honest opinions, medical induction...please no meanness!!

[Ashelen]

Okay, so I'm full-term (36wks) today...measuring big with my boy. They're estimating close to 6 1/2/7lbs@ 36wks. I've had a fairly easy pregnancy, although I've had a problem with my migraines getting worse....here's the thing. Last week I had a migraine that was accompanied with numbness in my right arm, but it passed and I really didn't think anything of it....however. Yesterday, I started getting a migraine aura and my vision faded to less than 10%, which can be normal for me...but then my right hand started going numb...all the way up my right arm to my elbow...it freaked me out a little, but I just brushed it off because it's happened before. Then my FACE started going numb...my lips, my throat and neck, the inside of my mouth...so I called the on-call doctor to see if I should worry, and I experienced (the best way to describe it) confusion...I couldn't QUITE remember my name...I couldn't remember the words to describe what was happening to me...I tried to say "migraine aura" and I just burst into tears because I couldn't remember the word (i'm a writer, and I majored in English in college so words are my LIFE..I DON'T get tongue-tied! I've been on the phone before with my doctor passing a bloody kidney stone and been more coherent than I was yesterday)...so I hung up and told my DH to call an ambulance. They tested my blood sugar on the way to the hospital...82. they tested my BP...80/56....both low. THey hooked the baby up to a monitor and he looked/sounded GREAT...heartbeat thumping away at 140/150...hiccuping at one point, wiggling, happy as a clam...and the numbness eventually passed.

THey said it was "a mystery"...thanks! way to go, glad you're so thorough LOL. all my blood screens came back normal..they tested my blood sugar again and it was a lot better, so was my BP....and they just put it down to a pregnancy complication. so they're talking about inducing me next week (37wks)...and I"m not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, I can't go through that again. I'm home ALL DAY with my little daughter (21 months) and if I experience that kind of vision loss and confusion again when it's just us, I'm TERRIFIED about what might happen with her. on the other hand...I don't really believe in inducing. I don't know how necessary this induction would be, and they said they're 90% sure that my symptoms will clear once the baby's born because he's likely compressing my nerve core and cutting blood off from my head which is exacerbating everything...but there's that 10% that if it doesn't get better, then I'll have induced early and have a newborn AND a toddler home alone with me all day....


I just need to know what honestly you feel like you would do in my shoes. I'm terrified that it'll happen again...and even though they couldn't tell me what was wrong, they did say that I did the right thing coming in and I quote "if it happens again come back so we can catch it while it's happening and figure out what's going on" uhhh no I hope it DOESNT happen again thanks!!!


also...I've mentioned that I've had trouble eating and gaining weight with this pregnancy. and after scanning my chart, they were tossing around the term "pregnancy anorexia" yesterday. wtf? i've never heard of it, and i DON'T think I have it...but when I told them that all I had eaten yesterday (adding to the troubles I was having) was 2 bites of banana at 10AM...they looked through my chart and started clucking their tongues. just curious if this is a true thing ...I mean, it's not like I"m worried about getting fat I think I look GREAT...I just have no appetite and forget to eat!!! but at any rate they added this to the list of why I may want to induce early.

the fact is..I love my doctor team. they are SO great...and I believe 100% in their abilities and judgment...but this is such a big decision.

[Ashelen]

thanks girls, keep the opinions coming.

tired-- yeah we definitely won't go before 37wks unless something tanks and I get suddenly worse...but I don't know if I can' hold on until 38 or 39...I'm gonna try as long as possible. I talk to my OB this week and we'll make a game plan, but I refuse to plan the induction before 37wks even though they offered.

good to know about the shots too!

[tiredbuthappy]

FYI- steroid shots aren't effective after 37 weeks. At least, that's what my ob said. So if you want to ask about it, do asap.

I had neurological problems towards the end of my pregnancy. In addition to terrible carpal tunnel with both pregnancies, I had optic neuritis with my last baby. My vision was mostly restored after delivery. They said it wouldn't have anything to do wih pregnancy, but after suffering with losing vision in 1 eye for over 2 months, it magically resolved the day after giving birth.

It's a tough call though. I can't imagine how scary those symptoms are. But I also had a baby born at 36 weeks and I wish we could've waited til she was ready. For 4 months, feeding was an absolute nightmare because she had so many feeding issues due to being  early.

[leighanne143]

with what you describe, especially not being able to eat, the baby will get more nutrients outside of you.  I had pregnancy carpel tunnel too which is just like the pains your described up and down your arm but not in the face.  it does go away after delivery but sometimes not immediately.  mine took 2 whole months to get full feeling back in my fingers.  

I would say do what your body is telling you to do and it seems like its induction.  you know what will be best for you and your son.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I agree that all around, all things considered, this is probably the best decision for both you and Grey!

[Ashelen]

Thank you guys sooo much ...I was crying with relief reading your responses because I was so afraid everyone was going to be like "you're crazy!!!"

I'm 95% sure I'm gonna go ahead and schedule the induction..I'm hoping to aim for right at 37wks...but today made up my mind because it happened again :(. Luckily I spent the day with my parents "just in case" and it turns out I had a good intuition because my vision was gone for about an hour and a half, and my right hand was completely numb and I couldn't use it for about 20 minutes...I had a little bit of confusion and a LOT of dizziness but my dad took my daughter so I was able to sit it out...so I think I'm gonna go ahead and see if they'll schedule the induction for next weekend. I was really looking forward to the last month of pregnancy...as uncomfortable as it is for those last 4 weeks, now that I actually know what's going on I think I would've enjoyed it a lot more and I'm really bummed to miss out on that...but more than that I'm worried that Grey won't be ready...but at this point I feel like I don't have any more options because for this to happen again so soon is just...not safe (less than 24 hours). I'm actually going to call monday and see if they can do a cervix check/membrane sweep and see if I can start things on my own...(I've been dilating and effacing but I don't know what I'm at right now) and if not I guess I'll ask to be scheduled in for next weekend (37wks).

I was getting so angry today because my dad just took me out to buy some maternity clothes and I was sitting with my heart monitor listening to the baby and just enjoying him growing safely in my belly and it really pisses me off that I can't carry to my due date, but I know now that my best option is probably going to be to get him out ASAP (they offered to induce me THIS weekend, but I WON'T go before 37wks unless they tell me when I see them this week that I HAVE to for safety's sake).


Joy--- yes they checked my heart and for once it sounded fine, LOL. I've had so many troubles in the past that I kind of assumed it was going to be acting up but they said that everything came back normal on my heart..and even all my blood work looked great....I'm really not satisfied with the "mystery" diagnosis but knowing doctors that's probably all I'm gonna get until after delivery.

SMJ- thanks I will ask about the steroid shot and see if they think I should get it at this point...I really forgot about that but I do want to ask.

heather-- with your early labor problems I understand where you're coming from...I hope they'll strip your membranes..how far will you be at your next appt?

BTS-- yeah I'm gonna insist that they do an MRI before I leave the hospital after delivery, to be honest. I'm not going to be put off "okay come back in 3 weeks for a follow-up and we'll scan your head" nuh-uh. I'll glue my *** (sorry) to the bed if they try to send me home without at least some diagnostics...I've always had bad migraines, but my grandma died of brain cancer so I'm putting my foot down with this one.

Majikat-- same I said to BTS, LOL..definitely gonna insist on some diagnostics, thank you :)

GA-- when I wrote this post I was considering inducing anywhere from 37-39wks...but after it happened again today, I'm gonna do it as soon as they think I can ...because for it to happen again that soon is just too freaky. I mean my migraines were coming a day or two or three (at most) apart, and now that they're coming every day something has GOT to be going on.


Anyway thanks again ladies I'm seriously so relieved that you all listened to me and gave such supportive opinions...I'm scared, but luckily my baby seems to be doing great..his movements have been strong and steady and I can get his heartbeat right away on my home monitor every time so I know he's hanging in there like a trooper.

I'll update with whatever goes on...and I really appreciate all the support and advice I love you all so much you've been so amazing with me through this whole pregnancy. Luckily my dad bought me a breast pump and a huge pack of newborn diapers today...so c'mon Grey we're ready for you :D.

Thanks again you're all my angels today <3. Will update if something changes or I get some new info...who knows, maybe my water will break and he'll come on his own..that would be awesome. I should walk, but my head hurts too much...Sigh. LOL hanging in there !

[JoyRenee]

Wow that is scary. It almost sounds like stroke-like symptoms. Did they check your heart?

A big baby is not a medically necessary reason to induce. But symptoms like that raise RED FLAGS. When your life or the baby's life are in danger medical induction should definitely be taken into consideration.

[HeatherLF16]

How scary I am so sorry you had to go through all of that stress yesterday, and I would not want to go through that again at all.  Especially, in front of your little girl.  I agree with the ladies what if you blacked out or couldn't get up to call the doc?  I would probably do induction as well, but I understand your hesitation!
I am sort of being faced with the same thing.  Not with the medical conditions you are faced with, but with my baby being huge.  I am just 34 weeks and she is estimating my baby to be about 6lbs right now.  I have ultrasound confirmation next week, but he was 4.5lbs a month ago and my uterus progressed 2 weeks in 1.  
As you probably remember I am on bedrest because I keep going into labor early.  I go off bedrest on July 2nd and she said if the baby is in fact that big, she doesn't want even want me to go full term because then I would for sure need a c-section baby would be like 10 lbs.  I most likely will have a week or two to try to go into labor on my own then be induced at 37-38 weeks.  I don't like the idea of it either, and would like to give my body a chance to work it's magic.  But, I don't see myself giving birth to a 10 pounder either.
My questions to my doctor next week are going to be if she can naturally induce me.  Like the membrane stripping then we can wait a few days to see if it happens?  Or maybe just break my water (I am already dialating some) and not give me pitocin unless I am not contracting and they have to?  

[smjmekg]

Just giving my two cents...if I were you I'd go with the induction. Yes you're carrying a boy, and yes they develop slower than girls, but if you're ok with asking for it try to get a steroid shot to make sure his lungs are fully developed.

After seeing Elijah with tubes and oxygen after he was born I get so mad when I see women inducing early because they're uncomfortable (sorry if I offend anyone but that's my opinion). I hate seeing tiny babies with tubes and being on oxygen, and bruised from IVs. BUT here's the thing...what if it happens again when your husband isn't home and you pass out and fall? It's not like it's just because that you're doing it. I would much rather you come here and tell us Grey was born a little early and you're feeling fine than you coming on and saying you had to go to the ER again because you fell after another "pregnancy complication" as they called it.

I had carpal tunnel while I was pregnant and it went away right after Elijah was born. Maybe this will go away after Grey is born.

Honestly, it I were in your shoes I'd go with the induction, because with me I'd want to see my baby and make sure he's ok. It's obviously 100% up to you and your husband, and you two should sit down and weigh the pros and cons of an early delivery and him not being home in case something happens again.

*HUGS* I hope it doesn't happen again and that it was just pregnancy related, and you guys can come to the decision that's right for you and Grey.

[BTS1022]

I would at this point ask to be induced. If your headaches are getting worse, with more severe symptoms I wouldn't think twice about asking for induction, not only that, but I would also ask for an MRI and CT scan of your head, just to make sure nothing has developed in your head during your pregnancy. I too suffer from severe Migraines. It gets so bad sometimes that my head will actually get numb, I lose some vision, and often than not I have to vomit. I get freaked out by mine, and they seem to be NOTHING compared to what your going through, and I can only hope and pray that once baby is born, your migraine numbness will subside.

But I really do think, with numbness in your right side, you should seriously get scanned, possibly even an EKG. I had similar symptoms however with no migraine, just severe confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, and numbness, and after doing a CT and MRI I was found to have had a mini stroke, I even have a blood vessel on my left temple that is rock hard, although you can still feel it pulsating from the blood running through it. It was the scariest thing in the world to go through, mine resulted in having the mini stroke from smoking and being on birth control. It was scary!

I really hope you can get something done to just make sure that everything is as it should be in your head. And I say go for the induction! Your health needs to be put first, after all the baby's will need momma around to snuggle them!

[Majikat]

I would for sure induce!!!!!! Those arecrazy symptoms. If it happens again when the baby is out make sure you get a scan of your head to make sure there is nothing serious happening there

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Well here's my take... I know a lot of people don't believe in medical inductions unless absolutely necessary.  With my last pregnancy I didn't have any complications, the baby wasn't big, but towards the end I was freaking miserable.  I had planned to work right up til I delivered but the hip pain and throwing up got to be so bad I started my leave 5 days early.  I wasn't sleeping, wasn't eating, was up all night throwing up and in pain.  I opted to be induced simply becuase I know that being in pain and puking constantly was NOT good for ME or the BABY!  All in all I'm happy with how my induction went (aside from the dipwad who did my epidural and kept MISSING).  With the issues you are having (especially yesterdays) I think it would be a good idea to consider induction BUT, I think you should try and do it as close to "real" full term (40 wks) as possible. My inductionw as ON my due date.  Did they do a cervical check to see if you had dialated yet?  If you do begin to dialate BEFORE the induction, request they sweep your membranes and see if that gets it going.