Inducing at 38 weeks?

With my 1st I went into labour naturally at 39 weeks, but developed pre-eclampsia with onset of labour and bp and temp soared after placenta birth. I had a seizure 6 hours after delivery.

Because of this my OB doesn't want to let me go past 38 weeks this time. Does this sound reasonable?

I think it's hard for anybody to know if that is reasonable or not. I would be asking the Dr - 1) Why will inducing at 38 weeks stop a re-occurence? ie., what's the difference between a 38 week induced labour and a 41 week spontaneous labour? 2) why would you induce in the absence of any symptoms?
Do some research on PE in subsequent pregnancies and see if that triggers anymore questions for you to ask. It just might:)

What would you like to do, Dee? It's not a given that because you had PE last time it's going to happen this time. You could decide to let labour start naturally and wait to see IF your blood pressure rises. It is easy to monitor. How has your blood pressue been so far this pregnancy? Were you advised of nutrition, exercise, relaxation and deep water immersion strategies for reducing pregnancy inuced hypertension? I agree with Samantha, do the research yourself and then decide, get induced because it *might* happen again, or wait to see and take necessary steps IF it happens again.

Best of luck.

Its not a given that you will develop it again, but it is a higher likelihood... if you dont want to be induced, maybe daily visits from 38w for urine samples and monitoring would be good, that way you can be induced/put in for emerg c/s straight away...HTH and good luck xxx

Thanks everyone. Last time my urine and bp were normal right up to the day labour started. I will take all your advice and do some serious reading so I'm more informed next time I talk to OB.

Katnap - I definitely don't want to be put in for emerg c/s, would rather be induced.

I had the impression that you most likely won't get PE if you have it in your first pregnancy unless you're second pregnancy was with another partner? That's what i've always been told.

DEE- I would suggest that you go to a site called AAPEC. It stands for Australian Action on Pre-Eclampsia. I feel it would be the most helpful for you in making a decision on how you would like to proceed with your pg. It really helped me understand after my DD's birth what PE was even though my sis and other fanily members had it I naively thought it wouldn't happen to me.

I developed PE at 37 weeks with my first, was induced and gave birth right on 38 weeks. With my subsequent pregnanies I did not get it at all. No raised BP, protein in urine, nothing. And it was not even suggested to me that I should be induced again. So it is definitely not a given that you will develop it again. If it was me I would be more inclined to wait and see - and aim for a natural start to labour. But as the others have said you need to do your own research and feel comfortable with whatever you decide.

Hey Dee

you do have an increased risk of PE again this pregnancy...PE is more likely with your first pregnancy, however some women are predisposed to it reoccuring...so as a blanket approach all Dr's regard anyone who has had PE will potentially suffer it again

I know this may seem a bit harsh...but PE is complex, and also gives rise to more serious complications...you have moved up from PE to Eclamptic (fitting) and this will give your health care provider cause for concern, not just for your baby but for your wellbeing too.

Sorry to be so 'medical'...:)

but remember you are still the birthing mother to be...so you do get a say :)...your Dr will more than likely be very keen for your to be induced and have an epidural...so they can closely monitor you and your baby, and the epidural reduces BP...your Dr may also suggest no pushing, as this increases BP

you can still do many things to make the arrival of your baby a beautiful, enjoyable and memorable experience...
you can:
help deliver your baby
opt for not talking as your baby is born...so its your voice he/she hears first
immediate skin to skin contact

even though this may not be the birth experience you where hoping for, you can still have a postive experience...

I hope this helps...and I am more than happy to answer any Q's you may have

good luck

xx yogababy

Yogababy,
Crazy question but - how can you have a baby vaginally without pushing or bearing down? Are you suggesting that it would be an instrumental delivery?

I did have an epi last time and am not worried about having another one this time, they stopped it in time for me to push ds out myself so no instruments were needed. They did have to cut though so help him come out faster as my midwife said my bp and temp were getting too high again.

My OB said it's only a 50% chance I would get the PE again.

The ob and hospital have all said that I will be assigned a quick-response team after the delivery to monitor me very closely in case I seize again (I'm going to a private hospital this time and was worried about lack of medical staff around but they reassured me that as they know my history now I will be watched extra-closely.)

Hey SamanthaP

great Q

with an epidural there is often no urge to push...with no assistance the uterus does still contract and this action pushes the baby into the birth canal and into the world...but often and instrumental delivery is the case

I have looked after women with a full block that have had a vaginal birth with no pushing...as the epidural has relaxed them and allowed the body to work at birthing the baby

my 2nd baby was born without pushing, lots of breathing and relaxing...its called the fetal ejection reflex

xx yogababy

Hi Yogababy, I have heard of the fetal ejection reflex. I just as yet haven't seen it happen that way in the hospital system!

Best of luck with your decision making, Dee.

When I had my epi with my first (from a synt augmentation :() I had no urge to push. I did have it the second time when I happened to turn up at 9cm. Was the most incredible thing :)