Pre-Eclampsia - all the signs but hospital ignoring

[Twobecomingthreeplusthedog]

Just wondering if anyone else has been concerned about having pre-eclampsia but hospital not taken them seriously.

Last week I saw my midwife and she said I had protein in my urine but everything else was fine. 4 days later I’d had severe headaches and a little bit of swelling in my hands as well as my blood pressure going from a very regular and consistent 110/60 to 138/89. I went to see my doctor who repeated the urine (still protein) and blood pressure tests (still high) and called the hospital and told me to go straight in.

I arrive and baby is monitored but ‘passes the criteria’ on the machine in 15 minutes. They test my urine again and tell me it has no protein and my blood pressure has dropped to 120/75. Take blood tests and send me on my merry way.

I am seeing a midwife again on Tuesday where she will obviously repeat these tests however said midwife has previously not done blood tests when she should have, not sent me for a growth scan when she should have done and been all round negligent in her attitude so I’m not optimistic.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? I’m 37+1 for reference.

If there wasn’t protein and your BP dropped it probably isn’t pre eclampsia. Do you have a BP monitor at home so you can keep an eye? If you have any more symptoms again, call the hospital again and go in. When I had it my BP was 170/120, had protein in my urine then they did a blood test to confirm.

Yes,I had pre eclampsia symptoms and was closely monitored for 6 days and then induced at 37+5 days.
However,what you have described is not a classic symptoms of pre eclampsia.Your blood pressure was stable and did not go above 140/90 (160/110 will be required for immediate hospital admission).
They did check up in hospital and I suspect,all blood test and fetal monitoring was satisfactory.
I wouldn't worry and the midwife is probably just following a protocol,she doesn't have to do blood test or referral for a scan if everything was normal.Why do you think she should do it?

Yeah your BP doesn't suggest pre eclampsia, so with no protein either there isn't cause for concern at the moment.

I think this is concerning - OP has said there IS protein in her urine?

OP I didn't have protein but I did have fluctuating / high BP. I was monitored very closely and induced early.

I had pre eclampsia and BP was significantly higher than that. How much protein is in your wee? Mine was +++ when pre e was diagnosed.

Had to attend hospital every day for monitoring and induced at bang on 37 weeks

I had pre-eclampsia with DS1. I actually ended up with eclampsia & an emergency delivery.

My best BP from 16 weeks onwards was around the 150/90 mark. At one point it went over 200.

I totally agree you have warning signs. But your BP is not indicative of pre-eclampsia at the moment. I assume that's why they aren't taking any action.

I agree, nothing to suggest you have pre eclampsia. It’s really common to have a bit of protein in your urine due to contamination/natural bit of discharge etc in the sample. Your blood pressure is within normal limits and baby is healthy from CTG.
Try and relax. I know it’s tricky and it’s obviously good to be vigilant. Keep an eye on how you feel and call MAU/triage if you feel you have any symptoms x

I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly
OP. From your user name I guess this is your first baby? I mention it since with all three of mine I did swell up a bit at the end, fatter feet and hands. It's nor uncommon to have a it of water retention towards the end, difficulty getting rings off etc. I think it is a good idea to speak to your midwife about your concerns at your next appointment. Hopefully your bp and urine protein comes back normal.

I had the hospital get very cross with me for going in with what I thought was PE, when they’d told me on the phone not to, however this was my third baby and I knew that seeing stars almost constantly, my head hammering, swollen hands and feet were not even close to normal. I got there, they dipped my urine and did my BP and within minutes had a Consultant come into the room and admit me to the ward, where I stayed, until I went into labour naturally a few days later (39+3).

So if they’ve already done that, and sent you home, the odds are that you’re fine.

I had quite a severe case with my first. I don't remember the bp going above 150 / 100 but I was on a lot of blood pressure meds to keep it at that. Are you taking your urine samples from mid stream wee - I ask because mine was only showing trace as I always took at the start (to make sure there was enough) but when they did the 24hr sample it was the second highest reading the blood pressure clinic had ever seen.... i would ask to do a 24hr sample if you are still worried, much more accurate than the dip stick - good luck xxx

I would buy some dipsticks myself and test daily.

@Haggisfish

I would buy some dipsticks myself and test daily.

That’s all well and good if you know how to interpret the results. And no, the sticker on the bottle doesn’t tell you this.

Thanks all, very reassuring to hear :)

To answer @3JsMa, she was supposed to do blood tests as I’m severely anaemic but she forgot. My growth chart was also off the scale but she didn’t read the notes properly so didn’t realise she had to send me for a scan. I prompted her for both before she apologised and sorted them out.

@emeraldcity2000 interesting point, both times I have tested positive for urine in my wee were very early morning wees where I filled the entire pot and it was just a dip test. The time I didn’t have protein was the time I had to go for a wee about 30s after I’d already emptied my bladder and produced the fartiest amount for her to dip test.

I have a Bp monitor at home so will continue to check daily and see the midwife tomorrow. It has stayed low this week though so fingers crossed for a smooth road to the end 🤞🏽

@Twobecomingthreeplusthedog
she was supposed to do blood tests as I’m severely anaemic but she forgot. My growth chart was also off the scale but she didn’t read the notes properly so didn’t realise she had to send me for a scan. I prompted her for both before she apologised and sorted them out
I'm glad it was sorted but it's totally different topic,wish you did mention this in OP, before calling midwife negligent re: pre eclampsia.