Hello!
I've been visiting this site obsessively since getting my BFP on 25th Dec 2010 (best Christmas present EVER!) i've never posted before but feel it is very important to.
I'd been having the most straight forward pregnancy - no morning sickness, energy levels fine. The only difference was a huge increase in appetite, especially for junk :/
I started to get headaches and swelling around my 22nd week - fingers would bloat, ankles would get very tight, especially towards the end of the day. It didn't help that my job is office based and sitting down I could literally feel fluid heading south.
I had my 25/40 midwife check - I mentioned the headaches and swelling and was told to make sure to keep feet raised as much as possible. The midwife checked my urine for protein. It came back with the highest reading of +5. The midwife seemed really concerned and asked me to give a second urine sample, again it came back +5. She told me that perhaps the reading was high because the samples i'd provided were both quite small. She said it could be the high concentration giving off such a high reading. She asked me to go away for a few minutes, drink as much as possible and provide a third sample. I did and this time it came back much lower protein. I was a little shaken but felt reassured by the time i'd left the midwife.
I'd read on here that swelling could be a sign of pre-eclampsia but didn't think too much of it. I also read that headaches and sudden swelling in the face, especially the eyes is something that needs to be checked out.
On 25+5 I woke up with a swollen face. My eyes had puffed out so I called the labour ward and they told me to come in immediately. Then it all spiralled out of control....
-protein in my urine was very high +5 again
-my headache worsened
-my whole face, neck, arms, knees, feet had swollen massively
-chest began to tighten
My blood pressure had rocketed, they thought I had pre-eclampsia and I was told they needed to admit me to another hospital for more checks and somewhere with a specialised neonatal care unit in case they needed to deliver my son urgently.
The following morning, my condition had worsened. They sent me for an ultrasound and I was told the baby was measuring small. He wasn't getting enough blood and fluids around him were low. The doctors explained I might have to have a c-section within the next week.
The next day I woke up in hospital with a blinding headache and tight chest. Baby wasn't doing well and neither was I. The doctors told me I'd be having an emergency c-section that day. I was given a couple of steroid injections to help my son's lungs mature.
On the 25th May at 14:54 Ciaran was born weighing 640g, he cried three times, which the doctors seemed very shocked at. Within an hour, my swelling began to go down, chest loosened and my head was clear. I spent 6 more days in hospital until my blood pressure had come down and am now resting at home
Ciaran was taken to the neonatal unit - at first he had issues with trying to stabilise and now is doing well. Its one day at a time but I have every faith he's coming home soon.
The reason for my post is just to reinforce never to take any symptoms lightly. Going to the hospital to get checked out, at worst will be a waste of a few hours. For me, it saved me and my sons life.
Love to all x
I've been visiting this site obsessively since getting my BFP on 25th Dec 2010 (best Christmas present EVER!) i've never posted before but feel it is very important to.
I'd been having the most straight forward pregnancy - no morning sickness, energy levels fine. The only difference was a huge increase in appetite, especially for junk :/
I started to get headaches and swelling around my 22nd week - fingers would bloat, ankles would get very tight, especially towards the end of the day. It didn't help that my job is office based and sitting down I could literally feel fluid heading south.
I had my 25/40 midwife check - I mentioned the headaches and swelling and was told to make sure to keep feet raised as much as possible. The midwife checked my urine for protein. It came back with the highest reading of +5. The midwife seemed really concerned and asked me to give a second urine sample, again it came back +5. She told me that perhaps the reading was high because the samples i'd provided were both quite small. She said it could be the high concentration giving off such a high reading. She asked me to go away for a few minutes, drink as much as possible and provide a third sample. I did and this time it came back much lower protein. I was a little shaken but felt reassured by the time i'd left the midwife.
I'd read on here that swelling could be a sign of pre-eclampsia but didn't think too much of it. I also read that headaches and sudden swelling in the face, especially the eyes is something that needs to be checked out.
On 25+5 I woke up with a swollen face. My eyes had puffed out so I called the labour ward and they told me to come in immediately. Then it all spiralled out of control....
-protein in my urine was very high +5 again
-my headache worsened
-my whole face, neck, arms, knees, feet had swollen massively
-chest began to tighten
My blood pressure had rocketed, they thought I had pre-eclampsia and I was told they needed to admit me to another hospital for more checks and somewhere with a specialised neonatal care unit in case they needed to deliver my son urgently.
The following morning, my condition had worsened. They sent me for an ultrasound and I was told the baby was measuring small. He wasn't getting enough blood and fluids around him were low. The doctors explained I might have to have a c-section within the next week.
The next day I woke up in hospital with a blinding headache and tight chest. Baby wasn't doing well and neither was I. The doctors told me I'd be having an emergency c-section that day. I was given a couple of steroid injections to help my son's lungs mature.
On the 25th May at 14:54 Ciaran was born weighing 640g, he cried three times, which the doctors seemed very shocked at. Within an hour, my swelling began to go down, chest loosened and my head was clear. I spent 6 more days in hospital until my blood pressure had come down and am now resting at home
Ciaran was taken to the neonatal unit - at first he had issues with trying to stabilise and now is doing well. Its one day at a time but I have every faith he's coming home soon.
The reason for my post is just to reinforce never to take any symptoms lightly. Going to the hospital to get checked out, at worst will be a waste of a few hours. For me, it saved me and my sons life.
Love to all x
So happy to hear your both well. 
