Please tell me about Pre Eclampsia

I think my sister may have it. She has had very high BP throughout her pregnancy, she's on meds for it. Recently she has started retaining fluid when her BP is up. I am SO worried about her. She is refusing to see a Dr atm (her normal Dr is on holidays) and is just suffereing though it saying that if she just does nothing it will be ok. Her next appt at the hospital isn't until later this week but I feel it may be too far away. She needs to see a Dr now!

Do you think it could be Pre Eclampisa? What would happen if she leaves it too late to see the Dr?

Pre -eclampsia has a few symptoms other then swelling and high BP and can be dangerous as it leads to eclampsia here is a link to the BB artilce

I had a very rapid onset within a few days my BP went through the roof - although the swelling started about a week earlier. they did some emergency blood tests at my antenatal at 36wks and I was induced immediately. I'm not sure what they were looking for - something to do with protein I believe???

I can understand what your sister is feeling. I went to my dr on the friday who was concerned about the Bp and swelling told me to come back on Monday for monitoring - did the baby stress test and BP/blood test etc. That weekend I never told anyone about the concerns. My feet blew up like balloons and I had constant headaches and I looked like CRAP! My face was all bloated and drawn - yuck! But I was having enough of a problem with their being a problem without everyone else stressing about it too.

Maybe try talking to your sister calmly about why she doesn't hink it's a problem??? How far along is she?

Tink ... i've not of much help but i wanted to mention i had HBP during my entire PG, constantly was monitored (sometimes once to twice per week at the hosp with midwives) with their worry i might end up with pre-eclampsia which they even thought right up til 2 days before my due date ... I'm happy to say i never 'got it', pre-eclampsia that is. But i do remember the midwives & OB stressing i might seek medical advice if i didn't ' feel ' right !!!

Tink ... Tell your sister she simply can't ignore feeling unwell with HBP ... better to see about it then not and also to have peace of mind especially for the baby's sake is so important !!!

I have told her several times she has to see a dr. I was talking to a friend of hers today who said to tell her I'd take her shopping and 'drop her off at the hospital :rofl: Which actually isn't a bad idea! She NEEDS medical attention! Her worry is that she'll be admitted to hospital, which is silly really because that's where she needs to be! I'm quite angry at her over it.

She's about 28 weeks pregnant (I think)

Tink, your sister really needs to see someone. Chances are all is okay and it's not pre eclampsia, but if it is she needs to be monitored at least.

Eclampsia is terrible, I have a friend whose mother died just after she gave birth due to eclampsia. In hindsight it was clear that she'd had pre eclampisa, but it was ignored (by her HCP, not the mother).

I agree with the others, she needs to see someone as soon as poss...unfortunately YOU know this, now you have to convince her!

Try showing her the article that Saram linked to.

FWIW I have had horrible swelling all through my PG, it isn't necessarily a problem; but having said that my BP has always been fine. It is the combination of factors that causes concern. They are looking at BP, swelling and also protein in the urine.

I understand her not wanting to be admitted to hosp, but really she has to see that if there is a problem it will not go away just because she ignores it.
It is entirely possible that everything will be fine but it really is better for her to get checked out JIC. It is much too serious a problem to take the chance with - if she won't do it for herself, then at least for her bub.

Good luck

i can't comment on pre-eclampsia but i was diagnosed with high BP at about 6 weeks PG & was put on meds. my dose of the meds was adjusted twice - once around the 30 weeks from memory & the other time at about 36 weeks. so it might be that they need to adjust her dose?

i know that from about 28 weeks they got me to do a pee test at each hosp visit to check for protein & at around the same time i had to do the 24 hour urine collection/BT so they could check it more thoroughly. my BP was high on some visits, but i was never admitted or anything like that.

luckily i never develped pre-eclampsia & it did get annoying going for hosp appts sooooo often (because i was always fine!) but it is important to keep an eye on.

i hope you can convince her to go to the dr's or call the hosp soon.

Tink ... Any update ?? ... Has your sis seeked any medical help ?? (Hope so, ... and hope for your sake too so YOU don't have to worry so much, you poor thing .. so feel for you lovely lady & what a super sis you are !!)

She's going to see her ob tomorrow morning bright and early. I hope she's ok.

Tink, she more than likely will be fine ... That's so great she's going, better to get some answers & be monitored too ;)

It's such a relief that she's finally doing something about it. She says shes feeling better now though which is great. Thanks for your help!

You are so very welcome gorgeous Tink ;)

Hi,

Can anyone help me with your ideas? I went to my ob today (I'm nearly 36 weeks) and my blood pressure was 135/90 which was higher than usual. Then he did a urine sample showing there is protein in the urine, which according to the dipstick was second on the scale. I don't have any swelling or any other symptoms. Does anyone think I am developing pre-eclampsia? I am going back to see him next monday, should I be having it checked earlier?

Thanks for your ideas.

Stella'sMum

Hi StellasMum...
It does sound a bit concerning that your BP is up and protein in the urine together. But I would think your OB would have mentioned it if he / she was concerned?...

I definitely think that it is worth mentioning to your OB earlier than Monday, if only to set your mind at ease, kwim? He / she should be able to explain to you what the reasoning is & when to be concerned or not. If it were me I would want to know.
It may be that the absence of any swelling means there is nothing to worry about :dunno:
Good luck hun :hug: hope things are all well for you

Just wanted to add my two cents worthd...........
I was admitted to hospital for PE @ 28 weeks. Bp was 160/110 so meds meds meds. I was feeling sluggish had swelling everywhere hands, face, legs(to halfway up my thighs). I had spots in my vision and headaches that some days wouldn't go away without strong meds. I was like this for three weeks before I was induced coz I had daily blood tests that said my kidneys were ok and still functioning. The day the tests came back with massive change was the day I was induced.

PE is something you dont muck around with. There are all sorts of other complications that can and do go hand in hand with PE.

Stella's mum, it does sound like PE is a real possibility. 135/90 is only borderline high, but it is worth keeping a close eye on since it is an increase for you. I am surprised that your ob isn't getting you back sooner seeing as you have protein in your urine aswell. He didn't send you for bloods to check your liver enzymes? I was having twice weekly ob checks and weekly blood tests from 32 weeks after my BP went up. By the time my protein went up my liver function was already impaired.
Maybe get your bp checked at a chemist again this week to make sure it hasn't gone up anymore. As the other ladies have said, you can't mess around with PE, it all happens VERY quickly. If you have headaches or swelling or visual disturbances or sharp upper abdominal pain you need to be seen immediately!

Hmmm, it does sound very concerning, thanks for your responses. I am going to go to my GP today and get a second opinion, maybe he will run some more tests.:crossfingers:

Tinks,
Don't want to upset you or say that this will happen (God forbid) but my friend lost her baby ot PE at about 36 weeks. She left it too late and the bubba didn't make it. She felt that something was wrong and her lips began turning blue. She called her DH to come home from work, but it was too late.

I agree, it is something that you do not leave til the last minute. If you feel that there may be something wrong, please go straight to the hospital.

Hope things are okay. keep us posted.

Hi everyone,

I just went and saw my GP who measured my blood pressure twice in the consultation, once laying down and once sitting up. Both times it was 110/70! What happened? He was quite sure I was ok so that is reassuring. He said that a trace of protein in the urine isn't enough to diagnose PE and with blood pressure like this, he thinks it will be fine. Good news!
Will keep you all posted. Thanks again.

Glad to hear all is good :)

never hurts to get it checked & put your mind at ease.

Great news Stella'sMum. I am glad your bp is back to normal. I hope it all stays normal for you.