Dark urine / preeclampsia

[pandaobsessed]

I've been diagnosed with preeclampsia and having weekly checkups at the hospital (due another this coming Tuesday).

I have just been for a wee and the colour was what I would describe as similar to ice tea. I've had about 3 pints of water today, which I know is not enough, but surely wouldn't make me dehydrated?

Please call 111. How do you feel in yourself? I was drinking the same amount, with similar pee and my potassium was 1.8 (should be 4)

@OneHanded I'm going to go for another pee and see what it looks like to check it wasn't a one off. I don't feel too bad in myself, apart from being swollen and generally feeling the tiredness of pregnancy. I haven't heard about the potassium levels before. What does this mean?

Just call labour ward for advice. I had pre eclampsia (sudden onset at 31 weeks). I was barely able to pass urine, despite drinking plenty, because my kidneys were packing in. Baby delivered a two days later. So please get seen by a professional. Don’t wait for a GP appointment.

As above it’s a sign of kidney disease. Please don’t hesitate to contact help ASAP. I wish you both all the best, better safe than sorry either way.

Kidney failure* shouldn’t have sped tapped that!

I've just been for another pee (although not much as wanted to see what it was like) and it's normal again. If there was something wrong, would it stay the dark color? I've been in and out of the Maternity Ward so much the past week, just don't want to waste their time.

You’re not wasting anyone’s time I promise. Please just call labour ward. They’ll be able to say if it’s anything to worry about. If it’s nothing then great but there’s a chance that the PE has worsened.

Go and get checked, although it could well be that you didn't drank enough. In the meantime drink some more water, and just phone your maternity unit.

I'd be suggesting you rang Labour ward for this even if you didn't already have a pre eclampsia issue. Please ring them....

I had PE, the only symptoms I had were when I stopped peeing out (despite lots of fluid) and started swelling up.

It was a sign my kidneys were failing. I nearly died, and so did DS.

Please do something about this NOW.

@pandaobsessed Midwife here - please go to the hospital, this evening, and get checked. You need a urine test, a blood pressure check and possibly blood tests too. Is your baby moving normally?
Far better to be safe (and maybe feel like a waste of time) than to regret it. We would ALWAYS prefer to see you and check you out than wish we could turn back time when you come in 24 hours too late for us to help.

Panda how are you this morning?

@Igottastartthinkingbee thank you for asking. I didn't go to the hospital after as I felt fine and every pee since then has been perfectly ok (I think). I'm due my hospital appointment tomorrow to check how my body is doing with the preeclampsia, so I shall mention it to them then and see what they say x

Please come back and let us know you are well. Hope all the tests are clear

@Mammajay I will post an update on here tomorrow afternoon as soon as I've been to my appointment. Thank you for caring 💕

Glad to hear you’re showing normal signs when weeing. I hope all is ok tomorrow.

Hi all, just a little update. Came to the hospital for my weekly checkup for my preeclampsia. Protein in my blood has doubled since last week and blood pressure still high. Liver isn't reacting well and baby measuring small. I'm now up on the ward and have been told by doc that I'll be having baby by csection by Monday latest (possibly tomorrow / Thursday). Will know more in the morning x

Good luck Panda. How many weeks are you? My DGD was born in similar circumstances at just over 33 weeks. She and her mum are both 100% fine though she spent some time in hospital to be big enough to go home.

@raspberrymolakoff thank you. I'm currently 35+2. My first son was born in similar circumstances too at 36 weeks - feels like a case of deja vu. Glad your DGD was ok.

Oh best of luck for next week panda

Best of luck panda... Hope you man age to get some rest over next few days before your new arrival... 😁

All the best to you panda, relief to hear you’re in the best place

Thank you all. Baby will be here in next few days, so I'm getting excited. Not looking forward to the csection recovery though, going by how it was with my first. Any tips are very much appreciated.

Good luck. I just went through the same. Sudden onset of pre-eclampsia at 34w. 10 days in the hospital, all appeared stable and was released home to be readmitted at 37+5 for monitoring until birth. That very day, I had a massive jump in BP and kidneys malfunction, ended with an emergency c-section. Baby was fine, though a bit smaller (2.6kg) - I recovered relatively quickly.

The best advice I can give you is to start turning in bed (left and right) as soon as you are allowed by doctors and to get up also as soon as they permit you. Grind your teeth and straighten up as soon as you're on your feet - it will be painful but you'll recover much faster. Although I had pre-e and quite a dramatic delivery followed by a longish stay in ICU, I was on my feet and recovered from the surgery much faster than my friend who delivered 2 days after me by an elective c-section without major medical issues.

Yes unfortunately the best way to recover is to get moving and upright. Gently! I hope all goes well x