Pre eclampsia 38 weeks - so worried!

[JuniperAndTonic]

I’ve been on home monitoring of my blood pressure since 20 weeks due to a history of white coat hypertension (high blood pressure when measured in a clinical setting). My blood pressure has been fine all the way through when measuring at home and even mostly fine at my routine antenatal appointments.

Today, I checked my BP as normal and it was 160/100. Went straight to the assessment unit, where blood pressure went down to 135/95 but I have protein in my urine so diagnosed with pre eclampsia. I have no symptoms. Baby all fine on the monitor.

I had a sweep to try and get labour started naturally but cervix was closed and baby’s head isn’t engaged so I’m not hopeful this will work. They sent me home and have arranged for me to come back in in 2 days time for a BP check and CTG monitoring, with a plan to monitor every 48 hours then induce next Wednesday at 39 weeks.

Now I’m home and have had time to get over the shock of the diagnosis and let it sink in, I’m wondering if they should have just admitted me and induced me earlier! I’m full term, baby has measured on the big side all the way through (87th percentile on growth scan at 36 weeks) so I’m now wondering why they didn’t just admit me and induce me straight away?!

I’m feeling extremely anxious and worried (which can’t be good for my blood pressure!). I’ve checked my blood pressure a few times since I’ve been home and it seems stable around 130/90 which I guess is reassuring but still. I know I won’t get much sleep tonight eventhough I’m absolutely exhausted. Does anyone have any experience with pre eclampsia diagnosed late on in pregnancy?? Or even just a hand hold at this worrying time

I got diagnosed with pre eclampsia with my son at 36+6 so not as late as you but still late. I should add I also had it with my daughter diagnosed at 35 weeks and she was born via induction at 36 weeks.

Focusing on my son as I was diagnosed latest with him, I wanted to try and hold on and have him at 39 weeks but as soon as they found the protein as well as the high bp, they monitored us for 2 days then he was born via induction at 37+1. Both my babies were perfectly fine. Both inductions were successful and both natural births.

I know it's super worrying but you're In expert hands that have seen this many times before and know exactly when to step in. They will watch you closely to make sure you and baby are ok and any hint of it progressing further in any way, they'll have the baby out.

You've made it almost until the end so your baby will be strong and absolutely fine I'm sure. I know it's so hard to put your faith in the doctors when it's such an important thing, but you just have to trust them and know they'll do what's right for you and baby at the right time xx sending a big hug and handhold for you from someone who's been there (for my son I felt like I lived on the ward towards the end!)

I should of said - What my doctors told me is we are weighing up very carefully where is best for your baby to be and where they will thrive. For the most part it'll be inside you until 40 weeks, but as soon as it tips over that stage where the doctors think baby will be safest in the world, they'll arrange just that. They assess it really carefully and wouldn't put you or baby at any risk.

That blood pressure isn't too bad unless you started with an exceptionally low BP like 90/60 which used to be mine. Normal is classed as 120/80 so if it was in that area, just do as the midwife advises.

@cherrybakewell24 thank you for sharing your story! I’m glad your inductions were successful and babies were both okay, very reassuring to hear that. I just wish I’d asked more questions but I was just a bit shell shocked at the time!

@hewouldwouldnthe Thank you, yes I know it’s not too high, my baseline throughout pregnancy has been between 110-120ish anyway. I’m keeping a close eye on it and hoping it doesn’t spike again!

I’ve had pre eclampsia in my last 2 pregnancies and was admitted to hospital at 36+3 (babies born at 36+6) and 38w (baby born at 38+1). Both times babies were completely fine. I didn’t have any symptoms apart from feeling a bit off. Went to MAU and had really high bp. After being admitted I did start to develop other symptoms such as heightened reflexes, hugely swollen legs and ankles and flashing in one eye.

As your bp is ok and movements are ok, I wouldn’t be too worried, but if anything changes I would go straight back in.