preeclampsia anxiety

[PumpkinMun]

so I'm 38 + 2 and for the last couple days I've been getting random flashing lights in my vision, almost feeling like a migraine and a tingling/ numbness in my hand.
after a few calls to the midwife and assessment unit I was asked to go in for checks.
my first though naturally was is baby ok and I was so relieved when I felt kicks and heard that heartbeat.
as they checked me they discovered my urine has slight traces of protein and my blood preasure has increased. Signs of potential preeclampsia.
I have been advised to go back Sunday for further monitoring.
it never really crossed my mind it could have been this.
I'm feeling so anxious sitting at home waiting on Sunday appointment even though I know there isn't anything I can do till then.
Has anyone experienced this or had preeclampsia. I guess I'm grateful I'm full term but I do feel scared

I had this with both pregnancies. It's positive that you got sent home. With my eldest I was induced because of it (was overdue anyway) and with my youngest, I was admitted at 37 weeks and had him by 38 weeks. I also had bells palsy (temporarily) which was scary!!

Did they say what your Blood pressure was?

The best thing to do is relax as much as possible. Take it easy and get plenty of rest. Watch for any more flashes or head aches. If you're concerned about either go to hospital.

They will monitor your BP and if it's still high will try to reduce it with medication. If it doesn't come down or if your baby is in distress, then they will probably advise you to have your baby early.

I had it towards the end of my pregnancy, I didn't realise until midwife found my blood pressure through the roof. I was induced and all went fine, baby was absolutely fine throughout it all too :)
Maybe buy yourself a home blood pressure monitor to keep an eye on it and take some baby aspirin to thin your blood (150mg)
I'm pregnant with second and I've been put on it as a precaution. Try not to panic

@Fatted thank for your reassurance, I guess because this is new to me my minds going crazy but your right it's good they've let me home.
they didn't say what my blood preasure was but from what I can tell it hasn't gone up loads.
I'm really hoping I don't experience anymore lights in my vision as it really isn't very pleasant but I'll be sure to call the hospital if I do.
it's really good to hear your experience and know everything was ok in the end

@yestonodressyet thank you :) I'll defo try not to panic till Sunday, I know I'm in the best care and the midwives and doctors will keep me right. I guess it's good I'm also at the end of my pregnancy so if it is a cause for concern they can deliver baby now. it's good to hear both you and your baby are well

@Nat6999 my fondness that terrifying I hope you've made a full recovery I can only imagine how traumatic that must have been and an absolute shock!
I'll be sure to get plenty rest, my bags are all packed and everything is ready for baby so I've no excuse to not keep my feet up.
I really hope everything will be ok and I'll be anxiously waiting for Sundays to see what they say for sure

I got preeclampsia at the end of my first pregnancy. I swelled up like a balloon (hands, feet, face, legs). Went to walk in centre, they tested my urine and admitted me straight away. In hospital for a couple of days while they got my blood pressure down, had surgical stockings on legs, various drips and injections and then they attempted induction. I had 3 failed inductions then had my waters broken by the doctor. Fully dilated within about 2 hours of that and baby born about 5 hours later.

I agree with previous posters saying get your bag together and rest as much as you can ahead of Sunday. Once you are in hospital you won't get any rest at all (if you need more than 1 attempt at induction, they will do it 12 hours after the first, which for me meant being woken up at 3am for a nurse to check if it was working and insert another pesary). I had to have my blood pressure checked every 4 hours too (night and day), so there really wasn't much time to get any rest at all in hospital.

All that said, the nurses and midwives were great, the labour was super quick and blood pressure and everything else returned to normal pretty quickly. Baby was small and jaundiced, but otherwise perfect. He's been quick to hit all his milestones, very chatty and bright - no long term negative effects for either of us. It was a scary, exhausting week, but it goes by in a blur and you soon won't even remember all the details (I only know now because I'm having baby 2 and recently went through my old notes with the consultant so they can monitor more this time).

Good luck. Hope it all goes well 💐🍀

Another one here with pre-eclampsia. My BP had been steadily increasing over the course of the pregnancy, but wasn't high until my 36 week check up. Hospital called the next day (36+1) to have repeat checks done. As my BP, proteinuria and bloods had all worsened I was admitted. Initially they wanted to induce the very next day. But as baby and I were both fine (I was virtually symptomless, and slightly resistant to delivering pre-term), it was agreed I'd be induced at 37 weeks instead. All went well (albeit needing the drip) with the induction, and I delivered my baby girl with no interventions. My BP pretty much instantly returned to normal as well.

Good luck for Sunday. Have a massive pampering, relaxing day Saturday, and try not to worry. Even if it does turn out to be pre-eclampsia, the obstetricians won't hang about. Think of it more as just getting to meet your baby a bit sooner than expected.

I got preeclampsia in my first pregnancy. I was overdue anyway and went into hospital with the dizziness/blurred vision. My blood pressure had been rising dramatically previous to this and my midwife didn't seem too concerned and didn't test my urine at the last couple of appointments so it got missed.
They told me to go back if I got faint/dizzy again which I did and I was induced. Baby was fine. I had to be monitored afterwards but all was ok xx

Wishing you all the best for Sunday.

I was diagnosed with pregnancy induced hypertension at 32 weeks and have intermittently seen flashing lights. I’ve been checked twice a week by midwifes (urine and BP) and sent in for monitoring twice. It’s been such an anxious time worrying about getting PE and I really do sympathise!

I am now 39 weeks and still haven’t been diagnosed. So fingers crossed that it’s the same for you!

Pumpkinmum My ds is 16 now, it was a bad time all round for me, my then husband was diagnosed with MS a month before ds was born, on the Monday before I started with PE, I had fallen over at the Midwife clinic & broke all my fingers on my right hand. I had all my hand splinted, drips in both arms in high dependency. With hindsight it was no wonder my BP was shooting out of the top of my head.

thanks everyone for your stories, it's good to hear what others have been through for sure

@fibeee thank you, I've been told today that although bp has gone up slightly and I'm still getting symptoms such as head aches and flashing lights they aren't going to do much or confirm if its PE. I'm going to be monitored every 2nd day till hopefully baby arrives. as long as things don't progress and get worse.

i hope your keeping well and aren't feeling too anxious, I'm sure your feeling the same as me now, just want to have baby here safely.
I'm 39 weeks this Wednesday so not too far behind you