Is this likely to be pre eclampsia?

[autumnymummy]

I’m waiting for blood test results but won’t hear until later this evening.

I am 37+4. I was diagnosed with gestational hypertension at 35 weeks and put onto labetalol, which has been successfully keeping it around the 100-110/60-70 mark for two weeks.

Today when checked I had protein in my urine (only +1) and BP 135-140/85-90. Consultant was busy in theatre so midwife has sent me home and is calling me back within the next couple of hours to let me know next steps.

I am scheduled for C section next Friday anyway, so 10 days to go. How likely is it that they will want to bring this forward? Should I prepare myself for that? I’d rather just have daily monitoring but don’t know if that will be too risky to ask for

It may be better if they bring the c section date forward as high bp can be quite unpredictable and dangerous . Hopefully they call you back with a plan asap. Good luck

I had high blood pressure and a cracking headache, but not actually pre eclampsia. I was in for monitoring and when the consultant realised I was in he called me and said “tell you what, we’ll get him out on Monday. He’s better off coming out early”. So my C-Section was moved forward three weeks and he was born bang on 37 weeks.
So in my limited experience if there is any risk they will get the baby out sooner rather than later. Good luck.

Yes sounds like it. It's safer for you and baby for the C-section to be brought forward if that's the case x

Slightly different in that I was 40 weeks exactly but with +1 protein in my urine and a similar bp reading they kept me in with the intention of inducing me the next day. The way the doctor put it was that the signs suggested my body was starting not to cope so he was better out than in. I don't know how different that balance is at 37 weeks rather than 40 but I would start mentally preparing for the possibility.

I would get your bag and take it when they call you in. Good luck.

Sensible option

Thank you everyone. I’m nervous as I think I’m a bit behind 37+4 as my dates were moved forward at my 12 week scan and I know when I ovulated. Just don’t want baby having any breathing difficulties but know the hospital will know best.

Both mine were born at 37 weeks due to pre eclampsia and both were fine. However if you feel like they moved your dates a lot and you are worried tell the consultant and they can give steroids I think. They can also monitor you in hospital- I was in for ten days with my first to drag it out a bit longer. But that's really stressful. I think he prepared for baby to come and make sure you tell them your concerns.

I definitely don’t want hospital monitoring for days on end, think it would drive my BP up further. In my head it’s either they are happy with daily outpatient monitoring or I’ll have the section, but sooner. I was hoping to experience labour but not chancing it with induction.

Try not to worry re breathing issues. If it makes you feel better my baby was born at 31 weeks due to preeclampsia. He was born breathing for himself, was given a few hours as breathing support as a precaution only. Sending love ❤️ xx

I had high BP at the end of both pregnancies- it resolved after my eldest and sadly not after my youngest. It was never pre- eclampsia but they likely will bring forward your due date. Sometimes BP spirals when your body knows something big is about to happen. Try not to worry but obviously any headaches, terrible swelling and get yourself back to hospital. They might be able to control it a bit longer with a higher dose of labetalol. I was on 200mg at the end of my second pregnancy which they put up to 300 and the consultant said that's still a relatively low dose

As pp have said, they may bump everything up. I had preeclampsia earlier this year with DD2 - identified at 39+2, section was booked for 39+5 but I went into spontaneous labour anyway at 39+3. I was already on labetalol and nifedipine - did they mention adding another BP med? It was about 15 tablets a day by the end 😵‍💫 Good luck - the main thing is to keep you well and baby gets here safely.