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Worried about possible pre-eclampsia

8 replies

dizzytrout · 15/08/2009 17:24

I am 30+4 and I just wanted to see if anyone had any advice that may put my mind at rest. I've been suffering with swollen feet and legs for the past couple of months, but noticed recently that they were getting worse. The midwife had said it was ok at my 28 week check up, but I noticed yesterday that when I pressed my feet with my finger or thumb, it leaves an indentation (it hadn't done that before)
I took my blood pressure with home machine and it was ok, but I'm sure I've heard somewhere that if an indentation is left in swellling then it's a bad sign. Has anyone had any experience of this? xx

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MaDuggar · 15/08/2009 17:28

my swelling indented like yours, and i did get PE at 35 weeks. I had all the other symptoms too though, as swelling on its own doesnt necessarily mean you have PE. I think you need to have 3 symptoms before they diagnose it.

Give your MW a ring though, if you are worried. are you in a high-risk group for PE?

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dizzytrout · 15/08/2009 17:33

I'm a bit clueless there MaDuggar, what are the high risk groups?
I don't have high BP (or I didn't when I checked yesterday) but I have had headaches, nausea and feeling generally unwell, I had put this down to the humid weather though. I thought I would pop in to see her on Monday, but wasn't sure if I should say something sooner...

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MaDuggar · 15/08/2009 17:50

How bad is the headache? doe sit fade or go away with painkillers? Any spots in front of your eyes?

You are at a slightly higher risk if

Are pregnant for the first time, or are pregnant for the first time by a new partner. About 1 in 30 women develop pre-eclampsia in their first pregnancy.
Have had pre-eclampsia before.
Have a family history of pre-eclampsia. Particularly if it occurred in your mother or sister.
Had high blood pressure before the pregnancy started.
Have diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), or chronic (persistent) kidney disease.
Are aged below 20 or above 35.
Have a pregnancy with twins, triplets, or more.
Are obese.

If you are worried, call the MW. The fact that your BP is ok is a good sign.

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ZippysMum · 15/08/2009 17:52

Hi Dizzy,
I'm 32 weeks and have been testing using these test strips from fleabay since 20 weeks.

They were cheap, very similar to the ones midwives use, and help put my mind at rest.

Of course, if you are worried, give your MW a call.

FWIW, my swollen ankles have been much worse the last couple of days too...

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ZippysMum · 15/08/2009 17:54

Sorry, should have said - one of the pre-eclampsia signs is protein in urine - these test sticks will tell you if you have any.

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DaisymooSteiner · 15/08/2009 17:55

Personally I would phone delivery unit for advice and they can direct you to the right people if necessary. The type of swelling you're describing is called pitting oedema and I think it's worth getting some advice and/or further checks. FWIW high blood pressure can be a late sign of pre-eclampsia.

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MaDuggar · 15/08/2009 17:55

swelling in the ankles is usually ok. Its swelling of the face that is worrying, plus legs & fingers.

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dizzytrout · 15/08/2009 18:45

Thankyou everyone, advice is much appreciated, I haven't got this far with pregnancy yet so it's all new to me.
Headaches have been on and off, I haven't taken anything for them, but I noticed yesterday that my head was a bit fuzzy and although I didn't have spots in front of my eyes, it was sort of blurry. I'm only in 1 of the high risk groups, so that's not too bad. I think I'll pop a sample in to the midwife on Monday, unless I feel much worse, then I'll call the Preg Assesment unit.
I think the hot weather has been making me feel a bit off colour, I know a couple of friends who are expecting that have felt a bit poorly too.