Can someone tell me what the symptoms of Pre-eclampsia are...

[smellymelly]

My blood pressure has gone up, and I have had tingly fingers - Am I just being paranoid??

you're probably just being paranoid but found this site. might help.
think a lot of the symptoms can mean nothing, i had really high blood pressure all through my pregnancy but i was fine

I've had it twich and neither time did I have any symptoms that I could detect, except right at the end when I had a few visual effects. But by then I was in hospital anyway

Me too, i could see flashing lights in the corner of the room but that was a very late symptom. Up until then i had felt perfectly ok but had high blood pressure and swollen ankles from about 27 weeks. Only began to feel unwell when the flashing lights started.

i had no physical symptoms....
just very high bp and protein in urine....

you are pregnant with twins aren't you?
call your midwife and she may wish to check your bp - when did you last get it chekced?

I've checked my bp myself, earlier it was 159 over 98, which is why I started to panic! But is normal now, so hope that is ok.

Have had to come home early from local bonfire night as my bump didn't feel right and I wasn't sure of movements, but that is ok now too.

Popsycal - You're right,I'm nearly 32 weeks with twins, so I think I'm just more aware maybe of things. I'm relaxing now..so I'm sure it will be fine!

That is rather high....

take it again tomorrow.....
and if the bottom number is above 95 then i would give your midwife a ring....

Smellymelly - my friend has just delivered twins at nearly 32 weeks having had preeclampsia for about 6 weeks, the last 4.5 of those were spent in hospital!

Her consultant was very worried when her blood pressure was at the level you are talking about, so do please take care. Pre-eclampsia is diagnosed following consistent blood pressure readings of 145/90 or above. So keep a close eye on your bp and if the bottom number is consistently in the 90's please go to the labour ward and ask to be monitored. They will also look closely at your protein levels in your urine and your blood so that will give a clearer picture. Don't wait for swelling or blinding headaches - they typically happen at the very end - and it would seem is always quickly followed by delivery!

Having seen my friend go through pre-ecampsia with very close monitoring and how nervous the docs all were - its clear that it really can be very serious and with twins the incidence is about double that of a singleton pregnancy.

If it is pre-eclampsia there is lots they can do to keep you going as long as possible but you should get things checked out!

for the record smellymelly
i got pre-eclampsia with ds - bp started creeping up around 30 weeks with huge ankles
35 weeks hospitalised induced at 37!

this time, i have been on the sick since 19 weeks as bp was 145/100
still on sck 4 weeks later with 3 more weeks srill on sick

they will take it v seriously esp with twins

Smelly. I hope that you are sitting with your feet up. High blood pressure with twins is a serious thing. I had my twins 8 months ago and developed high blood pressure at 17 weeks. My doctor and the hospital consultant encouraged me to sit with my feet up and not to do too much (difficult as I already had 3 children). Talk to your doctor/health visitor/midwife as soon as you can. It'll stop you worrying and also they will be able to check that all is well. My aim isn't to worry you (last thing that you need), but they all took it very seriously with me. I got sent into hospital for monitoring and resting. Take it easy. It's fantastic that you've gotten to 32 weeks. Sit tight and aim for 33 now. Kisses Mars

Sorry - no time to read all.... but please be AWARE that pre-eclampsia is not simply high blood pressure..... it is also (andn this is important) highh level of proteine in the urine... so both must be tested.

I never had more than a trace of protein in my urine, but agree that both should be tested.

Mars than you had high blood pressure but not pre-eclampsia... or were you told otherwise.

Anyway Beansmum's website is very useful.

fortunately just high blood pressure, but borderline. I was kept under very close observation. They worried that I'd get it after the birth as well. Had to stay in an extra week. Howled like a two year old until they let me out . So mature

This is an excellent website as well.

action on pre-eclampsia

Hi Smelly

I've just seen this and am hoping that you've already contacted your midwife.

The tingling in your fingers is most likely carpal tunnel but if you have concerns about your BP, swelling or babies' movements then you must ring your midwife (or the labour ward out of hours to get it checked). I don't want to frighten you but pre eclampsia is potentially very serious and no-one will criticise you for getting yourself checked over.

Thanks everyone who left me a message.

On Sat eve I had unbearable pain at the top of my tummy, which we think is nerve pain? So I ended up staying in hospital for the night, while they managed to get it under control.

Everything else is fine, I'm just on paracetamol and codeine now, and taking it easy. BP is ok as is urine, so I'm just trying to get through the last few weeks.

This pregnancy is bloody hard work, but the babies are ok, so it is just a waiting game now.
xx

Is it possible to have Pre-eclampsia without the protein in the urine?
I have been monitored for 2 hours after a routine ante-natal, due to high BP 144/95(Diastolic has never been over 70 before).
For the past week Ive felt really unwell. Had swollen hands and feet, very dizzy, headaches, spots/glitter floaters in eyes and feeling very hot but temperature normal.

Hospital took bloods from me too, didn't say why though.
I am due on thursday 16th Nov.
The babies heart rate was erratic and had to be monitored for ages.Less movements than usuall too.
Anyone had similar or know what could be wrong?

small, its certainly possible to have problems with bp without protein in urine - I did. It as never diagnosed as pre-eclampsia, just pregnancy induced hypertension - but it needed treating.

If you're feeling unwell, you should definitely go in and get seen - its not unusual for bp to rise right at the end of pregnancy, but thats pretty high and if you're feeling bad as well, well worth being careful. I was put on meds when my bp hit 160/100 postpartum - but induced a few days early when it was around 150/95.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

They would need to test for one of three things - protein in urine, high blood pressure, swelling. If you have any of these then its best checking out.