High levels of protein & my midwive isnt following it up...

[nacho]

Hi There. Is this normal??? I'm 38 weeks and today had high levels of protein in my urine. My midwife said it might be a urine infection and to drink lots. & doesnt need to see me until my due date!?!

I was sure I'd read about pre-eclampsia (sp?) somewhere and check it out when i got how and high levels of protein dont seem to be a good sign for much.

Am I worrying or is my midwife being a bit slack? I at least feel she should be monitoring me more closely. If it was just a trace i'd get it but it actually says HIGH levels in my notes.

????????? Thanks in advance. x

 

[nacho]

Also a bit worried as my ribs hurt now.

 

[Windmills]

When you say 'high' how many +s? How was your blood pressure?
I had preeclampsia, I had 3 or 4+s of protein consistently for over a week and my blood pressure was 150/100 or higher before they took me into hospital- even then I was discharged by the consultant and then sent back in by the midwife!

 

[nacho]

Well, she said "ooh you've got loads of protein in there" and in my notes i think it says + 1. Looks like a H too tho. BP was normal.

The other thing that is worrying me a bit it that she has put in my notes that I've passed some of my plug but when we spoke I was just... (sorry to get graphic) I have a lot of discharge in the mornings.

I feel like she is scared to do anything. I went on to iron tablets as was really low and havent been checked again to see if its back to normal etc.

Thanks for getting back to me. : )

 

[LOZANDEVIE]

I was the same. +1 isn't really high. They will only put it down to pre-e, if its associated with high blood pressure,floaters,headaches etc. I developed Eclampsia after birth and that was associated with proteinurina and severe high BP. I'm glad to be alive. If you're worrying,get her to overlly check your BP, its better to go home with a clear head than to be worried.x

 

[LOZANDEVIE]

Oh and i got admitted to hospital because of sore ribs, i was convinced i had pre-e. They can do bloodtests to rule itout, kidney and liver function. If your worried, go to labour ward.They'll do it no problemo! Theyll also take your Bp every 30mins-1hr. It's worth it if you're worying, I had protein in my wee at that visit. It wasn't there the next day.

 

[LOZANDEVIE]

Well, she said "ooh you've got loads of protein in there" and in my notes i think it says + 1. Looks like a H too tho. BP was normal.

The other thing that is worrying me a bit it that she has put in my notes that I've passed some of my plug but when we spoke I was just... (sorry to get graphic) I have a lot of discharge in the mornings.

I feel like she is scared to do anything. I went on to iron tablets as was really low and havent been checked again to see if its back to normal etc.

Thanks for getting back to me. : )

They never re-checked my iron levels, they don't. Because its rare that the tablets don't work,so your iron will be going back up. mine was terribly low, when i got discharged from giving birth it was back upto 12. something & Your plug can re-generate so dont worry.
Some midwives just like to make pregnant ladies worry.

 

[Cazzyg]

Protein in urine can be caused by a few things, including contamination by mucous or UTIs. I wouldn't be worried about the midwife not following it up unless you had other symptoms. Just be on the look out and contact your midwife if you develop any of the symptoms such as visual disturbances, pain under your ribs, severe swelling, headaches, vom iting etc.

 

[TwoBumps]

Hmmm, i'd probably ask to be checked out at the hospital. I had +3 protein when I went to the docs & a pain under my ribs (at the top) and was admitted to hospital straight away. I deteriorated really quickly and the boys were delivered 24 hours later. I didn't have high blood pressure the whole way through it though so don't wait for that before being checked. You know your own body and if you're worried get checked out as its always better to be safe than sorry x

 

[angelstardust]

If you have lost a bit of your plug, its most likely just contamination. Losing some of your plug at this stage is normal, and sadly, doesn't mean that you will go into labour any time soon. It only means that your cervix is beginning to get ready for action.

I would ask for your iron levels to be rechecked, Id be more worried about that right now.

1+ protein is nothing, and should not have been noted as high. High is classed as 3+ or above (in which case a sample would have been sent off and any other symptoms you would have been in for monitoring).

 

[nacho]

Brilliant. Thanks everyone. I'm in British Forces Germany and having never done this before get a bit worried sometimes.

I'm feeling better now & will hear back on my urine sample today and think if its not a UTI i'll book myself in just for peace of mind. get my wee & BP checked.

Another quick question... With the iron tabs... Do I take them if I have time during labour and after? Are they ok for breast feeding?

X

 

[LOZANDEVIE]

Brilliant. Thanks everyone. I'm in British Forces Germany and having never done this before get a bit worried sometimes.

I'm feeling better now & will hear back on my urine sample today and think if its not a UTI i'll book myself in just for peace of mind. get my wee & BP checked.

Another quick question... With the iron tabs... Do I take them if I have time during labour and after? Are they ok for breast feeding?

X

They told me to stop taking the iron tablets, especially during labour and after. If you delivery normally ( vaginally ) presuming you are? sorry if not. If you tear, it will make it harder to go for a bowel movement,which they like you to do in hospitals ( but not always.) but they do reccomend you stop taking them when you go into labour. Can make you constipated etc.Bt im not sure,maybe ask midwife x

 

[goddess25]

In regards to your iron levels post birth it really depends on your levels.... I had to continue them after birth as my ferritin was only 7. I had 3rd degree tears and was on a crap load of stool softeners....
This time around I had my ferritin checked today and its 10 so I should start on iron tablets already to see if it improves.

 

[goddess25]

I also meant to say 1+ of protein is not very much in your wee, i would not worry for me the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy i consistently had protein in there a small amount and no one was concerned at all. Just watch out for all the other symptoms and call your midwife or doctor if your concerned.