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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Worried about preeclampsia

27 replies

HolliiiM · 01/12/2023 14:50

Hi all
I am 14 weeks tomorrow and had my 12 week scan last Tuesday (21st Nov)
Prior to this I have had private scans and genuinely felt positive leading up to the NHS one.
On the scan day, I did my blood tests and blood pressure check and proceeded with the scan.
The scan went really well, I was originally due on the 1st June but they have moved me forward two days to the 30th May.
Yesterday (over a week after the scan) I get a call from the midwife telling me that they believe I am high risk for pre eclampsia and to start taking aspirin every evening until I am 36 weeks. It was a shock because they did not mention this on the scan and I am finding out over a week later they said there is a risk that the baby will be underweight but I don't understand as they pushed me forward 2 days?
I got a private scan on Tuesday just so I can have a second opinion but I was wondering if anyone else experienced this and did taking low dose aspirin help?
This is the furthest I have got with a pregnancy and I am petrified of it going wrong

OP posts:
Bizjustgotreal · 01/12/2023 15:00

Pre-eclampsia risk is usually based on family history and your current age weight and health.

Sounds like they are managing it though. I'm on the aspirin as well. They will probably give you lots of appointments and a couple extra scans as you go along.

Congratulations!

thecatsthecats · 01/12/2023 15:57

It's not based on anything to do with the scan - age, weight and history as PP said.

Be glad they are on it! I should have been.on the preventative treatment, they missed it and I ended up with pre-eclampsia. However, he was an entirely healthy weight, arrived a week early and snoozing on my lap now.

Original poster
HolliiiM · 01/12/2023 16:33

Bizjustgotreal · 01/12/2023 15:00

Pre-eclampsia risk is usually based on family history and your current age weight and health.

Sounds like they are managing it though. I'm on the aspirin as well. They will probably give you lots of appointments and a couple extra scans as you go along.

Congratulations!

Aww bless you thank you for replying. I'm not over weight but my mum had preeclampsia with one of her pregnancies so could be genetic in that case.
How far along are you and how long have you been taking aspirin? Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
HolliiiM · 01/12/2023 16:35

thecatsthecats · 01/12/2023 15:57

It's not based on anything to do with the scan - age, weight and history as PP said.

Be glad they are on it! I should have been.on the preventative treatment, they missed it and I ended up with pre-eclampsia. However, he was an entirely healthy weight, arrived a week early and snoozing on my lap now.

Thank you and I'm sorry to hear that yours wasn't caught on time. I'm glad everything worked out well for you. Were you able to carry full term? Xx

OP posts:
Mushroo · 01/12/2023 16:38

Honestly don’t worry. I was prescribed aspirin due to my mum having pre-eclampsia.

Everything has been fine and I’m 36 weeks tomorrow so at the point to stop taking the aspirin. No signs of pre-eclampsia this far! :)

thecatsthecats · 01/12/2023 17:39

HolliiiM · 01/12/2023 16:35

Thank you and I'm sorry to hear that yours wasn't caught on time. I'm glad everything worked out well for you. Were you able to carry full term? Xx

Show quote history

I was a week early, which is the point they diagnosed it - and the point we found out that I should have been on preventative aspirin!

Bizjustgotreal · 01/12/2023 17:41

Since 12 weeks. I'm 21 weeks. I had family history and I had pre-e (mild) in a previous pregnancy. My little one was fine when I had it last time.

Only issue is heartburn has increased a little with the aspirin - no I'll effect elsewise.

CurlewKate · 01/12/2023 17:48

Do they still give you testing sticks so tht you can test your pee for protein at home? My blood pressure was a little raised so I had them-it was very reassuring. But it was a long time ago.

Original poster
HolliiiM · 01/12/2023 17:59

Mushroo · 01/12/2023 16:38

Honestly don’t worry. I was prescribed aspirin due to my mum having pre-eclampsia.

Everything has been fine and I’m 36 weeks tomorrow so at the point to stop taking the aspirin. No signs of pre-eclampsia this far! :)

Aww that's really reassuring and I'm so happy for you! Not long now to go till you have your baby in your arms! Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
HolliiiM · 01/12/2023 18:00

Bizjustgotreal · 01/12/2023 17:41

Since 12 weeks. I'm 21 weeks. I had family history and I had pre-e (mild) in a previous pregnancy. My little one was fine when I had it last time.

Only issue is heartburn has increased a little with the aspirin - no I'll effect elsewise.

Aww I'm pleased everything worked out for you. I guess it's just one of those things people get xx

OP posts:
Original poster
HolliiiM · 01/12/2023 18:01

CurlewKate · 01/12/2023 17:48

Do they still give you testing sticks so tht you can test your pee for protein at home? My blood pressure was a little raised so I had them-it was very reassuring. But it was a long time ago.

I'm not sure I've never been giving a pee stick lol. are they meant to? Xx

OP posts:
Dyra · 01/12/2023 18:09

Your mum having had pre-eclampsia will be the reason you've been advised you're at higher risk of pre-eclampsia. As others have said, it's far from a guarantee, nothing to worry about ATM.

They'll test your urine for protein at each midwife appointment you have, but if you want to test your urine at home you'll need to buy your own dipsticks. They don't give them out any more. I took aspirin in both my pregnancies. Only side effect I had was mild nausea and heartburn after taking it, so I took it immediately before bed. Can't feel nausea and heartburn when you're asleep!

CurlewKate · 01/12/2023 18:14

@HolliiiM well-it was a while ago. Do they use a sort paper strip to test your pee for protein at midwife appointments?

Vittoriosa · 01/12/2023 18:15

I am wondering if i should be on aspirin! My mum had pre-eclampsia and had to be induced early with both my sister and I. I had my first 2 pregnancies nearly 10 years ago, now 37 and 8 weeks with dc3. Nothing was ever mentioned to me about aspirin in my first 2 pregnancies and they went fine. Would there be more risk now im older?

NphysT · 01/12/2023 18:25

I've also been told I'm high risk of getting pre-eclampsia at my 9 weeks booking appointment. There was no mention of taking asprin, just that I'd have extra scans and be consultant led. Is this something that is a standard if you're at risk of getting it?

threeringsmidwifery · 01/12/2023 18:27

@Vittoriosa I know plenty of providers who would discuss aspirin based on how long ago you had your babies and family history. Did you see the NHS link put into the thread above? talk to your provider about it at your first visit. Preeclampsia doesn't usually show up before 20 weeks of pregnancy and it's usually started by 12 to 16 weeks. So you've got time.

threeringsmidwifery · 01/12/2023 18:35

@HolliiiM It's really common for you to feel petrified of the pregnancy going wrong. But managing your stress is the most important thing that you can do in your pregnancy. It certainly helps with managing your blood pressure and it can help improve your outcome overall for yourself and for your unborn. I hope that you can find peace.

Vittoriosa · 01/12/2023 18:36

Thanks for this, I will have a read and definitely mention it to my midwife

Original poster
HolliiiM · 01/12/2023 21:13

Dyra · 01/12/2023 18:09

Your mum having had pre-eclampsia will be the reason you've been advised you're at higher risk of pre-eclampsia. As others have said, it's far from a guarantee, nothing to worry about ATM.

They'll test your urine for protein at each midwife appointment you have, but if you want to test your urine at home you'll need to buy your own dipsticks. They don't give them out any more. I took aspirin in both my pregnancies. Only side effect I had was mild nausea and heartburn after taking it, so I took it immediately before bed. Can't feel nausea and heartburn when you're asleep!

The strange thing is I never mentioned to them that my mum had preeclampsia! I only found out yesterday when the midwife told me and asked me to go on aspirin xx

OP posts:
Original poster
HolliiiM · 01/12/2023 21:14

NphysT · 01/12/2023 18:25

I've also been told I'm high risk of getting pre-eclampsia at my 9 weeks booking appointment. There was no mention of taking asprin, just that I'd have extra scans and be consultant led. Is this something that is a standard if you're at risk of getting it?

I would call your midwife and voice your concerns if they have mentioned it to you now at 9 weeks then there is a strong chance they will ask you to take aspirin from 12 weeks xx

OP posts:
Dyra · 01/12/2023 22:19

The strange thing is I never mentioned to them that my mum had preeclampsia! I only found out yesterday when the midwife told me and asked me to go on aspirin xx

Ok, that's weird. You're sure it wasn't mentioned at all during your booking appointment? I vaguely remember being asked if my mum had had any issues during her pregnancies. Also odd, that it didn't come up at your booking appointment full stop. As others say, usually it's calculated from your risk factors i.e. age, first pregnancy, BMI, family history etc. Was anything mentioned about the bloods taken at your scan? PAPP-A levels being low or something like that? Just seems odd it's only just coming up now rather than at booking.

Nursemumma92 · 02/12/2023 06:55

I'm wondering whether they have told you now because the bloods that they did at your 12 week scan have showed low Papp-A? This can put you at risk of pre eclampsia or having a smaller baby but when treated with aspirin is more often than not, nothing to worry about. Did the midwife mention anything about this?

If you do have this then you will get regular growth scans generally from 28 weeks to monitor baby's growth and placental function.

YearoftheRabbit23 · 02/12/2023 07:03

OP, @HolliiiM I think the pre eclampsia "test" can be based on readings taken during the 12 week scan. I just had mine this week, my Dr measured some blood flow on the right and left side of my uterus (sounded like pulsing blood on the monitor) and said this would be used to calculate my pre eclampsia risk within the week. And if at risk, I'd have to continue baby aspirin (I started taking it to aid conception and still am on it, pending test results). Hope that helps!