XP: Follow-up appt from L&D visit...

nursemegan23

So on Friday I went to L&D because of high bp, high pulse, seeing spots, pitting edema, and shortness of breath. They put me on bedrest through the weekend and I had a follow-up appointment today.

 

The doctor diagnosed me with PIH, Pre-E. He said that if I was 38 weeks I would be having a baby today, but since I'm only 29 weeks its way too early (and I definitely agree). He also said that he can't say whether I will be on bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy or not,but we just have to go week by week, and if the bedrest doesn't help the symptoms then I'll end up in the hospital being monitored until LO is here. So now I have doctors appt's every week. The doctor pretty much said the goal is to NOT have a baby now, at 31 weeks, or 34 weeks. I'm also anemic, so I have to start taking extra iron, which I wasn't surprised about. It just sucks that on top of bedrest constipation I'm going to have iron constipation, so it's like 2 things working against me. Oh well, anything for my LO.

It's finally sunk in. I knew that something was wrong, because I just wasn't feeling right. But it really upset me when it actually came out of the doctors mouth, I couldn't help by crying. I just want LO to be okay...to be healthy. So I guess it's just one day at a time now.

MsPeay

I am so sorry you have to go through that. One thing that has helped my constipation is prunes and mirolax. It took some time to figure out what was good for me while I was in the hospital and didn't have bathroom privies so I was just in bed the entire time so I battled really bad constipation from lack of movement. I hope it helps if you decide to try it, and mirolax has no taste so it isn't' bad at all.

orthomom

Well..join our club! Not that you wanted to.

Relax and just do the bedrest for now. I wouldn't expect to get off of bedrest. Having dealt with Pre-E twice now and with a great response to bedrest (ie normalizing BP, improving swelling and other symptoms) I can tell you that they have never considered letting me off of bedrest even to a modified. It is strict bedrest for me. At least this time no hospital bedrest...yet.

You and your LO are the most important things in the world right now to you and your family. Take care of yourself. There are a lot of things that will help the constipation if you get that problem. Try natural stuff first like prunes. Drink lots of water. Eat bran muffins...whatever you have to do.

The GOOD news is...there is a really good chance that you and LO will be fine. Even if you are delivered at 34 weeks (even though your doc would rather not do it until later).  There are tons of healthy babies of Pre-E moms that delivered early and are doing wonderfully in this world. I think you will have a healthy LO if you follow the instructions. I cheated too much with DD and she ended up IUGR so I am more strict this time. But even with IUGR and delivery at 36 weeks she is a very bright, healthy child. A friend of mine with Pre-E and HELLP syndrome delivered a baby boy at 31 weeks and he is a perfectly healthy 8yo now.

Good luck. I know you are scared but know that there are a lot of us out there who are going through what you are going through and we are here for you.

nursemegan23

Thank you so much for the encouraging words. It's nice to know there are others out there with the same sucky experience that I have to endure.