Chronic hypertension controlled on meds - why induce?

[hillary8l8]

My situation is very similar, I'm a chronic hypertensive, but have been well controlled on meds for the past 4 weeks. I had some high readings before that, so they took me off of work, which seemed to be the culprit. During my NST today, I asked one of our veteran OB nurses what they routinely do with people like me at our facility. She told me as long as all testing with me and baby looks good that they will not induce. I was kind of surprised by this. My midwife was off this week, but I think I am going to question her about this next week at my appointment.

[veronica44]

Wow, that is really just about the same situation, we're even on the same meds but they are handling it quite differently. Although - sometimes the nurses and doctors are not on the same page so definitely check with your main doctor what the plan is. They may not start discussing it until 35 weeks or so, although in my case I was chronic even before pregnancy and came in on the labetalol to begin with, so they mentioned that they'd be most likely inducing at 39 weeks even if no issues right when I came in for my first appointment.

[kat82]

Bumping this thread...both for an update from the OP (who was induced yesterday, I think?) and to see if anyone else has experiences to share.
I am fortunate enough to be wondering when my doctor will want to induce if my BPs stay well controlled, and I plan to ask when I see him next week, so I'll come back and update then, too.

[hillary8l8]

I saw my midwife today and questioned her about this. She also told me 39 weeks, and sooner if bp goes up. She did say that if my bp was still good at 39 she would consider going to 40, but not past 40.

[veronica44]

I'm back!

We did induce at 39 weeks - those 140 BP readings were becoming more and more frequent. I think my body was almost ready anyway, since I went into labor with just the Cervidil. SO happy to have avoided Pitocin this time! This, along with having hired a birth doula and using her coping techniques, allowed me to have a fast, easy, and unmedicated childbirth. I went from 5.5 cm to fully dilated in one hour, and pushed for five minutes. It was just wonderful, everything was perfect. What a difference from the PE birth of my first daughter, magnesium/Pitocin/epidural/hours of pushing.

In any case, our daughter Lillian Maria is here. She was born at 9:30 on 7/16 and weighed a whopping 7 lbs 4 oz.
Here is a picture:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... t=1&ref=nf


I'll only have it public for a week or so, so sorry if anyone can't see it afterwards.
All the best to all of you on the boards!

[sam10]

Congratulations! So happy to hear you had a good experience and all is well!

[kat82]

That is such great news, Veronica. I am hoping to have the exact same experience (also working with a doula) so it is very heartening to read that that was possible for you even with the induction! Your girl is adorable...congrats!

[hillary8l8]

Congratulations! She is beautiful, so happy to hear that everything went so well:)

[alexis]

Congratulations!

[blythe]

Wonderful news!! Congratulations, Lily is beautiful! I'm so glad you got the birth experience you wanted as well!

As I'm sure you know, please keep watching your bp and signs and symptoms, post-partum PE can hit up to 6 weeks pp. I hope you continued to stay PE- free!