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Pregnancy

Talk to me about Pre Eclampsia please.

15 replies

mrsnec · 17/09/2014 13:56

Hi all,

I have posted loads about concerns during my pregnancy. It's my 3rd pregnancy but the furthest I've ever got. I'm an ftm and an ex pat in a country where I don't speak the language with a lot of anxiety.

The care here is good but not consistent. At every appointment I've been given something different to worry about.

I'm now 38 weeks. At my appointment yesterday the doctor, nurses and midwife commented on my swelling an they used the word oedema. I don't think it's that serious.I'm large of ankle anyway and its very hot here. My bp was fine, they didn't find protein in my urine that they told me of and I'm not suffering any pain anywhere. They also said I had it on my belly too. They didn't scan me yesterday and have never measured the bump but did say last week the baby wad measuring big but as I hadn't gained weight this week they felt they didn't need to scan me again.

So the doctor sent me for blood tests anyway and I found out they are for PE and I googled it and I'm a bit worried. I have to wait for results but what should I do if I've got it? Trying not to Google too much I'm thinking experience might be better in this case.is there anything I can do while I wait for results?

They are very thourough and cautious here, eg, I was also on a fetal heart monitor for an hour yesterday with no explanation, same the week before as well as in impromptu internal scan for low lying placenta, I've also had scares relating to Gd and Cpd

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Schlobbob · 17/09/2014 14:38

It's unlikely you have PE as you don't have high blood pressure or protein in urine. I was tested for PE with dc1 as my bp was 140/90 at 36 weeks, had a lot of wee testing over the next couple of weeks. Swelling is very normal in late pregnancy, keep your feet elevated and it helps it go down. Try not to worry Smile

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mrsnec · 17/09/2014 14:54

Thanks that does help. I am wondering if they found protein and didn't tell me. We have to pay for tests and its annoying they sent me for a test if I only have one of the symptoms. If they did find protein and the test is says I have it what will happen?

I might add I've had lots of different doctors at the same hospital. Most had been suggesting an elcs for various reasons but a couple of weeks ago I got a new doctor who didn't agree with anything any of the others said and talked me into just playing it by ear so I had been geared up to having an elcs or an appointment for one by now and I'm wondering if I should have done it.

Feet are up! Will try not to worry.

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mrsnec · 17/09/2014 18:13

Bump.Anyone else?

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OldJacksScarf · 17/09/2014 18:39

If they found protein in your urine they would have to tell you.

When you raise your legs does the swelling subside? I have severe PE, my ankles were hugely swollen like over stuffed sausages and tender to touch. They did not get better if elevated. I had swelling, ridiculously high blood pressure which caused floating lights in my vision, but they did not define it as Pre Eclampsia until there was protein present in a sample.

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Pantstootight · 17/09/2014 18:55

What country are you in? If you don't mind saying...
Maybe another mumsnetter who has experienced pregnancy in that country could reassure you...
It's not nice not being able to speak the language well, not understand completely or be able to ask questions.
I had dd1 in Italy after living there for only 4months, wasn't able to follow well what was being said. Mist frustratingAngry

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Pantstootight · 17/09/2014 18:56

Oops, most

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CommanderShepard · 17/09/2014 19:49

I had PE and for me, it was characterised by protein in my wee and oedema in my hands and feet (and once, vision issues); I have low blood pressure anyway so the point at which it went high they diagnosed PE and it was agreed I should be induced. I was at 40w by then anyway so I'm glad I got that far. I think, since I had ++ protein tests from about 25 weeks, that had I had normal blood pressure I'd have been diagnosed a lot earlier.

Don't Google; it will scare you witless. It did me! Where are you? We might be able to help more if we know. Good thoughts to you x

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mrsnec · 18/09/2014 06:05

Thanks all, I'm in Cyprus. Everyone does speak English very well the doctor I have now has even worked in the nhs. The trouble is even if I ask a question I don't get an honest answer I just get told it's ok or don't worry.

So, what happened at my appointment was, they did urine sample and bp. In one room. Said it was ok. Dh said he'd seen my bp reading and it was ok but they didn't tell me what it was at that point they said my urine was ok.

Then l went to the other room for the monitor and that's when they noticed the oedema and gave me the prescription for the tests. He said we need to check for protein but I thought they already had I wonder if the strip had changed colour. It was very rushed they were in a hurry to hook me up to the machine.

We get bloods done privately because its quicker and I have had experience of the hospital losing samples before. The lab haven't phoned me yet. But the doctor said he needs the results at my next appointment on tuesday. But if it's positive don't I need to go in straight away? I took another urine sample to the lab just in case but they said the test prescription was only asking for blood.

The Oedema does go down when my feet are raised and I don't even notice it anywhere else although I did have to take my rings off ages ago. It's hard to tell as well because you don't know what's caused by heat or general weight gain. (I put on 10 kg in this pregnancy) it was a very hot day that day too. 38 degrees it's 20 at the moment and the ankles are almost normal.

I am looking out for other signs too. I am always aware of any changes in vision and headaches anyway because I had a brain condition a couple of years ago.

I've only been told to go straight to the hospital if my waters break, if contractions start or if I have any pain or bleeding.

I know the baby will be ok now. With all the other issues I keep wondering if I should just have booked an elcs by now as the other doctors suggested but this doctor talked me out of it.

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mrsnec · 18/09/2014 10:58

Bump again, sorry.

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marmitelover · 18/09/2014 11:12

Please try not to worry. I was symptomatic with PE in my 2nd pregnancy right at the end- fat sausagey hands and ankles, high BP but no protein. They admitted me to hospital because my BP just kept on going up but they can medicate to stabilise. I was nearly 39 weeks so I was induced and baby came out with no problems. I was monitored constantly but baby was never in distress.

Pre-eclampsia is a worry because of what it leads to - I.e. Eclampsia which is potentially fatal fitting. With monitoring of all the signs, you will be caught before you get near to that point. The solution for pre-eclampsia is delivery and as you are now medically 'full term' that is what they will do if they have concerns. Pushing vs csec is something I can't comment on but with me they said there was no reason to give me a section and a normal delivery was fine. Depends on your own other medical needs or history though.

My BP was 167/120 at it's peak if that gives you any guide relative to yours. But, as someone else says above you only medically have PE with protein in your urine. With me, I had the BP and oedema not the protein until a trace just as they started induction. Hence being a 'worry of developing PE' rather than having it if yswim.

If you're at all worried, push for tests or try and be more assertive in getting them to explain what they are testing for, why and what the results mean.

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mrsnec · 18/09/2014 13:01

Thanks Marmite,

BP was 120/90. Keep telling myself they would have admitted me on Tuesday if they were worried. They have told me to monitor movements though and to go in if less than 4 times a day.

The reasons behind a cs before were previous surgery, two pgs I didn't carry to term with one loss being only a couple of months before this pg, then cpd, then baby has been breech but is now fully engaged and also one doctor suggested a cs because of my age but they'd put on my file that I was 40 not 36 which I wasn't best pleased with. Also they think my baby is big. This doctor doesn't think any of those reasons should mean a cs automatically. And that cpd can't be properly diagnosed until you are properly examined in natural labour. So he prefers emcs to elcs.

I know the other tests I'm waiting for from the lab are for liver and kidney function.

I did try being more assertive, for example I don't know why I'm being hooked up to the monitor and they wouldn't explain it. Is that just routine? I kept trying to ask and they just said we must wait!

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marmitelover · 18/09/2014 17:43

Well, on the basis that more monitoring is better than not enough I would try not to worry to much! I was in the UK and I found when I was being monitored for BP they also scanned baby, did heart monitoring etc just to check for any signs of foetal distress or any other indicators of problems. That's most likely what they are doing with you.

To be honest, with that BP and no protein you are not currently showing the classic PE symptoms but it's important you stay alert for oedema not going away when you put your feet up, migraines, flashing lights in your eyes etc and of course BP and protein when you're assessed. Just try and stay calm!

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mrsnec · 19/09/2014 14:13

Thanks again. Got the test results back and everything is in the normal range so they think it was the oedema and the bp that raised concerns. I didn't think that bp was high but apparently it is so the advice I've been given is to not eat any salt! That's it!

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marmitelover · 19/09/2014 18:08

Well that's great news!

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mrsnec · 20/09/2014 05:04

Thanks, would just like to add I'm not paranoid or a hypochondriac they are just over cautious here!

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