Pre eclampsia- feeling scared

[Cobbsgirl92]

Hi all,
I am 37+ 4 weeks pregnant.
I’m in limbo at the moment waiting to see how things go with a possible pre eclampsia diagnosis looming.
I went to the day assessment unit yesterday for
Monitoring due to a change in movements and increased swelling.
Monitoring was fine thank goodness but my Blood pressure was high. They checked it twice but it remained high. I saw the doctor who checked my swelling and said I was definitely very swollen but my reflexes were good.
They let me go home but said I will need a scan in the next couple of days and I am now to see my community midwife twice a week to monitor my blood pressure.
My urine was clear.
The doctor mentioned possible pre eclampsia but didn’t seem concerned enough to keep me in which I took as a kind of reassurance.
The problem is I’m now so scared that I will suddenly get worse or that I’m not being monitored closely enough. The next blood
Pressure check seems ages away ( it’s Friday )
And I just feel very much in limbo and worry over every symptom I feel.
Any experiences with similar ?
Thank you

I had pre eclampsia from about 35 weeks when I was pregnant with my twins.
They monitored me every 5 days but said if I had any signs things were getting worse to go straight in to be monitored.
I took myself in twice, the first time I arrived in my flip flops and an hour later I'd had to borrow my dads trainers because my feet had almost doubled in size.

The second time I ended up staying in, I was in for a few days on constant monitoring and eventually they decided it wasn't getting any better and it wasn't worth the risk of keeping them in.
I was 36+5 when I was induced and had them at 36+6 and both were fine (a little small but fine).

You're even further along so if it came to it then it wouldn't be a huge issue to have your baby at this gestation.

My pre eclampsia didn't go away right after birth so we stayed in for nearly a week but babies were absolutely fine!

Listen to your body and get checked if you have any concerns at all x

Hi! I had preeclampsia in my last pregnancy. Developed at 27 weeks and I delivered at 30 weeks.

One positive is that you've made it to term which is brilliant!
Did they tell you what your BP was? Did they tell you what things to look out for like visual disturbances etc?

I ended up buying a blood pressure machine for £20 at my local chemist. Obviously if you decide to do this dont let it be a replacement for medical attention if you need it, but it helped me feel more in control of the situation.

Did they check bloods ? May be worth asking to have done so they can repeat regularly to check .

Sorry for the delay in replying it’s been an eventful few days.
I’m now admitted in hospital with pre eclampsia and I’m being induced.
I went from a high blood pressure reading at community midwife appointment to having my first pessary in a matter of hours.
Needless to say I’m shocked and really scared.
Finding it so hard without my partner here and just feel overwhelmed.

Handhold definitely needed please

Oh bless you! On the plus side how exciting is it that you get to hold your baby very very soon! Happy days! Xxx

Thinking of you xxx

Hope you’re doing well and that baby is here or very nearly here.

Sending hugs, hope your ok x

Hope you're doing ok OP - I was induced and it's not fun without someone there with you. I hope you're getting all the support you need and you've moved along enough to have your partner with you x

Thanks all!
I haven’t progressed enough yet to have my partner with me.
Just about to be assessed to see her the first pessary has achieved ( if anything ) and then go from there.
Induction is hard as you just sit and wait for something or nothing to happen!
To much time to think too.
Appreciate the good thoughts though!

Oh you poor love. It's awful when it all suddenly happens in a rush, and you're going to meet your baby a bit earlier than expected. It's a lot to have to process in a very short time.

I was in a very similar position 15 months ago, and it was bad enough then even without a pandemic. Handhold definitely offered, and I hope your assessment shows the pessary has been doing its job.

Sending you lots of love! Keep us updated

Thank you, it’s lovely to read supportive messages on here.
The first pessary hadn’t done much at all so I had the second last night and hope for progress today.
It’s so tiring mentally to keep waiting and hoping something will happen.

Hopefully I will have more news later or tomorrow.

Good luck! I remember the endless waiting. I hope something happens soon x

Hope things are going well for you @Cobbsgirl92.

Hi all,
Unfortunately neither of the pessaries did anything and my cervix is still completely closed. I found out around 11pm last night and just broke down.
It’s so deflating and lonely being here without my partner, this however did send my blood pressure through the roof which made me even more upset.
Anyway eventually my midwife and I talked and I calmed down, spoke to the doctor and agreed to think on the plan over night.
I called my partner and when the consultant visits this morning I will be asking for a c section which I’ve been told is an option.
I can’t do more days of waiting for nothing to happen, my body is clearly not ready at all as I’m only 38 weeks.
The chances of things ending in c section are high anyway after a failed induction so I’m going to go for it.
Just need to get the consultant to agree.
Nobody warns you how tough this last bit can be, and the being alone due to COVID is torture.
Thanks for all messages it’s so helpful to have this extra support.

Oh OP I had a section due to a failed induction and it was fine - no pain or anything. I hope it works out well for you and your partner can join you ASAP as it is so lonely without anyone there.

Best of luck and hopefully you will have your gorgeous baby in your arms before long. Do try and get some sleep before the section if you can x

Oh that's such a shame. There's nothing you could have done that would have made your cervix co-operate. Bodies are tricksy things. What might work for one doesn't necessarily work for another.

Agreed with Zaffa. Try to sleep, and hopefully it won't be long until you're together with your partner to meet your baby! Good luck for the rest of today! 🥰

Hi OP, handhold here! I developed PE at 36 weeks and was admitted straight away. I was in for 3 days before I had a c section because each day drs weighed up the risk of PE vs the babies coming early. I took bp tablets for a few weeks afterwards but no lasting issues. My twins are now 7 months and those lonely days on ante/ postnatal are (almost) forgotten.
Hope you have your c section today and soon have your lovely newborn in your arms.

Thank you everyone!
I’ve seen the consultant now which luckily turned out to be whilst my partner was here on his hour visit.
They have agreed a section for tomorrow so almost there!
Waiting for doctor to come back to talk me through the process and sign consent forms etc.
Hopefully now I can get some sleep knowing a plan is in place.
Thanks again

Happy news! Xxx

Good luck for today! Hopefully you've already met, or will be meeting baby soon!

Oh yes good luck! I hope you're already holding your little bundle of happiness and all goes to plan x

Lots of love & luck! X

Hi everyone,
Little update ! Our baby boy was born today at 12.02pm via the agreed c section. It wasn’t as bad as I feared and he weighed 7.15lbs.
His name is Finley
We’ve had a few more issues including a tongue tie which is affecting feeding, my iron levels are low after losing a bit too much blood during the section and he’s under monitoring for a previous strep b diagnosis and because of my pre eclampsia they are monitoring his blood sugars too.
Thanks for all support