Pre_Eclampsia experience/advice?

[Bakebino]

I had my 28 week doctor's appointment on Monday and I mentioned to the doctor that for the last 3 weeks my ankles have looked alot like softballs. My blood pressure was SLIGHTLY elevated at 135/84. I don't consider that really high but maybe for pregnancy it is?

Based on this info she ordered a full pre-eclampsia workup including bloodwork to look for "indicators" of pre-e and giving a 24 hour urine sample which I stayed home from work to do yesterday. She didn't mention whether or not I had any protein on my urine sample from yesterday, but I think I must have if she thought it necessary to order all these tests.

Anyone have any experience with this? I am terrified of being put on bedrest (I don't do we'll sitting still for too long). And the thought of a possible c-section is enough to drive me nutty.

Just curious about other first timers experience with pre-eclampsia and what the outcome was?

 

[nov_mum]

Hey, I had PE in all of my pregnancies and in my first, I had a BP rise and then protein followed a week or so later. To be honest, bed rest does little to help if it's PE. My advice is to wash up you baby bedding and be ready for a pre term delivery but also that with meds and monitoring you can often get quite far long. While your bp doesn't seem all that high, it depends what your baseline is and how extreme your swelling is.

 

[bumpsmum]

I agree with PP hun, as scary as it sounds delivery is THE only cure for PE if detected early like yourself medication and monetering can delay this for a while longer my BP was the very last thing to rise in both my pregnancies, liver and kidney functioning were away to pot i had ++++4 urine and so swollen I couldn't get shoes on, last time it was severe but they managed to hold me off for 4 days before delivery and every day extra in your tummy does make a difference.

Take each day as it comes your in good hands xx

 

[Bakebino]

I got the results of my blood and urine tests...all normal! My swelling is quite severe. My legs, ankles, and feet are the worst. Hands and fingers are swollen too. I intend on spending the weekend getting some things done for the baby to start getting ready for her arrival. I want to be prepared, just in case!

 

[birth guru]

Here is what Judy Ballinger & Anne Fry have to say about edema and elevated BP:For relief of standard edema with no other symptoms, potassium supplementation, either in capsule form or food form (bananas and apricots are excellent sources) will substantially alleviate excess fluid. Lemon tea (10 oz of water with 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon and 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup) can be consumed, hot or cold, every morning to flush the kidneys. Of course it is always important to maintain appropriate water intake as well. Judy Ballinger, RN, CMT,

When edema is coupled with elevated blood pressure, I first thoroughly inform the woman about the course of preeclampsia. I first suggest deep relaxation, mild exercise, increasing protein to 125 grams per day, calcium to 2000 grams per day and water to three quarts per day. I then suggest one cup of uva ursi tea per day. In severe cases, drink one cup every 12 hours. Recheck blood pressure and edema in three days. Since pathological swelling's ultimate cause is dietary inadequacy, it is reasonable to assume that a woman is already suffering from an inadequately expanded blood volume before swelling becomes apparent. This protein/sodium imbalance represents insufficient dietary intake, which can be corrected by reviewing the diet and adding more salt, protein and nutrient rich calories as necessary Anne Frye,
Holistic Midwifery, vol. 1, Labrys Press, 1995 Midwifery Today

 

[frsttimemama]

I'm super nervous about that. I have high blood pressure anyway that I take medication for. With me, they did a 24 hour urine and full lab work up right off the bat to get a baseline to compare on down the road, told me to cut salt, exercise, drink water, etc. I'm trying to do all of those things, but it's scary! They also told me that I would be induced at 39 weeks or before depending on how my blood pressure and other things are going. I already swell somewhat prior to becoming pregnant; I used to take Lasix everyday, but since I became pregnant they took that away. I'm just a big ball of nerves about it all. Hopefully all will work out well for you!

 

[laila 44]

I also had pe. In my case the indicators other than extreme swelling didn't how up until I was induced at 38 weeks and things went downhill from there. I retained so much water from the pe that I ended up re hospitalized after delivery due to having fluid on my lungs. I never had high blood pressure just higher than my baseline....please keep a very lose eye on the swelling.

 

[Bakebino]

My swelling has been pretty bad the past few days. In fact, I woke up on Friday morning to an extremely swollen face and hands. I went and saw my doc who has now put me on bedrest. She said even though my blood and urine labs were normal, she's been doing this long enough to know that I am likely on my way to developing pre-e. She said I won't be making it to 40 weeks, and her goal right now is to get me to 34 and go from there. I am nervous, but happy in a way to be able to stay home and concentrate on keeping myself and my baby healthy.

 

[bumpsmum]

thinking of you, best to be prepared, pop overto prem section, there's lot of success stories in the VIP thread at the top! Have they talked about the steroid shots to develop babies lungs? Xx

 

[Bakebino]

Nope, haven't mentioned anything about that. All she said was her main goal was to get to 34 weeks. If I am still doing okay that point then we will try and get to 37 weeks. I have an appointment on Friday and I plan on asking her some of these questions. I really have my heart set on a caginal delivery, or at least trying it before jumping right into a c-section.

 

[bumpsmum]

So long as your doing well and inducing you doesn't cause any problems I'm sure they'll try to let you try for a natural delivery, however don't be too his heartened if you need a section in the end, they won't take any unnecessary risks xx

 

[katy1310]

Hi, I hope all is still well. I had pre-eclampsia with my daughter. I was feeling absolutely fine when I went for my 25 week midwife appointment, but she found that my BP was really high and she got me to lie down for half an hour and then checked it again, and it was still high. She sent me home to rest for the remainder of the day, and I had to go back the next morning, when it was even higher.

I was then sent off to the bigger hospital for monitoring. There was no protein in my urine at this point. I had to get checked every day and by 25+5, protein had appeared. I was admitted overnight and had a scan the next morning, which showed that Sophie was slightly smaller than she should be but everything was otherwise ok.

I was admitted again two days later for one night, and from then on, had to have daily scans, urine checks and BP checks. My consultant told me that he was aiming to get me to 30 weeks, then at my next appointment he told me I'd be lucky if I managed another 10 days - this was at 26+4.

I was given the steroids, and admitted at that point until such time as the baby was born. Overnight 26+6, I woke up with severe swelling in my fingers, and the worst headache I have ever had in my life - and I suffer from severe migraines so that's saying something!

My BP had gone crazy high overnight, and the next morning I was monitored all morning and they decided to deliver that day. At this point, I was one hour from organ failure. Sophie was born by emergency C-section that afternoon, 27 weeks exactly, weighing 1lb 13oz.

She spent 7 weeks in intensive care, 3 in high dependency and 2 in special care, and came home 6 days before her due date. She's now an absolutely amazing little 2.5 year old bundle of energy and has suffered no complications at all from her extreme prematurity.

I hope everything works out for you xxxx

 

[Bakebino]

Thank you so much for your response. I am happy to hear that your daughter is doing well. I have officially been put on bedrest as I had a high amount of protein in my last 24 hour urine sample. I would like to at least get to 35 weeks. I am dreading the bedrest, but I know it's what is best for me and my LO.

 

[bumpsmum]

Sorry to hear your now on best rest, but it is the best thing for you, every extra day at this stage really does make a difference x

 

[lhill630]

I had PE with my son, but not until I went in for my 35 week appt. I didn't swell too terribly, but I had dizzy spells, blurred vision, and short of breath. I ended up having an emergency c-section at 35 weeks 4 days, but he weighed 6 lbs 13 oz! Stay positive and rest! Everything is going to work out fine!

 

[we can't wait]

Hi! I had PE with my DD. My first indicator was at my 28 week check-up. I had slightly elevated BP. My doctor said she was just going to keep an eye on it. When I went back at 31 weeks, my blood pressure was too high, and I was sent immediately to the hospital. It was absolutely terrifying. I had blood tests done, scans done, I had to have my blood pressure checked every 30 mins, and be kept to a fetal heart monitor... NONE of it was helping my blood pressure to go down. The perinatologist came in two nights later to tell me the results of my 24-hour Urine, the results indicated PE. I was so shattered. The specialist immediately starting talking about delivering the baby if my levels didn't go down... and I just freaked out. It was all too much to handle. I stayed in the hospital for another two days, before DH and I demanded a second opinion. When my new OB came in and looked at the results he said that I had moderate PE, but that with frequent check-ups and strict bed rest/pelvic rest, I could wait to deliver. My doctor was so nice, and really calmed me down. With rest, I was able to hold off having my LO until 38+4, when it became medically neccessary for her to be born-- I didn't really have a choice at that point. I was induced with cervidil, and it went fantastic! I didn't have any complications. She was born small (probably as a result of PE), but she was perfect. It's just crazy, looking back, to think that I could have had her at 31 weeks. I shudder at the thought.

Anyways, the point of the story, is that you may be able to carry longer than you think, and you can still have a great birth experience. PE is a bump in the road, but not a road block.

Good luck! I know bedrest can be very boring (trust me, I spent 7 weeks in bed ), but it will be worth it! I took up sewing while I was resting. I hand-sewed little barbie clothes to save for LO. Lots of reading, tv, BNB. Try to keep occupied.

EDIT: I did leave out-- when I was on check-ups and bed rest, I was *literally* sent to the hospital every single week for scans and monitoring, and every single week the hospital discharged me after a few hours and my BP would go back down. It was a long, difficult road... it definitely wasn't easy as soon as I got the bed rest... but everything had a little more hope when I was seeing a doctor who was positive and on my side. Hang in there.

 

[cbass929]

I went to the dr yesterday for a routine check up. My bp was high for me (mine is usually in the low numbers - always even pregnant and previous pregnancies), but she said it's not dangerous high by any means 130/66. She mentioned i had from blood in my urine but didn't have a UTI . Then we were talking about other things i needed to bring up, such as my frequent headaches that last 3 or days and end up making my vision a little blurry to the point i don't like to drive, having dizzy/fainting spells for no reason when i have been eating and drinking as i should, hands have start swelling a lot esp at night and in the mornings and my ankle also sometimes (but very mildly). She mentioned that i might be developing preeclampsia. She said i needed to try and watch my bp if i can and watch out for other signs and told me it was urgent to be seen if anything changed. She said if my bp is still higher next week then what she wants it then i'm to have lab work done to see whats going on...
Little nervous that she told me i should probably have all baby stuff ready by christmas just to be safe.

 

[princessatmey]

I had my 28 week doctor's appointment on Monday and I mentioned to the doctor that for the last 3 weeks my ankles have looked alot like softballs. My blood pressure was SLIGHTLY elevated at 135/84. I don't consider that really high but maybe for pregnancy it is?

Based on this info she ordered a full pre-eclampsia workup including bloodwork to look for "indicators" of pre-e and giving a 24 hour urine sample which I stayed home from work to do yesterday. She didn't mention whether or not I had any protein on my urine sample from yesterday, but I think I must have if she thought it necessary to order all these tests.

Anyone have any experience with this? I am terrified of being put on bedrest (I don't do we'll sitting still for too long). And the thought of a possible c-section is enough to drive me nutty.

Just curious about other first timers experience with pre-eclampsia and what the outcome was?

hi i developed severe pre e in labour last time no prev sighns (bp was 170+/110+) this preg i he been pu on meds and on twice a week monitoring nd bloods taken once week protein in urine yet an ive been feeling headachy etc since 26wks now 32+3 bp been up highest on top 156 highest on bottom 110(doc apoint) ive set alarms off couple times hee hee but bp lowerd little on eds ie 120-138 / 70-94. no mention o pre e ye but oh econs they dnt want worry me i have no sweeling just headaches and visual disturbances some samples of urinehad some protein but nxt one ok ie oc got +protein bp was 142/94 was sent l&d an they took urine sample nada. lol think am a bit of a confusion 2 them. but then again had nothing wrong last time was at mw thur all ok an had son on sat my bp stayd higgh afer deliver was on meds rite up till found out preg (son nearly 11mnths now). sat at 140/90 then droped at 12-17 wks was 120+/70+ then up at 20wks to 130+/80+