowering the possibility of having to be induced. This was before my protein came back high for a second week in a row. If my protein continues to increase, I know that they will push to induce me at 37 weeks.
However, I feel as though these numbers could be indicative of other issues besides pre-eclampsia, such as external stress and dehydration, both of which I experienced while taking my 34 week urine sample. When I am doing my 35 week sample, I am going to make a huge effort to avoid all outside stress, stay extremely hydrated, and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables I'm eating while decreasing protein intake. If I can show even a one week decrease in my protein levels, then that will help substantiate my case that I do not have pre-eclampsia, thus helping me avoid an induction. Because if I had true pre-eclampsia, environmental factors would not influence a 24hr urine test.
On 12/11/12, I had my first non-stress test and the baby was perfect. Her heart rate accellerations were on point and she had lots of movement.
So to recap, as of 12/11/12, the cord blood flow is perfect, non-stress test is perfect, baby's growth is in the 60th percentile (pretty much perfect), and my blood pressure is slightly high but is stable. The only issue we have now is protein in the urine. I go back to the perinatologist on Friday.
10/18/11 - 138/82
12/12/11 - 138/96
3/7/12 - 126/83
16w - 134/76 Protein in Urine 220mg/dl (24hr)
20w - 144/90
24w - 118/80
28w - 120/78
30w - 125/80
32w - 155/88
33w - 136/85 Protein in Urine 304mg/dl (24hr)
34w - 126/85 Protein in Urine 400mg/dl (24hr)
So, by and large, my blood pressure measurements are in the "pre-hypertension" category with a couple of exceptions. The perinatologist said that if my blood pressure remained stable, that I could go to 40 weeks, with each day I am able to remain pregnant obviously lowering the possibility of having to be induced. This was before my protein came back high for a second week in a row. If my protein continues to increase, I know that they will push to induce me at 37 weeks.
However, I feel as though these numbers could be indicative of other issues besides pre-eclampsia, such as external stress and dehydration, both of which I experienced while taking my 34 week urine sample. When I am doing my 35 week sample, I am going to make a huge effort to avoid all outside stress, stay extremely hydrated, and increase the amount of fruits and vegetables I'm eating while decreasing protein intake. If I can show even a one week decrease in my protein levels, then that will help substantiate my case that I do not have pre-eclampsia, thus helping me avoid an induction. Because if I had true pre-eclampsia, environmental factors would not influence a 24hr urine test.
On 12/11/12, I had my first non-stress test and the baby was perfect. Her heart rate accellerations were on point and she had lots of movement.
So to recap, as of 12/11/12, the cord blood flow is perfect, non-stress test is perfect, baby's growth is in the 60th percentile (pretty much perfect), and my blood pressure is slightly high but is stable. The only issue we have now is protein in the urine. I go back to the perinatologist on Friday.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Beginning of the End (of Pregnancy)
I found out in May 2012 that our dreams were coming true, we were pregnant and going to get a sweet baby due January 21, 2013. I have been imagining and planning the kind of pregnancy that I would have for a very long time. After doing a lot of research, reading, and observation, I decided for sure that natural birth would be the absolute best route for me.
This is not a blog about natural birth being better than medicated birth, I obviously feel that it is the right choice for me. This is a blog about trying to achieve a natural birth experience despite being diagnosed with "mild" pre-eclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension (as of 12/7/12, based on further screening this may change).
Today's health system is inundated with pregnant women who are shuffled in one after the other, treated as though they all have the same preferences and will just blindly accept whatever the assembly line of medical care tells them is next in line. There are little resources available to women who do not want to subject themselves to all the medical interventions that are so widely used today.
For that reason, I wanted to document my experience so it may be helpful to other women possibly going through a similar situation, especially as the rates of pregnancy induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia seem to be on the rise.
**Please do not use this as direct medical advice for your specific situation, rather, a guide of questions to ask and things to fight for to make sure your doctors are hearing you and you are getting the care you deserve.**
This is not a blog about natural birth being better than medicated birth, I obviously feel that it is the right choice for me. This is a blog about trying to achieve a natural birth experience despite being diagnosed with "mild" pre-eclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension (as of 12/7/12, based on further screening this may change).
Today's health system is inundated with pregnant women who are shuffled in one after the other, treated as though they all have the same preferences and will just blindly accept whatever the assembly line of medical care tells them is next in line. There are little resources available to women who do not want to subject themselves to all the medical interventions that are so widely used today.
For that reason, I wanted to document my experience so it may be helpful to other women possibly going through a similar situation, especially as the rates of pregnancy induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia seem to be on the rise.
**Please do not use this as direct medical advice for your specific situation, rather, a guide of questions to ask and things to fight for to make sure your doctors are hearing you and you are getting the care you deserve.**
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