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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Pre-eclampsia worries

14 replies

kittenmamma · 21/03/2015 21:41

I'm 35+4 with my first baby.
In the last week and a half my blood pressure has gone from diastolic 70 (normal for me) to 98 (at highest) and I've had protein in my urine. Swelling started about a week ago and seeing stars from the start of the week.
I was monitored and given labetalol which today has lowered my blood pressure to normal and no protein.
I wasn't diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and I'm not sure why...in my opinion I have it and it's now being managed but I should have an induction date set for the near future to avoid further problems and to avoid being on medication which affects the baby unnecessarily. But from what I've been told no further action will be taken other than keeping an eye on me.
I've had lots of different midwives and doctors through all of this, some with largely differing opinions on the whole thing and feel I have nowhere to turn to for support or a full picture. And nowhere to argue my case for inducing at 37 weeks rather than carrying on being pregnant for the sake of it.
Does anyone have opinions, experience or advice?

OP posts:

Chocoholic26 · 21/03/2015 22:03

Hope you're ok kitten. Can't really offer any advice but worried I'm also in your situation. Had protein in urine at midwife app on Thursday, although blood pressure was normal and she said it was just a trace. I have the urine dip stick tests at home and have been testing myself since Thursday in a panic and tonight there is more (I think) than just a trace. Where did your swelling start and how bad has it got? Gosh pregnanacy is just one big worth isn't it x

Chocoholic26 · 21/03/2015 22:05

*worry not worth

Original poster

kittenmamma · 21/03/2015 22:09

Watch out for visual disturbances, that why I got sent in for monitoring, after having had the high Bp, protein and slept swelling. I took my rings off a couple of weeks ago but the llast week/5 days my feet and legs have started and my face has gone in the last two days. I thought "how will I notice if my feet get swollen" but trust me, it's obvious and you can feel it without looking.
Looking even at the nhs website it seems as though I should have been diagnosed with it and I don't know why I haven't, I feel like I'm not getting the care I should be.

OP posts:

Chocoholic26 · 21/03/2015 22:15

Ok thanks, I haven't had any other symptoms yet but glad I know what to look for. Hmmm that is strange. Can you go and see someone else or perhaps go private? It's frustrating when your gut instinct tells you something is wrong yet the 'professionals' brush it off as nothing. My friend is gp and gave me the urine test sticks to keep an eye on it myself (prone to Utis) but worried to tell doctor or midwife this as don't want to tell them how to do their job but at the same time worried sick eeek. Hope you get sorted soo xx

Syd35 · 21/03/2015 22:21

Sitting here fretting about this too
Had PE last time which came on week 39
Am now 30 weeks and BP creeping up last few weeks. Having weekly checks and so far no protein or swelling. Had a bath earlier and got the weirdest flashing kind of thing and it freaked me out. Only lasted a few seconds and stopped as i got straight out the bath. Called hospital and they said bath was prob too hot and didn't seem concerned BP was 146/96 when midwife came to check me today. Feeling rather fobbed off too and a little scared : (

Original poster

kittenmamma · 22/03/2015 22:01

choc, hoping to get some answers on Tuesday, I'm really going to push for induction rather than waiting until I'm 42 weeks (or before, should she show up early!)
Syd, I agree with you, I'd feel fobbed off too...any other symptoms today?
Today hasn't been too bad for me, but have had a bit of a constant headache since last night . It's not too sore but keeps coming back after a few hours of painkillers.

OP posts:

Syd35 · 23/03/2015 06:26

Thanks for asking kittenmamma. I just didn't feel right so got myself down the hospital and spent my Sat night and most f Sunday in a ward. Bp got higher so they have put me on labetalol which seems to be helping. Had 2 sets of blood tests which came back normal so that is good. Having a growth scan today and twice weekly checks now which is reassuring. Hope you continue to feel well. X

makesomenoise · 23/03/2015 06:32

My experience was that the consultants preferred to have me on increasingly doses of labetalol rather than induce early - they did induce at exactly 40 wks.

Syd35 · 23/03/2015 09:42

makesomenoise - what does of labeltalol were you on to start with?

Bluebell84 · 23/03/2015 09:51

I had pre eclampsia and gave birth my emergency c section at 28 weeks. was in Nicu for 10 weeks. most traumatic experience of my life.

you are 35 weeks u will be fine.

my DS now is healthy happy talks for England 3 year old. children are stronger than we give them credit for :)

EssaysOfElia · 23/03/2015 13:51

Hi everyone, I had Pre-eclampsia with my DD. At 30 weeks my bp was high and I had +2 proteins in my urine so I was monitored weekly. I was sent in hospital for three nights of monitoring at 33weeks and had a growth scan and was told baby was growing well. Sent home on labetalol and monitored twice weekly. Went back in hospital at 35 weeks, again all fine but I worried like mad. I was so swollen my feet went up two shoe sizes. I finished work at 37 weeks and my bp did lower (slightly). I felt like no one listened to me. I was worried about waiting for natural labour as I had a history of PET in my family.
I then went into natural labour at 38 weeks, delivered naturally in 3 hours a healthy 5lb 8oz baby! I guess what I'm trying to say is it is terrifying when you're in the situation but babies fight. My placenta fell to pieces when I delivered it so I always think my DD knew to come out as the placenta had stopped working.
Good luck ladies, try not to worry (easier said than done!) soon you'll all have your babies in your arms! ??

Igottastartthinkingbee · 23/03/2015 14:02

Hi OP, I had severe pre eclampsia in my first pregnancy at 31 weeks, emergency section a few days after it was diagnosed. My condition deteriorated very quickly. If there is any doubt to you or your baby's safety then they will deliver. If not then they prefer to monitor till you're full term.
My second pregnancy I started to suffer from sporadic high bp from 36 weeks. I was on increasing amounts of labetalol towards my due date and monitored very closely. Induced on my due date and all was fine. No ill effects to baby from the meds but we did have to stay in for a little longer than normal so they could be sure she was ok. They know what they're doing and won't take chances if you or baby are in danger. Just stay aware of the symptoms and contact your midwife or labour ward if you have any doubts/worries. Good luck I'm sure you'll be fine as you're so far along in your pregnancy.

Roomba · 23/03/2015 14:15

I developed pre-eclampsia from about 30 weeks, but as my midwife didn't arrive for a booked home visit (which then took a fortnight to get hold of her and rearrange) it wasn't picked up until 32 weeks. MY BP was up a lot, bad headaches, visual disturbances (sparkly bits and flashing light), I put on a stone in a week just from swelling... but I was moving house at the time so put a lot of it down to stress and late pregnancy. Doh - if it had happened 2nd time round I'd be at A&E like a shot! Luckily, I was fine with my 2nd pregnancy.

I was admitted and put on labetalol until my BP came down a bit, but it couldn't be got down to a normal level again, so after two more weeks of going in to the DAU for daily checks, I was given a section at 34.5 weeks, after I woke with a huge nosebleed one morning and my BP had gone back up again. I had this awful feeling of doom (which is mentioned as a symptom in some things I have read) and just 'knew' he needed to come out NOW as I was deteriorating. At 34 weeks, he was small (5lb) but fine when he was born. He did end up in Neonatal for a few days as his temperature dropped a lot a couple of hours after he was born, and he was too sleepy to feed properly. But I believe that this was mostly due to the freezing cold room in the delivery suite - everywhere else in the place was heated to about 35C but it was so cold in there, and they didn't wrap him up at all. He's almost 10 now and is one of the tallest, strongest, healthiest children I have ever met!

Best of luck to you, and your baby. It's a very stressful time, and not a nice thing to have anyway as it completely wipes you out. I felt so different and energised in comparison when I was pregnant and didn't have pre-eclampsia!

Guyropes · 23/03/2015 18:26

If they are medicating you, and monitoring you regularly and have told you to get in touch with the day assessment unit if you get symptoms, then I think that's the procedure at this stage. It's very alarming to have this condition, and it does help if they talk it through with you. But their monitoring will indicate if induction is required.

Hope your blood pressure stays stable, and take each day extra gestation as a good thing!

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