Gestational hypertension/inductions vs c section

I'm 36 weeks today and have had borderline hypertension for a couple of weeks. Docs have offered me Labetalol but also been wary of putting me on it incase it makes my BP too low as my readings vary from late 140s to mid 120s! Bottom number is rarely above 90. So haven't opted for meds up to this point to avoid the side effects and effect on the baby/her needing to be monitored post birth. Buuuut I've also read about mamas with hypertension potentially being advised to be induced early. Basically looking for any responses from women who have been on Labetalol and how they've found it, any experiences of those diagnosed with gestational hypertension. I'd ideally like a waterbirth or to at least labour in a pool but also wondering if it's best to have an elective c section over an induction... I've heard inductions aren't fun/particularly painful,but wondered if having an epidural in place from the get go puts it above a cesarean!?

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I had gestational hypertension for the last trimester of my pregnancy - I was on quite a high dose of Labetalol and I found it fine, only one day I had quite low blood pressure readings but otherwise it kept it nicely in the health range! Due to that and gestational diabetes, I was induced slightly early at 39+3 at 8:43pm and my little man was born at 1:58pm the next day. I had an epidural and couldn’t feel anything but pressure! X

Honestly I’d go for the c section straight away. After my experience of being induced and going through so much pain for hours just to end up needing a c section anyway cause my blood pressure was too high they had to take me to get the baby out quickly. At least if you go for the elective c section you know what to expect and could avoid all the pain, I really wanted a water birth as well but couldn’t even go in the water cause I had to be constantly monitored. If I knew what it would have been like I would have just got the elective c section. X

I was another induction that ended in a c section after hours of Labour as baby went in to distress from it, I have gestational diabetes this time and they have mentioned induction because of it I flat out refused and said elective c section only after last time, not putting myself or baby through it, I have heard inductions have been fine for others though x * if your induction is with a drip you won’t be allowed a water birth that’s also worth mentioning as they monitor baby pretty much constantly*

I had the same girl whilst I was pregnant , borderline hypertension! It was wuite annoying being monitored but it was baby and mothers health. They have to place planned induction to get baby out , its not as scary as it sounds… on the day they start the induction they will start on the get go and place the pill inside you so labour/ contractions take place. They have to wait until you have contractions and water is broken so they know you are in active labour.It all depends on baby tbh… it also depends how far he is dilated. I was 3/4 dilated but his heart rate dropped so I had to have emergency C-section. I heard with planned inductions mothers can have a natural birth then C-section it all depends on baby on the day. Do get prepared having a C-section as I didnt plan myself to have one… Everyone’s birth is different and you do have alot of options of pain relief when you in labour.

@Stacey ah why couldn't you go in the water if being monitored? I was told I can as they have monitors to use in pools, but if I have an elective c section maybe I wouldn't get chance 🤔

@Becky depends on the type of induction, if a stretch and sweep works, or have your waters broken and Labour starts on it own from this then yes you can have a water-birth, if your on a hormone drip you have to be hooked up to monitors, if your hospital has water proof ones you maybe able too if it’s available most tend to just have the water proof dopplers though x

@Megan oh I've heard too many horror stories about the pain of being on the drip to entertain that anyway I think 😅

@Becky yer I don’t recommend it at alllllll unfortunately nothing had worked from the other induction methods so I had it 🫣

@Megan did you have an epidural in place?

@Becky they placed it a few times unfortunately I am the 5/10% that it doesn’t work for, luckily the spinal worked for the c section so they didn’t have to put me under x

I had the same during both my pregnancies and was induced at 39weeks both times. My labor n delivery went smooth both the times.I took hormone drip and it gives you contractions far more painful so i would definitely recomend epidural early on itself. I took it both times and have had no issues.

I had it in my second pregnancy, i opted for no medication and was induced at 38 weeks, I have also been induced with both my babies and they were both born vaginal with no intervention and with gas and air and diamorphine x

@Sian how high did your BP go with no medication sian?

I had an induction back in Feb 24 at 38+2. I was initially given medication for high blood pressure identified on a routine CTG (highest reading 147/98). I only had 2 instances that they identified I had high blood pressure, the first time I was monitored and it came down naturally. I chose to accept an induction as I’d had a terrible pregnancy and had repeated reduced movement and just wanted baby out. Either way I was spending that night in hospital as it was their policy that if you were given medication for blood pressure you had to stay in for observation. I was given 2 separate doses of the medication, but it turned out they were given too close together as they then sent my blood pressure through the floor and I almost passed out going to the loo🙃 In terms of my induction, it took 2 pessaries to get me into labour but my waters then broke on their own. In labour overall 6 hours and my active labour totalled 51 minutes. Vaginal birth, pushed for 6 mins and only had gas and air x

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