Possible Preeclampsia / different BP readings

[echops]

I'm 33 weeks pregnant and last week the midwife sent off a sample of my urine as she said it had a trace of urine in it. During that visit my blood pressure was 122/75. Later that week I also experienced 'sparkles' infront of my eys for about 1 minute when I got out of the shower.
Earlier today my dad took my blood pressure (he has his own machine as he has high blood pressure!). During the space of an hour my blood pressure ranged from 153/88 to 135/81. I'm just concerned that this could show that I'm developing pre-eclampsia. Am thinking about calling my midwife tomorrow but am concerned about looking like a hypercondriac (my midwife is usually a bit blase when I raise any concerns!). Has anyone else got experience of differing blood pressure results?

It's pretty normal for BP to bounce about, and it is also normal for it to increase towards the end of pregnancy (esp in your first pregnancy). I also tend to find that the electric machines give extra-high readings.
Call your MW, get her to check it's ok and then stop worrying.

I had high BP towards the end of my first pregnancy and mine too flutuated up and down.

Im 21 weeks with number two and have high bp again. They are more concerned this time as its earlier on.

My MW told me that different machines give differing readings and there was a marked difference between the surgery electronic ones and the manual one... I usually had both done each time to compare.

Id mention the "sparkles" at your next visit but it could be as youve just come out a warm/hot shower. Doesnt hurt to mention it though if your concerned, the worst she thinks your paranoid but so what..its your health.

Readings are affected by food,drinks, stopping running round like a lunatic (that may have been just me..) 122/75 is a lovely BP. Many non pgs would like that! Eye sparkles may just be moving too fast but as pigley said, mention it to your midwife. Best thing to remember is you're not ill, you're pg & enough people will 'medicalise' you without you joining in. Check on the other signs of p-e, relax and get some sleep. (Tuts) ;)

echops do you know the other warning signs of pre-eclampsia? The trouble with blood pressure and protein in your wee is you can't really know if you have it or not without a machine to measure it!
I have had pre-eclampsia twice before and looks like might go that way again with this pregnancy.
The warning signs to look out for include, swelling in your hands, face and feet, bad headaches, pain just under your ribs, the sparkles in your eyes plus more.
The midwife will have sent off your urine to check you don't have an infection in your bladder or similar. She will phone you if the results come back as a problem.
A trace of protein is not a lot, and your blood pressure is not majorly high. Your blood pressure can vary from minute to minute depending on what you're doing. If you lie down, stand up, sit down etc. You know if you lie down and get up suddenly and get a "head rush" that is your blood pressure changing suddenly. It is normal. Midwives will take any warning signs of pre-eclampsia very seriously. If they are worried, you will be sent to the doctor to be checked out.
Try not to worry, just relax but remember to mention any symptoms to the midwife so she knows.
HTH

see humpty knows

thanks mrswarthog