Pre-eclampsia in Pregnancy?

Question

I am 32 weeks pregnant on Sunday, on Nov. 23rd I went to the doctor and had BP of 138/82 my typical BP is 120's/60's, I also had protein in my urine (+2) and two weeks earlier also had (+2) with normal BP. They said they would keep an eye on it and wanted me to come back in 2 weeks on Dec 8th. On the 8th they checked my blood pressure but didn't say anything and when the NP came in she checked it again and didn't say anything except yea thats fine. I had only a Trace of protein that day. On December 13th around 8pm and lasting for about 3-4 hours I had difficulty breathing and almost went to the ER but waited it out until it went away. The next night around 8 pm also it happened again. It felt like I could not get a full breath and the only way to was if I yawned. At 10:30 I decided to go to the ER because it was not normal. When they checked my BP it was 165/87 so they sent me to L&D to be monitered. My blood pressure went down to around 140/75 and they sent me home because there was no protein in my urine but I had drank a lot of water and my urine was very clear and diluted and I know that makes a difference. The next night I felt very weird my body seemed light with a sense of motion, my head felt very fuzzy and my eyes felt like there was a film over them and I was making them focus. I didn't want to go to the ER so I waited until the next day to go to my doctor. I went in and while I was waiting to be seen I started feeling like I had the previous night only worse. When they called me back and I got up to walk my body felt so wierd, my legs felt weak, I was off balance and I thought I was going to pass out. They took me back and checked my BP right away and it was 152/76, they had me lay on my left side and kept coming in and checking it. It went down but I still felt very weird it just wore off a little. Once I was able to walk they took me to give a urine sample. After she took me back to the room so she could see if the urine was ok with the NP. I heard her talking and she said I had +1 on my protein and there was also glucose present but I didn't hear how much. The NP asked me questions about how I felt and basically said that it wasn't normal how I was feeling and she didn't know what it was and if it continues just go back to the ER. What?? She said that with preeclampsia you usually arn't able to make your blood pressure go back down that quick. I have had two other pregnancy and never have I felt like this or had high blood pressure. With my last pregnancy when I gave birth they told me that my platelets were low. They were 97,000 when I had her. So they have been checking them with this pregnancy as well. So the NP also checked the results of that because I had just had blood work done. She said she would talk to the doctor because in November only one month prior they were 108,000 and now they are 93,000, which is lower than what they were when I delivered my last pregnancy and I still have almost 9 weeks to go. I have also been having pain in my upper back mostly on my right side and when I told her she just shrugged it off and said she didn't think it had anything to do with it. I have also been feeling horrible every day since then with the whole dizziness feeling, fuzziness in my head, film over my eyes, headaches, upper back pain, extreme fatigue especially after these dizzy spells, nausea, irritability, and inability to concentrate. It's horrible and I know it's not normal. I'm scared to drive because of the dizzy feeling. I just went today and checked my BP at the Rite Aid around the corner and it was 128/99 so I waited and checked it again and it was 135/67???? It's always so different and one second it's high and the next it's not. It seems that maybe when I'm doing simple activities such as walking in the store to the BP machine it goes high but as soon as I sit down and rest it will go down? But no matter what I still feel horrible. It is so confusing. With pre-eclampsia how often of the day is your BP high. Could this be what I have? I am worried about my baby, whenever it's high it is cutting off the oxygen and blood supply to her. It is also damaging me and it does not seem like they are taking it seriously. Any input would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

I had pre-eclampsia in my last pregnancy (not in my first). It started at 35 weeks - my blood pressure had been fine at all my midwife checks (last one was 4 days prior) no protien or anything in urine, I was classed as low risk at this point (had been discharged from high risk as had a small baby in first pregnancy) - I went to bed for a nap & when I woke up I had a splitting headache (felt as though the top of my head was being ripped off) with visual disturbances & felt sick and generally a bit 'drunk'. I get migraines so thought it was one of those but just not to one side like usual & it didn't get any worse with movements. After 3 hours of this my husband was getting worried so he called nhs direct to see if I could take anything other than paracetamol. The women said I should pack a bag and the ambulance would be here in about 10 mins & not to worry. Baby was going mad with kicking. The ambulance came & took me to nearest maternity hospital. They took my blood pressure & it was 185/130. Thats about where you can have a stroke. They weren't a big maternity hospital & didn't have the expertise/equipment to deal with it. I was there for about half an hour whilst they tried to stabilise me - the drugs they gave me didn't work properly at first - and my blood pressure remained at this all this time. They then blue lighted me over to the main maternity hospital (I live in the wilds of Scotland so things are very far away) and my blood pressure was still high. I was slurring my words, I was feeling as though I was drunk - it was awful & the headache was the worst I've ever had. I hadn't been able to pee, they had to take blood and put a catheter in where they managed to get some urine - whcih showed 3 + protein. I was in a bit of a mess, there where 5 midwives & 3 drs in the room & no room for my husband. I had steroids straight away & they increased the blood pressure medication. They started to prep me for an emergency ceaserean. Luckily the medication started to work & the blood pressure decreased - I started to feel more 'sober' and the headache & other symptoms decreased also - I have never been so grateful. I was in & out until just before 38 weeks when I was induced as the pre-eclamsia started to cause the placenta to 'calcify' meaning baby wasn't getting the right nutrients & she was born really healthy & I was fine almost immediately afterwards. The reason that I am explaining all this to you is that mine was a classic case of pre-eclamsia - comes on suddenly - very high blood pressure which does not go away with rest - inability to pee - etc, I think that if this feeling is continuing you need to go to your Dr and see how your platelets are doing & get them to take that more seriously - as this sounds like it is down to that. I wouldn't worry about pre-eclampsia (although I could be wrong) it sounds like you are stressed over how you are feeling & worried & that is causing anxiety & that is why your first blood pressure is high when it is first taken but goes away after a while. Go and see your DR and push to get a obstetrics Dr to see you & get this sorted with the platelets because you have other children & you can't continue with the way you are feeling. Hope this reassures you abit & hope you get it sorted - it's horrible feeling like that - I know. Good luck

Answer 2

3 years ago, I was diagnosed - hypertension with a reading of 160/100. I used to feel dizzy a lot, my legs had awful cramps, and levels were very low in my potassium, causing my fingers and toes to always cramp together. One day I started to feel really faint while I was driving with my daughter in the back seat and I passed out, hitting 3 cars and ending up in a ditch. That moment,I knew I had to do something because my meds weren't working. I heard about this diet from a friend and thought I'd give it a shot. The results have been remarkable. In just 21 days, I honestly can't remember feeling this good, my blood pressure went from 175/110 to 125/70.

Answer 3

If you have been struggling to fall pregnant, there are some useful tips that may help to increase your chances of conceiving and prevent miscarriages. Read here https://tr.im/dIYEd



Follow a healthy, balanced diet by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as foods that are rich in iron, calcium and folate, essential for reproductive health

Maintain a healthy weight as being overweight or underweight can affect the body’s hormone levels which in turn makes conception difficult

Healthy weight loss can increase chances of getting pregnant; however, too much weight loss can affect a healthy pregnancy

Regular exercise such as walking, swimming or cycling will help keep you fit and active before and during your pregnancy. It will also help get you back into shape after the pregnancy

Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine as this can make you less fertile

Answer 4

it is possible in a second pregnancy but not as common,i had with the my first,then second pregnancy was with different partner-puts higher risk-and was twins-also puts higher risk-but was fine,theyl monitor her more closely if they think she is at any extra risk of getting again,and really important she doesnt miss any appointments! as the wee checks and blood pressure first signs,if her babys dad is the same as the first that will lower the risk slightly,its quite a spontaneous thing anyway,so should just keep an eye on the symptoms but also try to not worry to much,good luck to her!

Answer 5

It is my feeling that you should start insisting on being referred to an Ob/gyn. Issues like you are having are usually beyond the practice limits of an NP.



Those blood pressure machines at pharmacies are generally not very accurate. I don't know why they put them there if they aren't going to test them regularly to see if they accurately measure blood pressure.

Answer 6

1