Gestational hypertension, induce?

[Jenwales88]

I'm 37 weeks and recently I was diagnosed with gestational hypertension resulting in two hospital stays and tablets. I'm going for a scan monday and then seeing my consultant again thursday.

If the tablets work they say I can keep on as I am. But they may want to induce me if they don't or induce me if I go past my due date. I don't like the idea of induction, forcing the baby to be born and I've read that the labour can be longer and more painful and can result in needing to use forceps etc

They also suggested that if the induction doesn't work I'd have to have a c section.

This is all very worrying and I'm trying to manage. I want to do the best thing for my baby and I've read nothing but horror stories of induction, can anyone offer me any reassurance or information that may help me?

[Pnw2020]

Hi. This happened to a friend at 36 weeks. She was induced and baby didn’t take long to come. I may be facing an induction too as expecting twins. Often you only hear the bad stories not the good ones!

[Seb9]

I've had 2 inductions, both were very good experiences and no other interventions were needed. My first, I had the hormonal pessary in for 24 hours to soften my cervix, that was the only bit I didn't like as I felt very sore down there.

I had my waters broken just using gas and air and then put on the drip. The contractions were strong and I wasn't dilated so I requested an epidural. That gave me a chance to rest and when I was dilated I was able to start pushing. They didn't top up my epidural while I was pushing so I was able to start feeling my contractions and knowing when to push.

The doctor did come in at one point and tell me that they would assist if I couldn't get baby out within the hour, but I managed to do it with the help of some wonderful midwives giving me lot of encouragement. I had a small tear and graze but no stitches.

2nd induction was even better, I requested a balloon induction to start and not the pessary because that for me was the worse part of my previous induction.

When the doctor checked me I was 2cm dilated already at 38+6, so she was able to go straight to breaking my waters. I then requested a break and they let me have rest and some dinner. Once you have the drip you can't eat, so I learned from my first induction not to let them rush you after your wasted are broken. so they gave me the 24 hour menu and I had a lasagne and my husband had a cottage pie.

They put me on the drip, handed me the gas and air, gave my husband a mattress for the floor for him to sleep and left us to it. I listened to an audio book and had fun with the gas and air until my contractions got to the point gas and air wasn't cutting it. I asked for an epidural because I thought it might be hours till I was going to be dilated and when the midwife checked I was dilated and no chance for the epidural, she gave me an injection of pethidine to help, and baby was born not long after. No tears, small papercut.

She did say that because my pushing was so controlled, that it had really helped. That was all credit to hypnobirthing techniques. I would highly recommend it for pushing and breathing techniques, for advocating for your choices and for coping techniques for all eventualities.

So definitely not all inductions are horror stories, but you could always opt for an elective C- section too if you didn't want to have an induction 🥰

[GemX81]

I developed gestational hypertension late in both my pregnancies. With my first I was induced and I ended up having an emergency c section. However, having high blood pressure does put you at an increase risk of pre eclampsia so in the end I was pleased that my little boy arrived healthy and safely, even though the birth experience wasn't the best. With my second I chose an elective c section. And when I developed high blood pressure again late on in my pregnancy, my elective c section was brought forward. If you are induced there is an increase chance of complications but that's not a definite. The most important thing is that both you and your little one get through birth safely. Good luck!

[AlmostanAngel]

Hi, I had problems from 36w with my blood pressure luckily didn't end up on tablets but was being closely monitored by the midwife and consultant. I was induced at 39w. I had the 24hr pessary and 2 rounds of gel, it wasn't the most fun waiting but my waters broke naturally while I was waiting to go up and have them broken.

2 hrs later my little one was there yup he was in a hurry to say hello. Only had gas and air once up on labour ward. Didn't really have any painkillers on antenatal- I did start getting a little uncomfortable just before my waters broke but 20mins after they went I was fully dilated and ready to start active labour.

The waiting about part of induction can be a bit demoralising as others go up before you that arrived after but mine was overall a positive experience.

Sending lots of positive vibes your way for the same.

[SRA8]

I had a failed 3 day induction at 36 weeks. Ended up in a very clam and lovely c section at 37+2. I'm glad I pushed for it. My placenta was heavily calcified and wouldnt have last much longer.

[dexy1389]

Hi,

I had a really bad experience with induction plus natural labor, which lasted almost 72h.. I developed severe preeclampsia so they did an emergency c section. I am still in a recovery and regretting the day when I opted for natural delivery versus c section ( I live in the US so we can choose to have a c section)... good luck!🍀

[KiboXX]

I had an induction with my daughter (first baby also!) and like you, I’d only ever heard stories of a long labour. I had reduced movements at 39 weeks so they recommended an induction straight away.

I had the first pessary which was a slow releasing hormone and was told hopefully that would start things off within 24 hours. My contractions started fairly quickly, my waters broke naturally 12 hours in and I had a straight forward natural birth with gas and air and no interventions. My little one made her entrance exactly 24 hours after the pessary was put it.

Hope that makes you feel better, inductions are not always long and painful xxx

[Jenwales88]

Thank you for all the lovely comments. They're recommending induction now and we're going ahead. These replies are extremely helpful.