Question about pre-e
austenreader85
member
In September my bp was high (140s/80) for 2 weeks, but I had no other symptoms so we just attributed it to the fact that I was rushed into the office/running late often. The nurses were supposed to recheck it before I left, but they would forget and I thought nothing of it. My usual pregnancy level is 120/80.
Beginning in October it went back down. But then I started having pretty severe swelling in my feet, ankles and belly. It's all the way up to my knees now, no matter how much I elevate them or push fluids. And above my eyelids has been puffy for about a week, which I mentioned to them. I was having dull headaches and seeing floaters so they did a 24 hour urine collection and it came back fine. I also have GD and for a few days my blood was flowing really fast so they checked my liver and platelet counts and it was fine. They checked them again last friday when I was in L&D.
I have NSTs two times a week and it's usually very hard for them to find his heartbeat due to the swelling. He hadn't been moving as much for about 2 weeks, which I was told was normal. But last Friday they were all freaking out and I was almost sent to the hospital because of it. I was literally told "We'll give him 10 more minutes but if he doesn't start really moving we're going to send you to the hospital for some ultrasounds." Then 20 minutes later he moved some so they sent me home and the doctor said "A close call but everything seems fine." Combined with the swelling and my headaches I didn't like that answer. My BP was above 140 on the appointment earlier in the week. This was the first day that my eyes were puffy and I almost asked for them to check my bp but since I was just there for a NST I decided not to. Later in the day I was convinced by my mom and other bumpies to call and try to get an explanation for the other symptoms since they weren't really offering me any. The nurse just told me to do everything I already had been to try to reduce the swelling and said that I should check my bp to make sure that was ok. I wasn't even going to do that. I totally trusted the lab work that I didn't have pre-e, I just wanted to know what was going on then. My headache had gotten worse so I decided to get my bp checked. It was 168/87 and an hour later 156/92. So I called and they told me to go to L&D.
While there they retested my liver and platelet count, protein dipstick for my urine. My bp was 150 when I got there and lowered to the low 140s by the time I left. They ruled it a migraine, which I agree with. But I still have it! It hasn't gone away and it's been over a week. Again, they know this. I see them two times a week now, no more NST test only day, they want to see me every time I'm there. I pushed for more answers this week but they don't want to say anything since there's no proteinuria. They just keep saying that they'll keep an eye on it. This week my bp has been 140 or 150/100 in the office, and then after about an hour laying on my left side it will go down to 130/87 or so. My grandmother had pre-eclampsia and has been all over me that the headaches are caused from the high bp, not the other way around (which would be the case with a migraine not related to pre-e). So I decided to check it this morning as soon as I got up and it was 155/97 and then 148/98 5 minutes later. I still have the awful headache.
I have an appointment tomorrow. But I guess my question is, is there anyway to have pre-e without proteinuria? I have so many other symtpoms and I'm so worried about LO. I wouldn't push to be induced if they don't want to call it pre-e, but shouldn't I be on bed rest? I rest often, but without being told it's needed I can't justify laying in bed all day especially when nesting is kicking in pretty badly! Another question would be: how quickly did your pre-e present itself? Could I be fine one day and totally not the next? I'm just so worried about LO! If he's really truly fine despite the other symptoms then ok, but my OBs aren't saying that and I just have a feeling that I should push harder on this.
BTW: since last Friday LO has been moving a lot more, so I'm less worried about that issue now.
Re: Question about pre-e
I ended up w/ pre-e w/ ds. I had gd w/ him too. Like you my bp slowly went up over the preg and I had some good edema going on. At my 37 week apt I had higher bp and swelling and had occassional floaters. I went into labor before my 38 week apt a few days later and when I got to the hospital I had the protein and got the pre-e diagnosis.
I've got all the same stuff as you going on again (no headaches though) but no protein. I figure one day they'll just say i have pre-e again.
so I guess the long answer to your question is it can present VERY fast. You're fine one day and the next day you get the protein. I don't think they diagnose w/out the protein.
Pre-E can come on very quickly. I was at an appointment on a Monday (no prior high BPs etc), and then by Friday of that week I was on hospital bed rest with severe Pre-E.
I also had minimal protien at the first 24 hour collection. But it increased steadily.
I do think there is some merit to just getting things checked out, if you are stressed all the symptoms you are experiencing are going to be magnified for sure.
I delivered 4 weeks ago with pre-e and it also came on quite suddenly. I had a perfect pregnancy with just a bit of swelling up until 36 weeks, then I gained 10 pounds of water in a week. Dr. ignored it because bp fine and no proteinuria. The next appt. I had bp 142/90...but this time I had the proteinuria. I kept explaining I was stressed because I was late for work, this was the deciding factor so she sent me straight to L&D. After more monitoring of bp and urine, my platlets dropped to 50 and I was informed I had to deliver asap. They induced me with pitocin for vaginal delivery, but because of low platelets I couldn't have epidurial. Being on the Mags was horrible and I wouldn't wish it on anyone! 12 hours later after failure to progress I was rushed into an emergency c-section, no epidural. Also had to have a blood transfusion right before, to bring the platelets up.
My condition came on suddenly in one week (between 36 and 37), they doctor did nothing until there was proteinuria. The only thing to stop the pre-e is delivery, so most dr. won't risk an early delivery unless they are absolutely sure of the pre-e. A delivery on Mags is bad for baby and emergency c-section is bad for baby. (my baby was in the NICU for 9 days because of all this) They won't risk it, unless they know for sure.
I am 5 weeks postpatum and I still gt stressed about pre-e. I freak out if I have a headache or my contacts are dirty or if my heart beats fast. I totally understand the fear. It also sucks when you feel like your dr won't listen to you. Just remember progressing to eclampsia is very rare and the best thing is to try to keep your baby in as long as possible. Wishing you the best!