Should I phone the midwife

[rogl]

Evening all, I probably just need a firm grip handed to me but I've been on Dr Google and need some talking down.

Im currently 28w with dd2, went to my midwife appointment today, I've been told I've got SPD (which I suspected) and have a referral to physic but also she was sending my urine away to be tested as it had a trace of protein.

So I wasn't panicking then but after having a look online I have quite a few symptoms of preeclampsia. Ive have visual migraines for the past 2 months, these often block most of my vision. I've had terrible headaches and really bad shortness of breath when not doing anything strenuous.

These symptoms aren't new and have been going on for weeks so didn't mention it today, but after looking online I think I should maybe phone and see what they say. Or I am just being stupid and should wait for the results from the urine.

Definitely phone, they would much prefer to be troubled and all is okay than have anything happen to you or the baby.

High blood pressure is the key symptom to pre eclampsia. Headaches and visual disturbances are symptoms of having high blood pressure. If you saw your midwife today she should have checked it.
Protein in urine is more commonly sign of a urine infection or could be contamination from the sample bottle or test sticks.

My blood pressure wasn't high today. I have naturally very very low BP but it was still relatively low today. She didn't seem to concerned thats why I didn't think anything of it until after.

Thank you both for replying though, I think I'll leave it for tonight. If she was more concerned I guess she would've asked if I had any other symptoms

When you say it was still 'relatively low' today, what does that mean? How much higher was it than your booking appointment?

Pre-eclampsia is indicated with protein in the urine and hypertension (>140) but if a woman's blood pressure is normally low and suddenly rises above her normal levels, regardless if they are still within normal parameters, it warrants investigation. Particularly if you present with the symptoms you describe.

Please call your midwife first thing if you're unwilling to do so tonight or immediately if your symptoms worsen. I would also suggest that you report all/any unusual symptoms at your appointments. And stay away from Dr Google!

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

I wouldn't say it is higher enough to warrant concern.
Thank you for all your advice. I'm going to leave it for tonight and just give them a quick ring in the morning to see what they say

I had preeclampsia in my first pregnancy and the first symptoms were high blood pressure and protein in urine - not a trace though, 1+and 2+and protein so pretty unmistakable.

If you're BP was fine today I was wouldn't worry tonight but do call your midwife or hospital if you get any additional new symptoms or feel unwell as although rare, It can come on quickly.

I am currently pg with DC2 and have had a trace of protein in my urine often in this pregnancy and although they always send it off for investigation, it has always turned out to be nothing.

The midwife explained to me that a trace of protein is often just vaginal discharge getting in the sample - please try not to worry!

Good luck with everything.

Also, if you didn't have PE in your first pregnancy you are even less likely in subsequent pregnancies...

Those symptoms can also be symptoms of low iron levels - best to tell the midwife about them and ask for your haemoglobin and ferritin levels to be checked.

I had low ferritin, which caused these symptoms plus also contributed to low blood pressure. Not sure about the protein in urine thing tho, never had that.