preeclampsia without high blood pressure? help!

[pinkribbon]

Sorry if this seems like a ridiculous question or if I'm posting this in the wrong place.

Basically I went into hospital yesterday because I had a headache, swollen hands and feet and felt sick. I've been feeling generally 'off' now for about a week.

They took blood from me, monitored baby, took my blood pressure and a urine sample. Urine sample showed I had protein in my urine but blood pressure was normal. Baby's movements were fine and as far as I know my blood results were fine too...

They sent me off with a big tub to keep all of my wee, got to go back today and get the protein levels checked. They never said outright they were checking me for preeclampsia but I read up on my symptoms of swelling hands and feet/sickness etc before I even called up the hospital yesterday so I know that's probably what they're checking for...

I had diarroeha (sp?) yesterday morning and i've had soft poo today, wouldn't say it was runny though. I also feel really nausious like I could be sick, eating some cereal to see if that helps. My hands and feet are still swollen, had my feet propped up on cushions all night which has helped but they still feel like lead!

Obviously I'm going back today so I'll be getting BP checked again and urine checked but does anyone have any idea if I could still have this without the high BP? Cause from what I've read I have other signs/symptoms. I'm 39+5 weeks.

 

[MumOfPlenty]

I was wondering this.. Because basically pre-eclampsia is categorised by the high BP isn't it..

I'll be interested to see what anyone says, I'm 29 weeks and I've also been suffering headaches for a few days and on and off nauseous, heavy legs and had protein in my urine last week, plus have had very soft almost loose BM's for the last few days.. BP is always fine though...

Will look forward to your updates once you've been back.. Hope all is well.

Lots of baby dust for you

 

[sue247]

I had severe (started at 22 weeks and ended with very early pre term delivery at 28 weeks) Pre clampsia in my last pregnancy. I thought that one of the main things with preclampsia was the high bp. Mine started with just that and later i got protein in my urine and started to swell up near the end.

 

[Drazic<3]

I can actually answer this as I have been in and out the hospital the last month with the opposite problem - all symptoms of PE without the protein. High blood pressure is an essential system of PE, also, it will always show up in PET bloods. If your blood is clear and your BP remains low you don't have PE, but be prepared for them to watch you like a hawk, and make sure you monitor your own symptoms for any changes.

EDIT - also, as above, high BP is normally the first symptom, everything else comes later.

 

[you&me]

I had the sudden and severe onset of pre eclampsia with my first little girl...went to hospital on the christmas eve, and they delivered her on christmas day at 29+4.

Blood pressure is normally the first thing to rise, the protein in urine doesn't generally tend to follow til things are a bit more advanced...this pregnancy I have the sticks to self test my urine at home, and I am having weekly blood pressure checks...it wasn't until I was in hospital last time that the major swelling of hands, face and feet happened, and by then my blood pressure was dangerously high, I think about 180/130.

In earlier pregnancy if they suspect pre-eclampsia, they tend to do a specialist urine doppler scan to make sure the blood flow through the placenta isn't failing, which eventually it will with severe pre-eclampsai.

Not sure how they deal with it in later pregnancy.

 

[Drazic<3]

^
I did have a scan but it was mainly because they thought little one was measuring small, but they did do a doppler scan too so it might have been because of the BP.

ETA - That was at about 38 weeks.

 

[you&me]

I had a scan and a doppler scan with Reagan when they diagnosed the pre-eclampsia, to check the blood flow and they discovered she had IUGR because of the PET, they made the decision to start the steriods that nigt and re-scanned me the next morning which showed more failure on the placenta...so they delivered her...better out than in scenario...she was small at 2lbs 5ozs.

This time I had a doppler scan at 23+3 and the blood flow is perfect...am on aspirin and calcium too, to prevent it happening again...and it seems to be working...baby is bigger than Reagan was at birth

I think if pre-eclampsia is diagnosed late in pregnancy wouldn't they induce?

 

[sept2010]

ive always thought pre eclampsia is characterised as high bp with protein in urine..hope everything turns out ok for u x

 

[Drazic<3]

I had a scan and a doppler scan with Reagan when they diagnosed the pre-eclampsia, to check the blood flow and they discovered she had IUGR because of the PET, they made the decision to start the steriods that nigt and re-scanned me the next morning which showed more failure on the placenta...so they delivered her...better out than in scenario...she was small at 2lbs 5ozs.

This time I had a doppler scan at 23+3 and the blood flow is perfect...am on aspirin and calcium too, to prevent it happening again...and it seems to be working...baby is bigger than Reagan was at birth

I think if pre-eclampsia is diagnosed late in pregnancy wouldn't they induce?

Yep, I think so too. I have just been showing symptoms and not actually got PE and they want to induce me close to term. They have already said if I got PE they would induce anytime from 37 weeks, or sooner as in your case if needed.

So glad little one is safe and well and baby is looking really healthy. Excellent news hun.