Pre Eclampsia - hospital stay

[OnNaturesCourse]

I have been monitoring my blood pressure at home through the duration of this pregnancy because I suffer white coat syndrome quite badly.

It has increased from 108/75 at the start to 123/77 most recently. Had my midwife today and she took it as part of the routine and it was 144/92. She brushed it off and took my home reading however tonight I had a spell of seeing stars after bending over to pick up laundry. Took my BP right after and it was 135/80. 5 minutes later it was back down to 120/75.

I have had swelling since 30 weeks and I am now 35 weeks.

Had traces of protein in my urine on and off throughout but not unusual for me to have that outside of pregnancy.

I am absolutely petrified of pre eclampsia, mainly because I can not stand the idea of staying in hospital for any length of time (ie until 37 weeks) It sets my anxiety through the roof and it has set off a panic attack already.

DP is pushing for me to phone triage after the visual problem earlier but I'm freaking out and can not calm myself down.

Am I right in thinking that they will keep me in hospital until delivery for pre eclampsia?

I know baby's health and mine come first but hospitals scare the daylights out of me especially the thought of being in one myself for weeks. Even more so given the covid situation.

I was monitored for pre-eclampsia and was advised the first option would be medication to lower blood pressure before anything more drastic. Go for a check up and see what they say.

Hi,
I would get it checked out. They generally won't keep you in (especially now) unless you are very ill indeed. I lost my first baby through preeclampsia and my second was premature. Fulminating preeclampsia can happen very suddenly. Please keep a very close eye and do not avoid hospital for fear of admission.

Contact them. They will take PIH bloods. If the bloods are ok no need to stay. If the bloods aren’t ok they wouldn’t keep you in for no reason.

Your BP sounds borderline high with the mw but ok at home.

Pre eclampsia visual disturbances tend to be unprovoked. I sometimes see stars if I stand up quickly. Proteinurea should always be investigated though.

For me being in hospital felt much like you, dread.
So I took control and planned in case. In my hospital bag I put what I would need to keep distracted and entertained so downloaded films, series, recorded stuff I like. Bought a nice set of earphones to be lost in my own world watching it all.
Bought some books, nice shower gels, shampoos, stuff like that. Download relaxation apps, podcasts...
I had pre eclampsia with both mine and had blood pressures far far higher than what you describe with other symptoms.
They gave me medications and monitored me & the baby regularly which was very reassuring.

Both arrived at 37 weeks, both 5lb weight, I was home with my second after a c section within 48 hours.

You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, so you’ll need to suck it up, do whatever you can to calm down and do as they advise.

It’s such a short period of time in the context of life isn’t it. It’s literally weeks in preparation for the rest of your child’s life!
It’s doable.

Hey, I was monitored from 35 weeks for potential pre eclampsia and only spent one night in hospital when they wanted to check my blood pressure, bloods and monitor the baby overnight. I went to DAU on 6 separate occasions for monitoring and was induced at 38 weeks, I was discharged by them after the 4th trip and then self referred the 5th time as I had a fuzzy head and had some visual disturbances (when I was 37+3, I think) and even then they didn’t keep me in. It’s definitely best to get things checked out. They know what they’re doing and wouldn’t keep you in if it wasn’t necessary. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

I feel for you because I’ve suffered with panic disorder/attacks in the past.
I am only 26 weeks and have protein in urine and creeping up BP at home. I have to go to hospital for checks/blood tests once a week.
Agree with the above that first line of defence is often BP medication which I am clearly on the road of having to take soon.
What I would say is even if you did go to hospital and stay it would be the best place for you and your baby. What’s the alternative? Staying at home unsure of what’s going on.
You don’t need to hear scaremongering stories but you do need to try and stay realistic and put faith in medical pros and the hospital if it gets to that!
It’s great that you are 35 weeks. I am filled with worry at being much earlier.
Ring triage if in doubt xx

Any news @OnNaturesCourse? Hope all is ok? Xx

Hi.

Sorry. Decided to take a few days away from online as was doing nothing but scaring myself.

BP has stabilised at roughly 122/77 on average the past few days, no more visual problems and on a whole I feel much better now that I'm not scaring myself silly. Does help that DP has been home over the weekend to help out.

Had a trace of protein in urine but nothing of concern. It has since gone.

Any medical area gets my anxiety up so I am thinking it just the run up to being at midwife etc that's setting my BP off scale, and then the idea of being at hospital too.

Doesn't help that I haven't seen the same midwife throughout my whole pregnancy, so I never know who or what I am getting.

Thank you so much ladies.