"toxicity" at end of pg?

kjlrs

my nanny is 37 1/2 weeks pregnant and has been measuring ahead. she was commenting to me today that her feet and ankles are so swollen and they are! she says that her face/neck have been swollen too, although i haven't noticed. anyway, she went into the doctor and they tested her for "toxicity" and are waiting on the results for that, which apparently the doctor thinks it may be. i've never heard this term in this context - any ideas? sounds more like preeclampsia to me? i'm both simply curious and also wondering if i should be at all concerned regarding her watching my DD alone. i assume if anybody thought she would pass out or anything that her OB wouldn't have sent her home.

LinzDavid

What was her blood pressure?

pookie2005

I think she means toxemia...which is closely related to preeclampsia.  I had pre-e.  No fun!

lsufan

She probably means toxemia-- same thing as pre-eclampsia. ?I wouldn't worry. ?Some people do develop it and swelling is just one sign. ?Her dr probably just wants to keep an eye on it.

kjlrs

LinzDavid:

What was her blood pressure?

 

she didn't say. i believe it was a blood test they did for "toxicity" but presumably her blood pressure isn't high enough to indicate a big problem or they would have admitted her. i asked what they do if it is toxicity, if they just induce and she said yes. she isn't the most exact/specific person i know so i always take what she says with a grain of salt.

jen5-03

Toxemia is the old-school name for pre-e. And it's a lot less dangerous if it happens late in the pg, but still no fun.

I wouldn't worry about her passing out, but really she should be sitting around with her feet up.

And your biggest fear should be that when the test results come in, her OB will tell her to come in immediately to be induced - got your back-up chilcare ready?

pookie2005

I was induced due to my pre-e, so you should prepare yourself to not have a nanny sooner than you thought, just in case!

kjlrs

thanks everyone! this makes much more sense!!

jen5/03:

And your biggest fear should be that when the test results come in, her OB will tell her to come in immediately to be induced - got your back-up chilcare ready?

 

lol, yup! luckily my parents live in town and my mom is available to watch DD starting whenever we need her and i could leave work in a pinch especially this week.

BrainySmurfette

It's also possible to develop HELLP without having high BP.  (HELLP is severe complication that is related to pre-e and usually occurs on top of severe pre-e, but not always--just in case it's new to you.)