High blood pressure / pre eclampsia question

[Nov19]

Sorry I know I’ve posted before I’m just a bit worried.

I’ve had normal bp my whole pregnancy up until now (35 weeks today). I went into hospital on Thursday (34+4) to be checked as I had reduced movements and my hands and feet were swollen. I’d only had one episode of floaters and about 3 days of a severe headache that painkillers wouldn’t get rid of them it eventually went so this wasn’t too much of a concern. I had a growth scan which was fine, baby then moved fine but my bp was high (can’t remember the exact figures now, this was the first time it has been checked in over a month). I was started on labetalol on Thursday and when I went in yesterday my bp was still just as high if not higher. A few of the readings were 152/96 , 148/95 and 148/91 (can’t remember the rest but they were similar).
The first reading was 127/100 which they discounted as they don’t tend to look too much into the first one.
Still no protein in urine but they took another set of bloods yesterday rather than waiting til tomorrow (they’re still taking some tomorrow) as 2 things were a bit high but I don’t know what those things were as the doctor was called away.
They’ve doubled my dose of labetalol to see if this helps and I’ve just realised I forgot to tell them I suffer with reynauds (nhs website says to tell doctor before taking and I completely forgot).

I will find out tomorrow if double the dosage has helped but what I was wondering was if the tablets now keep my bp down would that prevent pre eclampsia or would I get it regardless? So would the bp just keep going up? I really should have asked.

What are your experiences with pre eclampsia did it start out similar? What happened with the rest of your pregnancy were you induced early etc?

My only real symptom is being swollen but the doctor did say symptoms can come on quite quickly so I’m to get in touch if they do. I’m feeling a bit disappointed as I thought the initial dosage of labetalol would have at brought it down a little bit.

I should know more tomorrow but I can’t take my mind off it now. Especially after googling the implications of high bp on pregnancy (il never learn to stay away from google).

Again sorry I’ve posted about this before and I know there’s similar posts I’m just looking for some reassurance. Thank you!

If they work and bring it down then you won't get pre-eclampsia.

I also had pre-eclampsia and was on these. Funnily enough I had reynauds too although can't remember if I even told them this. Probably not in all the chaos!

@purpleme12 I didn’t even think the reynauds would be relevant until I seen it on the nhs website! Thank you for your reply I’m hoping they work. My mum had it PE severely with me (I’m her only child) but she has problems with her blood pressure anyway due to kidney disease but I think because of this I worry a bit more. It’s never really been an issue for me til now.

I experienced exactly the same as you with both my pregnancies.
Labetalol didn’t help at all.

I had both at 36 week (which is probably full term )
Had steroids with baby no 2 a couple of days before giving birth.

Both had growth retardation, both 5lbs.
But no lasting effects, I was home 24 hours with no 2, 3 days with number 1.
No special care needed, both breast fed well.

If it reassures you my 5lb first born is now a grunting teenager nearly 6ft tall with his head either asleep or in the fridge!
Number 2 preeclamptic 5lb baby is off to swimming lesson then football this afternoon.

Have to add I’m still a big mama, can’t blame preeclampsia on this big ass any longer 😃

@crosser62 thank you so much for your reply that’s reassuring to know! I’m 35 weeks today so not in a bad place if anything needed to move quickly. Your first born sounds a lot like my DP
Hoping my big sausage fingers return to their normal size as I don’t know how long I could use high bp as an excuse after the birth!

Hiya,

I had preeclampsia at 28 weeks caught by a urine dip at midwife appointment, I was admitted immediately and it was managed for 2 weeks with labetalol and other medications. I had a caesarean at 30 weeks.

If they can keep your bp under control then I would imagine you will be able to proceed with a normal-ish pregnancy?

If you are at all worried you should go to hospital straight away as it is true pre eclampsia can develop very quickly.

If you have new symptoms; severe swelling (my face swelled up, but only my sister noticed as I hadn't seen her for a few weeks) headache (I never had this, I felt fine) etc, I wouldnt bother with midwife, go straight to hospital.
The protein in the urine is how they can tell the high BP is causing your kidneys to leak. The visual disturbances is the high bp putting the optic nerve under pressure.

By the way I had visual disturbances but I also had floaters and they weren't the same (although they might manifest differently from person to person?). I saw rainbow edges to everything when mine happened.

Hope everything goes ok for you!

For me preeclampsia was a bump in the road that was well managed but my body just didn’t respond to the treatment so it was safe to deliver.

Don’t forget that they deal with this day in day out.

There are risks but there again, there are risks from the moment you conceive aren’t there.

Now it doesn’t really cross my mind as my kids are healthy and I’m ok, it was what I expected from that first raise in blood pressure, a healthy outcome.
The bigger picture for me and millions of women who suffer pre eclampsia is that it will all be ok with good management and wise decisions.
Just think, within a few short weeks from now you will be nursing your little one safe and sound at home.