https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:41:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/december-2021-due-date-thread/page/7#post-2927873 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 22:09:43 +0000 yellowbeach 2927873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MountainBaby: better late than never but congratulations!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927838 Sun, 01 Jan 2023 17:01:45 +0000 togetherthroughlife 2927838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m so sorry that I didn’t see your question to me 4 weeks ago! Whoops! But big congrats on baby being born and everything going okay! :) You had asked how mine was diagnosed and it was a pretty different situation from what you typed out here so I guess it wouldn’t have helped much. :) How is postpartum? BP sorted out or still on meds for it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927792 Mon, 19 Dec 2022 00:34:46 +0000 bees_knees 2927792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: eeek congrats! And I love her name ;) hope you are all settling in well! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927772 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 08:28:44 +0000 Lahela017 2927772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: love the name! I'm so happy for you and your family!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927767 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:29:41 +0000 nwm 2927767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: I love it so much! Congrats again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927766 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:19:22 +0000 karenbme 2927766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, ladies. We are home, and I’m currently in the middle of a cuddle puddle with my 3yo (who has decided now that she’s a big sister she’s too big for naps but will lay down on the couch for quiet time and fall asleep) and a milk drunk baby, it’s the best 😃</p> <p>@nwm: We named baby Margot Aisling. There isn’t any special meaning behind Margot other than DD1 picked it and we all liked it, but Aisling is an Irish name that means hope, and with everything we went through to get our two girls I was looking for something that meant hope, bonus that it’s Irish because DH is second gen Irish on his mom’s side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927765 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 12:13:43 +0000 nwm 2927765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: congratulations!! so thrilled for you--and would love to hear what name you wound up picking if you want to share :)</p> <p>hope those early days are going smoothly as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927761 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 10:03:05 +0000 bhbee 2927761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: congrats on baby and just getting through everything! Hope you’re home and cuddling together soon if not already :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927750 Sat, 10 Dec 2022 09:15:12 +0000 MoonMoon 2927750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: congratulations! I hope you're as comfortable as can be and enjoying your baby! I'm happy it went as well as you could expect and you were able to get an epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927745 Fri, 09 Dec 2022 22:47:17 +0000 LemonJack 2927745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations! I’m glad it all worked out well. Welcome baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927744 Fri, 09 Dec 2022 19:50:01 +0000 Kmomartin 2927744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: congrats! And welcome, baby! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927743 Fri, 09 Dec 2022 18:33:01 +0000 winter_wonder 2927743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927741 Fri, 09 Dec 2022 16:13:20 +0000 Lahela017 2927741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations!! Sounds like a great outcome!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927740 Fri, 09 Dec 2022 14:52:55 +0000 Chuckles 2927740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congratulations on a healthy baby and, it sounds like, the best delivery that you hoped for given all the variables! At least the induction didn't take too long! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927739 Fri, 09 Dec 2022 14:30:44 +0000 karenbme 2927739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonJack: thanks for sharing. I think my docs were particularly worried because I had single readings (but never sustained pressures) in the 155-160 range, which is where it starts to get dangerous. Immediately after delivery I went down to 120-130/80ish, but it’s been creeping up today so I started meds this morning with the expectation that I’ll wean off sometime over the next 6-12 weeks.</p> <p>I wound up accepting induction at 37+6 because all the literature showed that 38 weeks was the point where health outcomes (though maybe not long term behavioral outcomes) are statistically indistinguishable, and the doctor on call that day was one I know and trust. My platelets dropped after cutting the prednisone so we wound up doing a fast but short acting infusion to get the platelets up for delivery (another benefit of planned induction) before the bp went up too much. Baby was born overnight on 38+0. Incidentally I was in very early labor when I went in, so it’s unlikely she would’ve stayed in much longer. I did get an epidural that (mostly) worked. The doc, nurse and I talked a lot about my fears both in terms of baby’s outcomes and pitocin induction before anything got started and they were great about managing it in a way that meant that I had a normal early labor phase and at least a 30 second break between contractions even in active labor. I almost went unmedicated but towards the end was retching continuously throughout the contractions and that’s when I got the epi because I couldn’t imagine pushing effectively through that.</p> <p>Ultimately I’m so thankful for having a team that worked with me to get to an outcome that balanced my risk tolerances and my desires for labor and got me to the best place I could be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927736 Wed, 07 Dec 2022 19:55:38 +0000 LemonJack 2927736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know it’s just my story, but I had high blood pressure in 2 of my 3 pregnancies. I don’t typically have high bp. With my first it was probably from about 34 weeks on. Induction was never discussed and I went into labor naturally at just over 40 weeks. I had weekly labs to make sure all was ok, and I also had to check my bp at home.</p> <p>With my third it developed near the end of my pregnancy. Same thing with close monitoring. I went into labor on my own at 39 weeks. That time I was watched more carefully afterward because my bp didn’t come down after birth. I was put on medicine for about a month before I was able to wean off it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927715 Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:36:04 +0000 MoonMoon 2927715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: come on baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927710 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 13:27:53 +0000 karenbme 2927710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: it’s hard to tell, I’m on a really high dose of prednisone to try to keep my platelets up and have a ton of side effects from that, or whatever else is wrong with me. But I think ok? Baby has definitely moved down onto my bladder today, so maybe she’ll decide she’s ready before she gets kicked out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927706 Sun, 04 Dec 2022 08:45:15 +0000 MoonMoon 2927706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: that's definitely good news! How are you feeling? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927691 Sat, 03 Dec 2022 17:21:30 +0000 karenbme 2927691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MoonMoon: thanks. It was really helpful that I saw my favorite doctor (who managed 3 of my losses, and who I credit with making this pregnancy possible) yesterday and she was so much more willing/able to lay out the risks and benefits and make a more measured plan that balances the risks of each of the options (because none of my options right now are risk-free) based on my preferences vs just what the medical literature says is best in aggregate. FWIW she’s a senior partner at the practice and has 30 years of experience and doesn’t think I have pre-e or HELLP so 🤷🏻‍♀️. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927686 Sat, 03 Dec 2022 16:00:29 +0000 MoonMoon 2927686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: I'm sorry your last couple of weeks have been so stressful! I'm following along and want to send you good luck vibes for these last days or weeks and for a safe delivery! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927684 Sat, 03 Dec 2022 06:38:51 +0000 karenbme 2927684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@togetherthroughlife: how did they diagnose your pre-e? As I’ve been going through this it seems like every doc I talk to has a different diagnosis for me. My bp hasn’t gone down as we’ve titrated the prednisone, but none of my other labs are off, except my platelets which are around 100, and we’re doing all the blood work 2x per week. Depending who I talk to I’ve been diagnosed with gestational hypertension, pre-e and HELLP. I’ve had 3 non-stress tests this week and baby always looks fine, so DH and I are trying what we can to get labor started with a plan to start an induction Wednesday at 37+6 if my body doesn’t take the hint. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927669 Mon, 28 Nov 2022 19:19:05 +0000 togetherthroughlife 2927669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: That all makes sense! Your feelings around your first baby’s NICU experience are very valid! It sounds like your older child is the same age as my younger child. :) 34 weeker, nearly 4 pounds, NICU champ! I understand you’re taking all the precautions and labs and doing the best you can! I was doing the same. The pre-e came out of NOwhere. It was really a jarring experience. I hope nothing like that happens to you and your little one gets to wait patiently inside! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927668 Mon, 28 Nov 2022 16:56:32 +0000 Chuckles 2927668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with waiting to see how your bp is doing, especially if you medication dosage will probably go down. It sounds like you've been monitoring it very closely and would take action if it jumped to unsafe levels. With my first, my OB was estimating that he would be a huge baby and kept wanting to talk about inducing me early. She was worried about shoulder dystocia (basically where the shoulder gets stuck and either dislocates or it becomes an emergency). I pushed back because the estimates of fetal size are so inaccurate, plus I had this strong feeling that he would be born early on his own. I did end up going into labor spontaneously at 36+6, so the OB didn't have a chance to continue to push about it. I'm not sure what would have happened if I hadn't gone into labor early. To be fair to her, he was already 7 lbs 8 oz when he was born and his shoulder did almost get stuck, but everything ended up being fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927665 Sun, 27 Nov 2022 13:24:06 +0000 karenbme 2927665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@togetherthroughlife: and I should also say that I’ve been taking my bp 3x per day at home (plus any time I have even a tiny headache) I’ve had the pre-e/HELLP labs (plus a lot more for the hematologist) twice in the past 2 weeks and am fine doing any testing the docs want to do to catch anything more serious. I’m just anti induction when there isn’t a clear indication that it will improve outcomes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927664 Sun, 27 Nov 2022 10:14:36 +0000 karenbme 2927664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@togetherthroughlife: if I develop something serious I will absolutely accept an induction, but I can’t find anything that definitively says my bp alone puts me or baby at risk. Especially since I was put on meds that are known to raise blood pressure at an initial very high dosage that we know is going to go down weekly, I want to wait to make sure that this doesn’t go back down before accepting any intervention. We also know that, especially between 37 &amp; 38 weeks, every day in matters and makes outcomes for babies better, so just saying “37 weeks is term and we’ll induce you then” feels like it’s glossing over a lot.</p> <p>FWIW I also had an early bird for #1 who came at 35+0 and I heard all about how great the outcomes are at that point and then my daughter crashed multiple times in the NICU. She’s a healthy 3yo now, but that feels like luck more than anything, so I’m probably more sensitive the value of time on the inside than most. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927663 Sun, 27 Nov 2022 07:12:23 +0000 togetherthroughlife 2927663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: I had been following along here and this update sounds like quite a roller coaster! May I ask why exactly you would want to decline induction? At 37 weeks baby would be healthy with strong lungs. I’m honestly only asking because I’m actually someone who did develop pre-E (and actually HELLP syndrome) extremely suddenly. At 34 weeks my midwife sent me straight to labor hall for a 24 hour urine and long story short, I didn’t come home for a week and had my baby while there. As devastatingly serious as the mom’s BP can be to the baby I was thankful they caught everything when they did. I was nervous about being induced but it ended up being ok. I hope you are able to get your epidural if you want it!! ❤️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927662 Fri, 25 Nov 2022 20:39:40 +0000 bhbee 2927662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: I would definitely push back if you can! I haven’t been in your exact situation but that doesn’t seem to merit a 37 week induction which has its own risks. Hopefully at least they will negotiate watching it at home - maybe you can bring your cuff to the appt to see how they sync up. If they are doing a good job there should always be room to discuss. Hoping you get a good reading and it’s back off the table!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927661 Fri, 25 Nov 2022 20:00:50 +0000 karenbme 2927661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster (the cascade of interventions is real). Based on the platelet count and other lab work the doctors recommended prednisone to suppress my immune system. One of the common side effects of prednisone is increased blood pressure and at my 36 week visit on Wednesday mine was borderline (literally the lowest systolic pressure to be considered high and normal diastolic pressure). So I have a blood pressure check on Monday and if that isn’t lower they’re going to diagnose me with gestational hypertension and recommend induction as soon as I hit 37 weeks (end of next week). I spoke to the hematologist and based on the fact that my platelets are back in the normal range we cut the prednisone dose in half and I’m just hoping my pressure is down enough on Monday that the doc will let me stay pregnant. </p> <p>It’s really frustrating because I had a conversation with a different doctor at the practice before starting the prednisone where I literally said if there’s a chance this won’t be safe I don’t want to do it and she assured me it was safe and wouldn’t impact my or my baby’s outcomes. But the timing is too suspicious especially given all the side effects I felt immediately once taking the pills and the fact that after gaining 0lbs from 28-34 weeks I gained 7 between 34 and 36. The side effects have been less in the two days since dropping the dose and I bought a home bp cuff, which I’m hoping is accurate, because all my readings yesterday and today have been 120-135/75ish. So 🤞</p> <p>I’m curious if anyone has experience declining induction. I can’t find any evidence that high bp alone leads to poor outcomes and it seems like in studies done in the US patients presenting with high bp at or after 36 weeks only progress to pre-eclampsia ~10% of the time. There is a really well done study out of Holland that shows better outcomes with induction for gestational hypertensive disorders, but they included women based on diastolic pressure, which for me is fine, and when they disaggregated pre-e and regular gestational hypertension there weren’t significant differences between induction and waiting for the gestational hypertension group. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-platelets-gt-no-epidural-help#post-2927660 Fri, 25 Nov 2022 18:38:54 +0000 bhbee 2927660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@karenbme: how are you doing? Hope you are feeling more ok with things and/or getting better numbers. </p> <p>If this is your second vaginal delivery there’s a good chance it will be way faster than your first. I had planned to go unmedicated for my second but in the end active labor progressed so quickly I wouldn’t have had a choice. Doesn’t make it easy but you get to the good part quickly! Sending good thoughts for your last weeks :heart: </p>