Pre-Eclampsia or just high BP?

Hiya All,

Just after some help, advise and opinions.

I am pg with my first bub. Over the past 37 weeks I have had a few occassions of high blood pressure but nothing like it is up to now. At 34w5d bp went up to 160/84 - during this week I developed a rash that no one knew what it was from. At 35w2d I went in for my next check and it went up to 160/100 - this was the day after I was told I could have measles and was fairly stressed out. I got admitted in to hospital over night for monitoring. BP stayed at an OK level and all checks on bub were great. At 35w6d I went in for my next check up and BP was at 150/78. Today, at 37wks I went in for checkup at BP was at 150/94 on first check and then went down a little on second check. They sent me home to rest and I am back in on Friday. I feel a little nervous when I go to the hospital now because I know that they could admit me, I feel like this could be causing my BP to be higher..

Could my high BP be an indication of PE or is it just high blood pressure?? I think I might have a slight trace of protien in urine, but bloods came back clear on last test. I had more bloods taken today to see if anything is developing. I have not had any flashing before my eyes or pain between my ribs. I have felt headaches coming but they just disappear after 10 mins or so. I do have a lot of swelling and my hands swell up so much during the night that my hands feel a bit sore and tight when trying to make a fist. During the day, swelling goes down a little but still hurt to make a fist. Feet are constantly swollen.. Oh I forgot to mention that I felt like I could of collapsed yesterday morning. I felt a bit like that this morning but not as bad as yesterday..

I am trying not to worry as it will do no good for my BP and I know that whatever happens will happen. Hospital have told me a few times that she may need to come out early if things dont improve and get worse.

So just after anyones thoughts or advise.

Thanks.

Veronica, try to rest as much as poss. As long as there is not too much protien in urine u won't be classed as PE. But hypertension is still not good for you or bub. The best thing u can do is try not to get out of bed if you can help it. Elevate ur feet if u are sitting on the lounge and don't stress. Even if you do develop PE, it's not the end of the world. They may just watch u or induce you. The hosp seems very aware of this prob and that you are showing some signs so u are being watched closely. They will not let anything bad happen honey *hugs*. Take it easy and try to relax.

Thanks Kerrie :)

So I really need to take this rest seriously hey?? Hmm I wish I had a laptop so I can sit in bed on here all day long!! lol

I know that I need to rest but for some reason I cant. I have ants in my pants and I always need to be doing something. I still have a bit of baby clothes to wash, am I still able to do this? What about slight cleaning of the house and the cooking?? DF works so hard and I just feel so bad if I sit around and do nothing..

Hi Ngala, Katkins is right. Rest is extremely important if you have high BP. Can you get someone to help you with the cleaning and washing?

I had high bp from 35 weeks, I was told I was not to get out of bed or I'd be put in hospital. What did your dr say about resting? I was told that I would have to be induced because of it, but Danielle came on her own at 37 weeks.

Good luck and don't feel bad about resting. You need to look after yourself and bubs.

Tenille,

Last week the dr said to rest about 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the evening and by resting she said that I had to lay down on my side. And the doctor I saw today said to just rest. I've tried resting, but TBH, havent done much of it!! But I will from now on. I need to, for me and for my baby...

How high did your BP get up to when they said you'd need to be induced?? No one has really given me any indication, just that it may happen if it needs to.

My BP was 160/110 when I was finally induced at 38+5. My OB classed it as PE as I had been on meds but it wasnt coming down and I had lots of protein in my urine. I would think that at your next appointment if it is still at 160+ they may want to induce you.

My BP is already high this time round (147/95) and Im only 12wks tomorrow! All theyve done is put me on asprin and told me to rest up, which is hard to do with a 9mths crawling around, its not classed as PE yet just PIH but considering my history theyre monitoring me closely.

I hope it comes down or something gets done about it soon! Atleast your at a stage where if bub had to be born she would have a very high chance of being perfectly healthy and breathing on her own. Good luck!

My BP was a bit complicated. At the worst it got to 140/90, which isn't to bad by most standards, but I normally have very low BP so the Dr was concerned about the size of the jump, IYKWIM. I was told to have complete bedrest for a week and when that didn't bring the BP down I had to go in every few days for monitoring. Dr was going to discuss the induction at the next app, but I never made it, so I can't help you on that one.

I found it really hard to rest to. I used to sit on by bum in the garden and do the weeding, lol. It was so frustrating not being able to do anything, but it's only for a couple of more weeks! Let me know how you go.

Anna, that sounds hard having your BP go up already. Hope everything goes well for you. Good luck!

I had BP problems with my first baby. They were going to induce me because I started to get headaches with it and was admitted over night a couple of times. I ended up going into labour at about 3am on the Monday morning and I was being induced on the Tuesday night so that was unexpected.

I love it when the doctors tell u to rest. I dont know about anyone else but I find it very uncomfortable at times to rest. I usually end up with a foot in the rib cage or my bladder being jumped on.

Well I went in for another BP check this morning and it was lower than the other day - 140/80. I took everyones advise and have been resting since my last appt!! Tests came back saying that I dont have PE so I am happy with that!!

Next check up is 38wks so more rest until then :)

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, that's great news. :D Have fun resting!

So what do the doctors reckon your BP is caused by if its not PE? Just out of interest really. I was thinking too. My blood pressure used to be pretty high back when I got married in 2003. I was told that I had PCOS and wouldnt be able to conceive naturally. I decided to loss weight and my blood pressure went straight back to normal after I dropped 5 kgs (and my period came back too). I was wondering is it the body responding to weight gain (how the hell are we supposed to combat that cos we all put on weight when we are pregnant). Ive put on 10kgs this pregnancy so far and my BP hasnt gone up yet (it was like yours the last pregnancy) so does that mean its gotten used to going up and down all the time. Im guessing Im gonna but on at least another 5 to 10kgs cos I cant stop eating. Its all very strange isnt it.