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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Sparkles in vision followed by a headache 38 weeks pregnant

53 replies

Spockrates · 28/04/2023 14:47

Hi I’m 38 weeks Pregnant all of a sudden I started seeing this sparks dancing around my Vision a few minutes later I started to have a headache has anyone had this before at this stage in pregnancy?

OP posts:
DPotter · 28/04/2023 17:25

Please have your blood pressure checked - by someone who knows how to do it properly, ie not a friend with a BP monitor. They should also check your wee for proteins.

It's really important to get this checked out

BertieBotts · 28/04/2023 17:27

You could maybe get your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy if you don't want to go to hospital? But it is definitely a valid reason to go to hospital. I was always told with my pregnancies if you have signs of pre-eclampsia they would rather check them out.

Pre-eclampsia is a warning sign for eclampsia. If it gets to full blown eclampsia this is very dangerous for both you and the baby. So you definitely don't want to mess around with it.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/

nhs.uk

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually during the second half of pregnancy (from around 20 weeks) or soon after their baby is delivered.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia

BirdIsland · 28/04/2023 17:29

I had a perfect pregnancy, and perfect blood pressure, until I didn't. I was induced at 37 weeks with full blown preeclampsia, the symptoms came on very quickly (my blood pressure had been fine at my midwife appointment 5 days before).

Please, please at least check your blood pressure at home if you can, or at a pharmacy. Better still, call triage back and ask to be seen. There is a super easy test for preeclampsia these days x

Helenahandkart · 28/04/2023 17:55

The sparkles could be a sign of retinal detachment, rather than anything pregnancy related. Maybe see an optician/eye doctor?

LindyHopathon · 28/04/2023 20:42

How are you now, OP?
Did you go to the hospital?

YukoandHiro · 28/04/2023 20:42

Phone midwife and get checked tonight - signs of pre eclampsia.
Also can be signs of late onset gestational diabetes.
Both need urgent management.

Original poster
Spockrates · 28/04/2023 23:09

@LindyHopathon i still have the headache but my blood pressure is ok I used my friends blood pressure machine thingy she has one as she always needs to monitor ber BP due to a medical condition I took it 3 times at first it was 150 over 96 then I can’t remember what the second one was but the last one was 131 over 88 my friend said I needed to take it 3 times and if it was still high after 3 times then it’s actually high but if it goes down on the 3rd time it’s ok

OP posts:
LindyHopathon · 28/04/2023 23:11

Spockrates · 28/04/2023 23:09

@LindyHopathon i still have the headache but my blood pressure is ok I used my friends blood pressure machine thingy she has one as she always needs to monitor ber BP due to a medical condition I took it 3 times at first it was 150 over 96 then I can’t remember what the second one was but the last one was 131 over 88 my friend said I needed to take it 3 times and if it was still high after 3 times then it’s actually high but if it goes down on the 3rd time it’s ok

Those recordings are all higher than normal.
I think you should ring triage again

shard5 · 28/04/2023 23:14

At 38 weeks you should have the number for your maternity units triage.
Please call them and tell them you are worried about baby and feeling out of sorts.

LindyHopathon · 28/04/2023 23:16

Even the third one is high. The BP being lower on the third attempt isn't any good if it's still a high reading.
Any BP over 80 is too high. In conjunction with the headache and visual disturbances, you need to be seen in the labour ward.
You need blood tests and a check on the baby's heartbeat.

MrsR87 · 28/04/2023 23:16

Spockrates · 28/04/2023 23:09

@LindyHopathon i still have the headache but my blood pressure is ok I used my friends blood pressure machine thingy she has one as she always needs to monitor ber BP due to a medical condition I took it 3 times at first it was 150 over 96 then I can’t remember what the second one was but the last one was 131 over 88 my friend said I needed to take it 3 times and if it was still high after 3 times then it’s actually high but if it goes down on the 3rd time it’s ok

I was hospitalised with high blood pressure on and off from 34 weeks pregnant until I was induced 3 weeks later. Ideally it should be 120/80 so even your third reading is high. I really would contact triage again as it’s worth having a urine test to rule out preeclampsia. Mine never developed into that luckily but it was serious enough to be induced…I was hospitalised for readings less than yours. Please get checked over. X

Original poster
Spockrates · 28/04/2023 23:18

@LindyHopathon im calling triage now

OP posts:
MrsR87 · 28/04/2023 23:19

Sorry I meant to add that for me those readings would have triggered baby’s heartbeat being monitored for at least half an hour to ensure she was okay.

And just to add, although she was a bit small when born she was very healthy and we only had to stay in hospital for 24 hours before being allowed home. 😍

BertieBotts · 28/04/2023 23:20

The advice for your friend's medical condition will probably be different to the advice in late pregnancy.

Honestly I would triage back, explain the BP results you've had plus visual disturbance and headache earlier tonight, even if all have gone now these are all signs that could add up to a picture.

It's a really quick/simple test to rule out, and the risks of ignoring it could be really huge/devastating. I know it's annoying to have to go up to the ward but definitely better safe than sorry surely?

BertieBotts · 28/04/2023 23:20

Sorry Xposted. Glad you are phoning - make sure to mention those three things and that you are concerned about pre-eclampsia.

Good luck, hope everything is OK.

ContentandThankful · 28/04/2023 23:20

I would be pushing to be seen, better safe than sorry. DD was induced at 38 weeks as I had symptoms, less severe than yours, of pre-eclampsia. Are baby’s movements normal, mine was found (protein in urine and fairly high BP) and monitored after I had an episode of reduced movement around 36 weeks.

sarahc336 · 28/04/2023 23:24

I'm quite concerned about you seeing the sparkles in your eyes op, please continue to monitor yourself if triage don't assess you

00deed1988 · 28/04/2023 23:25

Spockrates · 28/04/2023 23:18

@LindyHopathon im calling triage now

Glad you are calling triage. I am a midwife and those BP readings with a headache and visual disturbances definitely need a check up. If I saw you in triage I would want to take bloods and test and send your urine as well as put you on the monitor to check up on baby. Hope it is nothing but glad you are being checked to rule it out at the very lease. Pre-eclampsia can be very sudden onset!

nocoolnamesleft · 28/04/2023 23:38

Really think you need your BP checking properly and a urine dipping, so glad to hear you're calling again. Hope you don't get fobbed off.

ElizabethBest · 28/04/2023 23:50

Those are all a raised BP, you need to go in. If triage fob you off, tbh I think you should go in anyway. You really shouldn’t have been dismissed the first time you called. Due to the increased blood flow throughout your body in pregnancy, migraines with visual disturbances are common, but if there’s any uncertainty over what it is at all it needs to be checked to rule out pre-eclampsia

lepricon · 28/04/2023 23:55

I had a low risk pregnancy, had sparks in my eyes and headaches. Had pre eclampsia. Gave birth at 38 weeks.

MrsR87 · 29/04/2023 09:32

Hope you’re okay @Spockrates

TheShellBeach · 29/04/2023 12:26

How are you today, OP?

Original poster
Spockrates · 29/04/2023 18:31

Hi sorry all I forgot to reply I went to triage my blood pressure was fine they monitored baby for awhile and they were happy so I was able to go home I still have the headache but it goes away whenever I take paracetamol

OP posts:
TheShellBeach · 29/04/2023 19:15

I'm so glad you went to get it checked!