Possible pre-eclampsia at 27+6 - please tell me your experiences

[LoveInASnowyClimate]

I have had the world's most textbook pregnancy until this week, when my blood pressure went up and they found protein in my urine. I had shoulder pain yesterday as well but it has eased off today (which I am taking to be a good sign?). The baby has been less active than usual and I ended up in hospital until 3am this morning having that checked out - his heartbeat was ok and they eventually sent me home. Having BP and urine check again tomorrow morning. Am at home resting (my boss has been fab) but feel headachy and generally off - but that might well be having been up until three. Has anyone else had suspected PE so early? I have searched MN and it mostly seems to be people in the mid-30 weeks. If my BP doesn't go down, what will happen? How do they actually make a firm diagnosis of PE and what will they do if they decide it is that? Thank you.

Hopeful bump...

Hi
I got PE at 25 weeks in my first pregnancy. I was monitored by GP and midwife until 30 weeks, when I started having more regular midwife visits and scans.
At 33 weeks I was admitted to hospital, because I had 2+ protein and my bp kept climbing.

I was put on medication for my bp, which kept it controlled, but was kept in hospital until dd was delivered early at 37 weeks.

The hospital stay wasn't bad at all, I had twice daily monitoring, blood and urine tests etc.
They didn't want to deliver dd until it was at a stage where she was better off out then in IYKWIM .
In my case, the PE was a kind of 'slow burn' from 25 weeks, but I always felt that the medical staff were in control and knew what they were doing.

I know it's really scary and anxiety-provoking and I feel for you. I used to think that every day where dd didn't need to be delivered was a bonus and a step towards her getting bigger and stronger.

The only advice I would give is to stay as calm and relaxed as you can (I know it's really difficult) and to trust your instincts. If you feel like something's changed eg a really bad headache, swelling etc, don't be afraid to make a nuisance of yourself at the hospital. That's what they are there for. I was included in the staff Christmas raffle and Christmas Eve meal while I was in hospital-shows how well we got to know each other!

Best of luck and I would love to hear how things are going. Remember, you usually only hear about the really dramatic PE stories and it's easy to think about the WCS. I also got it with dd2, but it was really mild and she was full term.
Take care xx

Oh, I forgot about how they diagnose-with me, it was a combination of protein in the urine, swelling of hands and feet and bp which was higher than 90 on the bottom (if that makes sense) over the course of many readings. x

I had pre-eclampsia from 26 weeks in my second pregnancy (and from about 33 weeks with dc1). I had protein in the urine and high blood pressure. I had to wee on the strips every day and the community mw would pop in and measure my bp every day or every couple of days. If it got a bit high I'd be sent to the hospital for monitoring. Somehow I got to 41+4 though and was able to give birth normally. With dc1 I was induced at 38 weeks when bp soared and the baby showed signs of distress.

I had raised BP (only the top number though, not the lower number) on Wednesday last week, as well as +protein in my urine, spotted at my 24 week AN check.

Had BP monitoring in the day unit on two evenings (only took about an hour tops each time), full urine tests and blood tests - BP returned to normal on Friday, and urine and blood tests came back clear without anything being done. I didn't feel unwell at all - no headaches, no flashing lights, no oedema etc, but have been told to call the MW immediately if I notice any of these.

Thanks, everyone. Hopefully BP will have gone down again when it's retested tomorrow. Baby still not moving as much or kicking as hard as usual but he is moving, and it could be that he's just in a different position or something so can't get quite the same power behind his kicks!

Glad you're being watched closely- have they done a blood test yet for PE-related signs (e.g. lowering of platelets, elevated liver enzymes etc.)? Hopefully it is a blip and all will settle down, however I ended up with severe PE early on, resulting in delivery of DS by emergency c-section at 30 weeks. I too had the textbook perfect pregnancy until around 26 weeks when I started to balloon (but was told this was normal)- especially my face. My BP was fine until the day DS was born (though when they reviewed my notes it appeared BP had been increasing but wasn't closely monitored). The emergency situation we ended up in was in part due to misdiagnosis of early warning symptoms, so by the time they figured out what was wrong things were so bad there was no option/no time but to deliver for DS's health and mine. It was all very traumatic at the time and DS spent 8 weeks on the neonatal unit, but six years later he's just fine and my health returned to normal fairly quickly (and I madly went on to have two more kids...!).

IMO the key thing is close monitoring for a range of symptoms- PE doesn't always develop in a consistent way and there are different "types" which manifest at different rates. I really recommend the US Preeclampsia Foundation website- great info on symptoms plus the forum's really good (see: www.preeclampsia.org). It may be worth asking for dip sticks to test the protein in your urine at home daily (or at least every other day)- simple but pretty effective. Also do watch out for oedema (swelling). Some is quite normal in many healthy pregnancies but in PE it seems often swelling of the face is a telltale sign, and swelling of ankles that persists even when legs are raised, or is excessive (pitting oedema- where you can stick fingers in and the dent/imprint remains for a while). Certainly any pain in the shoulder area or upper abdomen area (which can be a bit similar to heart burn and trapped wind- which is what mine was initially thought to be) should be brought to the attention of medics urgently- as that is the symptom related to your liver being unhappy and PE raising its ugly head. Really don't want to frighten you but don't want others going through what I did either!

If, worst case scenario, you are developing PE there are many ways of "managing" it, which can slow its progression/impact and allow you to keep growing little one for longer (and with luck get you close to or actually to full term (37 weeks)). They can give BP meds to reduce BP and some use blood thinners such as aspirin or clexane under close medical supervision. Bed rest is often favoured at certain stages too. Vitally they need to monitor you and your baby closely.

Really hope you have good news tomorrow. Try to relax (probably impossible) and rest! Good luck xx

PS. FWIW I did feel generally unwell for a couple of weeks before becoming very unwell. Kept thinking I was coming down with a cold as very tired/lethargic. Apparently this is linkied to the PE so don't dismiss feeling unwell- though of course being up at 3am could well account for how you're feeling today! Just make sure you tell your medical team everything, even if it seems minor or you fear sounding like a hypochondriac! Good midwives should recognise a collection of symptoms and act on them (supposedly following the latest NICE guidelines.

Thanks, jumping - I had some blood taken on Monday at a midwife appointment so don't know if they will test it for that - I'll ask the doctor tomorrow. I'm glad it all worked out ok for you in the end - sounds like it must have been very scary. Will let you know how tomorrow goes.

Hurrah! BP back to normal and protein has vanished from urine. They're going to keep an eye on me but seems things are settling down. Thank you for all the advice and support.

Oh, great news
Take care and enjoy your Christmas.