I went to see my midwife today and my blood pressure was, uh, RAWTHER high: 170/100, sitting. It dropped to 140/100 when I laid on my back (lay? lied? I cannot be bothered to be correct on this topic at the moment), then 128/80 when I rolled to my left side. (That last reading is the only thing that got me a ticket to go home overnight instead of straight to L&D for bloodwork and observation.)
I never, ever have high blood pressure, pregnant or not. I actually have quite nice, lowish blood pressure most days! So, this was really unusual for me. I also had some protein in my urine and my ankles were getting a bit…smushy. I’m basically pre, pre-ecclamptic and since it can progress/worsen really quickly this gets me a one-way pass to L&D tomorrow morning for an induction.
I know. An induction. BLEH. I had one of those before. It kind of sucked. (For those not in the know, the only cure is to evict the baby. Everything tends to be fine after that.)
But, the cons of waiting it out over the next few days to see if I go into labor on my own outweigh the pros of induction. I don’t want to show up in labor, but in a hypertensive crisis four days from now. That’s a great way to end up on a drip of magnesium sulfate, perhaps get sliced open because of Dire Emergency Conditions, and stay in the hospital for several days. NO THANK YOU! (My birth plan is “Do Not Get Sliced Open.”) It’s not likely my stats will get better (they’ll probably get worse) so I’m reporting to the hospital at 8 am tomorrow, if I even make it that long without crossing the bridge into labor on my own overnight.
I’m home on strict orders to do nothing but rest on my left side.
Oh, and I’m already at 3 cm (haaaa, do I get to say “already” at 40+ weeks?) and he’s at -1 station with irregular contractions all over the place. Should be a pretty quick and easy induction. (Fingers crossed, prayers welcome, etc on that sentiment.) I’m feeling optimistic. I’m not upset at this turn of events like I was with Claire. (I was DEVASTATED to be induced with her.)
I might have my son in my arms by lunch tomorrow. Holy crap, you guys! THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING. (I guess we should really get on that name thing in a serious way.)
***
(Check Twitter for updates and photos if you’re into that sort of thing. I don’t plan on posting again here until we’ve been home for a day or three.)
Holly
January 22, 2013 8:28 pm
Exciting! Can’t wait to see pics and hear the name!
My BP was 190/100ish about 12hours POST-delivery last time, so I got the mag sulfate drip and an extra night in the hospital. Discharged with 140/90 ish, and told to keep an eye on it. It went down on its own over the course of a week or so.
So, not pre-ecclamptic exactly, but still weird. Been watching my BP like a hawk this pregnancy.
Erica
January 22, 2013 8:34 pm
Here’s hoping for a swift labor and delivery!
vanessa napolitano
January 22, 2013 8:45 pm
Congratulations! Can’t wait to hear the name, see the pics, etc. Enjoy your last birth! I was very misty holding FInn knowing he was our last. Kept trying to remember everything and soak it in.
Temerity Jane
January 22, 2013 8:47 pm
Not going into my whole pregnancy story because bleh, but yay, baby tomorrow, and also, I hope you shoot into labor tonight, and also, when I had MYYYYY baby induction whatnots because of blood pressure, my VERY FIRST READING post baby removal was a delightfully perfect reading after terribly high ones since 25 weeks, and ALSO, since everything ever is based on my personal experiences, I had a 48 hour induction that got me to exactly where you already are, so I’ve done some calculations and I’ve estimated a noon arrival time of baby, meaning a roughly 1:30pm arrival time of post-baby meal tray, aka THE BEST FOOD EVER ON EARTH EVER ISN’T THAT EXCITING? SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO TOMORROW, A’DELL!
Michelle
January 22, 2013 8:52 pm
Sending good thoughts your way for a quick and easy delivery!
Jen
January 22, 2013 9:04 pm
Yay little man! Thinking of you and sending all fast and easy labor vibes your way!
Meghan
January 22, 2013 9:22 pm
Wowsers! Good luck! This is all super exciting and marks the very first time I’ve wished I had twitter ;) Can’t wait to hear what his name is
AmyM
January 22, 2013 9:33 pm
Tomorrow you will have a baby boy and tomorrow I return to work after an 8+ month maternity leave. Bleh for me but YAY for you! I will have a good excuse for frequent twitter breaks! Saying lots of prayers for a quick and easy L&D. I’m guessing a dinner time arrival…just because hospitals can sometimes be slow to get everything going. Can’t wait to see pictures and hear his name…although with my third we went in with 2 names and didn’t pick one until she was over 24 hours old and we were walking out of the hospital to take her home! Good luck! ARGH!!!! SO EXCITING!!!!!
Lauren
January 22, 2013 10:06 pm
I know an induction isn’t ideal, but I hope everything goes smoothly! Can’t wait to see pictures of your little guy!
Jennifer
January 22, 2013 10:21 pm
Eeeeeeee I am so excited!!! Tomorrow! A baby! I shall be checking Twitter obsessively! :)
Christy
January 22, 2013 10:30 pm
Boo on high BPs! But 3 cm/-1 is awesome… Maybe your midwife can just break your water to get things going? I hope everything goes smoothly and quickly. Can’t wait to hear of his arrival!
Manda
January 22, 2013 10:33 pm
Best wishes A’Dell! You’ll be in our thoughts and prayers! Can’t wait to meet baby boy. Godspeed.
Julie Chabira
January 23, 2013 12:53 am
Hey Girl! I’m so excited for you guys!! I’ll be thinking about you and sending some prayers your way.
Michelle
January 23, 2013 10:46 am
Eeeee! Baby! Good luck! Thinking about you today!
Noella Richer
January 23, 2013 6:14 pm
Best of luck to you. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of your handsome little man. And hearing the much anticipated name. Baby Stevens is coming :)
Life of a Doctor's Wife
January 23, 2013 8:35 pm
YAY! A baby!!! Thinking of you.
Pippi
January 24, 2013 12:29 pm
Congratulations! I just saw the news on twitter! What a beautiful baby with a fabulous name to match :) You guys are in my thoughts as you navigate the NICU. I hope he’s out soon and home with his family.
Lindsay
January 25, 2013 3:31 am
Yay! So did Claire get her way and get to name him Orange Juice? HA ha! Travis told me that Chris came in yesterday and told him the good news. Congrats, I hope you are feeling well and baby (OJ) is doing well too. Remember we deliver, especially to the hospital. Those nurses love Square One!
I can’t believe I just found out you have a blog!?! Preggo here can’t sleep and it is keeping me entertained!
Anyway hope to see you and the kiddos soon!
Get some rest.