Allergic reaction to Pitocin, Mag-sulfate, or Epidural?

Question

I gave birth a month ago, still wondering what happened to me. Hoping someone on here has a similar experience or info. I got induced due to Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (high blood pressure), using Pitocin. But was also givin Mag-sulfate for the PIH, so control the blood pressure. It was probably 3 hours later that I got an Epidural, everything seemed normal, until I felt faint and like i was fading cause of low blood sugar.(sister is diabetic) They finally took my blood pressure when my eyes stared to roll into the back of my head. It was 60, which isnt that low. They gave me 20gm Glucose pushed into my vain, for quick effect. They had to time it so my body could take it. I came around and felt better, twenty minutes later I told the nurse I didn't feel good again, they retook my blood pressure it was back to 68, they took it after the 20gm shot, it was 124. Everyone freeked when the next second they take my blood pressure and its 36/64... it got as low as 28/56.. I've had all these drugs with my first pregnancy, I was fine.. perfect birth and all! This one went wrong, emergency C-section and hours in recovery, 4 ekg's for an irregular heartbeat, and a week in neonatal for my daughter...any experiences or info please list...Thanks

Answer 1

I don't think it's the pitocin. But definitely an epidural can do it. As safe as everyone claims epidurals to be, I would never risk it, because I don't want to be on the statistical sufferer list.  

Answer 2

wow, poor you well it is good to see  that everything went well ok (you are here to tell the tale) its not uncommon for people to be ok with something one time and the next have an adverse reaction have you tried takling to the doc about what happened, and explain that you know you are ok now but it did and does still worry you??? maybe he/she can clue you in! well hopefully if this is your last, or not you dont have to go through that again!  

Answer 3

I have no idea what happened to you.  I hope you get answers....What did your doctors say?

Answer 4

I don't think anything was due to blood sugar. I don't know why they would have given you glucose to improve blood pressure.

Low blood pressure from the epidural. It is a relatively common side effect of the epidural. When the anesthetic is infusing into the epidural space, it can have some other effects which cause a chain reaction which leads to a drop in blood pressure. In most women it doesn't drop too significantly to cause problems and self-corrects within the first 30-60 minutes. We also give extra IV fluids to fill the vascular spaces, which results in raising blood pressure. Another thing we do is give ephedrine, 5mg, via IV. This is a stimulant which acts as a vasoconstrictor and also raises blood pressure. These things work to correct low BP in about 99% of cases. But it doesn't work in some women, and it sounds like you might be one of those unfortunate few.

In women who have unstable blood pressures after the epidural, we do see more c-sections because if your blood pressure is low, then the blood isn't circulating as efficiently through the placenta to the baby, and that eventually leads to fetal distress from too little oxygen and too many waste products accumulating in the baby's system.