Possible Pre-e at 38 weeks

surferP528

I went in for my 38 week checkup today and the dr felt my blood pressure was high for the second week in a row and there were some small amounts of protein in my urine. I've also had swelling in my feet, but who hasn't? The dr. ordered blood work but is concerned about possible pre-e and mentioned induction which scares me since I haven't started dilating yet.

Has anyone ever had these symptoms and had them turn out NOT to be pre-e? I'm really worried she's going to call back in a day or two and I'll be getting induced.

lbart86

Check, check, & check for me. No pre-e here! I've been on high blood pressure medication since week 12 of this pregnancy. I've done two 24 hour urine samples, one around week 12 and the other at 37 weeks. At my 37 week appointment I had high blood pressure even though I'd taken my meds as usual. I did have a much higher output of protein but not high enough for it to be deemed pre-e. As for swelling, I'd like to meet a pregnant woman who's never been swollen this late in pregnancy! 

I am, however, being induced at 39 weeks (which I've been told since around 12 weeks) because my doctor is worried about hypertension and pre-e if we let baby go to term or beyond.

ladyofsummer

All I can say is try to stay calm and if your doctor thinks induction is best, it probably is. Pre-e is nothing to joke about and it's much better to catch it early rather than later.

MadamWalsh

My suggestion is to relax and keep an eye on your blood pressure. How high was it, and do you have a way to monitor it? It helps, and it'll help you relax. 
At this point, there is no stopping the swollen feet. Even if everything is fine, your feet are going to be gross just like mine. I asked my doctor about it yesterday, he said there's nothing that can be done. You can lie down with your feet elevated, it might work for you. I'm just wearing house shoes now so I don't cut off circulation with socks. 

surferP528

I just wanted to update this post in case others find this in a search later.  My OB did not end up inducing me until 39 weeks. However, my BP remained slightly elevated and after a long 17 hour induced labor, my baby was born and they told me she was having seizures.  She had been having them since about a week before birth, so unfortunately, right around when this post was made and they debated induction. She suffered a lack of oxygen to the brain due to high BP and we still aren't sure what effects that will have on her development. I ended up re-admitted to the hospital a few days after birth with super high BP and was officially diagnosed with pre-e. 

Of course, this was probably one of the worst case scenarios and hopefully won't happen to anyone else, but if you're finding this through searching for a similar problem, please ask questions and make sure your doctors are being extra cautious.

robinj716

Yes, I had all of those symptoms, but it didn't turn into pre-e. I was induced at 39w3d.