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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Could thi sbe pre-eclampsia, I feel like a complete drama queen....

36 replies

NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 08:28

Does anyone know how long it takes for pre-eclampsia to set in? I know I am probably just worried about nothing, but after yesterdays midwife appointment, when my BP was up but not anywhere near danderously so, my urine was clear (but only checked by student midwife, however I don't think it is that difficult to match the colour to the side of the pot!) and babies heart beat being spot on and strong, I have now ballooned up, I can hardly move my feet and toes because they are just so big there is nowhere for them to move to! My left hand isn't too bad but my right wrist and hand are really puffed up (I have had to take my watch off which is normally quite loose) and my face - I can hardly open my eyes past half way, even the inside of my mouth feels swollen. Also I am really thristy, I mean I am literally drinking pint after pint of water and still my mouth is dry, but I am weeing loads so I don't think it is the excess water causing the swelling. The baby is still wriggling about like mad, so I am not too worried just yet, just don't know if something like pre-eclampsia can set in that quickly?

I am due for a home birth, the midwives go on call for me from today and so I don't really want to have to ring them unless I have to, I already feel like a bloody drama queen without coming across as a pain in the arse with them as well.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 08:29

You will have to excuse typos, I am shattered!! LOL

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brimfull · 08/11/2006 08:30

I would ring them ,you're not being a nuisance.

harpsichordcarrier · 08/11/2006 08:31

call them definitely and get assessed today.
the HBP plus oedema/swelling needs checking out, NOW.
you are in NO WAY being a drama queen. p/e is serious stuff.
do you have a headache?

Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 08:32

Can it really set in that quickly? The first swelling only came up about 9 hours after BP and urnine checked out fine.

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Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 08:33

Nope, no head ache, and my vision is fine, except hardly being able to see out of my eyes!

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brimfull · 08/11/2006 08:33

It may not be pe but it's best to get your bp checked anyway.

Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 08:34

The midwife did say that the high BP wasn't serious, it was just up a bit on my usual reading.

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flopflip · 08/11/2006 08:36

You need to call your midwife now. I think as you have so much swelling you need to have everything plus your bloods done again.

The midwives will not feel you are a pain, and that is what they are there for, on call !

Good luck.

pindy · 08/11/2006 08:37

Please call the midwife and get it checked out. No one will think you are a pain in the arse, and so what if they do. You are worried and that's not good for you or your baby.

Keep us posted.

Good luck! X

Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 08:39

OK thanks everyone, I will get DS off to school and then ring them.

Any ideas on how to get my shoes on now would be great!!!

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Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 10:13

Sorry I took a while to get back, the birth pool arrived so I was having a play

I rang the midwife, she asked what my BP was yesterday, it was 122/82, she said it was up a bit and that she would pop round and take it again today at some point.

So it is just wait and see really.

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Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 10:14

Oh actually, if it is still high, does anyone know what the next step is? I am thinking about DS and having someone ready to watch him etc.

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abgirl · 08/11/2006 10:30

If it is suspected PE, think you will be sent to local ante-natal unit for monitoring, maybe for a few hours (if all goes well) or they may keep you in longer if there are any concerns. Would definitely be arranging some contingency care for DS, if it is PE the situation may develop quickly and have always found hospitals very unwilling to let you go once they have you in.

Good luck!!

Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 10:32

OK thanks very much, it is helpful to be able to sort it in advance.

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throckenholt · 08/11/2006 10:48

NJ - any sudden change in pregnancy should be a cause for concern. Glad the midwife is coming out today. She may well send you into the delivery ward for monitoring - eg blood tests, blood pressure. You may have to collect your wee for 24 hours for protein analysis.

Hopefully it is nothing much - but definitely worth checking.

Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 10:57

I have had very slight swelling in my ankles for the last couple of months on and off, that the midwives are obviously aware of, but nothing compared to how I am now, I feel like that girl from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that eats the gum, except I've not turned blue!! LOL

It feels horrible to touch, all soft and spongy, and it hurts! My tounge feels like it is in the way, and my feet are hardly moving.

I might go and get in the bath. Try to relax a bit else my BP will be up by the time she gets here!

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abgirl · 08/11/2006 11:06

Forgot to say, if you want more info apec are extremely helpful.

throckenholt · 08/11/2006 11:08

could it be anything else ? Maybe an allergic reaction ?

Otherwise I think if it is pregnancy related then you are likely to be visiting the hospital sooner rather than later - regardless of your BP.

Are you still having contractions ? This seems to not have been the best pregnancy for you lately.

Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 11:33

Thanks for the link, I will check it out in a second.

I don't think it is an alergic reaction, I haven't eaten or done anything different to normal, and I don't have any known allergies so it isn't as though I am prone to them or anything.

The contractions are coming almost constantly now to one degree or another, sometimes they will have an hour or so break and then it will be every two minutes for a bit and then back down to every 10 minutes, it just depends on what I'm doing, or what I have been doing really.

The baby was engaged yesterday at the midwives, but he has been popping in and out for a few weeks now, but she says he isn't likely to come back out this time as he is quite well in, and I can back that up with the amount of pressure and extra discharge. And three and a half weeks after first starting to loose my show, I am still loosing bits of it here and there, sometimes it is a little bit bloody, sometimes just green.

I have really reached the point where I just want the pregnancy bit over with now, and as much as I obviously want to meet the baby and can't wait and everything else, I am also really looking forward to not being pregnant anymore!!

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IdrisTheDragon · 08/11/2006 11:36

I'd say that you could well be asked to go into hospital to have some monitoring. When I was pregnant with DS, my BP was up from about 34 weeks and from 35 weeks onwards I spent much of my time in and out of hopsital being monitored, having urine tests, scans etc.

They decided in the end it was PE and were going to induce me, but DS came along on his own at 38+3.

throckenholt · 08/11/2006 11:37

I can imagine you are - and no-one could blame you.

How many weeks are you now ?

Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 11:42

It would be a complete nightmare if they wanted me back and forth from the hospital.

I am 37 weeks today... feels more like 47!

Oh I should stop moaning really, for goodness sake I am not the first person who ever had a tough time of it, and lots have it a lot worse than me!

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foxtrot · 08/11/2006 11:54

Hi NatalieJane. Have you seen the midwife yet? If it is PE (and i hope it isn't for yours and the baby's sake) the MW will almost certainly send you off to hospital (I had it from 32 weeks and they never really let me go home after that). Can i suggest that you get someone organised NOW to look after your DS, just in case. Good luck

Original poster
NatalieJane · 08/11/2006 13:13

Midwife has just been, BP back down, as low as it was at booking in now my wee is clear, she checked baby and he is fine (and 3/5 engaged - whooopie!!! He isn't getting back out now) said to keep my feet up to help the swelling go down, and to ring her again if I feel funny in any way. I feel like a complete time waster now, but at least all is well.

Thanks for all of the advice though everyone

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throckenholt · 08/11/2006 13:15

did she have any suggestions about what is causing the swelling ? Does it still hurt ?

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