Are these signs of pre-eclampsia?

[sickandsleepy]

Hi guys, wonder if anyone has any wisdom for me.

I have been a high risk pregnancy due to raised BMI and also that my mother had pre-eclampsia with all of us children, as a result I was on 150mg Aspirin until 36 weeks when they said to stop.

I'm a little worried about a couple of symptoms I have...

• First off is my feet which have swollen up suddenly in the past couple of days, I have a desk job so it's not to do with being on my feet all day, my hands have swollen a little as well but nothing like my feet.
• On my badger notes it says protein+ on a couple of my urine samples but the midwife has never mentioned anything about it
• My blood pressure has risen, on the 1st May it was 140/65, I took it today and it is 138/91, which is high for me but could also be normal?

I'm worried that these are 3 signs that pre-eclampsia could be lurking, but the dots aren't being added up. Sorry about the feet pics... just wanted to show marked swelling. These shoes are usually a little loose.

I don't want to waste anyone's time but don't know what to do!

I had pre eclampsia twice and then eclampsia - I would say you probably need to constant monitoring at this stage.

I was seen daily with similar symptoms - and urine checked daily. Protein can have small traces or increases.
When my protein increased they gave me an emergency c section.

Second was delivered at 39 weeks to prevent heart issues.

insist on monitoring, it’s your health and your baby’s health.

Hi @sickandsleepy

Yes, please do call them back. Hope the below is also of some use!

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

I was an inpatient for nearly one month with PE.

Sending you best wishes

@Moonchild79 @labracadabras - Thank you, BP is back up again 136/95 so it's definitely raised, even if i don't have swollen hands, surely this is a slight concern? I don't know anymore, feel like because she told me my hands and face are fine that i'm wasting their time 😔

Not to undermine your instincts or put you off contacting them to confirm (as I still would because you're still worried!) but just in case it's helpful...

My blood pressure is slightly high and my feet keep getting swelling and have ballooned this week at 31 weeks pregnant. I don't have protein in my urine but I am getting inconsistent headaches. Like you I am concerned about pre-eclampsia.

I've been told by my allocated community midwife this week that unless my face swells or sudden severe hand swelling, my headaches don't go away with water, rest and paracetamol, or I get pain under my ribs, they tend not to worry about it as it's all common in pregnancy.

I was told a couple of weeks ago exactly the same thing by a registrar/consultant at my scan appointment when I was worrying about pain in my upper back and swelling in my feet.

I was told exactly the same thing a few weeks before that when I freaked out and phoned the triage service because my hands and feet were sore and swollen. I think she said "we don't get excited about hands and feet".

Whilst I think you should get the reassurance you need and absolutely understand the worry, it's the job of the professionals to keep you and baby safe and at some point you might need to accept that you've advocated for yourself and their medical opinion is appropriate at this stage.

You should never worry about wasting their time though. Maybe just be very straightforward with them when you call and say you're aware raised BP and swelling are signs of pre eclampsia and it's stressing you out (which won't help the BP!) and can they offer you any monitoring or reassurance that will help you to settle?

@IVFKinster

Thanks for your message, completely understand where you're coming from! I don't want to undermine their professional opinion at all - I'll keep an eye on the BP today and see what it does, and if it remains over 90 i'll call back.

Coincidentally, I do have pains under my ribs but it's on my left hand side and magically matches where baby's limbs probably are as she's head down, so I don't think it could be related!

I don't think I'd view it as 'undermining' their professional opinion and I would hope they wouldn't either. You're just questioning it which is fair, it's their job to give you belief that they've listened and assessed appropriately and hopefully they can give you some confidence in that.

I wouldn't hesitate to call them and ask for further reassurance honestly. I just hoped to let you know you're not alone in being told some of these things are normal/not a worry! 😊

Also re. Rib pain. My midwife said obviously some rib pain is common as baby grows but if it's under the ribs/inside rather than an outside pain then that's when it's a concern 😵‍💫 I've no idea how to tell the difference so I just mention it at every appointment!

Get checked. I had pre-eclampsia with fairly minimal symptoms. An out of hours doctor told me my swollen feet were normal for pregnancy, my hands and face looked fine and my blood pressure was fine. In fact my blood pressure was still within normal range at that point but very high for me and kept on creeping up. My pre-eclampsia wasn't picked up til they did a urine check when was in labour, a week or so after I saw him.

Does anybody know if the swelling is more concerning if it leaves a dent when pressed?

Please just ring triage. It's not worth risking it

It’s not necessarily a problem but if it’s new it might mean the swelling f is worse

if they don’t see your symptoms as a problem they have to reassure you so you understand why, otherwise you’ll sit fretting.

I had the same symptoms as you but urine was ++ and I was diagnosed with mild pre eclampsia, so please do phone them! Had a planned c section at 38+5 largely as a result, baby was fine.

OP, I am a midwife and you need to be seen properly. Call tribe, tell they you are worried about pre eclampsia and that you'd like to be seen. It will take 5 minutes and you'll have your answer. Its not worth the risk and stress to keep wondering.

I’ve had pre eclampsia three times. Each time I had borderline high bp ahead of time that was being monitored weekly. Each time I felt a bit off and felt like a right pain going to MAU to be checked over. Each time I was admitted to antenatal and kept in until babies were born.

You would much rather get checked and it be nothing. Don’t overthink it!

I had what was never confirmed as pre-eclampsia and based on my experience I’d get checked out if I were you.

Yes, they are all symptoms of PE and you don't need all of them to have it
Please get checked as it worsen rapidly
I had no signs other than slightly raised BP and epigastric pain, just felt off
Within hours, my kidney function was deteriorating and placenta failing
He was born safe and well, but it's always best to be checked out.

Just an update: I called back and was asked to come to triage, tested my urine (no protein), took some blood which I’ll have results for soon, strapped my tummy up and monitored baby for a little while, and took my BP (which was normal there!!!) a doctor also came and had a feel of the swelling and tested my reflexes. Very thorough and they’d like me to go back on Monday to have another BP test on their machine, but said they were happy with the results of the tests and to just call back if anything worsens 😊

I'm glad they will be keeping an eye on you and I do hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly

Please go to triage now. I was misdiagnosed and things got very serious very quickly.

Apologies - just saw you went to triage. Glad you were treated so thoroughly. If you've got an at-home blood pressure monitor, might be an idea to keep tabs just for peace of mind. Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly.

That's such great news @sickandsleepy well done contacting them and persevering. I hope they were lovely enough that you feel confident calling back if you need to but fingers crossed it won't get any worse 🤞

This makes me happy. I’m not a MW but I am an HCP and it’s good to hear you were listened to and reassured and ate to be reviewed. That’s as it should be!

feet up, rest up. Enjoy what you’ve got left if your pregnancy

Really glad to hear that you've been checked out properly. Saves me from being another person telling you to go in!