High BP and protein in urine

[takemetomars]

This is my DIL she is 37 weeks. Bloods fone today, no results yet. Does this make it a higher risk pregnancy?
The local maternity unit hasn't got the greatest rep and I want to be sure they are going to be assertive in the right way

Sounds like it could be pre-eclampsia and they will probably recommend an induction and epidural.

My BP was wild in last couple of weeks but no protein in urine so not pre eclampsia. I was induced and had baby 38+5 all was well.

Best of luck for your DIL but maybe read up on NHS website about pre eclampsia and induction to get a bit more info and feel more informed.

It sounds like preeclampsia and if so yes, it is very high risk including to your DIL. At 37 weeks they will probably want to deliver and I think the most obvious risk looking at mistakes often made, is that they will hesitate too much before doing a c section. Time is of the essence, so be ready to put a rocket up their arses to do that section if it comes to it. My sister had preeclampsia and the staff were fussing about waiting to speak to a particular consultant before doing a section, when they got hold of him he was like ‘what the hell are you doing, get that baby out!’

This is fantastically helpful, thank you so much! I just needed to know how hard I could push this

I imagine they’ll want to take into account how the baby is doing and how high BP is etc, but I think pre eclampsia can get worse fast. Also there is a lot of investigation at the moment into avoidable deaths in maternity units and a massive emerging theme is the hesitancy to do c sections. The fact is that they are very often the safest option, and if you are likely to end up having one better not to have an emergency middle of the night one with skeleton staff and a mother and baby in distress after hours of failed induction. I would go straight to a c section personally but if induction is the way it goes, sometimes it’s good to have a consultant mark on the notes that there should be a very low threshold for deciding to do a section, and also make sure that anyone who treats your DIL or takes her obs etc is aware of any diagnosis like preeclampsia.

Forgot to say good luck! Hope that this is all soon forgotten in the excitement of a new little one x

I think with the BP and the protein it will be considered pre-eclampsia. The bloods are to see if it is affecting your DiL's liver enzymes, platelets and red blood cells. Yes, the pregnancy will now be considered high risk, and as she is term, hospitalisation and induction, if not immediate, then in the next few days will most likely be suggested.

I've gone through this twice now. Most likely started at 34 weeks both times (DC1 probably, DC2 definitely), but not picked up/acted upon until 36 weeks. Even though I had no other symptoms, it was affecting my liver (as shown by the bloods), so I was hospitalised. Fortunately, both times baby was well grown and showing no signs of distress, and my BP was stable with medication, so it was decided to induce at 37 weeks. D

Gah. Stupid keyboard disappearing... Anyway...

DC1 was born at 37+1 vaginally. DC2 was born at 37+6 (induction started at 37+1, but continuing was delayed due to pressures) via C-section due to malposition. Nothing to do with pre-eclampsia.

Afterwards my BP returned to normal quickly. I remained on medication for 6 weeks postnatally with DC1, and stopped medication within 2 days with DC2.

I hope your DiL is OK. It's a worrying time when your pregnancy suddenly goes sideways. Best of luck to her.

@Inyournewdress - thank you. Very helpful. She will find out the results of her bloods today. I am worried for her

As long as the hospital are properly on the case it should all be fine, the good thing is that she is 37 weeks so they can deliver whenever they need to xx

It means she is at risk/developing pre-eclampsia and will need monitoring very regularly.

She may twice medication, be admitted, induced or c section

She needs to rest and be very aware of baby's movements while waiting for results. Any visual disturbance, increased headache, epigastric pain ( like heart burn), swelling of hands, feet or face, or change in usual kicks, she needs to go straight in to hospital.

The cure for pre-eclampsia (and preventing it turning to eclampsia) is delivering the baby. Just keep that in mind - that's the only outcome that's curative and just needs to happen.
As your DIL is term that's good news, they'll get a good picture of the severity of things on her bloods which is good - but ultimately baby needs to be out not in, in a timely manner.
I agree with PP that I'd go for a c section, but it's a personal decision and some people want to give induction a chance.
Try not to worry, baby will be here soon!

Ok, I am not happy with what they have been told. Bloods are ok apart from iron levels -told to eat more red meat- so they have been told the protein in her urine is also fine?
Nothing about the BP. Midwife appointments weekly now. Nothing re induction or c section. Nothing from anyone more senior than a midwife although I obviously don't know if her case was discussed with a doctor. Thoughts?

I couldn’t really say from the info you have, but does the hospital have a maternity assessment unit? Usually there is a 24 hour walk in unit, where you can go to be assessed initially by a midwife but you can definitely ask to see the doctor, they will do urine again and probably monitor heart rate of mother and baby. They always said to me if in any doubt come in, they would rather people came in many times unnecessarily than once missed coming when they needed to.

It depends on how much protein is in the urine and what level her BP is.

Thanks to all. We have had a chat about it and they are prepared to be vocal about it all if needs be. They have a low threshold for demanding further information and/or action if needs be. The mat unit isn't one of the best!

Good luck OP! Unfortunately many mat units are not great, it’s awful.

Deffo needs to be a blood test to confirm. Also ask to see the blood test results, don't rely on someone just telling you.

High blood pressure and protein alone aren't enough to 100% diagnose as they could be something unrelated.

@SwordToFlamethrower - blood tests were done, all fine except mild anaemia apparently.