XP: 3rd Tri Signs of pre-e but tests say no?

orchid2007

Tuesday my my BP was elevated at my weekly appointment my OB ordered bloodwork to test me for pre-e. The blood work came in okay (only thing was that my Uric Acid level was 5.5, anything above 6 they worry about) My OB asked me to come back in Friday to have my blood re-drawn to double check. I went and had it done but of course the weekend prolongs the results.

Well Friday evening I very suddenly got so swollen all over that I was in pain. My feet were so swollen I could not bend my toes, legs so swollen I had a hard time beding them, and my hands and arms looked super puffy too. I called and another doctor in the practice who was on call advised me to go to the hospital to be checked out. I got there and my BP was high, they monitored it for a few hours and re-pulled bloodwork AGAIN but since it is the hospital, they got the results in an hour. Blood was fine and BP slowly came down to closer to normal levels and they sent me home. The OB on call ordered bedrest for the weekend and for me to follow up with my OB on Monday. So that is the plan.

The bedrest has been good, my swelling is much better, and in general I feel less anxious. So I am interested to see what my OB says when I talk to him tomorrow. I am not a complainer by an means and my pregnancy has been very easy and uncomplicated but I am really hoping he keeps me on bedrest. My job is extremely stressful right now and I believe it has been contributing to my high BP. I also have plenty of other symptoms - I have had a lingering headache for a week straight now, of course the elevated BP, and all the swelling. I am worried about the baby's health and I do not want to spend another day in the stressful environment that I work in before I have her. I am so worried that he will send me back to work... Do you think if I mention to him all the stress I am under he may be more prone to let me stay on bedrest? I am 38 weeks and he has mentioned possibly inducing if the symptoms dont let up, but I would like to avoid an induction if possible, and if bedrest is helping, I would like to try that before jumping to an induction right away.

Sorry this was so long, I could use any advice or thoughts anyone has to offer. How can I have all these symptoms of pre-e but not actually have it?

lmcarver

This EXACT thing happened to me; right down to needing to go the L&D to get monitored (only mine was due to the headache.)  Blood was drawn at the hospital too and the only elevated test reading was the uric acid.  My job is quite stressful too.  My doctor said I could work but I must work from home or go on bedrest.  My last day of work was friday (i'm 39.5) weeks pregnant so it wasn't that much of an issue.  However after the monday montoring my doc still wanted me to come in Weds.  Long story short, my BP was down but due to the ongoing headaches, etc if our little girl does not arrive on her own by this thurs, I will be induced (the day before my due date-not ideal but ok i guess)

Not sure if any of that helped but I would definitely stay on bedrest if you can.  I veared from docs orders tues and went in b/c I had 3 very important meetings (shhhh, don't tell) but in hindsight I wouldn't recommend that.  I was wiped out for the rest of the week.  

 

Good luck!!  Hope everything goes smoothly for you!

 

sclement7975

I would definitely talk to your doctor about your issues and concerns. I talked to my doctor about my stress and some issues that I had going on at the time and she signed off on me not returning to work at week 34! I think that they should put your and your LO's health and well being above work always. My doctor agrees.

Good luck to you and I hope you get the bedrest that you need!!

orchid2007

I am hoping that my doctor hears my concerns about work., It really takes a lot fo me to admit I am overwhelmed but I am up to my eyeballs. By the end of every work day I feel emotionally drained. My boss is an extreme micro manager and seems to have ZERO compassion for anyone (pregnant or not) I am never one to pull the pregnancy card, I have pushed through work and the stress long enough hopefully my doc will be sympathetic to that and give me some time to relax before LO is born.

He was already nice enough to write me a note saying I could not work any more overtime because they had me working almost 50 hours a week some weeks (which mysteriously was when my BP started going up...hmmmmmm coincidence, I think not) Hoping for a good outcome tomorrow when I talk to him

Swan21

My DR's office puts you out on disability 4 weeks prior to your delivery date as standard practice. I would be suprised if they would refuse you at 38 weeks.

bmp84

You can have PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) and have all the symptoms of pre-e. The difference between PIH and pre-e is the elevated protein/liver involvement. There are plenty of girls on the HRP board that are on bedrest for PIH. I hope your OB lets you do BR for another 2 weeks and you can avoid that induction!