

worried about pre-eclampsia pregnancy NHS treatment

(59 Posts)
reaktor24 Sat 30-Mar-13 10:53:29

Hi. My gf and I are currently in hospital maternity ward. She has a number of ailments. She has pre-eclampsia with protein and high bp. She has a dodgy kidney which is hurting her due to the pre-eclampsia. She is also diabetic which occurred during the pregnancy. On top of all that she has a cold. We were told on our last scan at 36 weeks that she was high risk and the situation was/is an emergency. That was last Tuesday and she has been in hospital since Wednesday. She has been given an insertion twice to induce the baby as well as membrane sweep which she said she didn't want. She wants a cesarean but is told no. What can we do?? She doesn't want ARM either due to the risks involved. The staff are not being helpful and are giving us no choice about the treatments. You will have this for so many days and then we will break your waters. This is bloody ridiculous so what are our rights? Can we demand a cesarian?

DolomitesDonkey Tue 02-Apr-13 09:43:08

Are you planning to complain OP? I think the biggest question which needs to be answered is why, when a medical emergency (PE) dictated a need for induction at only 36 weeks - was the decision for section only taken at 3-4 days. Emergency = emergency, not fannying around for 4 days until her kidneys pack in!

midori1999 Tue 02-Apr-13 09:30:03


It's pretty normal procedure to go for a c section if a third pessary at induction does nothing and they can't progress further by ARM. What a shame no one explained this properly to you and your partner and caused so much distress. [Sad] Definitely complain to PALS if you feel up to it.

differentnameforthis Tue 02-Apr-13 08:44:01

Read with bated breath! And also wondering "you aren't at Watford General, are you" Cos they were crap with me too. sad

SO pleased that all is well. Many babies are born at 36/37 weeks & go on to thrive (just like my 9yr old).

Great score on the test (Apgar, by the way)

Really happy for you both. Congratulations.

CadleCrap Tue 02-Apr-13 08:18:39

Congratulations - a happy ending thanks

Congratulations. Glad all is well now but what a marathon for you both.

DolomitesDonkey Mon 01-Apr-13 10:48:21

Congratulations!grin I'm absolutely thrilled to hear mother and baby are doing well.

gallicgirl Mon 01-Apr-13 10:17:24

Congratulations. Here's to a fabulous life.


Ooh yay! Does he have a name yet? Sniff his head, that baby smell is wonderful!

Heathbaby Mon 01-Apr-13 10:08:27

Congratulations!!! grin

Congratulations smile

reaktor24 Mon 01-Apr-13 09:48:17

Yes she hated the membrane sweep which she made sure they didn't do again. Just updating to say mother and baby are doing absolutely fine. He was born last night by cesarian and weighs around five and half pound. Scored an impressive 9/10 on his test thing. I forgot what thats called. He is as cute as button. I just want to say thank you very much for all your help and support. It really was a godsend during a very traumatic weekend for both me and the gf. We will get in touch with PALS and review the notes. Thanks again. smile

Liskey Sun 31-Mar-13 18:15:04

Good luck and hope you both meet your baby soon.

I had pre-eclampsia and got induced at 36 weeks (sweep was the worst, absolute agony!) Dd was born via emergency c-section as she got distressed and oxygen deprived. I reviewed my notes 6 months later with a senior midwife (via PALS) and it really helped me - really helped me recover from the traumatic birth.

gallicgirl Sun 31-Mar-13 18:08:37

Please talk to PALS after this is all over. Your partner will probably find it beneficial and hopefully it will trigger the realisation that there is a communication problem.

Good luck with the cs. Pop back and let us know the outcome. It won't be long before you're cuddling your baby.

reaktor24 Sun 31-Mar-13 17:27:49

Hi. Thank you very much for all the advice. I will let you all know once little baby is out.

Well finally common sense has prevailed. I'm just sorry you have both had to go through all this before getting to CS.

Please give you GF my best wishes. And do let her know that mumsnet is here if she need anything later. Even if it is just to make sense of everything g that has happend.

Good luck and in a few hours you'll be a dad! grin

I know you're probably thinking 'why didn't they just do this in the first place?!' But try to think of it that your baby has been in the best place (mum's tummy) for even longer. Let us know when baby is born!

reaktor24 Sun 31-Mar-13 16:54:06

Hi. Just updating everyone. The third induction failed. They examined her today and said it would be impossible to perform an ARM. Her body just isn't responding. We are going to have a cesarean tonight. Finally! Her blood pressure is too high and she has poor urine results so they have agreed that a cesarian is the best course of action now.

They won't be able to do the arm if the cervix hasn't dilated. What method of induction did they use this time? Did they do a sweep? The fact that she was in pain sounds like they might have but that would mean she's dilated a bit which is a good sign smileI'm glad the consultant came and had a chat with you.

Sorry she felt embarrassed being on the ward, I spent most of my labour on the ward (being sick, wet myself blush, breathing loudly through contractions all without pain relief) unfortunately more often than not they're just too busy to give everyone a private room. Hopefully her labour will get underway soon and as she's now considered term there's also less risk to the baby.

reaktor24 Sat 30-Mar-13 16:30:43

Hi. Thanks for your help. She has had her third induction and had gas as well. She said it was the worst one and was in extreme agony during the process and in floods of tears afterwards. She felt embarrassed that everyone in the ward was listening. She says she doesn't feel she can cope with another one and it looks like we don't have much choice with regard to ARM. We did have a good chat with the consultant and he did basically say he though it was in the best interests of both mother and baby as the baby seems quite happy during the monitoring. We weren't told if the cervix has actually been dilating though.

RE: baby being more sleepy than usual. I had a scan because of this but with me DS literally would sleep constantly so I don't know how sleepy they would have to get before a scan is done, I was monitored a lot for a while before they did this.

"Is there another maternity unit nearby you'd consider transferring to?" That is a really good idea.

LazyMonkeyButler Sat 30-Mar-13 13:49:30

The heart rate sounds OK though BTW, so long as it is strong & steady.

HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm Sat 30-Mar-13 13:48:16

Notes are no longer kept at the end of the bed in hospital as its a confidentiality risk. Anyone could pick them up.

You could ask again to informally have your notes explained, or state that the request will come from your solicitor. But no, they don't have to show you them without written request, and then only within 21 days.

Is there another maternity unit nearby you'd consider transferring to?

LazyMonkeyButler Sat 30-Mar-13 13:47:30

What has the midwife or Consultant said about the baby seeming more sleepy? I honestly can't remember if that's normal or not, it may be.

I completely agree with midori1999, you need thorough clear explanations of what is happening now, why and what might happen.

Midori, that isn't your full notes, just a short copy. I think the OP wants to see the long hospital version that is fully detailed.

midori1999 Sat 30-Mar-13 13:45:24

And just to add, once they had carry out ARM then they would have a time limit before a section.

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