should I get checked by someone?

[ALR123]

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!

This is ridiculous.

I hope your on your way in & getting check over.

I am shocked. Can you call your GP and get them to refer you? Otherwise, I would phone again and say that, based on the RCOG guidelines, you need to be seen. Ask for the names of any and all midwives you speak to. Ask to speak to the on call Supervisor of Midwives to get their advice and their name. At worst, go to A&E.

Hopefully it is just nothing, but there is no way that a midwife can tell that over the phone.

RCOG Patient Information leaflet: www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/pregnancy/pre-eclampsia.pdf

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG107/chapter/1-Guidance

Pregnant women should be made aware of the need to seek immediate advice from a healthcare professional if they experience symptoms of pre-eclampsia. Symptoms include:

severe headache

problems with vision, such as blurring or flashing before the eyes

severe pain just below the ribs

vomiting

sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet.

[This recommendation is adapted from 'Antenatal care' (NICE clinical guideline 62)].

I would go, a&e if necessary. They won't turn a worried pregnant lady away.

Sorry to hear you've been fobbed off. Sadly this has been my experience too with midwives so far. I think you just have to be really stroppy unfortunately.

Are you in London? I am and I think they're so busy it makes them abrupt and rude (sometimes).

Random question but was this Whiston Hospital? I was in there myself yesterday and overheard a conversation from a midwife on the phone for the same reasons and couldn't believe how rude she was!! I didn't even want to say I was in for reduced movement myself (at 19 weeks too) for fear of being given told off! Turns out I was severely dehydrated and needed to go on a drip.

Please go in; my high (for me but still just about within 'normal' range for late pregnancy) blood pressure was picked up by my midwife but ignored when she sent me to hospital for monitoring. I also had swelling, but not severe - I only noticed weeks later looking at pictures. Headaches but not too severe. A severe pain under my rib is what eventually took me to hospital, they still ignored it and said it was early labour, really has to push over and over for anyone to take us seriously. Eventually found out I had HELLP syndrome and it was pretty touch and go for a while (all fine in the end though.
Please just turn up, it's a lot harder to be fobbed off (not suggesting they would but just in case) in person.

Hi ALR123

I hope youve finally been listened to and have been examined and possibly admitted by now.

Im a Midwife and I am absolutely appalled at the way you have been dismissed without proper investigation.

Your history of headaches, protein in urine, significant rise in BP, oedema and close family history make a very strong case for examination.

You at least need your blood pressure monitoring over several hours (Known as BP Profile) and bloods to check for pre eclampsia markers

The Midwife you spoke to has in fact been negligent and I urge you to get her name and report her to the Matron and the NMC. Once you are in a fit state to, of course.

PLEASE get access to these investigations as soon as you can if you havent already - quote me if necessary - even if it means you ringing a different hospital, they can and will treat non-booked patients if necessary

And in all future contacts I would make a point of taking the name of Drs/Midwives you speak to.

I hope all turns out well for you. But if left there is a big risk to you and your baby and the way you have been treated so far requires investigating.

Please feel free to message me if you need any further help!

I also had an upset stomach but certainly not severe and would have barely given it a thought if not for other symptoms.

And protein in undone same time the midwife picked up on my BP.

Sorry for multiple posts- keep remembering relevant stuff.

*urine
Not 'undone' ffs

If you're not already there, just go to the hospital you are booked at. Go to labour ward or maternity triage if they have. If you have to, use the line " my sister had pre-eclampsia. I need a doctor to test me properly because we all know that eclampsia kills babies and women. I cannot leave until I'm certain".

Oh, and "high" BP is relative. Normal for me is around 95/60. There was a great deal of concern when mine went up to 120/80 (which for most people is bang on normal).

Another lone who said please go in 130/90 with a headache and swelling is enough .I had high BP with both of mine and they practically chained me to the bed .I would ring 111 , they will probably tell you to go in .Alternatively I would present at the labour ward.

I really hope you're getting seen by now, this sounds worrying.

Old, ex midwife here.

Please, please go in.
Tell them you have reduced movement. You need to be seen.
I don't care if the fetal movement is reduced or not, you need to see an obstetrician asap.

The rude midwife you spoke to needs reporting.

If you had spoken to me when i was on labour ward I would have got you in straight away.

Hope you're ok

Hope you are being checked over now x

Hope all is ok X

Any update OP? Thinking of you.

Hope you've been seen and that all is perfectly normal. It's attitudes such as that which you have encountered which endangers women and babies.

Lovely to see some midwives giving their expert opinions on the thread too. Thanks ladies/gents. Ye sound wonderful.

Please listen to the midwives on here - not the ones you've had to listen to so far.

If it's ok, no harm done. Do not feel afraid to 'bother' them. You're worried. The old adage 'better safe than sorry' has never been more appropriate.

I do hope all is ok op.

I'm so sorry all that I didn't come back sooner. I just felt very unwell yesterday and slept on the sofa most of the evening.
I called my midwife first thing today and asked if she could see me earlier and explained what's been going on and that the hospital have been really dismissive so i went to her early this morning.
My BP is up but today there's no trace of protein at all so she's said she isn't worried about it being pre eclampsia.
I'm not booked to see her now till I have a sweep on my due date but she has told me that if I have any more concerns about P.E then I should go in and say either I'm thinking I've gone into labour or that the baby's stopped moving. She said she knows it's bad but sometimes you have to lie to be taken seriously! She was amazed they didn't want to see me to check me over as she said they can't make those judgements over the phone.
Thanks so much to everyone who offered advice, I have been lucky this time but it's really made me lose confidence in them.
And for those who asked, it's the hospital in Sutton Coldfield in the Midlands.

Just keep an eye on yourself. I would call her or the hospital and ask for a BP check the protein can come and go. Pre eclampsia if it were that can change so quickly that it's best to be one step ahead of the game. More for reassurance for you and to make sure your baby is well. You know yourself from your sister having it.

Hope you feel better

Sorry you're still not feeling well but glad to hear that it isn't PE.
Surprised at GH, I've normally heard good things, If you have suspicions again I would recommend Heartlands instead. Despite their reputation they've been fantastic for me so far (I'm having a problem pregnancy).
A couple of weeks ago it was just two hours between being first call and being discharged having been seen by the senior Dr. I know it's a bit further for you but could be another option if you want to be seen and GH are dismissive again (fingers crossed it won't arise again)
Feel better soon x

Thanks :-) 99percentchocolate you're right GH have been really good with me up till now. I was torn between them and Burton as I actually come under staffs rather than West mids. I've been in to GH 5 times in earlier weeks due to reduced movements and they have been brill every time, monitoring me and scanning me etc as they could see baby wasn't moving much so I was surprised that they didn't seem to want to do anything in this case.
I've heard really good things about Heartlands despite their reputation like you say, I'm sure you're In very good hands with them and best of luck :) x