Well I got some good and not so good news at my doctors appointment today. First of all I don't have gestational diabetes! Also, my blood pressure was better at 130/80. That was the highlight of my office visit. Basically I'm borderline preeclampic with high blood pressure, severe swelling and weight gain, high uric acid levels and a low platelet count. The good thing was my blood pressure was lower, my urine was negative for protein and my liver function tests looked great. In the last 3 weeks ive gained more weight (12 lbs) then the entire pregnancy! Yikes! The doctor wants me to come in weekly for monitoring and try to control my blood pressure with rest, low sodium intake, and drinking lots of water. She also said I have a 50% chance of going on bed rest so please pray that doesn't happen!
I'm trying to rest as much as possible at home and I only work 2 days a week so that's good! The problem is working a few days in a row etc. I'm hoping I can go back home in 3 weeks for my baby shower, a 12 hr drive! I'm thinking my trip to Nashville the first week of June won't be happening unless my blood pressure stays in check between now and then. I'm suppose to monitor my blood pressure at home, I have a manual cuff, and while working.
Anyone go thru this and be able to NOT go on bed rest? Over the weekend my blood pressure was 140's/90's. My baseline is 110'/60's.
Re: Update: high blood pressure and swelling
Maybe they can put you on some kind of light duty. Before I was an OB nurse, I was an ortho nurse, and we always gave our pregnant nurses a lighter assignment. I know that you'll still most likely have some very sick patients, but hopefully limiting the more physical demands will make the stress of high acuity more manageable. Good luck and keep us posted!
A diagnosis of preeclampsia is made within a context of several signs and symptoms, not based solely on high blood pressure. Your OB was also probably considering that BP as your baseline, since it was taken at the beginning of your pregnancy. Good luck to you, too!