uric acid levels and preeclampsia (very long)

anyalee

Posted this in high-risk board but didn't know if any of you MoM's have had a similar experience

Here's a little history...Currently 34wks with twins.  Started pre-term labor at 29 wks.  Went through all the tocolytics and steroid complete.  Staying at 3cm and 80%, baby A's head engaged, contractions have actually lessened.  No history of high bp or protein in urine.  Started bed at home almost a month ago.  Spend 12 days in hospital.  Then have been home for the last 6 days. 

When I got home from the hospital I weighed myself and realized I had gained 6 lbs in the 12 days there.  Just chalked it up to eating the hospital food.  But then gained 6 more lbs in the 5 days I had been home.  So a total of 12lbs in about 2.5 weeks.  I don't think it's related to eating....maybe related to no acitivty though.  BUT, Sat night I noticed my ankles were getting pretty swollen.  Chalked it up to being home in humidity and getting up a bit more (for drinks and such).  But then the Sunday the swelling moved to my hands and face.

So yesterday I go to regular OB appt.  (EVERY time I have been there in the last few weeks they send me to the stinkin hospital.)  When the nurse took first bp it was 122/78.  Then I told the Dr about my weight gain and swelling.  But no headaches, floaties, etc.  She told she want to check bp again and if it was high I'd have to go to hospital til I deliver.  So of course after that news...my bp was 138/88.  But no protein in my urine sample. Sent my home with 24hr urine screen and they took blood.  They said if anything came back abnormal in the bloodwork I'd have to go to hospital that night.

Results came back and showed my uric acid level at almost 8.  Dr on call also said my kidney function was a little high.  So I went to hospital.  Got there and they wanted to monitor bp and do 24 hr urine.  Every 10 min they took bp and it was never higher than 135/80 ish.  Also they never mentiond anything about kidney levels so I'm assuming that turned out to be fine.  They had no more anti-partum rooms so instead of taking up a birthing room they let me come home for 24 hr urine.

So my question is what it a normal uric acid level?  Can that be raised and my bp's normal, no protein in urine (yet), no headaches and still have pre-eclampsia?  I feel like they are being over cautious and I'm so sick of them sending me to the hospital all the time.  But obviously I want to do what is healthiest for me babies and me.  Also, if you had pre-ecplamsia how long did they let you have it before they induced you?  Thanks for any advice/info.  Sorry for the book

Carmela752

It may vary from lab to lab, but as far as I know, normal is 3-7.

I don't know very much about when that is high and nothing else really is, sorry.

My story was that I went to my 35w (and 2d) appointment already feeling like crap from when I woke up that morning. My BP wasn't high for me, but I had 2+ protein in my urine dip, I was seeing sparkles in my peripheral vision, and when I got sent for bloodwork my liver enzymes were high...so, I got delivered (c section for double breech) that evening.

I hope you get things figured out, it sucks to always be back in the hospital again and again!

seattlestef

I was induced at 34w5d due to pre-e. My BP was not crazy high, but when my uric acid levels came back at a 7.6 (I think) they decided to induce me that day. I was literally at work thinking I had a few weeks left and the doctor called and said she had scheduled me for induction in 6 hours.

My baby B was IUGR due to a velamentous cord insertion so I know that played a part in the induction decision. They had decided weeks before that at the first sign of any stress or potential stress to her they would induce or move to an emergency c-section.

I hope they are able to control things, but if not, best of luck to you and your babies and Congrats on making it this far. Have you had the steroid shots? I had them at 33w. My girls did awesome and came home after 10 incident free days in the NICU.

 

ETA - I barely had any protein in my urine. The induction decision was based on the uric acid levels. During the induction the next day my platelet levels also started to drop.

lisa&andy

I don't know about the uric acid level, but I know I never spilled protein in my office samples and my BP ran right under 140/90. I was diagnoised on a friday with Pre-e after a 24hr catch and blood work and I had the kids on Sunday. Mine progressed very fast, I went to bed saturday night and woke up with a blinding headache and pain in the upper right quadrant of my belly (liver pain). I went in and they drew blood, sure enough my liver wasn't functioning properly and I had to deliver.

I lost count as to how many times I got sent to the hospital, its sucks, I started just leaving my bag in the car and taking a book since I never knew what was going to happen.

I would talk to your doctor and see what the next step is, are they going to keep monitoring you, have you come in for BP checks, etc.

anyalee

seattlestef:

I was induced at 34w5d due to pre-e. My BP was not crazy high, but when my uric acid levels came back at a 7.6 (I think) they decided to induce me that day. I was literally at work thinking I had a few weeks left and the doctor called and said she had scheduled me for induction in 6 hours.

My baby B was IUGR due to a velamentous cord insertion so I know that played a part in the induction decision. They had decided weeks before that at the first sign of any stress or potential stress to her they would induce or move to an emergency c-section.

I hope they are able to control things, but if not, best of luck to you and your babies and Congrats on making it this far. Have you had the steroid shots? I had them at 33w. My girls did awesome and came home after 10 incident free days in the NICU.

 

ETA - I barely had any protein in my urine. The induction decision was based on the uric acid levels. During the induction the next day my platelet levels also started to drop.

Supposedly one of the MFM's saw velamentous cord insertion on both babies at my 29 week growth scan.  However no one ever told me until my trip to L&D at 30 weeks.  But both babies have been growing good.  And another MFM couldn't even see it.  So know knows for sure.  I wonder if my urine comes back with protein if the cord thing will play into the decision process.   What I think they'll do if protein shows up in my uirine is keep me in the hospital until 37 weeks.  If I make it that far then they'll induce me.  But sounds to me like pre-eclampsia can progress pretty quickly.  I guess we'll see!  I'm so ready to meet these girls I'll tell you   Thanks ladies!

seattlestef

anyalee:

seattlestef:

I was induced at 34w5d due to pre-e. My BP was not crazy high, but when my uric acid levels came back at a 7.6 (I think) they decided to induce me that day. I was literally at work thinking I had a few weeks left and the doctor called and said she had scheduled me for induction in 6 hours.

My baby B was IUGR due to a velamentous cord insertion so I know that played a part in the induction decision. They had decided weeks before that at the first sign of any stress or potential stress to her they would induce or move to an emergency c-section.

I hope they are able to control things, but if not, best of luck to you and your babies and Congrats on making it this far. Have you had the steroid shots? I had them at 33w. My girls did awesome and came home after 10 incident free days in the NICU.

 

ETA - I barely had any protein in my urine. The induction decision was based on the uric acid levels. During the induction the next day my platelet levels also started to drop.

Supposedly one of the MFM's saw velamentous cord insertion on both babies at my 29 week growth scan.  However no one ever told me until my trip to L&D at 30 weeks.  But both babies have been growing good.  And another MFM couldn't even see it.  So know knows for sure.  I wonder if my urine comes back with protein if the cord thing will play into the decision process.   What I think they'll do if protein shows up in my uirine is keep me in the hospital until 37 weeks.  If I make it that far then they'll induce me.  But sounds to me like pre-eclampsia can progress pretty quickly.  I guess we'll see!  I'm so ready to meet these girls I'll tell you   Thanks ladies!

It sounds like your cord insertion hasn't impacted your girls' growth which is great. My baby B measured a full week behind in the first trimester and was much smaller than her sister at every u/s so that is where the concern came from. They just wanted to make sure to not put additional stress on her cord blood flow since it was obviously already comprimised. Luckily, it doesn't sound like you'll have to worry about that aspect!

MarcieCasavant

How are your platelets? I had this issue. My uric acid was 7 something but my bp was fine. I had no protein in my urine. My platelets were dropping pretty quickly though and that is what they ended up delivering me for. Better to be safe than sorry bc pre-e can develop fast. I am an OB nurse and we start to get concerned when the UA is above 7 but really only if there are other symptoms.

anyalee

MarcieCasavant:

How are your platelets? I had this issue. My uric acid was 7 something but my bp was fine. I had no protein in my urine. My platelets were dropping pretty quickly though and that is what they ended up delivering me for. Better to be safe than sorry bc pre-e can develop fast. I am an OB nurse and we start to get concerned when the UA is above 7 but really only if there are other symptoms.

No idea about my platelets.  I'll have to ask.  What would that mean?  Dropped off my 24hr urine this morning and waiting for results.  My bp is still good.  But swelling more.