pre-eclampsia symptoms but midwife not concerned?

[RAFWife12]

I'm 31+4 and had my 31 week midwife appointment today. Trace of protein in urine, and bp raised. Also mentioned i've been having headaches last couple weeks.
Midwife not concerned as bp still within normal limits - but i normally have a low bp. (highest bp i've ever had before is 120/74. Today was 130/82) She just told me to contact hospital if i feel unwell, otherwise see how things are in 3 weeks. I asked what i should be looking out for and she just said any change in babies movements or i feel unwell.
So went on nhs website and looked up pre-eclampsia. Headaches is on list of symptoms. As is pain below ribs, and flashing lights in vision - both of which i have.
Obviously this is concerning to me, but not to her! What would you do?

I would phone maternity triage and say I was concerned about pre-eclampsia and would like to come in for monitoring

Definitely call. It's probably fine but you need to make sure.

Yes I would do that too.

You should definitely be seen by someone else. I know a girl on another board, 27 weeks pregnant, who had those symptoms and has been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism - I say that not to scare (she is getting treated now in hospital and is fine) but because you just don't know and you can't ignore those symptoms.

Your BP is not that high, even by your own standards- think they only get concerned if it goes X/90-100.
Are you swelling at all? i know when my sister had it she had swollen ankles, in the morning, after a nights sleep.. this was when we all said it wasnt normal. She delivered her baby 4 hours later!!

It's the flashing lights that need checking out

Make the call, definitely! The midwives won't act unless your bp is above normal, I think normally the cut off is over 140/something? Trace protein they don't concern themselves with, I'm a high risk for pre-eclampsia (family history) and I got trace protein and they didn't even bat an eye about it.
The spots/flashing lights in vision and the headaches are a concern. I would ring triage and ask to be checked over and monitored, as from what I understand pre-eclampsia can develop quickly! Always trust your gut instinct.
I hope it all goes well!

Slight swelling in my hands but not legs. Not that i've noticed anyways. My wedding ring always used to be loose, but now struggle to get it off!
I know the blood pressure isnt above their normal limits. But compared to booking bp of 115/70 it is quite raised! Patterns tend to be more important when looking at bp.

I don't think it's raised at all, a jump if 30 is consisted a rise. It's your other symptoms really.

If it's helpful, OP, my BP was 220/130 when I had pre-ec. Yesterday, at 8 weeks, it was 110/60, which is typical for me.

I still think a call wouldn't hurt, but I thought I'd share that info anyway.

Flashing lights and headaches are enough by themselves to justify a call.

I had swollen feet and a slightly raised BP at one appt. They sent someone out the nextt day to check my BP at home when im less likeyl to be stressed from appt.

Mine turned out to be nothing but I wouldnt hesitate with those symptoms to rule it out.

It maybe just your body telling you to slow down a bit but definately call. They really wont mind.

My midwife did not spot my pre-eclampsia. Go into maternity to be checked.

Thanks for all the replies. I have spoken to a doctor about it - he has advised more monitoring of BP and urine (not to leave it 3 weeks as midwife suggested!) and see what happens. If anything worsens I will go to maternity unit.

Ive had all the above symptoms with a much higher BP, been seen by a GP amd two midwifes...none of them think its pre eclampsia. Have you suffered with headaches pre pregnancy?

Ask for some of the urine testing strips so you can check for protein every day. I found that incredibly reassuring when my blood pressure went up.

Did you speak to a doctor at the assessment unit?

Your bp is quite a bit lower than the limit for preeclampsia monitoring -I've been under monitoring for the past couple of weeks as my bp has been on the brink at 148/96. With the protein it depends how much of a trace as you can get some from discharge so need to make sure you clean well before collecting sample.

The headaches and visual disturbances are more of a concern especially if paracetamol and plenty of water don't help so if it gets worse go to the assessment unit.

SouthDerbyshireMamma - headaches are NOT something I normally suffer with. All these symptoms are new over the past 2 weeks.
Hakluyt - I will be checking BP and for protein every day

to put your mind at rest a bit, although please keep thinking the worst (as in don't assume its this.. let the docs tell you) it could be a raise in hormones. there are certain points i pregnancy your hormones levels rise sending your system "wappy"

as with anything.. it could be something or it could be pregnancy.. I hated not knowing...

RAFWife12...if you are still worried I'd say get yourself checked at your hospital. They would much rather you go and get checked out than you sit there and worry. I've been in and out of hospital for one reason and another and they have been lovely each time

Don't compare blood pressures to booking. Your BP drops end of 1st trimester. Swelling is not a typical symptom of PET, unless it is very sudden onset, ie. nothing to people commenting on it, particularly in the face.
Don't rely on GP for input on complications in pregnancy. They are not specialists in obstetrics and either don't react when there is a problem or over react when there is. Also, daily BP monitoring at home, unless advised by an obstetrician, is not advisable. It is not accurate, and should be tested manually, not by an automated machine.

If you are worried, call the hospital and ask to be seen, maybe on the day assessment unit if they have one. That's what they see day in and out

If you're really worried, call the antenatal day unit tomorrow and ask to be seen.

I had headaches, flashing lights, protein in wee, slightly raised BP (yours is only slightly raised really) throughout pregnancy. I had frequent xhecks, but it was only when I had all those symptoms combined with very sudden onset swelling - and its nothing like normal pregnancy swelling, my hands, feet and face became like balloons - and such a sharp pain under my ribs it took my breath away, that I was admitted and induced, and they said I was at the stage just before pre eclampsia develops! if your midwife isn't concerned, I'd trust her judgement but maybe get a 2nd opinion at the antenatal day unit tomorrow?

You obviously have some doubts & concerns, for that matter alone it is worth getting checked out.

I was showing protein for 4 weeks (tested every week) and headachy, throwing up, swelling etc & my midwife did NOTHING except keep making me appointments with her.

Finally she asked a co worker what to do, who said 'get her to the hospital' only for the midwife to completely play it down, by saying 'I think we need to refer you to the hospital' quite calmly. If I hadn't heard the dr myself, I would have waited for a letter form the hospital, as it was we were both concerned enough to insist to her, that we go straight to the hospital.

On arrival my BP was high & I was monitored for a few hours, wee samples, bloods taken. I was sent home to collect 24hrs worth of urine, which I dropped back to the hospital. They called me that day asking me to go in for a chat. My BP was sky high, I had too much protein & I bloods were showing signs of concern so they wrote 'deliver now' right across my notes. The consultant actually said 'bloody hell' when the nurse read out my bp to him.

I didn't leave the hospital for a week & my baby came that night, 4 weeks too soon & weighing 4lbs.

If we hadn't insisted on going down that day, instead of waiting for a letter/appointment, I don't want to think about what would have happened.

So no, I do not recommending trusting your midwife. They do get it wrong. She was an older midwife, so had heaps of experience, yet still didn't know how to deal with my symptoms & never once, over 4 weeks, gave me cause for concern.

If YOU are concerned, do something. No one knows your body like you. Trust your instincts, please.

Thanks for all the responses.
I know if anything is going on, it's only really early stages. It's the combination of symptoms concerning me. I've always had such stable blood pressure - normally around 115/65, only going up to 120/80 if I've been rushing around or stressed. This is pre pregnancy too. So 130/82 when I've had a really relaxing morning and not rushing around at all (hadn't even been to work yet) was a shock! Combined with the protein and the other symptoms I've had over last 2 weeks.
I will be having a colleague checking BP manually - not using a machine at home.
If there is anything, I'd rather it be picked up now - in the early stages than it turn into an emergency. Especially given DH is currently thousands of miles away.
3 weeks just seemed too long to leave it before checking again. At least I am in a position I can have BP/urine checked at work.

Just remember that things can progress VERY quickly with PE, so early stages don't really cover it, to be fair.

I know people who have gone straight into Eclmapsia with no warning.