Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure?

Any words of advice? My BP was pretty high yesterday so my OB is having me do the 24 hour urine collection today. I had blood taken yesterday so waiting for the results. My question is, if you have had high BP associated with pre-e, did you have to have a c-section? Also, how high was your blood pressure? I am just over 34 weeks and starting to get very anxious!

Re: Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure?

I started to show signs of pre-eclampsia at 37 weeks, but honestly I think I started showing signs earlier but the doctor said I never complained so I kinda "flew under the radar" until my BP got really high and there was more protein in my urine.

At 38w 6 days, they induced me. Since I was a little further along, I am sure it will be different for you. My BP was around 140/90. When I left the doctors office for the hospital, they told me that I could have a v-birth, but there is a chance that I would have a c-section if things didnt go fast enough. I ended up having a v-birth.

A friend of mine was showing signs of pre eclampsia around 34,35 weeks and the doctor got her to 37 weeks before she was induced. She also had a v-birth.

If you have any questions, please feel free to FM me.

Message edited 10/18/2011 12:44:30 PM.

Re: Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure?

At my 31 week appointment, I was very swollen, they found protein in my urine, and I gained 15 lbs since my previous appointment 2 weeks before. Insane. I had only gained 18 lbs total up until then; 15 lbs in 2 weeks was in the worry zone. The doctors were concerned so they had me do a 24 hour collection. At that point, my BP had always been normal.

3 days later when I dropped off my 24 hour urine, they told me that I should start planning for an early delivery. I said, well my baby shower is in 2 weeks at about 34 weeks, I'll make it til then right? And the dr said, why don't you move it to this weekend? I looked at her like she had 2 heads. I said I've never had high blood pressure and she said well that can change overnight and sure enough it did. The next day I went to get monitored and my blood pressure was high. After a few hours, it just never went down. I was admitted with pre-eclampsia and was told they would try to control it and keep me pregnant for at least another week since baby was so early.

Unfortunately, I got gravely sick overnight and my BP just kept climbing. In the morning they said they would do a quicker induction instead of the normal 24 hour induction, using just pitocin to have me deliver within 12 hours. Within a couple of hours my BP was super high, I was having trouble seeing and felt just generally awful. The dr. said we didn't have 12 hours, we didn't have even 6 hours to get the baby out safely. Then they called it for an emergency c-section when my BP went super high. I was eerily calm the entire time I was in the hospital and definitely expressed how badly I DIDN'T want a c-section, but I knew when they called it, it had to be done and was fine with it. My DS was born safely at 31w 6d and I was fine as well.

Just because you have pre-eclampsia doesn't mean you'll have a c-section. They were really trying to get me to go vaginally, but my body just kept shutting down more and more. My kidneys weren't functioning well at the end and there's only so long they can wait when things are going downhill. But some women can get induced successfully if they have pre-e.

Lots of prayers for your and your baby!!!

Re: Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure?

Thank you ladies for sharing your stories. Right now I am doing the urine test and go back to the doctor tomorrow for my blood test results and to take my BP again. I am almost 35 weeks and just would really like to make it to 36 - if not more!

Re: Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure?

I was induced at just over 36weeks with my 1st DS b/c I had pre eclampsia. No c/s needed.....all went well.

Re: Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure?

I was borderline preclampsia with my DD1 and had to have an emergency C at 37 weeks I don't remember what my BP was (this was 6 yrs ago) but it was very high and I was VERY swollen!!

Re: Pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure?

For those that have had high BP, did you take medication for it?