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Original poster

Pre-eclampsia. Has anyone had it?

31 replies

Spidermama · 19/02/2006 17:31

I have another thread going on this but just wanted to cast around further for info.

My SIL, who's staying the night, is 33 weeks pg and very nervous about the birth because her mum died in childbirth of PE. The baby died too.

How can I reassure her that it's very unlikely to happen?
What should she look for?
What would the hospital do if they thought she was at risk?

TIA.

---------------------

Hi there - this thread is a little old. If you'd like to know more about pre-eclampsia, we've got more information here. MNHQ

OP posts:
Distel · 19/02/2006 17:34

I had pre-eclampsia and was induces at 37 weeks. Had blood pressure of 150/100. I think death of mothers and/or babies due to this is practically unheared of as midwives know exactly what to look out for. Hope SIL is feeling ok x x.

Distel · 19/02/2006 17:35

The other signs are headaches, flashing lights and swelling of the hands and feet I think.

melissasmummy · 19/02/2006 17:45

I had pre-eclampsia, detected by protien in the urine at 30 weeks. The MV monitored me for a few weeks, (only had protien, no swelling, no headaches, no blurred vision) & it didn't go away so she refered me to hospital. By the time I got to the appointment (2 days later) my BP was increasing. Over the next week or so I had blood samples taken, BP readings & samples taken. I was unfortinate enough to have too much protien & too high blood pressure. At 36 weeks, they induced me & DD was born by C-section (she got distressed) weighing in at 4lb 4oz. She is now a very healthy, very lively 2.6 yr old.

I am assuming she has told her MV about her mum. They would be keeping an extra eye on her, I would have thought. As long as she keeps up her appoinments, sees a GP/MV as soon as she feels something may be wrong, I think there is no need for history to repeat itself. If she is unable to get to GP (out of hours, etc, then she should pop into A&E.

Symptoms are

Dizzyness
Blurred vision or flashing lights in eye
Swelling of hands & feet
Headaches

\link{http://www.apec.org.uk/home.htm}\This looks like a good site to look at.

melissasmummy · 19/02/2006 17:46

Sorry, here

This looks like a good site to look at.

kayzed · 19/02/2006 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Spidermama · 19/02/2006 18:15

Thanks for the link melissamummy.
Thanks distel and kayzed. I'll get her to read this thread this evening.

OP posts:
Aimsmum · 19/02/2006 18:24

Message withdrawn

WigWamBam · 19/02/2006 18:28

I had PE too, and I knew how nasty it could be because my mother had it when she was pregnant with me and we both nearly ended up dead, but I was monitored so closely that it was never a real worry for me. I was seeing the midwives frequently anyway (high risk pregnancy because of my age and because I had GD), and when they diagnosed the PE they saw me at least once every week to keep a close eye on it.

I was taken in for observation several times when they were concerned because my BP was up to 190/120, and at one point I was having midwives coming to my home twice a day to check my BP and urine. I was told that my obstetrician wouldn't let me go over 36 weeks, but in the end he let me go to 37 before inducing me, as it seemed to stabilise slightly. I was only allowed to go the extra week on condition that I spent most of that week either in hospital or coming into the Day Unit every day.

I always felt that I was being looked after really well, and that it wouldn't be allowed to get to a stage where I was risking either my or dd's life. It seems to be taken far more seriously these days than it was when I was born, and they are far more aware of how closely it needs monitoring.

jersey · 20/02/2006 10:03

I had it, signs where increase Blood Preasure, flashing lights in vision and headaches, also swelling legs.

Very unlikely today as you are monitored very closely for it during pregnancy.

I think years ago mums to be were not monitored so it wasn't picked up until it was too late.

Good luck

foxinsocks · 20/02/2006 10:07

spidermama, I assume the midwives will be keeping a closer eye on her.

My aunt got eclampsia (my mum's sister) and although she didn't die immediately, she did eventually die from complications linked to the eclampsia.

I didn't get much more care (but prob would have been different if it was my mum) but I did in the end get a home blood pressure monitor for the last few weeks because I started getting a bit worried about it.

Boo100 · 21/02/2006 20:09

I too had pre eclampsia and would echo all the others who have mentioned the close monitoring I got from midwifes, GP and consultant. BP was checked at home or GP at least every couple of days from about 33 weeks. I was sent to hospital at least 3 times a week for monitoring (annoying but you cope with it. Consultants wanted to keep me, midwifes agreed I could go home) Always ask the MW for a urine test. There are lots of different tests you can do with wee amazingly, should protein be a problem. I had an emergency c-sec at 37 after 4 days of attempted inducing. Scariest moment was when I couldn't feel any movement and they "pretended" all was ok (all 5 of whom were huddled round the foot of my bed). Get your SIL to talk to her GP- maybe she could see a consultant to calm fears? Best of luck.

tribpot · 21/02/2006 20:14

My mum had severe PE with me, so I was somewhat alert to the signs. Mine developed very late, 39 weeks. I had no ill effects, hands were swollen as well as feet so I was on the lookout. Went the mw in between my scheduled antenatal appointments because I was concerned about bump size (massive). Bp had just shot up and so was induced 2 days before due date. I'm very glad I didn't wait until my next scheduled appointment, so if in any doubt, I would tell your SIL to get herself to the mw more regularly than they may see fit; they won't turn her away. She could even monitor her bp at home if it would be more reassuring than anxiety-causing.

The hospital reacted very promptly and efficiently once my elevated bp was discovered, no complaints at all.

PE is a relatively common condition and does run in families, but your SIL should be reassured that with a family history and today's standards of care, her chances are vastly better than her mum's, and she will almost certainly be fine.

Original poster
Spidermama · 22/02/2006 16:27

I've passed on your advice. Thanks very much.

OP posts:
VeniVidiVickiQV · 22/02/2006 16:35

Just another one here - i had mild PE.

My booking bp was 100/60 so when it went up to 120/80 they were concerned (average for most people i know). So they really do keep an eye on it. I had to go up the hospital for regular monitoring - every other day. Also had to do 24 hour urine collection (yes - peeing into huge bottle) on two occasions. I was kept in hospital overnight once. The highest my BP went was 148/95

Raised BP anthing over .../90 is considered a concern or unless like me bp is naturally v low and goes up at all. Protein in urine also.

My symptoms were:

Raised BP
Protein in urine
Swelling to hands feet and face
Headache/flashing lights/blurred vision

I was monitored regularly and eventually booked in to be induced. Went into labour on my own anyway.

Should note that her birth will be very much a monitored one (so no birthing pool is likely, continuous monitoring etc) IF she does have PE. They will also keep her in for at least 48 hours AFTER the birth to to ensure everything is ok.

If she mentions her concerns to her mw i am sure her mw will be very sensitive to the issue.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 22/02/2006 16:37

Also if she is worried about it the things you should contact mw/gp/hospital/birth unit about immediately is:

very sudden swelling/puffiness to face or hands
sudden 'blinding' headache/flashing lights.

melissasmummy · 22/02/2006 16:54

VVV - 24 hour urine collection. I did that too, dignified eh?

VeniVidiVickiQV · 22/02/2006 17:01

Oh fab melissa. I needed 2 bottles though

heavenis · 22/02/2006 17:15

I had PE and delivered at 32wks. Started at around 24wks with high BP, then got swollen hands feet. You can press your finger on the skin and it leaves a dint instead of raising back.
Protien in the urine, raised BP,flashing lights,being sick etc.
If she has any symtoms contact dr/mw.
Treatment they can give you very powerful BP drugs in hospital. They now give drugs to mature babies lungs if early delivery is likely. I took part in a magpie trial which gave magnisum sulphate to the mother to see if this stopped the onset of fits.(which I believe this has been proven.)
At 33wks the babies out look is more favourable and the cure for PE is delivery.
Has she talked over her concerns with the mw

Greensleeves · 22/02/2006 17:15

I had severe pre-eclampsia, was in hospital for 6 weeks and induced 5 weeks early. Booking blood pressure was 140/80 and it went up to 220/120. I had blood tests every day (4 or 5 of them every morning), 24 urine collection pretty much ongoing for about three weeks, really horrible anti-blood pressure drugs, just about all the intervention you can have for pre-eclampsia really. I also had gestational diabetes (injecting insulin) and SPD so severe it put me in a wheelchair for nearly six months. Joy of joys. But ds1 is 3 now and he is worth it

melissasmummy · 22/02/2006 17:17

VVV, thankfully only had 1. My (femail) boss gave me the day off to spare my blushes!

Original poster
Spidermama · 22/02/2006 23:23

Gosh! Quite a lot of it about then. I'll encourage her to get more assertive and make sure she's having all these tests. At the moment they're not seeing her very often which worries her. Also, her English still isn't that great. Poor thing. I wish she lived nearer to me.

OP posts:
VeniVidiVickiQV · 23/02/2006 10:45

Spidermama - they only need see her once a fortnight at this point. It becomes weekly at 36 weeks. Of course if they had picked something up by now i would say that they would have her in for very regular monitoring. If she hasnt presented bp problems at this point i would imagine that they wont be overly concerned because they would be checking BP and urine on every visit (well they should be anyway). But she really needs to let them know that she is concerned though.

I dont know if PE is likely to be heriditory. Perhaps pupuce, mears or tiktok can come along and help?

Original poster
spidermama · 24/02/2006 12:51

I think it can be VVV. However I think SILs fears are, understandably, more psychological as she was ten when her mum died in childbirth.

OP posts:
Mercy · 24/02/2006 13:00

I had mild PE with dd and my treatment was exactly the same as VVV, but my only symptom was flashing lights. dd was born 3 days before her due date.

I also had PE with ds after he was born (was fine all the through the pregnancy)and was kept in hospital for 48 hours and monitored at home for a week afterwards.

No family history of it.

HAPPYSLAPPY · 05/03/2006 23:19

HELLO ALL,
I HAD PE WITH MY FIRST SON I DEVELPOED IT AT 37WKS BUT HAD NO SYPMTOMS AT ALL. I WAS ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL AND INDUCED WITHIN THE HOUR,HE WAS BORN 2 DAYS LATER. I WAS CONVINCED I WOULD GO ON TO DEVELOP IT AGAIN IN MY SECOND PREGNANCY BUT NEVER DID,I DEVELOPED GESTATIONAL DIABETES INSTEAD!!!!