pre eclampsia

[msq]

I called my doctors office today & told them I'd been having abdominal cramping since 6 pm yesterday & they told me to go to labor and delivery. I went there earlier today & was put on the monitor and had some tests done including a urine test which showed trace amounts of protein & I also had high blood pressure so I was sent home with a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia... :/ I'm not too worried for now. They are having me do a 24 hour urine collection test & hopefully that will bring more accurate results to know how severe my case of pre-e is. I'm glad I went in though, this just goes to show that it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Anyone have any insight?

 

[msq]

forgot to mention they put me on modified bed rest

 

[nov_mum]

I had PET in both previous pregnancies and I am pretty sure it will raise it's head this time also. First time was quite serious, admitted at 34 weeks and induced at 35. Very nearly had a crash c section but they got me under control and my blood pressure remained that way for a week with loads of meds. Had a perfectly health 5lb 8oz boy which I took home with me 4 days later. Second time around, I was admitted but discharged at 34 weeks. Got to 38 weeks with no meds and had a 8lb13oz boy who came home with me 4 days later. I needed meds both occasions after delivery for around three months but I was fine. My urine was very bad first tiem around, second tiem not so much just my BP. As long as you have good monitoring and you know that any flashing lights, upper right tummy pain is all bad and requires immediate medical help, then often people tick along quite nicely and get as close to the 37 week mark as possible. I see that you are quite early on and in all of my reading about the topic, late onset is more favourable. Depends on how severe your PET is and how quickly it progresses (it can change over weeks or hours so you need to be aware of that).

As long as you have confidence in your MW/Doctor then read up and ask lots of questions. There is little you can do to prevent PET from progressing. Just keep well informed and rest assured you have at least past the 24 week mark : )

They did regular scans with me to make sure that bubs is getting what it needs. In PET supply via the placenta can be compromised. In extremely high BP situations it can cause the placenta to become detatched from the uterus so there is considerable risk to mum and baby in PET that is unmanaged.

 

[hopedance]

hi hun, i got pre-e at the same stage as you in my pregnancy, 27 weeks. i got it severely though and fast, i went to L&D for the tests and they didn't let me go home again until i'd had my baby! i already had 3+s of protein though and bp through the roof. but we still lasted until 30 weeks and DS was fine, 3lbs4 and home after 6 weeks. so even if things get bad quickly, baby should still be ok so long as there are no other big complications. if you have any questions i might be able to help with let me know.

 

[katy1310]

They discovered pre-eclampsia with me at my 25 week check up with the midwife. I was sent for daily scans, blood tests, urine tests and blood pressure monitoring, and admitted overnight twice. I was also put under consultant care, and at 26 weeks my consultant said he didn't see me getting past 30 weeks. A few days later he thought I might make it another 10 days, and they gave me steroids to help mature the baby's lungs.

At 26+5 I was transferred to a bigger hospital with a neonatal unit that could cope with such an early baby (our hospital didn't have the resources for babies born under 32 weeks) and I was admitted till the baby came because they wanted to constantly monitor me. They told me it was a case of finding the right moment when the baby was safer out than in, while keeping me safe too.

The scan at exactly 27 weeks showed that Sophie wasn't doing quite so well and there was reduced amniotic fluid and reduced blood flow, and they decided to deliver. I was one hour from organ failure at that point.

It sounds really scary but the thing is, they were monitoring me so closely that they knew the exact moment to deliver.

Sophie was 1lb 13 when she was born and after 12 weeks in neonatal came home weighing 5lbs 6oz. She's doing brilliantly and is meeting all her developmental milestones for her corrected age (ie the age she should be, had she been born on her due date - that's the age they go by for development with preemies). She's almost 11 months old now and is 15lbs 11oz so still small, but that's the only way you'd know she'd been so premature.

If you have any questions I could help you with, please pm me. It's good that you're being monitored closely with urine samples etc - are they doing scans and keeping an eye on your blood pressure too?
xxx

 

[msq]

My doctor is planning on doing ultrasounds every 3-4 weeks & I start going to bi-weekly appointments now. I'm still on bed rest but my blood pressure is good. It's been around 110/65 since I've been on bed rest which is good. Although since yesterday I've had sharp vaginal pain & a few BH today which really freaks me out I just wish I knew what the outcome of all this would be & that time could just go by really fast.

 

[babybear75]

Hi Ladies

glad i found this thread. good to hear other ladies stories!

i went to see midwife who found trace of protein, i started to feel really rough and went to docs who sent me for a blood test and another urine sample. my BP has been fine up to this point although pulse was a bit high. went to docs again friday for blood test results and because i was feeling really rough. . . . .discovered +1 protein and wbc 500 in urine and BP 141/70 and low iron levels! i have been told to take a week off work and i have to go back tomorro for another BP check. also have iron tabs and amoxicillin to take.

bit scared if i'm too be honest! but trying to think that least doc and midwife seem to be on the ball and baby is moving about lots. i have another scan at 32 weeks because i have a low laying placenta. . . .i did say to hubby the other day don't be surprised with alll this going on that we meet our little lady before 4th May! x

 

[msq]

I'm sorry to hear you're going through this as well. I'm sososoo scared of preterm labor, every little thing worries me but you just have to take it day by day. I'm hoping my pre eclampsia won't get severe to the point where my baby needs to be delivered early but with this condition it's really hard to know. Bed rest is helping though, blood pressure is great so far. I have an appointment on the 10th and I'll be having an ultrasound to measure her growth, hopefully everything goes smoothly for the both of us.

Good luck to you and your little baby

 

[karmah]

I have been struggling with this for the last little while. The doctors are great for keeping tabs on me and I have gone to maternity triage numerous times for scares. Last night my bp was 150/100 but everything was ok. They reassured me that if I was concerned about myself or baby to go get checked out. I have been there several times just to ensure my LO was ok. I am 36w 2days and baby is still moving, its having a bit of a lazy day but I can still feel it. My LO is also large and breech so with that and the preeclampsia I anticipate I will have it within the next couple of weeks. The big thing is rest and keep your stress levels as low as possible. Take it slow and get help when and where you can. If you worry or have concerns go get checked out. It is better to be safe than sorry. They would rather you come in with nothing wrong and make sure baby is alright, then to ignore the warning signs and not do anything.

I was warned to watch out for swollen/puffiness (hands, feet, face), seeing flashing lights, pain/cramps in the belly, blood, gush of fluids, baby being inactive. You are at the stage where you can keep track of movements. The guideline is ten movements in two hours, if you don't get that, go get checked out. Good luck and take it easy!! Enjoy the rest now. I look at is at charging up for the arrival of the LO.