Talk to me about pre-eclampsia

[Flutterby8]

Im a bit worried about pre-eclampsia.

A few nights ago I felt a bit unwell. Light headed, a bit floaty and just not quite right. I'd had a busy, short staffed day at work and put it down to that. I have facilities to take blood pressure at home so did so assuming it would be low, but to my surprise it was 160 something over 90 something (cant recall the exact values).
I checked my urine too and had a slight trace of protein. Everything else was normal. I have urine dipsticks on GP suggestion due to previous urine infections and was asked to monitor if i felt unwell with UTI symptoms again.
The light headed feeling didnt last long and I soon felt fine again.
I had an appointment with the midwife the day after so discussed it with her.
Blood pressure was much better when she checked it, a bit high but not significantly. No protein in my urine.
Hands and feet are swollen and have been for weeks which she has has been aware of.
No headaches or visual issues.
Shes put me on weekly monitoring. Im 37 weeks.

She mentioned that because I am at term, there is a chance I could be sent for induction if my blood pressure increases further.
She has told me to continue monitoring blood pressure at home where I am relaxed to get an accurate reading and where concerned, go to triage. This is absolutely fine.

Can anyone offer their experiences with possible pre-eclampsia and early induction because of this?
I feel a bit concerned, although my midwife was lovely and helpful.
Im just looking for peoples experiences to help me get my head round it more.

Apologies for the late reply! I couldnt find the thread!

Im feeling better in myself. Ive had a quiet weekend, not done very much, tried to relax as much as possible and havent been sitting constantly monitoring my BP.
Today is my first day of maternity leave. I had a bad nights sleep because I felt stressed about not going back to work (I genuinely do love my job) and woke up with a headache (no shock there).
No protein in my urine and my blood pressure is lower than it was last week which I see as a good sign.

I have a chilled day of sorting things today for the nursery and re-organising my hospital bag.
Im seeing the midwife this week too as an extra appointment to check in on me and make sure all is well.

Ive had a read up on inductions now too just in case and feel a bit more prepared about this as well.
I think Im more worried about DH having to leave me in the hospital on my own at some point because Ill have no idea what to do!!

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has responded so far on this thread, you have all been so lovely and have reassured me greatly.

Good Luck Op.x

Thought I would post an update of the blood pressure situation a week on in case anyone else searches and has a similar issue.

Rechecked with my midwife this week. Blood pressure 160/90 when I arrived. Sat and chatted for a while. Had a listen to and feel for baby then rechecked my BP and it was broadly the same.
Midwife did no more and packed me off to triage for monitoring and bloods.
Having been to triage before for reduced movements I know how thorough they are.
However, this time, I felt like i was just in the way and had been referred for no reason.

They asked me to do another urine sample (even though midwife checked my urine less than an hour before). Hooked me up to the monitors for baby and left me laying on the bed.
I was there for about 40mins when they came in, removed the monitor and left again.
About 15mins later they did my BP which showed significantly lower than the midwives readings. They left me for another 30mins, repeated my BP.
Brought me my notes, took my temperature and said I could leave.
No blood tests as requested by my midwife were taken.
I even asked about it and they just said not needed.
The readings they got for my BP were significantly lower than my normal range which ill be honest, I do not believe. 110/68??? Ive never had BP that low in my life!
They basically said if i get symptoms of pte-eclamlsia to call them back and that was it.
Out of interest I did my BP again at home and it was similar to the reading the midwife got.
Just feel a bit shocked. I dont feel unwell in the slightest. No pre-eclampsia symptoms at all but never had a low BP like that before.
Will just keep an eye on things for now and check in with my midwife next week again.

Try not to worry too much @Flutterby8 When I had pre-eclampsia it was the same. My readings were high with my community midwife, but lower at the hospital.

In maternity triage they have the best bp monitoring equipment. Home bp monitors and the electric ones often used in GP surgeries are not as good as the manual ones used in hospital. Electric ones often measure bp higher than it actually is (which is what it sounds like is happening here).

The long waiting around at hospital with no one talking to you is part of the process as well. They do that because people's bp will sometimes drop if they're left to sit alone in a quiet, calm place with no medical staff visible. I went into triage about 4/5 times and every time I had the same - bp taken, then left in a cubicle on the bed or in a comfy chair for 30 mins, then bp taken again. Then sent away because bp had gone down. At no point did any midwife or doctor seem concerned really. I never had any bloods done.

It there was any reason to be concerned, they would have admitted you immediately and done an emergency caesarean. On one of my (many) visits to triage, that's what happened to a woman in the next cubicle. They won't hesitate to act if they have any concerns, but right now they think your baby is better off inside you.

It is rubbish and anxiety-provoking though isn't it?! Look after yourself and try to take your mind off things.

I'm 39 weeks today and was basically the same the other day. Blood pressure was 142/95 at the lowest at my midwife appointment so sent to the hospital. They done a urine sample and blood test and hooked me up to machines for about half an hour. They said my blood pressure was fine while I was there and the midwifes made me feel like I was wasting their time 🙄

They had me go to the waiting room and said I probably wouldn't need to be seen by the doctor and to basically wait for my notes to go home.

However the doctor did want to see me so the took me to a side waiting room where he said I was definitely developing blood pressure problems and would need to come back in for monitoring. He offered me a sweep and said I will be back for induction early next week.

So then the midwife had me go to a different side room where she seemed really annoyed at having to give me the sweep, proceeded to tell me her stubby fingers couldn't reach so sent me home without even asking if I wanted someone else to try. I don't know what she done in there but I've had the most horrendous back pain since and every time the baby moves I'm in agony.

So back tomorrow at 10am and I hope I won't get the same midwife. The whole experience was horrendous

I forgot to say I do have pre-eclampsia symptoms like swelling, visual disturbances and pain under my right side ribs.
Also I'm having a terrible time with numbness in both my arms

@flutterby8 definitely keep a close eye on BP and protein in urine as well as headaches or pain inoyur rib area. I had the swelling for several weeks and bp was slightly raised. I was on bi- weekly monitoring for reduced movement from 30 weeks.
Then at 38 weeks all of a sudden the worst headache started after I had a bath literally thought my head was going to explode and pain in my rib area like someone was tightening a belt around me tighter and tighter and felt like i was being punched. I called labour ward and was rushed in.
They checked my BP it was 186/96 and I had 4++ of protein in my urine. I was induced there and then baby was born 7 hours later at 38+1 weeks.
This pregnancy I'm being monitored much more closely and my consultant said pre eclampsia can hit very suddenly even within hours of last monitoring. Not to scare you but if you feel anything isnt right go in and get checked. She said biggest warning sign is high BP and protein in urine. I woulf personally ask for 2nd and 3rd opinion and request induction now and not to keep waiting.
Wishing you all the luck in the world and hopefully you'll baby in your arms soon x

@bumpyknuckles i was surprised how low my BP was in hospital given I often develop 'white coat syndrome' and panic over nothing. Midwife used a manual BP measure as well and was still significantly higher than the hospital which made me raise an eyebrow slightly. Midwife has me back is next week anyway for my 38 week appt so will see what is occurring then.
I did figure they had given me a private room because of trying to get my BP down though. Which is very sensible and quite handy.

@ScotsMumOf4 sorry to hear about your experience. Youre only just over a week ahead of me! Maybe the sweep has triggered something with the pains? Having read loads on these boards back pain can be a good sign of impending labour so i guess it could be a possibility. Shame the midwife was off hand with you though. Theres just no need for it is there. Especially when youre probably already stressed.
While the midwives at the hospital were nice the other day, it wasnt as cheerful as my previous 2 visits had been. I just assumed they were busy and stressed as there were a few unhappy patients about from what I could hear! Hopefully your appointment tomorrow will be better for you.

Thank you @abbs1. Im keeping a real close eye on everything at home. Everything feels fine. BP is still reading ok actually and still no protein in my urine. Everything else is normal.
Baby is VERY active and giving me shooting pains basically in my cervix which is agony at times. At my last check the head was 2/5 so i think she is just in the right place now and making sure im aware of it.
DH is working from home and his boss has been amazing with everything so far. They know if i have any issues DH will drop work and come to triage with me.
Crossing fingers i dont have to go back in, but fully expecting to be sent up by midwife next week again.