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Pregnancy

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

How did you find out you had pre-eclampsia and were the symptoms subtle at first?

9 replies

AlphaBeta2012 · 16/01/2013 08:59

I am worried the Dr will think I am nuts as I have had lots of worries in pregnancy so far, 3 losses etc and feel they are fed up of seeing me!
However just getting slightly concerned as having headaches (though these have been on and off throughout the whole pregnancy so far, so not new), and new symptoms include legs getting really itchy and, trying to put this delicately, my bowel movements have changed to a very pale colour....
Other than this I feel absolutely fine, but trusty old google seems to flag up pre-eclampsia? any ideas/ experience?

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Jules125 · 16/01/2013 09:53

How many weeks are you? Is this your first pregnancy (apart from the miscarriages?) If you are very itchy and bowels movements changed colour I would go back straight away as this could be obstetric cholestasis.

I had pre-eclampsia in my first pregnancy and the symptoms were subtle for a short while (mild headaches though that was a new sypmtos, some swelling in my feet / face, generally feeling a bit unwell) but quickly progressed. And my baby started moving less.

Either way, I would not hesitate to go back to maternity assessment unit, tell them how you feel and ask for more testing. Don't be concerned about bothering anyone no matter how many worries you've had before - its your and your babies health that is important and those can only be protected if you report your concerns.

AlphaBeta2012 · 16/01/2013 09:56

Thanks, no this is my second pregnancy, I have a healthy, happy DS with whom I had no problems. I have been feeling generally unwell. I keep saying to my husband how different this pregnancy is feeling and how I feel sort of hungover and so tired all the time but I have put this down to being pregnant and looking after a toddler and having a busy job. My face has gone puffy recently, but again I put this down to normal pregnancy symptoms.
I am 21 weeks. I had a scan earlier this week and baby was fine.

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CailinDana · 16/01/2013 10:03

Don't ever feel they're fed up of you, just get checked, they really don't mind. If anyone gives you grief (which is unlikely) just explain that you've had losses in the past and need reassurance - any MW worth her salt will totally understand that.

ArtigeneAuberchoke · 16/01/2013 10:19

If you didn't have pre-e in your first pregnancy and thus baby has the same father then chances are very low that you'd develop it now. However you should never hesitate to report concerns to your midwife.

Mine started with puffiness of hands, feet and face. I got checked and my BP had shot up and I had lots of protein in my urine. I never actually felt that unwell so without the puffiness I'd have missed it.

Jules125 · 16/01/2013 10:40

Its really unusual to develop pre-eclampsia in a second pregnancy if you did not have it in your first, so long as it is the same father each time.

But having a puffy face is not a normal pregnancy symptoms so I would go and get yourself checked out because of this and the generally feeling unwell.

Hoe this helps.

AlphaBeta2012 · 16/01/2013 10:44

Thank you. Didn't realise about lower risk second time, and is same father, so that's reassuring. Managed to get appointment with DR this morn just to check.

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AlphaBeta2012 · 16/01/2013 12:15

Thanks all, saw Dr, ruled out pre-eclampsia but blood pressure is low and she thinks I am slightly jaundice so having bloods run. She wasn't overly concerned but felt we should rule out all possibilities, so glad she is checking. she felt itchiness was more to do with skin suddenly going dry in pregnancy and bowel may be a bug.

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CityDweller · 16/01/2013 13:31

My blood pressure was on the low side in 2nd trimester and I've also had spells of that hungover feeling. I find drinking plenty of water makes a difference... Your dry skin may be another indication of being low on fluids?

getoffthecoffeetable · 16/01/2013 18:18

Do you have a bp monitor at home? Also, there are tester sticks for checking if you have protein in your pee. Our consultant let us have some of these and showed us what to look out for.
A friend of mine got pre eclampsia with her second DC so please do get checked out if you aren't feeling yourself. You know your body better than anyone else.
Good luck with your pregnancy

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