23 weeks pregnant and getting a bit concerned..

[hannahbanananana]

Hoping someone might be able to give me a bit of advice.

I'm really really worrying. I'm 23 weeks pregnant and on Sunday (4 days ago) I started with lower abdominal pains. If I wasn't pregnant I would be 100% sure I was going to start my period at any moment. I know that stretching pains are common so didn't think too much of it, but they got a lot worse throughout the day and by that evening they were appearing every 10 minutes or so and radiating through my lower back. I then woke up on Monday morning with awful backache. I spoke to maternity triage who said it was normal. I booked an appointment with my midwife the next morning as I thought maybe I had a UTI - I have been moaning for a while that I feel like I constantly need a wee, but not a great deal appears when I go.

By the time I saw my midwife (2 days ago), the abdominal pains weren't as regular, baby's heartbeat was fine and I'd felt plenty of movement, so she wasn't too concerned. I did still have awful backache. She took a urine sample and said all looked ok but would send it off anyway (haven't heard anything back yet). She said she would check my blood pressure, I did mention that I thought maybe it was a little high as I started with a headache that morning but didn't think much of it as it had only just started. She said it was a little high - 130/85. I didn't that was all that high, but she said compared to my previous readings it was. She said she would see if it's any higher again at 28 weeks (in 5 weeks time). Since then, I have had 2 days of horrendous headaches. I can't describe the pain when I move my head backwards or to the side. The abdominal pains have mostly subsided, my ribs, arms and chest just aches so much. It may just be that I'm coming down with something but I can't help but worry. I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to pester them and appear a drama queen when it turns out there is nothing wrong. I've tested my blood pressure at home and it's no higher than it was on Tuesday and I expect if there was any protein in my urine the midwife would have picked up on it. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

You need to see someone asap with headaches and chest pain. Call your GP.

I haven't had similar, but I urge you to call your midwife. Not because I think there's something you should worry unduly about, but because it might be something she can reassure you about or even offer some help.
Don't worry about pestering her, I'm sure she'd rather you called than not.

Okay and breath ....

I get them my consultant said some women get severe Braxton Hicks that come and go I've had them from around 25 weeks and they do feel like an utterly horrendous period is due to start but baby is fine. As for the blood pressure that's not exactly high to be fair mine always sat at that although mine is now on the lower side since becoming pregnant. As for the peeing very little and often it's normal I'm up peeing every 1/2 hours at night and most of the times its the slightest dribble that I do. There are quite a few viruses going around atm I currently have one. Take it easy and if you are really concerned Fone your midwife to get reassurance. Oh and drink plenty to stay hydrated xx

It could be something and nothing, but equally it could be indicative of something else, so I second the advice to see your GP (not your MW) as soon as you can.
Hope all is well.

Yes, defo see someone about this. It's very well nothing but headaches and high blood pressue (or just higher than normal) can be a sign of pre eclampsia, which can come on quite suddenly. You've mentioned there probably wasn't protein in your wee last time, but best to get it checked again. If only so you stop worrying :-)

Definitely worth seeing the GP - even if you weren't pregnant those sound like symptoms worth getting checked out. Hopefully it is just a virus and you'll be fine in a few days but why risk it?
Good luck

The thing with blood pressure is that it's very important to look at your blood pressure at booking in as a comparison. So mummyneedinganswers might see that as a normal reading but for me, that would indicate something was quite wrong. In pregnancy, my bp sits at 80/50 so when it went up to 120/80, they knew something wasn't right. If the lower number goes up by 20 or more, they should be keeping an eye on you.

I agree with Mrscog, I do think you should go back to your GP. It is possible that all of your symptoms are either pregnancy related and normal or you're coming down with something but with symptoms that are not abating or are getting worse, I'd have a once over to be on the safe side.

How are you today OP? Did you find some help?

I agree you should push for more thorough checks.

But I just wanted to let you know of my experience. I too had awful headaches that laughed in the face of paracetamol. These became less frequent and passed within a few weeks. I did find being tired or dehydrated seemed to make them more frequent/severe so get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water.

I also had the stomach/back ache you described but from as early as 6 weeks right through to now (all be it more occasionally). Mine was/is down to constipation. It's taken me months to figure out how to manage it. I know it sounds like a minor issue but it really can be agony. It might be worth mentioning to your MW if you have had any issues in 'that' dept.