Swollen face?!

Butterfly_Princess · March 25th, 2008, 06:29 PM

Okay, firstly i know what it COULD be..but im still unsure..
Sunday morning when DP got out of bed, he asked me what was wrong with me, coz my face was horribly swollen. It went down after a bit and i didnt really think anything of it.
At my MW appt yesterday she mentioned that any swelling of the face, blurred vision, and pain in my liver could be signs of Pre-Eclampsia and to give her a call if i were to get any or all.
Well last night as DP and i were hopping into bed, my face felt a bit tight, and i thought it was coz id just washed my face and my skin was just a bit dry, until DP piped up and told me my face was swollen again. I looked in the mirror and it really was!
I didnt call my MW like she said, because apart from that i felt fine.

I havent had any high blood pressure at any of my appts..and i have only had traces of protein in my urine at my appts..

Should i be worried?

Ive just been doing some reading on the pre-eclampsia website..and have come accross a few signs/symptoms that i may possibly had as well..

"Swelling or Edema (particularly of the hands or face) - A certain amount of swelling during pregnancy is normal. Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid. It is particularly concerning when it accumulates in the face (eyes) or hands. It is normal to have trouble wearing rings throughout pregnancy. " (Swelling on the face, its not constant (i dont think) but im still getting it in the face, and also a lot on my hands and feet)

"Proteinuria (Protein in your urine) - Proteinuria is the result of proteins, normally confined to the blood, spilling into your urine because the small blood vessels in the kidneys become damaged. A simple dipstick test of your urine at each prenatal check-up can screen for proteinuria." (Always had a trace..but was told thats normal soo yea)

"Headaches - Dull, throbbing headaches, often described as migraine-like that just won't go away." (had a few of these but cant say they were migrane like, but they did linger til i slept them off)

"Nausea or Vomiting - Nausea or vomiting is particularly significant when the onset is sudden and in the second or third trimesters." (have felt a bit off on a few occasions, that went away once ive sat down for a bit)

"Changes in Vision - Vision changes include temporary loss of vision, sensations of flashing lights, auras, light sensitivity, and blurry vision or spots. For some women who are farsighted, vision may actually improve." (Once or twice lately ive noticed a difference in my sight, cant say how exactly but it seemed really different for a while)

"Racing pulse, mental confusion, heightened sense of anxiety, trouble catching your breath - If these symptoms are new to you, they could indicate an elevated blood pressure" (I get heart palpitations that have only JUST started about 4 weeks ago that make me feel like i cant catch my breath,a nd they make me feel anxcious or like im having a panic attack)

"Stomach and/or Right Shoulder Pain - This type of stomach pain, called epigastric pain by the medical profession, is usually under the right-side ribs. It can be confused with heartburn, gallbladder problems, flu, indigestion or pain from the baby kicking. Shoulder pain is often called referral pain because it radiates from the liver under the right ribs. Lower back pain is different from muscle strain common to pregnancy. It is usually more acute and specific. All may be a sign of HELLP Syndrome or a related problem in the liver. Shoulder pain can feel like someone is deeply pinching you along the bra strap, or it can be painful to lie on your right side. " 9On two or three occasions ive had the pain under my right ribs that i couldnt explain if i tried, but went away after about a hour, didnt think anything of it, but when i mentioned it to my mum or my DP (who have both had gall stones) they asked if i could possibly have gall stones)
They mention Lower back pain as well, well i get that too..but that could just be normal..

**tears_of_joy** · March 25th, 2008, 06:53 PM

Hi meg,

I had swelling in my face all through my third trimester and had to keep having blood pressure checks and urine tests just to make sure, my blood pressure was higher than normal but wasn't quite high enough to be pre eclampsia. I had GD to but i dont think this would have contributed at all.

I would give your m/w a call just so they can check it out, just in case, try not to worry though as it could just be a minor thing but better to get it check now iykwim. hope i was of some help

**ETA** I think with all the other symptoms your having too it would be a good idea to see your m/w just to be safe.

**mnmum** · March 25th, 2008, 06:53 PM

Hi there,

My face, feet and hands swell up constantly, but my blood pressure is always perfect so I just consider it yet another anoying thing about pregnancy for me. If you are worried, it's best to get it checked. Better to find out it's nothing than leave it and find out it's something. If not your midwife, how about your GP? I tend to worry about being a pain to the midwifes...but am happy to bug my GP

Butterfly_Princess · March 25th, 2008, 07:02 PM

Thanks so much for your replies, Ive added a bit more (not sure if you saw that??)
I think im going to give my MW's a call..i did mention a few things to my MW at my appt yesterday (about the heart palpitations), but she overlooked it, and now after doing some reading i think ill call them up and tell them everything and see what they say.

**Alan** · March 25th, 2008, 07:10 PM

Hi Meg
Contact your midwife.
It could be nothing but it needs to be checked

**Jas** · March 25th, 2008, 07:32 PM

Hi Meg,

I agree definitely call the midwife don't worry about sounding silly or paranoid she told you to call with those symptoms and you have them! Better to get it checked out and not have it than have it and not get it checked!