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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

should I get checked by someone?

54 replies

ALR123 · 28/12/2015 15:37

I am 37+5. A few weeks ago the hospital found protein in my urine but BP was fine so they told me to ensure my midwife kept an eye on it. I am due to see her in 2 days (weds) but the last 24 hrs my ankles have suddenly ballooned. Nothing else has - hands and face are fine. I have a head ache but also have a cold so have just linked the 2.
My sister had pre eclampsia and is stressing that I need to go to hospital but surely they'll just say it's a normal part of late pregnancy?
Would I be better to just go to the local out of hrs doc and ask them to check my BP? I don't live close to the hospital and I don't want them to think I'm insane!

OP posts:

SpaggyBollocks · 28/12/2015 15:41

if you give them a ring at the hospital they'll be better placed to advise you.

I had to go in on Boxing Day as I was having what turned out to simply be migraines with vomiting. I was there for 8 bloody hours though. they take preeclampsia pretty seriously.

Lj8893 · 28/12/2015 15:42

Yes doctors or midwife ASAP. Does your hospital run an antenatal drop in clinic? My local hospital runs one everyday (even Xmas day). Or phone labour ward, they will get you seem pretty quickly.

JE1234 · 28/12/2015 15:46

Please get seen asap. The headaches and swollen ankles need investigating. Good luck, I hope it goes ok.

BertrandRussell · 28/12/2015 15:49

Hospital at once, honestly.Better safe than sorry.

Original poster

ALR123 · 28/12/2015 17:24

Called the hospital and spoke to the rudest midwife ever. She said to me that swollen ankles at almost 38 weeks is not a reason to go to hospital and that having a head ache can be cured with paracetamol and water!
I explained that my sister had pre eclampsia but she said as I'm seeing my midwife in 2 days I really don't need to waste my time.
I hate calling them :(

OP posts:

JE1234 · 28/12/2015 17:27

That is terrible, how rude of her. You have been very unlucky, my hospital are very cautious and never turn you away. At least you are seeing a midwife soon.

ChinaSorrows · 28/12/2015 17:59

ALR, are you happy with the advice you received or are you still anxious?

If the latter, call again. If the phone is answered by the same bloody rude midwife then ask to speak with someone else. Be bloody obstinate. Try to be factual and start with protein in urine, that'll make them listen.

Even if you receive the same advice twice, don't be uncomfortable.

Original poster

ALR123 · 28/12/2015 18:04

Thanks so much all for the advice. I don't really know what to think. I'm currently lying very flat on my sofa with my feet elevated on 3 cushions hoping some of the swelling will go down.
I think I'll wait and see how I am tomorrow morning and then ring back to try and speak to someone else if I'm still concerned.
My sister had no symptoms and hers was very severe (blue lighted at 38 weeks from a midwife lead unit to a hospital), I don't want to waste their time but she was very poorly and I don't want to end up the same way!

OP posts:

LikeADivil · 28/12/2015 18:08

If there are any pharmacies open, they will take your BP?

Btw - I had LOW bp during pregnancy and was advised to elevate my legs. I'm not sure whether the same advice applies for HIGH bp?

Don't take chances. Genuinely.

Don't take chances in pregnancy.

Original poster

ALR123 · 28/12/2015 18:16

Yeah my BP has been consistently low... usually around 90/50. When they found protein it was 110/70 which is high for me but not high in their opinion which is why they left it at the time.
Thanks for the info on pharmacies, I didn't know that! Trip to boots in the morning then :)

OP posts:

DinoSnores · 28/12/2015 19:01

That sounds like a terrible way to speak to you and I'm very surprised that the MW is willing to take that risk. I agree with the PP who said don't take chances with a pregnancy. You are this baby's advocate and I'd be inclined (easier said than done, I know!) to phone again, say you are worried given your sister's history and your symptoms and that you will come in to be checked out.

99percentchocolate · 28/12/2015 19:05

I would ring again tonight. Gut instinct. Please phone and talk to someone else.

lilac3033 · 28/12/2015 19:09

Speak to someone else, INSIST on it. A rise of 20 on either of your BP numbers is a marker. My sister ended up with HELLP syndrome with similar markers to you. It can be dangerous and it has run in your family. It's not something to mess around with.

Mincedpie · 28/12/2015 19:14

Please ring back and tell them you would at least like your blood pressure taken. It really is something to be taken seriously, I can't believe she dismissed you like that.

ToadsforJustice · 28/12/2015 19:16

Please call again and speak to someone else. Trust your instincts. It speaks volumes that you hate talking to the team of MW that may help you during labour . Time to take charge OP. Ring them and TELL them you are coming in for a check up. Good luck.

LikeADivil · 28/12/2015 19:16

To be honest you sound dehydrated! (Speaking purely as a patient gobshite having had similar symptoms).

Try to get drinks into you.

Ring that stupid ward again and state your bp history.
Are you vomiting or anything?

Ye - Boots are generally good about this sort of thing. Just ask to speak to a pharmacist.

Can't believe the hospital are being so lazy.

My aunt ( a midwife in the hospital I was attending for dd) went MENTAL when I told her that I had rang the hospital to report little movement and back pain and was told by the midwife to take 2 paracetamol. I was admitted (thanks to aunt), but then discharged.

Things went haywire in the end (placental rupture a few days later). My aunt knew damned well that something was up. She was old school though.

Keep ringing the fuckers. It's your baby!

Original poster

ALR123 · 29/12/2015 15:09

Just to update you....
I woke up feeling really poorly today. My head is throbbing and paracetamol hasn't touched it.
I went to the pharmacy to get BP checked and it was 130/80 (a lot higher than mine has ever been. Usually 90/50, when they found protein it was 110/70).
I've called the hospital again and explained all about my sis, about the protein being found in my urine a few weeks ago, the headache and swollen ankles and feet , todays BP reading etc.
They again have told me not to go in as these are normal late pregnancy symptoms! I do feel more concerned today than I did yesterday.
I feel tearful and like I am being really stupid as the hospital aren't bothered in the slightest.
oh well... I'm 38 weeks tomorrow and seeing my midwife tomorrow afternoon :-(

OP posts:

ArcticCactus · 29/12/2015 15:15

No, call again and insist. Go to them physically. Get someone to drive you and pitch up there. Get the name of that midwife written down

I am amazed, utterly amazed that in the current litigious climate they'd turn you away. My midwife drummed it into me on every single visit that they'd much rather see me twenty times with paranoid first time mum nerves than risk missing something life threatening.

You know something is wrong. It'll take them half an hour to check out. The possible risks are far too high - get yourself physically down there pronto and do not leave until you're seen. Do not minimise your symptoms to them either.

BertrandRussell · 29/12/2015 15:22

Get someone to take you to the hospital now. If there isn't a FMU go straight to the labour ward. Do not leave until you are happy that you have been properly monitored. Do not wait until tomorrow. Your symptoms are potentially desperately serious for you and the baby.

Do not minimize the symptoms when you talk to them!!

sepa · 29/12/2015 15:22

Go to the hospital and tell them that something is not right and you want to be checked over. So what if your wasting their time. Better waste their time than the alternative. You know your body better than anyone so if you say something doesn't feel right I would say stick with your instinc.
At the very least I would call your MW and tell her your concerns

Lj8893 · 29/12/2015 15:28

I'm also very shocked and amazed that they don't want to see you on labour ward. Where I work, they would have you in ASAP.

JE1234 · 29/12/2015 15:34

This is very naughty but when I was concerned about some pains that I kept having (and the midwife kept dismissing) I lied and said I had reduced movement to get them to see me. They did the full gamut of checks and baby monitoring and thank god they did because I had started to dilate and the baby was in distress. I didn't have any major red light symptoms but I trusted my instincts. I know it wasn't an honest thing to do but it got me seen.

BertrandRussell · 29/12/2015 15:37

It's not a matter of the OP "knowing her body".

She has potentially life threatening symptoms.

OP-if you haven't left yet, go now!

claracluck1978 · 29/12/2015 15:53

Please OP go in. I had pre-eclampsia with my twins. High BP and protein and I was puffy in ankles and my face. I was admitted after a regular miwife check. Please please go and without wishing to scare you further, take your hospital bag. Hope all goes well, x

lilac3033 · 29/12/2015 15:56

Definitely go in and don't take no for an answer. You have too many symptoms to not get checked.

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