Hospitalised with Pre-eclampsia

[SairaR]

Hello all.

I'm new to the site and wanted to join to see if anyone had experienced anything similar to me.

I went for a routine antenatal appointment at 34 weeks and was told my bp was high and there was protein in my urine. Next thing I knew I was admitted as an in-patient and although I was discharged the next day, I was subsequently re-admitted and have now been in hospital for 7 days. I'm on a cocktail of hypertension drugs and on around the clock monitoring. It has been confirmed that I have pre-eclampsia.

I am now 36 weeks today and have been told I will not be discharged from hospital until the baby is born, although they don't know when that will be because they want to keep baby inside for as long as possible without jeopardising my health. They are currently talking about inducing me at 37 or 38 weeks, depending on my symptoms.

I am getting cabin fever, knowing I may be in hospital for 2 more weeks without being able to go home. I was hospitalised just before I was due to start maternity leave so I feel completely deprived of the opportunity to rest at home, nest (I am still awaiting nursery furniture etc.), to read up on labour and child birth, watch OBEM repeats on tv, enjoy Sunday morning lie-ins and make the most of the last few weeks of freedom. Instead, I get about 5 hours sleep per night in hospital, have needles inserted into me daily and have no privacy in horribly clinical surroundings.

I know baby's safety is paramount and my comfort etc. is not but I can't help but feel so utterly deprived and desperate to be home. It is starting to affect my mental well-being.

I just wondered if anyone else had similar experiences and how they felt.

Thanks
Saira

My sister was hospitalised too from 32 weeks. I know it must be awful OP but keep going your nearly there :) Speak to the other ladies on the ward if poss this will make the time go a bit quicker. All the best :)

Sorry to hear you're stuck in hospital.

I was diagnosed with pre eclampsia at my 36 week midwife appointment then taken to hospital in an ambulance because my blood pressure was through the roof and had +4 protein. I was given steriod injection 12 hours apart to help mature DS's lungs, and had obs taken every 15 minutes. I was poked with so many needles I felt like a pin cushion! DS was born by emergency c-section.

I know it's horrible not to be at home, and that you'll hear this from everyone, but you're in the best place. At the moment you have to be looked after as pre e is a danger to you and your body, it's not just for your comfort. Chat to the nurses, see if you're able to go sit in the hospital's cafe with a friend for a little while each day just to get you out of your room / ward.

Ask about going on ward leave if you're stable and your BP is well controlled. It may only be for 3 hrs or so but going out for cups & cake with a friend or OH can make the day seem so much better! Also make sure you make the room feel as homely as poss with lots of your own stuff. I know it's really tough but you have to keep remembering how much better it is than them not knowing about it & something terrible happening to one or both of you at home. Take care

My last pregnancy I was hospitalised for the last 4 weeks due to pre-eclampsia and IUGR before having ds by cs at 34 weeks.

I remember finding it ironic I was on bedrest when I honestly would have got more rest at home not being woken up by women in early labour on the ward and obs every few hours. The first two weeks I was let out of hospital twice over the weekend, with community midwives checking me over the weekend and re-hospitalised on the Monday. The last two weeks I wasn't allowed but dp used to come and visit and I was permitted to head out for an hour with him driving the car. Even having the change of scenery for a small amount of time made it slightly less claustrophobic.

Do you have a laptop/tablet to watch your programmes - or even something to catch up on series dvds? A kindle/books to do the reading you want to. Earplugs and mask for the ward at night? I also had a ds to play games on.

It is hard (I cried my eyes out loads of times) but it is for the best. If I hadn't of been hospitalised goodness knows what would have happened to ds as things changed very quickly and he had to come out pronto.

Take care and good luck.

I went into pre-term labour with my DS at 33 weeks. That fizzled out to nothing, but then I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 34 weeks. Was told I wouldn't be leaving hospital until I'd delivered. My hospital allowed me out and about for an hour or so at a time, so I would meet up with friends in the hospital cafe. I also got DH to bring my cross-stitch in and rather liked the opportunity to get some of that done! There were 2 other ladies on my ward who were probably going to be in for a while, and we got on v well. Lots of chatting, it was nice.

After a couple of days I got a lot worse. Docs decided they were going to do a CS the next morning. That night I went into labour naturally and DS came rather quickly the next morning. Docs said that basically my body knew it was in trouble so effectively ejected DS to save itself. So he was born at 34 weeks, and after a bit of a rocky time with feeding and reflux, he did very well.

Good luck to you!

Yes, I went for a routine mw appointment at 36+3 and was admitted and told "you're not going home without a baby". I bailed, I really wasn't ready and had only 1 day of maternity leave. I deteriorated rapidly and had him 36+5.

Of course I never got the rest with my second pregnancy either because I was looking after number 1.

It's shit, but tbh I don't even think about it anymore.

Bawled, not bailed - that would've been quite an extreme and dangerous reaction! ;)

Hey Saira,

not in the same situation as you but have had a rather complicated pregnancy in including bedrest and hospital stay and just wanted to say i totally sympathise with you about the cabin fever thing!!!!!! It is a total nightmare when you can't do anything, to be honest i have found a really good book is the best way to get the time to go faster!

Also sympathise re not being able to prepare for arrival of baby as you would have liked. Is very frustrating. but just tell yourself the most important thing is that he/ she arrives safely and he / she won't care if the bedroom isn't decorated properly.

it's great that you're already at 36 weeks - at least you know you haven't got too long to go! hang in there!

I know completely where you're coming from as I was hospitalised at 38 weeks with pe. Luckily, I was only in hospital for 7 days, but I understand what that cabin fever feeling is like. My advice is to get as comfy as possible with bits and pieces from home e.g. own bedding, laptop (4od, iplayer etc), get friends and family to come visit and bring you home-cooked food, whatever will make it more bearable. You really are in the best place and it won't be forever. I hope it gets easier for you. Any chance you could get a private room?

I was hospitalised at 28 weeks, spent a total of 7 weeks in hospital and had my son at 35 weeks by emergency csection. The minute I had him and he was given all clear I was desperate to get home. Had to fight everyone to go home on day 3. Poor hubby ended up having to buy prem clothes and 101 other bits and pieces. I felt so cheated out of the whole nesting experience, but in fairness the hospital was wonderful - i really believe that it was only because of the excellent care I received that both myself and my son were both ok. Enjoy watching tv, reading magazines and doing nothing, I know it's hard, but it is the safest option for you and the baby.

Thanks for all of the advice and support

I was really struggling with lack of sleep on an open ward so got myself into a private room. That has helped with the whole bot being woken by screaming women and babies during the night but am still being awoken ever few hours for obs.

However, at £250 per night for a private room I'm now starting to panic about the overall cost of that additional privacy and sleep, especially as I've been in for 3 nights and likely to be in for another 4/5 nights at least. It amazes me that I can be charged for 5* hotel prices for what is effectively the same as an open ward but with walls and a small fridge. DH keeps telling me not to worry about the cost but it's impossible not to when there's a baby on the way and my income is about to disappear.

I managed a trip down the road over the weekend for cream tea at Patisserie Valerie and that really cheered me up. The doctors now also seem to be aiming for a more definitive plan- inducing me at 37 weeks - so I feel like I finally have a goal to work towards.

I just can't wait to finally go home with my baby and start being a family...

Really feel for you - I had similar and was told I wasn't coming out until I had a baby in my arms but in the end they let me and I just had to keep going in daily for checks and then induced on the stroke of 37 weeks. Totally the right thing to do - DD was not having a good time in there. Like the others said I would ask about ward leave but sounds to me like you are in the right place although it does drive you crazy. I had to stay in for a couple of weeks after the birth until BP and liver settled and I thought I was loosing my mind. Patisserie Valerie will cheer up any situation. Hang in there - not long now.

Hi saira and all, l?ve just been admitted to hospital with preeclampsia at 31+4 and been warned l?ll be in a lot over the coming weeks, so lovely to read positive stories and useful tips.

A bit shocked at the cost of the private room and understand why you are concerned . I was given a private room after the first week and had the same room throughout which was really nice. had to pay for one after the csection as being in a room with 5 other women and babies was a nightmare, so I'm with you on that. Mine was only £65/night though.

I really feel for you but" DH keeps telling me not to worry about the cost but it's impossible not to when there's a baby on the way and my income is about to disappear."

My friend lost her baby to pre eclampsia she was admitted adn then discharged after one night - two days later the baby was lost.

As horrid hospitals are - be thankful your hospital has the good sense to value your life and that of your baby and to keep you in.

Pre eclampsia does take life - your in the best place and also be thankful they are doing your obs and taking care of you - which isnt something to be taken for granted in hospitals these days!

Good luck, this will all be a distant memory soon.

I had high blood pressure at 34 weeks and was in and out of hospital from 35 weeks until DS born (spontaneously) at 38+3. I too felt I had been robbed of my maternity leave - I stopped work before I had been planning to and did get a little frustrated in hospital. Had to do lots of 24 urine collection and did get to see a baby virtually born on the antenatal ward (baby suddenly decided it was coming at about midnight but they did get her into a side room. Just).

Hope the time goes quickly and you soon have your baby :)

I was offered same (out-patient checks daily) as midgetm after I was given 24 hours to improve my stats or have emergency delivery. Was admitted for induction at 37 weeks with it planned for two days later but I went into labour naturally and had a midwife led delivery at 37+1. I also had to stay in for a while after, that was the worst bit for me. I just wanted to get home and have a decent meal/shower/kip.