Pre-e

sarahscoggin

I'm new to this board, and have had some concerns that I hope the pre-e moms can answer...

Over the past couple weeks, I have developed some pretty awful pain under my right breast... it feels like my ribcage is bruised.  I've also been seeing some stars in my peripheral vision... they usually look like little black flies that are around for a few moments and then vanish.  I haven't had much swelling.  Just a bit in the ankles here and there when I overdo things.

At my last appointment, everything was totally fine.  Blood pressure was good, no protein in the urine.  I just checked my BP and it is at 114/77.

My question is, I have an appointment with my doc on Wednesday of next week.  Should I try and get in sooner?  This is my first baby and I'm not really sure what is considered "important" for them to know, especially as far as pre-e is involved.

Thanks ladies.

ShanaNChris

It never hurts to call and just tell them your symptoms, which, I think merit blood work. The pain under your right breast could be related to HELLP syndrome, which would show up in bloodwork, not necessarily your blood pressure. I had right side pain off and on for weeks, before I ended up in ER. My BP was always fine, but my bloodwork showed elevated liver enzymes and my uric acid was elevated as well.

MSUMamaof2

Of course, it never hurts to call, especially considering this is your first baby and you haven't had pre-e before and aren't sure what it feels like. 

How is your head feeling?  Do you have bad headaches that Tylenol won't take away?  Do they come in conjunction with your upper gastric pain?  

I had severe pre-e with my first and PIH with my second, and the visual disturbances I had with both weren't black floaties--they were more like flashes of light.  I found I would get different types of visual disturbances if I stood up quickly or got out of the shower with rush or something of the like.  

When was your last appointment?  Do you monitor your BP at home or elsewhere between appointments?  If you're still running normal, that's encouraging.  The fact that you have no protein in your urine is also encouraging.

Your pains could be simple growing pains from your baby, or it could be something else.  Hard to tell.  Trust your mom instincts and call your OB if the pain becomes a constant, interefering-with-your-life type of pain.  No question regarding pre-e (or HELLP, as was mentioned by the PP) to your OB is a "silly" question.  Pre-e can move very quickly and time is of the essence in diagnosing and controlling.  Good luck to you!

sarahscoggin

Thanks for the helpful answers!

I haven't had any headaches at all, and have been monitoring my blood pressure at home every few hours.  It has never gone over 125/80.  I did call my doctor, the only problem is that I'm out of town for the week. 

I'm going to try and get in to see a doctor here to at least have them check my urine and blood.  Hopefully it's just LO with his rump and feet stuck up in my ribs.

Amy314

I would defintely get into a doctor sooner. The symptoms you are describing - both the pain on the right side rib cage and the vision disturbances are both consistent with HELLP syndrome. I did not have issues at my 34 week check up but upon returning for 36 week I had full blown HELLP and had to have emergency c-section. Also, I would insist if you call the doctor that you want to be seen and potentially have lab work done. I had called my doctor when I had the right side pain and my symptoms were chalked up to normal pregnancy stretching which was totally not the case. I hope that it isn't hellp but if it is, you want to have it diagnosed asap so you can be treated before it gets too serious.

Amy314

Also, just another FYI - HELLP does not always include high blood pressure. my blood pressure stayed in the normal range until after my daughter was delivered when it then went higher, never extremely high though. I had some protein in my urine which lead to having lab work which diagnosed the HELLP. HELLP can only be diagnosed completely via lab results.

sarahscoggin

I just went into the doctor and had my blood pressure checked, urine collected, and labwork done.  Just waiting for the results.   Hopefully all turns out well!