Hands and feet slightly swollen and slight amount of protein in the urine

[hairylights]

and I'm 43 and 29 weeks pregnant. Midwife not concerned, blood pressure normal 110/60. Nothing to worry about, right? I'm petrified of placental failure. Had three early miscarriages last year and am on 150m aspirin a day.

Hey hairy it's been a long time (if you remember me?). Are you at work, can you just chill and take it a bit easy? If the midwife isn't concerned then I would say its probably ok, I believe protein in the urine is quite common, I had it with ds iirc. Not sure about swollen hands and feet but again i think it is quite common. I know my feet certainly seemed to grow a bit, I lived in flip flops. Maybe just keep a quiet eye on it for any changes?

Hi *Ninja& yes I remember you.

I'm at work still, yes, only 29 weeks pregnant.

I am taking it as easy as I can but work is particularly stressful at the moment.

I've booked a scan next week on Tuesday which includes a dopler look at the cord and placenta - so hopefully that will put my mind at ease.

I'm sure it'll all be fine, you've had a rough ride in the last year so that's bound to affect how you feel about things. Good luck lovey and try not to stress when possible. Would you be able to get a sick note from the Dr for a week or two? I did when pg last time, we took on a new client which involved going to Hong Kong for a week to visit factories, and bought a flat and with the pregnancy it was just too much. The week off I had really helped me get my head round things and relax a bit.

Thanks so much.

Because of what happened last year I am over-anxious, yes, definately.

I am seriously thinking that a week off sounds like a good idea - work is chocka next week, but on the other hand, I have to put myself and the baby first, above all else, definatley.

We are away for the weekend on a mini break so I am hoping that will help - and I have a short week as I have Monday off.

Hi hairylights
your midwife won't have said anything is to worry about with a small amount of swelling and protein as this is fairly common but they will keep an eye on this to see if it gets worse. Is the swelling going away overnight or if you sit with your feet up? Unfortunately, being over 40 does increase your risk of pre-eclampsia but if you keep a close eye on yourself for other symptoms (headaches, sudden swelling in hands, face and feet, pain under ribs, visual disturbances) and get yourself quickly to the assessment unit they'll take it seriously.
Try not to spend your mini-break rushing about trying to fit things in, and do start booking time off in the lead up to maternity leave. I know it's hard when things are busy at work but think of it as reminding them that they are going to have to manage without you, if it gives them the push to get your cover sorted out and projects/workload handed over then that's all to the good. Take care.

Thanks lady

I'm fairly sure it's nothing to worry about - have googled (woops) and it seems reasonably normal. My feet have increased by half a shoe size, but they don't look gigantic.

I'm now worried more about the stress I'm under (a difficult few days at work) but I am doing my best to keep calm, and I will go sick if it gets too much. Baby is still moving nicely - but if I get concerned I'll call the midwifes and ask them to doppler me to check everything is still ok :)

Make sure you take note of the pe symptoms and make sure your baby keeps moving. Call your midwife immediately if there is any change and take your hospital notes and hospital bag with you on your weekend away.

Sounds like what I had - protein in urine from about my 32 week appointment...also had constant swollen feet and fingers....which was always worse after a day at work. Dr was not concerned and just had 38 week appt to find urine levels back to normal. Swelling also went down massively when I started mat leave and could put my feet up more!

Hi hairy

Sorry you're having this worry, you don't really need it!!!

Was it just a trace of protein? It's very easy to contaminate with vaginal discharge, and as you otherwise sound like you're doing well (wish I had your bp!) I'd be happy with what the mw said.

I had 4 weeks off recently with my spd, and it made such a huuuuge difference to how I felt in general. My bp came right down, and I was actually able to forget the stresses of work. It's def worth thinking about, sounds like you could do with a bit of looking after.

mmm, harassed is right, for the urine sample you should always try to take it mid flow to reduce contamination, if you can. I've had trace proteins here and there and my BP is much higher than yours, around 135/85, with a little swelling, and nobody is remotely bothered yet. (31 weeks now). So, I reckon you will be alright. It is hard to ever relax though.

Thanks youremindme and harrassed and mazzy.

I sit at a desk at work mostly, so I have difficulty elevating my feet, but I try to remember when I'm at home.

erm... josephineboneparte that wasn't actually very helpful!

I have a trace of protein in my urine, not a very high level.

Blood pressure is fine, baby is moving as usual (very kicky today) , my swelling is very slight.

I know the symptoms of Pre-Eclampsia and I am keeping my eye out. I don't have them at this point.

I know to take my notes with me if I go away anywhere - they are permanently in my car. No way am I taking my hospital bag - if the worst happened I could live without it.

oh and I rushed the urine sample - at the doctors - because I'd forgotten to do it earlier - so I just went for a pee and peed in the container (it wasn't just mid-flow).

I got my blood test results today (week 28 bloods) and all normal except a slightly raised white blood cell count - which she said could be a sign of infection and did I have a cold - there are colds going around at work so I'm hoping I haven't caught one.

My liver function is fine.

Hiya hairy so glad to see you :)

I think you can very easily get protein in your urine if it isn't mid-stream. I'm sure I read that somewhere.

Not terribly helpful, but if your MW was worried you'd know about it.

Enjoy the long weekend and rest as much as poss, the last trimester is the hardest I found.

Try and enjoy the last 10 weeks, they'll fly by!

Pe can come on very suddenly, and one of the complications, called hellp syndrome does not present with high bp until late on.
I went from slight trace of protein and a headache at about 4pm at 41 weeks to waking up with chest pain at midnight. I presented at A & E with bp of 240/140 and my organs failing. Do not fuck about with pre eclampsia, it can fatal for you and your baby. I didn't want to alarm you with my first post, but you clearly don't know how serious pre eclampsia can be and how quickly it can come on.

And why would you not take your hospital bag with you? Surely it wouldn't take up to much space, and its so much less hassle than arriving at hospital with nothing.

Ok fair enough. You have me scared. Should I see a midwife/doctor? I have had some chest pains at night a few weeks ago but thought nothing of it.

Can they test me for pe?

Will next weeks scan show or exclude pe?

Wow coco hard to believe that next week I will be ten weeks away from term!

Really you just need to be aware of the symptoms and contact your midwife if there is any change. Blood tests are important if your bp starts to rise to make sure your organs are ok. The only thing a scan would pick up is if your baby is small for dates and that the placenta is still ok.

Pe and hellp are rare so I'm sure you'll be fine.

Thank you. I will keep alert on this. Bump is measuring right where it should. Hope the scan will re-assure me .
Thanks again.

Update. 33 weeks tomorrow and had a midwife appointment. No protein in (midstream) urine, bp up to 120/70 but no cause for concern. No severe swelling although a little bit in hands. Been feeling a bit dizzy but mw didn't seem concerned as iron levels fine. Growth fine.

Oh and the scan two weeks ago showed everything to be fine too.