In hospital now and need to vent

On Monday afternoon I had an appt with my cardiologist, and found out my blood pressure had risen and was quite high at 166/98. Because I'm 30 weeks pregnant, the doctor called my ob, who said to go to the hospital, which is exactly what I did. I ended up in L&D where they diagnosed me with preeclampsia. They were very worried about me as my blood pressure went even higher up to 188/102! Fortunately, after admitting me they treated me all night to Lebetalol beta blockers and a magnesium drip which finally brought the pressure down to a safe level Tuesday morning.

It is now Wednesday morning and I am still here in the hospital waiting to speak to my doctor. All day yesterday I went through more tests than I can list, including monitoring of me and my baby, and everything came back OK, thank goodness. Prior to this incident, my MFM also told me that my baby was doing good, and that if some emergency were to occur where I had suddenly had to deliver, she would be fine. I had a consult with someone from NICU last evening who also agreed everything would likely be fine at this stage for my baby, who will be 31 weeks tomorrow.

So, it is now me I am worried about. I wish to schedule a c-section ASAP with my doctor, no later than next week. The reason being is, I don't want to put my life at risk for another episode of skyrocketing blood pressure which could lead to a stroke for me, and even death for my baby. I want to deliver while I'm doing well and stable. I want to avoid an emergency, panic driven delivery at all costs. Is that too much to ask for?

Sorry, I needed to vent as I am having a hard time getting a hold of my ob and feel very frustrated.

Message edited 3/26/2014 8:43:53 AM.

In hospital now and need to vent

I know you're scared and going through a lot, but 31 weeks is still very early and your baby is not fully developed. I know they said the baby would be fine, but lungs aren't mature yet and he would end up I'm the nicu for awhile. My husband was born at 32 weeks and he was in the hospital for a month.

They are monitoring you very closely and have your bp under control. They wouldn't do anything to jeopardize you or your baby.

Re: In hospital now and need to vent

i feel bad for you
It is hard try to relax and speak with your doctors. Stress will not help your pressure. I wish you well!

Re: In hospital now and need to vent

i am so sorry you are going through this - but am glad you and baby are both ok right now

i can only imagine your concerns and dont blame you for wanting a csection, but 31 weeks is still early.
does your OB want to schedule you for a csection or just monitor you closely a bit longer?
a good friend went though this in october, and her doctor decided he was comfortable enough monitoring her instead of delivering early. she had weekly appts with him to check blood pressure etc and also got a blood pressure thing at home and was told to check hers twice a day and if it went above a certain point to call him. she made it to 40w3d and her and baby are both healthy

good luck

In hospital now and need to vent

so sorry for this ordeal. cant imagine how scary this all is. I understand ur frustration over not being able to get in touch w/ur OB. nothing infuriates me more is unresponsive Dr or their staff. But as everyone else said, 31w is still early. You would want to try and stretch as long as possible so the baby can continue growing. Every day counts and betters the development.
Try not stressing and take it day by day.

Re: In hospital now and need to vent

DD was born at 34 weeks due to my severe pre-e. I didn't have any symptoms until one day it just hit me and I called my OB at 3am and was told to go to the ER. My OB tried to hold out and induce labor, but I never dilated so eventually they decided to stop waiting and do a c. Your doctors will know when its absolutely necessary to deliver. Since you're being monitored closely and taking the Labetalol, I would hold out until your OB deems it necessary to deliver. I was put on magnesium and labetalol after delivering and am still taking the labetalol now. DD spent 39 days in the NICU after she was born and it was the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life.

Message edited 3/26/2014 10:25:41 AM.

In hospital now and need to vent

Honestly you need to trust your Drs with this. You picked them for a reason and they will not let you go if it is a danger to either you or the baby.

Trust in what they do. Having a csection now may not be the right decision. While yes you are good even a few more days or weeks is better for the baby....they will not let you go longer than needed if anyone health is in danger.

I would just say continue to be monitored closely.

Message edited 3/26/2014 10:02:31 AM.

Re: In hospital now and need to vent

The dr arent going to just schedule a c section to make life easier for everyone unless your health is at risk which is what they are trying to avoid.
The goal is always to delivery a baby full term-36/37 weeks and do what they can to keep the baby (and mom) healthy in the process.
Chances are you are going to be in the hospital for a while-so mentally prepare yourself for that-and try not to stress about it.
Trust that the drs are doing everything they can to make sure you and the baby are safe.
(i was in the hospital for three weeks at 32weeks for DD1) I kept thinking they were going to release me and they didnt. just hang tight-get some books/mags/laptop/sew something-whatever to clear your head.
Also, I word of advise, take this as alone time with you and your baby belly-just the two of you to hang tight till he/she officially arrives. I had plenty of moments in the hospital when I realized I wasnt alone and that the baby was with me and we were going through this together-and everything was going to be ok.
hang in there!

Re: In hospital now and need to vent

I agree with trusting your doctors.

I delivered my twins at 34+4 and actually they had planned a c/s at 35 weeks due to other complications and they spent 3 and 4 weeks in the NICU and still have what I believe are complications related to their prematurity. 31 weeks is still VERY early.

At 31 weeks, the baby is probably only 2.5-4 lbs and there are still many risks although the survival rates at that stage is much greater than say 28 weeks.

In hospital now and need to vent

If your BP is under control, I would keep that baby in as long as possible.
Yes, the survival rate is around 95% for babies born around 30-31 weeks, but that is scary still.

From a mother of a 30 weeker (30w4d), you do NOT want to deliver this early unless absolutely necessary. My son had a slew of NICU issues and spent 6 weeks in 2 hospitals. He struggled breathing (and yes, received 2 rounds of steroid shots for his lungs, but still needed to be on a ventilator for 2 days!) He is fine today, thank God, and I'm sure your baby would be fine if they needed to deliver him early, but 30-31 weeks is so early to deliver.

Trust your doctors that they will make the
Right choice on when to deliver your LO.

Feel better!!

In hospital now and need to vent

If your being controlled with meds they won't take the doc unless you have a seizure or something really bad starts happening they can't control with meds. The guidlines changed a few years ago and now instead of 37wks they make the docs wait until 39wks unless it is in the best interest. At 31wks while the baby would survive and not need as much intervention you are still looking at weeks in the NICU maybe CPAP and lots of meds. Then you open the baby up to infections, bleeds, and eye issues are possible. I know you're scared, but right now try to relax and trust the docs.

In hospital now and need to vent

I agree with the pp's you need to trust your doctors. At 31 weeks your baby needs more time to develop. At this stage of your pregnancy every additional day you can hold off from delivering is important. I would discuss all of your concerns with your doctors.

Re: In hospital now and need to vent

I'm sorry you are going through all this - it must be super stressful. I had pre-e as well. I felt absolutely fine - went into the hospital at 31 weeks and had an emergency C-section at 32 weeks, 5 days. When I was in the hospital - they took my blood pressure every three hours and did blood work over an over again. Even in the middle of the night. They also monitored the baby several times a day. The minute they saw something they didn't like - I had a c-section. It wasn't the best experience - but I am healthy now and so is my little girl. If you are unhappy with your doctor - there is no harm in asking for a second opinion but I think they will watch really carefully. They must have asked me 45 times a day if I had blurry vision, chest pressure or headaches. Good luck!! Hugs and prayers!

ETA: Something my doctors told me that I found helpful - each day that you don't have the baby is 3 days less that the baby will be in the NICU.

Message edited 3/26/2014 5:46:46 PM.

Re: In hospital now and need to vent

Are you keeping on the Labetalol BP meds? I was on them my entire pregnancy and it worked in controlling my blood pressure up until I delivered at 37.5 weeks.

Re: In hospital now and need to vent

I agree with everyone else to trust the doctors. I know that they said the baby is looking good and it is ok to deliver but remember that pregnancy is 40 weeks and delivering now COULD put yourself and your baby at risk. My friend has severe pre-c and had to deliver at 27 weeks. They monitored her and as soon as they saw that it wasn't looking good they brought her into the OR. You are in the best place for you and your baby. I know it's hard and you just want to make sure everyone is ok but leaving a baby in the NICU is not what anyone wants when they go home. My friends baby was in the NICU for 75 days. It was the longest 75 days of her life. Going back and forth and watching her baby grow and possible complications. I have attached her birth story so that you can see what she went through. Her son is doing amazing and is going to be 1 next month but it's been a long road of doctors and surgeries.

I wish you luck and we will all support you in whatever happens!

Bobby's Story

Message edited 3/27/2014 10:46:36 AM.