Labetalol with early preeclampsia

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I'm 33 weeks pregnant and was rushed into hospital yesterday morning with the most terrible headache, flashing lights and high BP (169 / 97). I was monitored for 24 hours and BP has decreased, but is still high hovering around 140 / 90 and higher. My original BP before being pregnant used to be around 100 / 70, so is still quite high for me.

Was on labetalol to bring it down whilst in hospital and was today sent home with some as going back regularly to hospital for check ups. What is everyone's experience using these tablets? And did they work?

I've also been given steroid injections in case baby needs to be born early. Is this likely?

I can't help much as I developed PE much much later on, but one thing to be aware of is that being on labetalol may require your baby to be blood-tested a few times after birth (heel prick) as their blood sugar levels can be a bit erratic in the first few days - not a prpblem, we just needed to do two tiny formula cup feeds before my milk came in properly. I'm mentioning it not to scare you but because nobody explained it to me properly at the time and I got very distressed from not understanding and thinking I was doing something wrong with the feeding! You'll probably also need to be in a bit longer for monitoring as PE generally improves once you give birth but can also spike a few days after delivery.

I think the medics are probably trying to give themselves options - hopefully your blood pressure will stabilise on the drugs but if it doesn't then having given the steroids means early delivery is safer.

Please be aware that it's possible for your blood pressure to go up without you getting symptoms (my only physical symptom was a very mild headache when my blood pressure shot up to something ludicrous like 200/130) so do make sure they're keeping a close eye on you.

I was on labetalol from 36 weeks and induced at 40. Then weaned off tablets over about 5 weeks.

Don't think i had any side effects? Also wasn't told anything about baby's blood sugars at all - that's really interesting!

@UnaOfStormhold thank you for the info, I wasn't aware or given any information about this, in regards to feeding baby and their blood sugars. Good to know and I shall ask them about this.

I'm a bit worried that the BP isn't going down to a healthy range and will therefore result in early delivery. Baby is also just under the 10th centile line, so is quite small. Due for a scan next week. I also have traces of protein in my urine.

I wasn't aware of any symptoms with my first son either @loveacupoftea18 @UnaOfStormhold. Although I had terrible swelling, but thought it was "normal". Wasn't until be routine midwife appointment found protein and high BP.

I had my pre-eclampsia picked up at 36 weeks.

Labetalol worked just fine for me. Was on the minimum dose while I was in hospital, and BP stayed within normal ranges the entire time. It did begin creeping up again towards the end of my stay though. A note of warning though, I nearly caused myself to faint when I took a hot shower, so be careful with anything that might lower your BP further. Don't be afraid to contact your MAU if anything changes.

Baby will only need to come early if your monitoring flags up that it needs to happen. As long as baby is healthy and happy, and your symptoms are stable, baby can continue to cook until term. Steroids just mean should baby need to come early, baby is a bit more ready.

You'll need to stay in hospital for a little while after birth to make sure your pre-eclampsia doesn't worsen. Baby will also need heel pricks to make sure blood sugars are stable. You'll continue to take labetalol once you're discharged, and as part of your aftercare, your GP will wean you gradually off it.

Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy.