Cannot pee!

[Wudgy]

Hi all, 37 weeks and have preeclampsia, being monitored closely. Last few days my urine output is v v low and dark brown despite drinking lots, have very swollen legs feet etc. Mentioned this while being monitored by midwife at weekend and today - said nothing indicates infection . Any advise ? Should I call again tomorrow - think il measure the input/output for a full day tomo but roughly today it’s been about 3lites in and 400mls max out. Any advice or suggestions, feel like as my blood pressure is under control they aren’t very worried but I’m concerned about my
Kidneys etc!

Ummm very seriously worrying. Are you in hospital? If not please call your maternity unit now- in fact go there if you can now.

Agree. You need to be seen now. Take a urine sample with you.

I would be seriously concerned you’re going into kidney failure... @Wudgy please seek immediate help.

Thanks I will call them now , I have mentioned this twice since Saturday but no action taken re.it and I don’t want them to think I’m overreacting but at the same time I think three days of very very low dark urine isn’t normal.

Get yourself there now and refuse to leave until a kidney and liver function test is done on you OP! All being well everything is fine but no one should not be able to pee! Pregnant or not, something isn't right 😬

Yeah op get yourself checked out ASAP... I couldn't stop peeing at 37 weeks so this would be very worrying for me... your midwife sounds like she should be doing a bit more of you have already addressed this with them

Congrats on your pregnancy by the way 😊

Midwife here. Please, please go and get seen. This is potentially very serious. Hope all is well. Take your bags with you as I suspect you will be staying there and having your baby. Let us know how you are.

Thanks, I rang them and they suggested I was dehydrated due to warm weather but said would run it passed the doctor who was in an emergency and give me a call in next 2-3 hrs !

I hope you have been seen OP.
If not, write down a list of fluid intake and output for last 3 days and take it with you.
Fobbing you off as dehydrated with your history is lazy and unprofessional.

Did they call you back? What a state of affairs that they've advised someone with pre eclampsia that they're just dehydrated rather than doing any tests. Also, even if you are dehydrated but are drinking loads, they should be looking into that and offering fluids anyway. Hope you get seen, even if it sadly means having to push for it.

Morning, thanks for all the advice- didn’t get called back until 6:30am as unit was very busy, I was able to pee once properly during the night - first time in a few days and when I told them this she advised that doctor was happy as I was peeing something and if I was in kidney failure I wouldn’t be able to pee at all and I would also be in a lot of pain.No other advice other than call back if worried again. I am going to record and monitor all fluid in and out today and if not reverting back to somewhat normal levels I will definitely call back, I‘M very swollen today as well but that doesn’t seem to ever be a concern. Thanks for all your input, I will update later!

Has the swelling increased? Is your face swollen too? I'm honestly shocked that they don't seem to be taking this seriously, sorry that you've essentially been fobbed off. it sounds a good idea to monitor your intake

Hi @Wudgy, I'm sorry that you're going through such a difficult time. Please don't bother calling anymore. Take your notes and go in, you need to be physically assessed rather than over the phone. One of the symptoms of severe pe eclampsia is water retention. That doesn't mean you can't pee at all, it means what you put out is significantly less than what goes in.

You recording what you've been drinking is great and will help when you go to see them. The only, and I mean only way they can guarantee that you are well is by looking at your blood, BP and urine. None of which they can do over the phone. If they're very busy they might be hoping it's just dehydration, but you and your baby are worth more than that.

Have a good breakfast, take some snacks and a book and go in without calling or allowing them to dissuade you. If they do the tests and everything is fine, that's excellent, but you need those tests. Need xxx

I agree with pp that you should go in.
This is awful.
Diagnosed pre- eclampsia, late pregnancy, increasing oedema and reduced output.
Red flags!.
How is your vision?
Do you have any headache?

I would go in to be seen. At the very least they should assess you and do some blood tests. The advice about not being able to pee at all or being in pain with kidney failure is wrong.

The reduced urine output and increased swelling are concerning.

As someone else said - any of these?

severe headaches
vision problems, such as blurring or seeing flashing lights
severe heartburn
pain just below the ribs
nausea or vomiting
excessive weight gain caused by fluid retention
feeling very unwell
sudden increase in oedema – swelling of the feet, ankles, face and hands

I would get your notes now and head in.

(I am an anaesthetist who works on labour ward!)

When did you get diagnosed with ore eclampsia? You should be in hospital. Go to the unit now. I hope you're ok.

Just another voice saying the same thing. GO IN TO THE HOSPITAL NOW!
Based on what you have told us the advice you have been given is wrong. This sounds very much like worsening pre-eclampsia which puts you and your baby at serious risk.
Just turn up at the hospital and make sure you tell them that you have already been told you have pre-eclampsia, you are peeing very small amounts of dark brown urine and are more swollen than ever. Others have given you a list of other “red flag” symptoms. You need BP and urine tests, monitoring for baby and blood tests. Without those no-one can tell you that you are OK. This is an emergency until proved otherwise.
I am very worried about you.

Yes please go in!

Update: was monitored and blood tests / urine completed - levels of protein are up further but as blood pressure is stable and I was able to pee more today than last few days then they are not keeping me and I’ve to go back in two days again, none of the red warning signs currently( other than swelling and decreased urine) but I’m being vigilant and il happily go again tonight if I feel necessary. Thanks for all support this morning!

Keep on at them for checks, daily, please. I had late-onset pre-eclampsia, liver was affected, was induced which didn't work, eventually emergency cs and both I and the child nearly died as we crashed immediately.

I don't mean to scare you, but the alternative is worse.

Photos afterwards - I looked like an oompa-loompa!

Hi - I’m glad you’ve been seen and things are “stable” but I am very confused - you said you’re 37 weeks? That means it’s time to have a baby, basically any guideline you look at says that delivery should be recommended at 37 weeks and earlier if extra concerns. It’s worrying that you’re becoming more swollen, it’s worrying that the doctor didn’t know that kidney failure doesn’t cause pain, and doesn’t have to cause you to not pee at all ?!!? How often have they been monitoring you (blood tests, blood pressure, symptom review should be at least twice a week, scan at least fortnightly)??

One of the main prerequisites for outpatient management in pre eclampsia is regular planned assessment and easy access for more urgent assessment if things change. This doesn’t sound like it’s happening for you which is super worrying. Don’t feel bad for keeping contacting them or just turning up.

I’ll try to attach a screenshot of the NICE guideline section on delivery timing. Lots of other info there (google NICE hypertension in pregnancy).

I'm glad you've been somewhat reassured.

Make sure you drink plenty of water. In addition I find lemon and barley very useful and refreshing; there's a reason that is provided at tennis tournaments, especially in hot weather. You are dehydrated.

@TenThousandSpoons0
Thanks for this info- yes 37+4 days and had the steroid injections last week in prep for delivery from 37weeks if necessary. I think part of the issue may be I have stated throughout this pregnancy that I do not want induced ( failed before and ended in emcs) therefore I believe they are holding off doing a section until absolutely necessary - keep saying it’ll be great if you went into labour now yourself any day. I was inpatient last week when I got diagnosed and then home for monitoring ( urine, bp) every other day in the outpatient unit. My bp is stable as I am on medication for it, I will be at the consultant led clinic tomorrow so I will question if delivery would be brought forward- my other child was born by this stage as I was induced at exactly 37 weeks however I wasn’t on medication for bp at that time and it was high consistently. I have been peeing better last 24hrs so that’s a positive. Thanks for all info and support I will continue to update!

Ah I see so a little bit more for you to think about - good that you have a follow up :)