Re: Conservative Management - professional opinions needed

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message: William D. McIntosh, MD: "Re: Early Miscarriage and HCG Level"
• Previous message: dia: "33 weeks on 5mg of brethine every 4 hours"
• In reply to: Sherene: "Conservative Management - professional opinions needed"

High blood pressure in pregnancy, whether pregnancy induced or chronic, is extremely serious, and your doctor is simply responding to that reality. Judging from the values that you have given, your BP is elevated somewhat over what would be expected at this point in pregnancy, and whether or not that is a harbinger of bad things to come is unclear. This is the rationale behind induction being the conservative management.

What is the difference between conservative management and aggressive management? Well, that depends. Conservative management is that management that interferes the least amount that is consistent with safety. Sometimes, conservative management can be pretty aggressive, depending on the nature of the risk.

I cannot comment on your personal risk, simply because I cannot examine you and review your record, but there is virtually no benefit to be derived from going beyond your due date (assuming good dates, early U/S and so on). Given that there is no benefit to be derived, and that you are showing evidence of hypertension, the better part of valor may well be induced delivery. At the very least, frequent antenatal testing in the form of NSTs and AFIs is essential. Always, always remember that the goal of pregnancy is a healthy mother and a healthy child. That comes before any other consideration.

--
William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG
Clarksville, TN

This is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended
 to replace consultation and examination by your physician
 or other health care provider.

• Next message: William D. McIntosh, MD: "Re: Early Miscarriage and HCG Level"
• Previous message: dia: "33 weeks on 5mg of brethine every 4 hours"
• In reply to: Sherene: "Conservative Management - professional opinions needed"