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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Pre eclamsia or paranoia?

16 replies

Walktwomoons · 07/10/2019 11:45

Hello ladies!
I just went to the Drs and she noticed that I have a trace of protein in my urine.
She took my blood pressure and said it was normal, but I noticed that it was higher than usual, since normally my blood pressure is very low. I've heard that a rise of more than 15 in your diastolic blood pressure can be a sign of pre eclamsia, and I do have that (although I can make my systolic blood pressure go up and down at will, so she ended up taking 3 wildly varying readings in the one appointment).

I feel fairly well in myself other than having a cold. I do have swelling in my hands, feet and face, as well as vision blurring/ seeing stars,which I know are also pre eclamsia signs. I also feel tired a lot and quite lightheaded and tired in the evenings.

About a week ago I felt awful and couldn't get out of bed,but I didn't mention this since I'm fine now and thought that was related to stress.

Does this sound like pre eclamsia? Can anyone who's had it tell me how they felt? I have another appointment in 8 days, am I ok to do nothing until then as long as baby is moving and I feel ok?

OP posts:

Butterchunks · 07/10/2019 11:57

If you have any suspicions whatsoever contact your hospital. I had sever preeclampsia with fewer symptoms than you and only went into hospital due to reduced movements. If it is preeclampsia and it goes untreated the effects could be devastating. If it is not then at least you know.

Butterchunks · 07/10/2019 11:59

Sorry that made no sense! My pe was only discovered due to going into hospital for reduced movement.

Scarlett555 · 07/10/2019 12:03

My sister had it and felt dreadful. Terrible headache, flu like symptoms and reduced movements from the baby. If you are feeling well then it sounds unlikely but better to be safe than sorry.

In my pregnancy I was paranoid I had it at one point and went to the midwife for tests. The midwife was a bit sneery 'if you had preeclampsia you'd know about it'

Turns out I didn't have it. Still don't regret getting checked though!

BertrandRussell · 07/10/2019 12:03

That combination of symptoms means you should be seen. Do you have a foetal medicine unit at your local hospital? Did you tell your dr about the vision problems?

AfternoonTea12 · 07/10/2019 12:19

I had high blood pressure, protein in urine, swelling, terrible rib pain and just generally not feeling well at all. This went on for weeks but the midwives were not concerned when I expressed concern and it was only diagnosed when I went in to hospital to give birth! It was my first time and I didn’t want to be a pest however on reflection I should have been stronger and made them listen to me. If you are at all concerned then please go and get checked.

KMoKMo · 07/10/2019 12:23

Go and get checked. I’ve not had PE but I did have a prem baby and like a previous poster wish I had been more of a pest as I knew how I was feeling wasn’t right.

Busydrinkingcoffee1 · 07/10/2019 12:30

I had PE and had no idea as felt well but was very swollen, my MW picked up protein in my urine at 38 weeks and I was instantly sent to hospital for monitoring and was induced. Trust your instincts OP, with your symptoms and the trace of protein, I'd probably be taking myself to hospital to be checked

Original poster

Walktwomoons · 07/10/2019 12:40

I've told the dr and the midwife at the last appointment about my symptoms but I didn't really go into how bad I was feeling.
Because my blood pressure isn't high then they've always said it's just normal pregnancy stuff. Normally my blood pressure is very low, like 102/60. Now it's like 130/78, so still not high! I don't know whether 'high for me' is a symptom or not. I don't know how crap you should feel during pregnancy so I don't know what's unusual.

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 07/10/2019 12:41

High for you is definitely a symptom. Go and get checked out NOW!

TravelsWithChild · 07/10/2019 12:56

We're you given an emergency midwife phone number? Call that and clearly express your concerns.

I had severe pre-eclampsia that was initially undiagnosed and had to have my baby via EMCS at 36 weeks because by that time my blood pressure was "alarmingly high" as was my urine protein. Despite this I felt absolutely fine, no subjective symptoms whatsoever!

PivotPivotPivottt · 07/10/2019 12:56

Sorry I post my experience on every thread like this and feel a bit bad as I don't want to scare people but I think it's important I do share.

I had no symptoms whatsoever when I had PE. I had protein in my urnine at a routine check up so the midwife arranged for me to be seen at hospital the next day as a precaution but she was convinced it wouldn't be PE as my blood pressure was normal. A little higher than usual for me but still completely normal.

At the hospital I was monitored and they done blood tests and sent me home as in their words there's no way it's PE as I was well and again normal blood pressure. I was home half an hour when I got the phone call to go back up and induced there and then as blood results showed I did have PE. I ended up with a very severe case and developed HELLP and both me and my baby almost died.

Every midwife and doctor I spoke to couldn't believe it, by the time I was took down to the labour ward my full body ballooned and my blood pressure was through the roof. I had been sitting with PE for days or weeks and it wasn't until I was told and induced that my symptoms started, doctors say they think it was the stress and upset that brought my symptoms on so quickly.

I only ever share my experience on here to make people aware that pre eclampsia can be silent like it was in my case. I was a very rare case and don't want to worry anyone. If anyone ever feels they have any symptoms of pre eclampsia don't back down and demand a blood test. I dread to think what would have happened had I not had a blood test.

You have several symptoms so go into the maternity unit and tell them your worries and ask for a blood test. "High for me" was definitely one of my symptoms but everyone at the hospital dismissed it until my blood results came back positive.

mirror9 · 07/10/2019 13:06

Hi want to second pivot.

Had silent pe. Only picked up when I had a routine app with midwife. Baby was born at 33 weeks via emergency c section 12 hours after I saw the midwife. Even she said she only sent me to the hospital because she thought I might have the start of something due to a little bit of protein in wee. Within hours I was seriously ill. I'm very thankful for a very experienced midwife who had an inkling as I really do think we might not have been so lucky as it progressed very quickly to very very dangerous levels. Absolutely no idea I was ill. Husband turned up to intensive care thinking it was all a bit dramatic as I was perfectly fine except my kidneys had started to shut down!
Please go!

Nat6999 · 07/10/2019 13:23

I had PE, was fine at the midwife on the monday except I fell getting up after she measured my bump & broke all my fingers on one hand. Went to A & E, had my fingers splinted, felt shattered all week & really emotional, put it down to being 36 weeks pregnant, woke up on friday morning feeling weird, looked really fat & disoriented, went to doctors, my BP was sky high & I had protein, managed to persuade GP to let me go home to bed, 24 hours later I had blown up, put at least 6 inches on each thigh, my face looked like it was going to burst, got sent to hospital to be assessed & was induced, had emcs on Monday evening due to failure to progress, had massive PPH in theatre & ended up in HDU with HELLP syndrome, my organs were shutting down, it took months for my BP to settle down & I wasn't well for ages, was 4 stone lighter than when I went in hospital a week later at home & lost a further 2 stone in the first month. Took a long time to be back to normal.

Keyboard91 · 07/10/2019 13:29

I literally had a conversation with my consultant as I have a naturally very low BP (usually 90-100 over something) so a normal reading for me is actually high. She confirmed that yes, a BP of 120 upwards would raise alarm bells for them and they would have me in.

If you are used to readings around 100 over something, and it’s coming out as 130 you need to go and be seen, like now. Especially with other symptoms. Please call and be seen ASAP.

Best case scanario - no issues and you can carry on as usual (but midwives would rather see 1000 women who turn out to have no problem, than have someone not want to bother them and become poorly).

ChillyB · 07/10/2019 13:56

I had severe pre-eclampsia I had one swollen foot/ankle at 34 weeks. Went to get checked as it wasn’t going down. Was discharged fine.
I had midwife appointment week after, urine fine but BP high, was sent down to the hospital to get checked. Was discharged fine.
By 36 weeks My face had swollen up so I took myself to Mat assessment. BP through the roof. Midwife literally ran for the Dr! Apart from feeling bone tired, a very slight headache and looking like I’d taken a punch to the face I felt absolutely fine. Ended up having EMCS the next day and my DS was on SCBU after due to breathing difficulties.
Please please go and get checked again. I’d also add to ask them to check your BP manually as the electronic BP monitors kept giving wildly inaccurate readings for me. Hope you are ok OP.

Original poster

Walktwomoons · 07/10/2019 16:27

I phoned, they said since blood pressure is in the normal range, no need to go in and to ring back if I get a headache or baby's movements change. I was really clear about all my symptoms. I think I'll keep checking my bp in the pharmacy between now and my next appointment just in case and if I keep feeling sick and faint then in a couple of days I will go in no matter what they say.

OP posts:

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