Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

Would love to hear from any moms that had pre-eclampsia... I just went to my 31 week appointment and I have +3 protein in my urine and gained 12 lbs since my last appointment three weeks ago (which they believe is almost all water weight since I'm SUPER swollen - hands, feet, legs, face). The good news is my blood pressure is normal. But the doctor said she's very concerned and this appears to be the start of something so we have to watch it very closely. I have to do a 24 hr. urine collection and go every week from now on.

I was upset and forgot to ask her... what's the likelihood that I can still make it all the way to the end to 40 weeks? Did anyone have a similar experience at all? Or did anyone have pre-e and not have to deliver super early?

I guess I'm just looking for positive experiences if there are any since I'm super nervous about the baby arriving too early. TIA!!!

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I had symptoms of preeclampsia from about the same time.....I was 9 days LATE having her.

I think my drs were actually a little too lax with it, but I was monitoring my BP daily (school nurse) and I had some scares, but did not develop full preeclampsia prior to going into labor.

I stopped working at about 36 weeks ( we had two weeks off for xmas and I didnt go back after...was due 1.14)

I was so swollen I literally could not wear any shoes. I wore slippers most of the time and tried to sit while teaching a lot. Once I stopped working, I laid in bed alot with my feet up and that helped.

If you get a severe headache, sees spots, get blurred vision or sharp pain in your ribcage, callt he dr asap.

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

Thank you!! That makes me feel a little better. I had to go buy new shoes today because NONE of my shoes fit at all. I've had blurry vision and told the doctor, but she said that was ok. If I see spots, then that's not a good sign. I've had pain in my ribcage area, but I thought it was more like gallbladder pain (like middle of my chest to under my right boob, but since it's gone away, the doctor said that's ok. That if it happens and doesn't go away that that's a sign).

Very frustrating and scary.

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I showed signs of preeclampsia throughout my pregnancy (severe swelling, inconsistent high blood pressure) but never any protein in my urine. I was a scheduled c-section anyway, but wound up delivering DD at 37 weeks due to preterm labor. My preeclampsia did not come out full force until AFTER I delivered DD. Wound up staying in the hospital a few extra days due to very high blood pressure. Two weeks PP and lots of medication and I was back to my old self.
I hope I am not scaring you with all this information The best thing you can do is TAKE IT EASY!! Do NOT overdo it and keep your feet elevated and drink LOTS of water. Keep monitoring your blood pressure and contact your doctor if you pressure goes up at all! I wish you the best of luck!!

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I had +3 urine and normal BP, and then I had +2 urine a high BP. It bounced like that for weeks. For reasons that aren't relevant my OB held off on an official diagnosis until I had the +3 AND the high BP (plus a weight gain of 5 lbs over 3 days). Despite that he sent me home and said "rest, put your feet up, and call me in the morning for the time you have to report to the hospital. You're having this baby tomorrow."

My precious DD arrived via c-section 5 days before her due date.

ETA: I was doing weekly visits for several weeks. Then visits 2x per week. DH & I were taking ballroom dancing and the only class I missed was the night before my c-section.

Message edited 3/1/2010 8:44:21 PM.

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I developed pre-eclampsia during my pregnancy. Around the same time in my pregnancy that you are, I had protien in my urine- and had to do 2 24 hour urine collections.

At my 37 week check up, I had a headache, plus my blood pressure was elevated (it had never been elevated prior). They monitored me for a little bit- then sent me to the hospital to be monitored- and was induced a few hours later. The Nurse Practitioner told me that they don't like to take chances with pre-eclampsia for your safety and the baby's safety!

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I had signs of pre-eclempsia at the start of 32 weeks.
Elevated blood pressure and severe swelling.

At 33 weeks 6 days I was put on bedrest. Did 24 hour urine to test protein - nothing.

At 34 weeks I was hospitalized due to severe high blood pressure (I was hovering around 195/80).

Remained hospitalized for 4 days and 3 nights. Where I had bloodwork drawn daily as well as a 24 hour urine. Still no protein. Blood came back showing I was anemic. Put on iron supplement. Then discharged with strict orders to remain on bedrest.

At 35 weeks I was hospitalized again for high blood pressure. Same protocol as last hospitalization and was discharged on day 4.

At 36 weeks I went to my OB hoping for an induction date of the next date. No such luck. 3cm dilated and was still stable. Sent me home on bedrest.

At 37 weeks (a Wednesday) I was 3cm dilated and 10% effaced. WooHoo they were ready to schedule me for an induction the following Tuesday. Well, low and behold at 38 weeks and 4 days I go into labor naturally. Delivered Ryan at a healthy 9lbs 3oz 21 inches at 38 weeks and 6 days!!

And, FTR - I never got as far as pre-eclempsia. Final diagnosis was just pregnancy induced hyper tension.

Good luck and hang in there!!

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

i had the high bp develop. At 35 weeks they sent me to the hospital for extra testing. Then i had to to the 24 hour test. I remember shoving the bag into a big tote and carrying it to the ladies room. when i dropped it off at the dr on a friday the dr took my bp again and put me on bedrest( i was shocked and on my lunch break).. over the weekend i started swelling up more. monday morning at 36w 1 day the dr got back my test results for the high protein levels. send me again to the hospital for a high risk eval. They admitted me that night, induced me and 27 hours later ds was born.

my drs goal was to get me to at least 37 weeks but the protein was too high.

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! All I can do now is take it easy and keep going to my appointments. I guess I should really fast track the training of my fill-in at work!!! Just in case!

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I did have to be on magnesium after delivery and that SUCCKKKEEDD!!! I could not "focus" my eyes on anything...I was joking that I felt like a junky cause I had to keep looking around everywhere.

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I had some signs- protein in urine coupled with some swelling and high blood pressure. They ended up sending me to L&D at 37 weeks but they sent me home with strict instructions to relax, stay off my feet as much as possible and to call if i got a severe headache, blurry vision or more swollen. I ended up having Frankie 8 days later on my own

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I actually developed preg. induced hypertension (my BP went sky high at 36+ weeks) but I had no protein in my urine (which is why they didn't call it pre-eclampsia).

Because my BP went high when I was 36 weeks + 5 days, I was sent to L&D to be induced and ultimately had a c-section (but that's not bc of the pre-eclampsia so don't worry).

My experience/recovery has been less than ideal medically. If you have any questions post-delivery (or now), FM me.

Good luck! You can definitely make it longer in your pregnancy. They have meds they can give you in the hospital to help and that will help you get to full term. Also, rest is important. And no stress!!

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I had protein in my urine starting at 32 weeks. My BP was stable until 35 weeks when it shot up and my Dr delivered my boys by 3 section at 35 wks 3 days. They spent 7 and 9 days in the NIU and are healthy and happy 15 month olds. I had no after affects exceot one night in the hospital I felt awful and they gave me somthing and I felt better

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I had pre-eclampsia with DD#1 - but only after I went into labor did my BP spike etc. I didn't have it before that.

DD#2 - it started around 36 weeks and I ended up having to deliver her at exactly 37 weeks

Re: Anyone have experience with Pre-Eclampsia?

I had pregnancy induced hypertension and was moving towards pre-eclampsia. I had high BP and severe swelling throughout the 3rd trimester. At one point, I gained 15 lbs in 4 weeks. None of my shoes fit. My legs were bright red. It hurt to walk. I had to wear compression stockings to try to contain the swelling and help my circulation.

A month before my EDD, my BP was pretty high and I had traces of protein in my urine. I was sent over to L&D for monitoring. My bloodwork came back ok except for my uric acid levels. At that point, I was told there was no way I would be allowed to go past 38 weeks. I took the 24 hour urine test which came back normal. I was taken out of work and put on bedrest. I was monitored closely for the next few weeks. I had my hospital bag in the car at my appointments b/c if my BP was too high, they were going to induce me. My BP was high at each appointment, but within the acceptable range while lying down so they let me go to 38 weeks. At that point, I was induced.