Preeclampsia experiences please?

[YanknCock]

I know the symptoms, but would like to hear from people who've experienced this. Am 38+2, and I know they're watching me carefully to see if I develop preeclampsia.

Since about 35 weeks, whenever my BP is taken with a manual cuff (and I am checking it is the correct cuff size), my BP is high-ish, 140/100. I've got loads of swelling in my feet and hands (for last 6 weeks), but face doesn't seem to be any bigger. Today I have a mild left-sided headache, and am debating about whether I need to call someone.

For the last two weeks I've had to go to the day unit for BP monitoring twice a week. There's been protein in my urine (2+), but when they take my BP with the automated cuff, it is never high (worst has been 129/82 as of yesterday, and most readings were under 120/80 over last two weeks). Saw the consultant yesterday, BP high on manual cuff (144/100), sent to day unit where it was fine, and told to come back in a week to get checked again.

I guess I'm wondering....if I don't have preeclampsia now, how likely am I to get it? If you had it, did you go through a period like me where they watched you, and then it suddenly came on at the end?

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Hi there - this thread is a little old. If you'd like to know more about pre-eclampsia, we've got more information here. MNHQ

YanknCock glad things are looking better for you. I had my dd at 39wks by c-section and she was fine. They did try inducing me as had non-established labour but the emergency situation meant my body decided to stop any contractions, the c-section was actually pretty calm.

One of the things my mw said when she found I had PE at 39wks was to ask if I had a "show" as it can show up as protein in the urine, so that might be worth remembering.

I am currently 18wks pg with dc2, it has taken me 3 1/2 yrs to think about doing this again. FWIW the consultant told me that I had a 20% chance of it recurring. But I am being monitored very closely this time by the community mw and the hosptial ante-natal clinic. Lovely mw told me to relax, there's an 80% chance I will be fine and to try to enjoy my pg. (Coincidentally, same mw who sent me to hosptial with PE the 1st time).

YanknCock I hope you have a quick and complication-free labour it sounds like it's coming to an end soon.

I was bundled off to hospital at 26+5 weeks after a trip to my GP for a sick line (had terrible sickness throughout my pg) While there he asked for a urine sample, checked bp and swelling and asked me to go back just before surgery due to close to get results of urine test.

When I returned bp was checked again as urine showed high protein and GP called an ambulance, was wheeled out of surgery on a trolley by paramedics. I did not feel ill at all, convinced I would get to hosp and be sent home (wasn't familiar with PEC).

However, I spent about 2 weeks in hosp resting and being monitored, with a few false alarms where we were all ready for em/cs at 27+2 and 28+5. For approx 2 days I experienced visual disturbances, kind of like being drunk, seeing double but was told to let them know if I felt any headache and/or pain round about breastbone area. At 29+2 I had a severe headache in the evening, (had spent a lot of time sleeping and feeling pretty bad) and then I lost my vision. Couldn't see to sign the consent form for em/cs so had to give verbal consent. I literally passed out on route to theatre, remember telling them I was going to pass out as the waves of heat were unbearable, I could only see faint shadows. I was 20 at the time and tbh I still only have dd, been too petrified to get pg again.

DD was born @ 1.09am weighing 884 grams (1lb 15oz) but had no ventilation, (prob due to having time previously to have the steroid injection to inflate her lungs). She is now a lovely (tall) 9 yr old

Sorry, only just seen this thread. Firstly if you've made it to 39 weeks without the vile PE taking hold then good for you and your baby will be fine!! I've been told that after about 35 weeks it's just "window dressing" in the womb and a chance for our LOs to pile on the ounces!!

I was diagnosed with PE at 31 weeks when I went for a routine MW check, at that time I had a cold and said I felt crap, but other than that was fine. My BP was high (but it generally is anyway) and I had 3 +++ in my urine. I went straight to hospital. The next 2 weeks were spent monitoring me, on meds to reduce my BP etc, I also had steriod injections. I got to 33 weeks and then had a funny turn (awful headache), BP was 189/129 and the protein went a bit mental. DS was delivered by EMC/S weighing 3lb 9oz. No medical problems other than that he was tiny and couldn't feed properly. He came home after 4 weeks.

I was on labetalol for a while after but BP returned to normal (for me). I will however be heavily monitored during next pg.

Hope all is going well for you and that your healthy gorgeous baby comes asap!!

My ankles swelled badly at about 5 months and then went down again. It may have been the heat but it could have been the first sign of pre eclampsia.

At 6 months they swelled again and my bp was high. I spent a week with my feet up and then was much better for a month.

After a sedentary day at 31 weeks I had swollen knees as well and the next day I was addmitted to the maternity hospital.

BP was 102 on lower register. After 5 days the hospital said I had H.E.L.P. syndrome. My blood test results were not good and any blood taken caused huge wields of bruises on my arms.

I had emergency c section under general and T was born 2 months early.

After he was delivered all the symptoms went away very quickly. Some people get flashing lights after for a while but birth was an instant cure for my pre eclampsia.

At 38 weeks, I would not worry too much because if the bp goes up you are not going to deliver too early. I'm sure they will keep a good eye on you. All the best.

I was only diagnosed after my DS was born as having had 'atypical pre-eclampsia'. My BP had been perfect throughout my pregnancy, and I had had a trace of protein in my urine a couple of times but told it was so small as to be not a worry. I'd never swollen up anywhere either. It was when I started vomiting all day, and was unable to keep anything down, and generally felt like crap, at 36+1, that I went to the emergency ward at my maternity hospital. I then started feeling much better but my blood results (ALTs?) showed that my liver was not functioning normally, and all sorts of tests were done to try and find out whether I had a virus or what. In the end they decided that they were still unsure but my condition was clearly pregnancy-related so moved my CS up (I was having a planned CS for medical reasons anyway) and my DS was born, a little light but otherwise very healthy, at 36+6. I should add that he was kicking all this time, and all the foetal monitoring showed no problems with him.

So basically, my advice to anyone would be regardless of BP, if you feel really crap, go and get a doctor to see you - don't mean to frighten you with this, but sometimes a condition just doesn't show up in the form you expect, and if you get checked out you can be treated and helped. My symptoms all calmed down quickly after birth and my DS is thriving. All the best to you and your DC.

Hi YanknCock any news on the labour/birth front?

My pre eclampsia started at 32 weeks with a sudden rise in blood pressure (from 140/90 to 160/100) and swelling in the face and hands. I was given tablets to lower the BP and told to rest at home. At that stage there was no protein in my urine. At 36 weeks they found protein in my urine so the pre eclampsia was officially diagnosed (before that it was just suspected as pre eclampsia is not officially diagnosed until there is protein in the urine). The baby was induced at 37 weeks and delivered eventually by emergency c-section (not because of the pre eclampsia mind). It's important they measure your BP regularly until the birth and ALSO AFTERWARDS as the BP can remain high for a couple of weeks afterwards. My BP remained high for 3 weeks and that was the most stressful thing of all - there I was at home with a tiny baby and still had to take medication and measure my BP every day. Sounds like your BP is fine for now though and at 37 weeks the baby is mature so if they had to induce you it would not be premature. xx

Can't believe how many people have had pre-eclampsia undetected. I had it with my first ds. My blood pressure was fine, my urine was fine, but I was swelling up like Mr Blobby. I kept saying to the midwife I felt like I was 90, and couldn't walk a few paces without being puffed out, but she dismissed me. It was finally detected on a routine hospital appointment. They put me straight on a ward doing urine collection (what fun!) 24 hours later and 6 weeks early I had a healthy son. Turns out I had pre-eclampsia and HELLP, and ended up in ITU for 4 days.

It is so important to get yourself checked out - and if you still have concerns go back, and speak to the doctor. Make a pain of yourself - I wish I had pushed things more. Also APEC (Action on Pre-Eclampsia charity) were very helpful. Here is there website address www.apec.org.uk.

PS my second pregancny was fine, and they kept a very close eye on me. Good luck to anyone who is going through blood pressure checks and high protein counts at the moment.