Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Pre-eclampsia mentalling thread

414 replies

Fishandjam · 04/01/2012 10:01

A place to come and kvetch/worry/chill for anyone at risk of developing pre-eclampsia in their pregnancy. We have buckets for those still feeling sick, cushions for those who are just plain knackered, and crisps and ginger beer for everyone else. Come and say hi!

OP posts:
AlpinePony · 09/02/2012 17:08

ciwi/dishes I am so angry on behalf of you both. :( I don't think either of you are being looked after properly. ciwi I wouldn't wait until next week, dishes any chance you can get in for another CTG?

ciwi · 09/02/2012 20:43

Thanks alpinepony I was worried that I was over reacting. I have arranged to go in tomorrow for another bp and urine check. Can't see the consultant any earlier because he is not in the hospital. I just want someone to take my concerns seriously before I end up very ill like last time.

AlpinePony · 10/02/2012 07:17

Well getting the urine and bp is good, can you try and get bloods done too? (Creatine and leucocytes I think). Then have someone phone you back later today? I know there will probably be some eye-rolling from the staff but as many of us know it doesn't take long to go from "Oooh cankles" to "your liver is shutting down and your baby needs out".

If it's any consolation they put me on meds to stabilize my bp at around 37 weeks and they've worked - I'm sure because it was caught early because it started to go wrong at 35 weeks.

I have had so many appointments and checks I have no wee or blood left to give and I'm bored of scan pics ;) - but we need to do it.

Final checks for me today, mil arrives tomorrow afternoon so if I can just not go in to labour today it'll be good. My friend/babysitter has gone away for the weekend aaargh!

ciwi · 10/02/2012 08:55

alpine that is my point exactly, I know it's only one plus now but what will it be by Tuesday. I have been so vigilant this pregnancy and my consultant has been amazing I just know if I could see him he would take it seriously. They keep telling me to go in if I have severe epigastric pain or headaches etc but I don't want to leave it to get to that point. It's so frustrating, I suppose at least I know that the baby isn't affected at the moment as I only had a scan on Wednesday. I will be induced all being well at 37/38 weeks so only 2-3 weeks to get through.
Good luck on Monday, how exciting x

JoantheFennel · 10/02/2012 09:19

Ciwi have they given you blood tests? How do they know its not hellp?

ciwi · 10/02/2012 09:53

Joan I think because I am not crippled with epigastric pain or seeing stars they think all is ok, that's why I am finding it frustrating. I never had either of those symptoms last time and I keep having to remind them of that. If my bp is up again today and the protein is still there I will ask for bloods to be done. They keep brushing my bp aside saying it's because I am anxious I just don't know what it takes to be taken seriously.

missingmymarbles · 10/02/2012 10:10

ciwi just ring your consultant's secretary and tell them you feel you aren't being taken seriously under the circumstances. you could ask if it is possible for your consultant to ring you back and if he thinks further testing/monitoring is necessary. he will put your mind at ease, advise the best course of action and put a rocket up the staff if required.

AlpinePony · 10/02/2012 10:15

I never had the gastric pain or headaches... Even at 185/125!

At the other end of the scale, am currently sat outside consultant's office having had 30 mins of ctg, bp 116/48 wtfffff?

JoantheFennel · 10/02/2012 10:15

Tbh I'd lie about the visual disturbances and insist on blood tests. Are you in the UK?

AlpinePony · 10/02/2012 10:16

I wonder if you should fib and mention stars...

ciwi · 10/02/2012 10:27

Thanks girls, missing I have tried that already but he is not in the hospital till Monday now. Will see how I get on today, I won't leave till I am happy/ happier. I am such a terrible fibber, do you reckon bad heartburn after a curry last night counts as epigastric pain?
alpine let us know what the consultant says, don't want to worry you but they may deliver before Monday. Have you been diagnosed with pe this pregnancy? Or do you have the high bp on it's own?

JoantheFennel · 10/02/2012 10:29

You need to see a midwife or an alternative consultant then. You can not be checked just because your consultant is too busy playing golf.

AlpinePony · 10/02/2012 14:27

ciwi Consultant absolutely flabberghasted and wondering what I'd done to halve my bp in just a few weeks! Wink Is now worried my bp is a touch too low... So, anyone got a B&H I can have? Wink

missingmymarbles · 10/02/2012 14:47

wow alpine! one extreme to the other! hope that get's sorted. what meds have you been on and what dose?

ciwi - there will should be another consultant covering his patients in his absence, and the secretary will should know that and who. also, conultants often look in / ring for updates, even on their days off which must annoy the dickens out of their wives Grin joan is right, you need to see, or at least speak to an alternative doctor.

JoantheFennel · 10/02/2012 16:25

Be careful Alpine, it could be your liver playing up.

ciwi · 10/02/2012 17:38

Well I am back from an afternoon on day ward. Bp averaged out at 135/92 so not too bad but they have sent bloods off and urine still showing 1+ protein. Was reviewed by dr who said to just wait for clinic review unless things change over the weekend. I have a home bp monitor so will keep an eye on it at home and I have been assured that someone will contact me with the blood results if there is anything untoward on them. I might end up ringing tomorrow to ask for the results anyway though.
alpine hope things get sorted for you, not long till your section now x

AlpinePony · 10/02/2012 17:56

Joan waaaah! What do you mean? I don't want to Dr. Google. :(

ciwi I'm glad you got seen and yes your bp is high, but not scary scary high iyswim. When are they inducing you?

ciwi · 10/02/2012 19:06

My consultant said 37/38 weeks but think it might be nearer 37 weeks now, just 2 weeks away fx. To be honest that bp is not that high for me, would still prefer to see it a bit lower, roll on Tuesday.

milkymilky · 10/02/2012 19:50

Thank you all for your responses - sorry I've not come back sooner, but been very hectic! I have booked my first appointment for the 11 weeks mark, but worried I should go in sooner. I think I will make an appt to see someone sooner just to give me peace of mind.

AlpinePony · 12/02/2012 17:06

dishes good luck for tomorrow - luck withstanding we'll both be snuffling by dinnertime! :)

JoantheFennel · 12/02/2012 18:04

If your liver is playing up your bp can be all over the place

fairimum · 12/02/2012 18:08

I had severe early on set PET at 24 weeks with DD1 - who we sadly lost after being induced at 26 weeks - severe IUGR - Went on to have DD2 formulated PET at 34 weeks and delivered at 35 weeks and DS where had sudden onset (was fine and they wanted to send me home!! but i knew i didnt feel right and knew what was coming! DS was delivered by crash section 25 mins later!) at 36 weeks, just with close monitoring and aspirin) We went back to see my consultant on Friday to go through notes which has helped alot and also went through the risks of having another baby (which i desperately want!)

Basically she has said shes pretty sure i will get PET again (due to history) but could not predict when in the pregnancy that would be and says we need to consider the risk to me - fitting etc and what if never formulat the pet and go straight to eclampsia? risk of another early birth, special needs child etc - but she gave no indication at all as to how likely i would be to develop pet again at that very very early stage.... i asked a health care assistant friend who has worked on the consultant led ward there for 5 years and she said she has never heard or seen a woman fitting due to pet and says only seen a few very early pet deliveries like i had - nice to know it wasnt something that happens every day.... i really want another baby and she says if we choose to she will throw everything at it to try adn hold it off (but she cant advise it being great idea, which u understand!) - says could look at heparin too but no real evidence that it helps.... would love soemone to be able to tell me how likely it is i would end up with another very early baby/loss - but seems no way to tell.... :(

ciwi · 12/02/2012 18:33

fairimum I have had a similar experience to you in that I lost my first baby to pre eclampsia which was very early at 24 weeks and very severe. I am currently 35 weeks with borderline bp and 1 + protein in my urine, I feel ok though. After my loss my consultant who is very experienced in pe said that of all the women he has looked after with severe early onset pe he could count on one hand the number that have had it early and severe twice and he only knows of one person who has lost 2 babies but she was a kidney transplant patient so had an underlying illness that made her more likely to get it.
Can I just ask you, what has been the trigger to deliver you in your subsequent pregnancies? I see the consultant on tue and I am wondering if he will bring my delivery forward from 37 weeks. I haven't been diagnosed with pe yet as my bp is borderline but I dont like the protein issue. Had a scan last wednesday and flow to baby is good so doesn't seem to be affecting him.
Sorry for your loss also, it's devastating isn't it x

fairimum · 12/02/2012 18:48

with my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies i wasn't delivered until I got very very poorly (very quickly!) - my consultant actually told me she would not allow a section before it 'had' to be - they were both booked at 37 weeks though! which is since admitted she never saw us getting to!! With DD I was admitted for a week before hand and was a combination of me hitting breakdown which caused both her and mine heart rate to rocket and bp to go up (consultant said likely this just came at the same time the pet was formulating)

with DS again extreme anxiety from me (i had known from 6am that morning he needed to come out - same symptoms have before, flashing lights etc, but they said BP wasn't high enough so not pet (my consultant wasnt in!), tried to send me home etc, i refused and within 30 mins i went very hot and fuzzy and pressed buzzer - queue lots of consultants, saying going for section and getting DH gown etc, the registrar pushed in magnesium (which both DH and I are sure went in within 3ish minutes rather than the 10 required - which led to DSs heart rate dropping through the floor and then crash section happened very very fast!

so basically from what i was told is it is a balance of leaving baby in as long as possible (best for baby), but not so long it is too bad for mum - sadly apparently me telling them he needed to come out and that i knew what was about to happen, wasn't good enough reason for them to do section, just incase I was wrong as baby better inside.... guess is a tough call.... :(

ciwi - are you on any medication?? in 2 following pregnancies i was on meds from 12 weeks first time and 28 weeks 2nd time to keep bp under control (which is why she said section would be 37 weeks - that was the aim) - if you are just borderline at the moment I expect they would rather start meds and increase monitoring rather than move delivery date forwards - at least from talking to my consultant that would be her plan - she did go to to tellme quite high % of babys needed special care when born before 38 weeks etc compared to those after - always worth asking though? good luck sounds like you are doing brilliantly! :)

so sorry for the long ramble!! lol

ciwi · 12/02/2012 18:59

Thanks for you reply, I know it makes sense for him to stay in as long as possible but my anxiety levels are going through the roof, am so scared of losing him. Having said that I will do whatever is best for him. I am not on bp meds yet just aspirin and thyroxine as I have an under active thyroid. I think I could cope with very close monitoring as long as I have a date to aim for and the consultant has said that we will decide on a date on Tuesday. I can't believe I have got this far to be honest, pregnancy after a loss is not easy. It does help to hear from someone who has been through similar. Lots of luck if you decide to ttc again x