Pre-eclampsia - avoiding water retention

[auntyspan]

Hi. I'm currently 26 weeks preg with DD2. I had PE from 37 weeks with DD1 and was induced early. I ended up with an emergency CS and DD was 10lb. I had very very bad water retention from 30 weeks making me pretty imobile from 36 weeks onwards.

I'm petrified about becoming so big and water logged again.... I have a very enthusiastic toddler and I just can't handle the idea that I'm not going to be able to kneel down or run after her

Does anyone have any tips on keeping the odema at bay? I've heard eating diuretics (watermelon, cucumber, watercress etc) will help... any other suggestions?

I'm no expert but apparently lots of protein helps as does visualisation (take a few deep breaths and picture in your mind your blood pressure going down- maybe see a dial set to the appropriate pressure or some immage that works for you, also visualise fluid flushing out of your body. A hypnotherapist could really help or try one of the hypno CDs available for lowering blood pressure or general relaxation. Getting worried about it ironically will raise your BP and make the problem more likely I would guess. RElax and stay well.

Can I suggest not adding extra protein? Yes, it is a great diuretic, but your kidneys will have their work cut out dealing with the stuff that's already going on - you really don't want to add to the load.

I'm also amazed that hypno etc would work given that your blood pressure increases because of an illness, not worry/stress. But I wished I'd known that last time - will remember for this.......

OP I would really talk to your doctor about it, he will be able to tell you whether working separately on the retention problem is ok, and if so, may even be able to prescribe something.......

Good luck!

I would've thought diruetics would have made you retain water because water retention is generally a sign of not drinking enough?

Advice I have had is to drink lots of water, limit all other drink esp. coffee, coke etc as caffine can make it worse and eat healthily ie limit processed/salty foods and have plenty of fruit, veg, dairy and home cooked stuff.

My MW has told me it doesn't matter how much water I drink, if my body wants to retain it, it will retain it. I;m drinking well above the recommended 8 glasses and have stopped all caffeinated drinks. And no, I'm not giving up chocolate, I have to have ONE vice

and I thought diuretics were supposed to help you expel the unneccessary water?

Diuretics will help you lose water ordinarily, but I don't know about during PE., as it's a very complex mechanism, and never seemed logical when I had it. I'd be wary of messing around with the balance tbh, but eating watermelon everyday certainly won't harm!

i don't think Chocolate will make that much difference, honestly, if everything else is good.... all the advice IC had is v. sensible, but I didn't have any, they said it wouldn't make any difference!

If you ahve an appt. with a Dr soon (if you are PE you should) ask specifically...

Cut down your salt intake. I know there's research gong on atm to see if this helps pre-e women in subsequent pgs. Can't hurt not to try though.

actually eating chocolate has been found to be linked with lower incidences of PE - some studies found there was a statistical link between eating chocolate more than 5 times a week in the 3rd trimester and a weaker link with chocolate in the 1st trimester.

I'll try and google a link...

here is some stuff on the chocolate study

Not that I'm saying pig out - but it's nice to know that that's one vice you maybe don't need to stress about too much!

Hi, if you had oedema as a symptom of PE then the only thing that will get rid of it is delivering the baby. Pre-eclampsia is a progressive illness that gets worse as time goes on and the various symptoms don't get better. Cx