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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

39 weeks - high blood pressure and headaches.

40 replies

MrsReiver · 18/02/2013 12:27

Title says it all really, I'm 39 weeks today and after suffering the most blinding headaches all weekend (and I can feel one coming on just now) I popped in to see my community midwife this morning. I was fully expecting her to tell me everything was okay, but apparently my blood pressure is "a bit high for you" and there's protein in my urine. It's only 134/94 but it's normally around the 120/70 region.

So it's off to daycare tomorrow for BP profiling and strict instructions from DH to "do bugger all for the rest of the day."

Anyone got any lovely words of reassurance for me? Poor DS is on half term and in between slaying dragons on Skyrim, keeps asking if I'm okay.

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Monstermashpotato · 18/02/2013 13:59

take it easy today, I mean it, lie down.
If you get flashing lights, like glitter or seeing stars, a pain that feels like indigestion or a pain under your ribs you must ring labour ward.

I dont mean to worry you, in fact I want to reassure you but let you know what to look for. From experience.

Monstermashpotato · 18/02/2013 14:08

I sounded very bossy there, I do apologise Brew

getoffthecoffeetable · 18/02/2013 14:20

Is your midwife coming to check up on your tomorrow?
Really really do take it very easy. Also don't mean to worth you but protein in water would usually get you admitted alongside the high bp.
Hope you're feeling better soon

getoffthecoffeetable · 18/02/2013 14:21

Worry not worth, stupid phone

Monstermashpotato · 18/02/2013 14:34

Coffee, that was my thought.
I was admitted for those reasons.
I would pack a bag for tomorrow because its likely from what you have told us you will be kept in.

I was with both pregnancies, both same symptoms as you. As you are 39 weeks they could look to induce if your bp doesn't calm down and you still have protein.

With my last pg this started at 34 weeks and dd2 was born at 35..so dont panic OP, you're practically term. Both my babies are fine by the way, it can be managed x

Monstermashpotato · 18/02/2013 14:36

Sleep deprived mistake- you are term.
Hope you are feeling better soon, high bp can make you feel terrible, I know how you feel x

Original poster
MrsReiver · 18/02/2013 14:40

I'm going in to daycare tomorrow but have instructions to phone them if headache gets worse or I have any visual disturbances like Monster describes. My mum's a bit scandalised as when she was expecting my brother 30 years ago, the exact same symptoms saw her admitted immediately however when I spoke to them at daycare, they were concerned but there was no sense of urgency. They want me checked over, but it's not so worrying I need to come in straight away.

The headache I can feel hasn't come to too much, just a dull sinus type pain rather than the pounding "feel your pulse behind your eyes" pain that woke me this morning.

I promise I am taking it easy, DS has just hovered his room for me, and made his own lunch. And don't worry about bossing me about - everyone else is, but I'm so fidgety I need it, I'm laid up on the sofa spotting cobwebs I'm desperate to dust!

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Original poster
MrsReiver · 18/02/2013 14:42

Bag is packed, along with one for DS if he needs to stay with the in laws.

He was actually born at 34 weeks so this is the first time I've ever been this pregnant before, it's all new! I've been under consultant care until 36 weeks when they discharged me to the community midwife team - I thought I'd seen the back of that bloody hospital!!

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stoatie · 18/02/2013 14:46

If you have any visual disturbance, epigastric pain, facial oedema phone LW straight away. Where I work we would have done blood tests on you today - did MW take any blood?

SneezySnatcher · 18/02/2013 14:50

As pps have said - Take a bag tomorrow. If the situation is the same then they will probably want to induce. This happened to me at 39+5 last time and I wasn't allowed home.

I must say I am surprised you have to wait until tomorrow. I was sent immediately to day unit when this happened to me. In fact, if DH hadn't been there, the MW would have blue-lighted me (mine was purely BP, no protein or headaches and only slight swelling). If you feel even slightly worse go in.

You are at a great gestation if they need to induce you, so don't panic but please be vigilant.

Original poster
MrsReiver · 18/02/2013 14:52

No, that's all getting done tomorrow.

Epigastric pain - that's below my sternum yeah?

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Original poster
MrsReiver · 18/02/2013 14:56

If I'd been sent to the hospital today I would have gone in on the bus with DS for company. Even if DH started heading straight home from where he is working today, he wouldn't have been back in time to have been any help. I was perfectly prepared to do that, it's only a 50 minute bus journey and DS is no bother at all.

However the midwife decided to save me the bother and arrange the appointment for tomorrow. Confused

I've got triage on speed dial, and DH is on his way home, he should be here by 6 ish, and we've got sitters etc lined up in case we need to go in tonight.

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SchroSawMargeryDaw · 18/02/2013 14:57

I wouldn't actually wait until tomorrow. I would go to Maternity Assessment since you are still getting the headaches.

I was admitted for that at about 25 weeks and there was talk of me being induced then if it didn't calm down, luckily it did.

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 18/02/2013 14:59

And I was admitted immediately and stayed for 3 nights.

getoffthecoffeetable · 18/02/2013 15:00

It sounds like your DS is being a little star, bless him.

Monstermashpotato · 18/02/2013 17:50

Epigastric pain is below your sternum, but it can also feel like horrific heartburn. I was rushed in with epigastric pain. I had HELLP syndrome.

I didn't realise you had an early baby too, I was under cc the whole time, I spent many a happy hour lounging in the day unit while my blood pressure did a merry jig up and down. Its awful but you are ap close! X

Monstermashpotato · 18/02/2013 17:50

*so close, rather. Silly phone

Original poster
MrsReiver · 18/02/2013 22:21

Well the headache has gone, is that good, bad, insignificant? But my feet and hands are definitely puffy and that's after lying down most of the day. No stomach pain but my finger joints really really ache.

Getting my head around the fact we could be meeting our baby sooner rather than later, it's not what I had planned for this week at all Grin

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Original poster
MrsReiver · 18/02/2013 22:24

Monster, it sounds like you've been through the wringer in your pregnancies.

DS was 5lb 10 and 6 weeks prem, so quite a whopper. He's had a few little medical ishoos but nothing major and he's dealt with them so well. He's nearly 9 now and I couldn't be prouder of him.

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getoffthecoffeetable · 18/02/2013 22:50

Is your DH home now? I think you should go to the maternity ward now rather than wait. I don't like the sound of the swelling. It really is better to be safe

Original poster
MrsReiver · 18/02/2013 23:40

Going in now, feet swollen, head pounding.

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getoffthecoffeetable · 18/02/2013 23:45

Good luck, sounds like it won't be long until you meet your new baby.

duchesse · 18/02/2013 23:53

Good luck. It's better to be safe with BP issues this late in pregnancy.

SaggyOldClothCatpuss · 18/02/2013 23:54

Good luck OP. glad you've gone in. Better safe than sorry.

Original poster
MrsReiver · 19/02/2013 03:57

Been admitted, which is no surprise. Could sleep standing up but just got to get one more BP Measurement before they let me go to bed. Missing DH and DS already Sad

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