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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Pre eclampsia??? Helppp

27 replies

mummyaieey · 09/02/2022 06:44

Just wondering is a fluctuating bp a sign of pre eclampsia ?

I have a blood pressure machine at home as I was worried about everything, and I just took a reading of 152/85 but then left it 30 mins and it's gone down for 139/75

My pulse rate is always higher

121/65
110/63
139/80
152/85
131/74
99/63

I feel like usually my blood pressure is on the lower side but can't say that for sure, I have been in and out of triage and they have said all is okay, I am having visual disturbances black dots and flashing that is a constant all day thing then sometimes in the day gets worse then better, and a on going head ache(it's not awful tho very manageable) and feel shattered. I have told midwife and triage all this and they do all there checks and then send me home as bp is normal and so is urine.

So my question is if you do have pre eclampsia how long can it take to actually get bad ? And for it to be diagnosed ? And any other information anyone may have would be much appreciated.
Thankyou so much

OP posts:
Gladioli23 · 09/02/2022 07:14

I'm afraid I don't have any answers OP, but hopefully someone who knows more than me will be along soon.

How many weeks are you?

Original poster
mummyaieey · 09/02/2022 07:20

@Gladioli23

I'm afraid I don't have any answers OP, but hopefully someone who knows more than me will be along soon.

How many weeks are you?

I'm 28+3

Thankyou

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyaieey · 09/02/2022 11:31

Bp Readings from today

143/90
140/90
149/89
162/88

OP posts:
Moonshine160 · 09/02/2022 11:45

I think I saw your post yesterday - do you have issues generally with your blood pressure? Is there any reason why you keep checking it?

I had pre-eclampsia and my blood pressure was sky high, much higher than those figures and I had protein in my urine too along with lots of swelling everywhere. If you had it it’s likely your blood pressure would spike and it would stay elevated rather than varying. If the midwives aren’t concerned then I wouldn’t be worried.

Rrrob · 09/02/2022 11:55

I had pre eclampsia in both previous pregnancies. I had no idea I had it second time. I went in to hospital for reduced movements/ just feeling off and was admitted with severe PE until my DTs were delivered.

It’s the bottom number they worry about. Less than 90 is generally fine. If you have no other symptoms and your midwife isn’t concerned, I wouldn’t be worried.

Original poster
mummyaieey · 09/02/2022 12:04

@Rrrob

I had pre eclampsia in both previous pregnancies. I had no idea I had it second time. I went in to hospital for reduced movements/ just feeling off and was admitted with severe PE until my DTs were delivered.

It’s the bottom number they worry about. Less than 90 is generally fine. If you have no other symptoms and your midwife isn’t concerned, I wouldn’t be worried.

For the last few days I have felt hungover, I think is the best way to explain it and get so dizzy if I get up for a glass of water or to go to the toliet, and when I'm dizzy my vision goes very weird to.
OP posts:
Tinkles78 · 09/02/2022 12:26

I had white coat syndrome in pregnancy and my BP was mostly 140/90 when taken in clinics, but my home readings were always 120 something over 80 something at home. Towards the end of pregnancy my home readings went up and I was more like 155/100 when the midwife checked, so I was put on the lowest dose BP meds which controlled it til I gave birth.

I never had any visual disturbances or protein in my urine though so although they were concerned they didn't put me on medication until the very end. I never got preeclampsia but was induced at 39 weeks.

Dyra · 09/02/2022 13:14

I don't know about fluctuating BP, but those readings from today are high. I assume they've been taken hourly, so better contact your MAU.

I had pre-eclampsia with my first. All I had was the high BP, proteinuria and swelling (which could have equally been caused by the heatwave at the time). Didn't get it until 36 weeks, but my BP was always on an upwards trend up until then. Admitted to hospital once pre-eclampsia was confirmed and stayed there until 37 weeks on medication and then induced.

AndrewPeacock · 09/02/2022 13:18

I had PE really badly but my blood pressure was never particularly high - it was protein in urine, huuuuuuuge amounts of swelling and blood tests which showed my liver was knackered that led to me being induced at 35 weeks.

Original poster
mummyaieey · 09/02/2022 13:27

Thankyou for all your reply's and yeah I'm going in for an appointment very soon anyway so I'm just going to talk to the midwife about everything then see what she says

OP posts:
Original poster
mummyaieey · 09/02/2022 15:46

I've been out on beta blockers any one have anyone have an experience with this ?

Also have a 24 bp check on Friday

OP posts:
Nicola2182 · 09/02/2022 16:17

I was told not to take my own BP as the automatic machines aren't as accurate as the manual ones that midwives use, apparently they aren't suitable in pregnancy. I kept getting readings of over 150/90 and then went in for midwife to do it and it was 118/60 on a manual one.

Original poster
mummyaieey · 09/02/2022 16:41

@Nicola2182

I was told not to take my own BP as the automatic machines aren't as accurate as the manual ones that midwives use, apparently they aren't suitable in pregnancy. I kept getting readings of over 150/90 and then went in for midwife to do it and it was 118/60 on a manual one.
Been in for a routine appointment and the doctor took my bp 4 times as it was still high so been given labetalol and weekly bp checks
OP posts:
Dyra · 09/02/2022 21:17

Glad you've been given some medication. Was there any protein in your urine, or is it just your BP? Did they do bloods as well?

I was on labetalol in the final week. Absolutely fine to take in pregnancy. Don't be surprised though if you need your dose gradually increased over the course of the rest of your pregnancy. Baby had to have blood sugar checks after birth, and I was kept on the ward for 48 hours to make sure my BP didn't go wonky. I was weaned off labetalol for 6 weeks afterwards too.

Automatic BP monitors are just fine. Sure manual is more accurate, but as long as you've got the right sized cuff, it usually is in the ball park. The wrong sized cuff will make your BP appear much higher than it actually is.

Original poster
mummyaieey · 09/02/2022 21:36

@Dyra

Glad you've been given some medication. Was there any protein in your urine, or is it just your BP? Did they do bloods as well?

I was on labetalol in the final week. Absolutely fine to take in pregnancy. Don't be surprised though if you need your dose gradually increased over the course of the rest of your pregnancy. Baby had to have blood sugar checks after birth, and I was kept on the ward for 48 hours to make sure my BP didn't go wonky. I was weaned off labetalol for 6 weeks afterwards too.

Automatic BP monitors are just fine. Sure manual is more accurate, but as long as you've got the right sized cuff, it usually is in the ball park. The wrong sized cuff will make your BP appear much higher than it actually is.

There doing bloods on Friday, at the 24 hour bp check thing. And ahh good to know thanks. And I think my urine is all fine as they haven't mentioned anything with that x
OP posts:
Flutterby8 · 09/02/2022 23:39

I had pre-eclampsia which came on gradually in the 3rd trimester.
It had always been normal at 120/80 or there abouts.
I was about 36 weeks when i had a weird dizzy feeling one evening and felt like i was going to collapse. Figured my BP was low when in fact it was 160/90 (I have a monitor at home purely because i had some BP dips during pregnancy).
Saw the midwife the next day who agreed it was still high and sent me to triage where they announced it was normal and sent me on my way.

I had 2 more midwife appointments over the next 2 weeks and it was 140/90 at the 1st appointment and 160/100 at the second and a small trace of protein in my urine, at which point i was sent back to triage.
This time they took things more seriously and put me on medication to lower my BP which had zero effect.
After a few hours, 2 rounds of medications and unnecessary stress I was told I was being kept in and induced the next day.
I was actually induced in the early hours of the morning and labour lasted less than 2 hours before my baby was born.
If you were to develop full pre-eclampsia the only thing i found to be a bonus is the fact labour is much quicker as the body realises it needs to remove the baby and placenta quickly and there is literally no hanging about!

Sadly despite still having high BP the following day, I wasnt sent home with any medications and landed back in triage 5 days post birth where my BP was still through the roof and then I was given meds.

If you have the ability to monitor your BP at home when relaxed do so but dont become obsessed over it as you will work yourself up and get false readings. Manual BP is more accurate than the electric units as these are often throwing out readings higher then expected.
Have a chat with your midwife and ensure you have your urine checked for protein.
They may ask you to go in to hospital for monitoring as well if they havent done so already.
Just try and keep as relaxed as possible.
I was told anything above 140/90 indicates a trip to hospital, regardless of being on medication.
Always better to be checked by the maternity unit, theyre very helpful.

Tinkles78 · 10/02/2022 08:21

@mummyaieey

I've been out on beta blockers any one have anyone have an experience with this ?

Also have a 24 bp check on Friday

I was put on labetalol, the lowest dose possible in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy. I think it was increased once while I was being induced.

I weaned myself off it after birth (forgot to order more tablets so just gradually reduced dose of the ones I had left) and all was ok by my 6 week check. Also had a 24hr monitor once after that and results came back within normal range.

bollocksthemess · 10/02/2022 13:18

I’ve been in and out of hospital with high BP since I was 27 weeks, now 32 weeks with twins.

Mine has been as high as 155/110, but with no other symptoms that I could name.
The lowest dose of labetalol (100mg three times a day) has sorted me right out, and I now realise I was feeling very unwell, but only since I now feel well IYSWIM.
I’m pregnant with twins so I thought you were supposed to feel vaguely rough and have no energy in the last trimester. Apparently not!

Original poster
mummyaieey · 10/02/2022 13:49

@bollocksthemess

I’ve been in and out of hospital with high BP since I was 27 weeks, now 32 weeks with twins.

Mine has been as high as 155/110, but with no other symptoms that I could name.
The lowest dose of labetalol (100mg three times a day) has sorted me right out, and I now realise I was feeling very unwell, but only since I now feel well IYSWIM.
I’m pregnant with twins so I thought you were supposed to feel vaguely rough and have no energy in the last trimester. Apparently not!

How long until the medication made a difference to how you were feeling ?
OP posts:
SW100 · 10/02/2022 14:54

I had high blood pressure throughout my pregnancy but never diagnosed with preeclampsia as there was no protein in my urine and my bloods were fine. It was controlled with labetalol until it really shot up at 38+5 so I went into triage and they upped my drugs and decided to induce me, baby was born via C-section 2 days later weighing a tiny 5lb 12.

Original poster
mummyaieey · 10/02/2022 17:33

@SW100

I had high blood pressure throughout my pregnancy but never diagnosed with preeclampsia as there was no protein in my urine and my bloods were fine. It was controlled with labetalol until it really shot up at 38+5 so I went into triage and they upped my drugs and decided to induce me, baby was born via C-section 2 days later weighing a tiny 5lb 12.
Was babies weight anything to do with the medication, as I've been told it can be effect growth? so I've got a few growth scans booked in to x
OP posts:
Dyra · 10/02/2022 18:23

Not sure about the drugs, but pre-eclampsia is itself linked to smaller babies/IUGR. I wasn't on labetalol for very long, but if it helps, baby was 7lb 5 at 37 weeks. I had growth scans throughout and she was well grown at each one.

Christmas21 · 10/02/2022 18:36

My blood pressure was always on the low side before pregnancy and went up like yours had while I was pregnant. I also had dizzy spells.
Towards the end my BP was high and I had really swollen hands. I went in for monitoring and everything was fine and DD arrived just before 40 weeks perfectly healthy.

Madwife123 · 10/02/2022 18:36

Pre-eclampsia is high blood pressure AND protein in the urine. High blood pressure alone is known as pregnancy induced hypertension.

Labetalol is the first line drug used which it sounds like you are now on.

If you have any further symptoms contact your triage department but try to avoid continually checking your blood pressure at home as a) electronic machines are not as accurate as manual readings b) unless your machine has been recently calibrated it could be giving false readings and c) stressing about your blood pressure is going to raise your blood pressure.

bollocksthemess · 11/02/2022 18:52

@mummyaieey I felt better after 24 hours of medication, it was like magic.
I’ve got more done this last four days than in the previous four weeks. I’ve got a bit of a cold today and I still feel better than last week.
It’s a very, very low dose. The first dose they tried, 200mg, was too high and sent my blood pressure very low.