Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

I went for my 36 week check-up yesterday and needless to say, it wasn't good. My BP was 138/100 after having me rest on my left side. Who knows what it was before that. My normal BP is 110/70.

They took blood and are making me collect 24 hrs of urine this weekend. They just kept looking at me with concern. My BP was high last week too and when they looked at my chart they said it has been slowly creeping up. My feet are swollen even past my ankles which isn't a good sign either.

I'm so worried. I'm not even sure what this all means. What happens when you have preeclampsia? Do you have to have a c-section? do they induce labor early? put you on meds?

I knew that my symptomless pregnancy would come back to bite me sometime in the end, but i didn't expect this

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

it doesnt mean a c-section...but they most likely will induce if they find proteins in ur urine. my friend gave birth at 38 weeks with pre-eclampsia and had a vaginal birth. they'll just want to get the baby out sooner. GL!

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

my friend had pre-eclampsia and actually gave birth 7 weeks early. she had to go in for a C-Section, but just bc you have pre-eclampsia, doesn't mean you necessarily need one.

she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who is 7 months now and i absolutely healthy and perfect! and, mom is doing great too - after she gave birth, her BP went down. everything ended up being perfectly fine!

i hope everything works out for you

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

My friend had pre-e. She wound up going into the labor and delivering at 36 weeks. She delivered vaginally, and the baby was perfectly healthy. She would have been induced the next day had she not gone into labor on her own.

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

I just wanted to send some hugs your way!

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

I don't know.. I'm going through the same thing. I just did my 24hr urine & b/w.... I have never had high BP, nor have I had protein in my urine. The drs are testing me because of dopplers that weren't "perfect". So, abnormal dopllers & all, here I am... It sucks & it's scary not knowing... GL!!

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

I went for my 36 week appt with DS. I never had high bp. My bp was higher than yours, I don't remember what it was. My dr. sent me straight to the hospital (after a stinky, sweaty day at work!!!) They wanted to induce me that night but I wanted to wait until the b/w and 24 urine came back. The drs agreed. I stayed for 3 nights and was released because everything else came back negative. I went home and agreed to go back to the dr. office the following day, where my bp was high again and he sent me to be induced. I was induced and had a vaginal delivery.
If your bp is high and everything else comes back neg, then discuss with your dr about treating the high bp and seeing how long you can wait before being induced. If the tests come back positive, and you have to be induced, then it is just time for you to meet your DC! I know it's nerve racking, but everything will be fine!
Good luck!!!

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

Last year, at 32 weeks, I went to my OB appt and had high BP, complained of headaches that would not go away with Tylenol. I was sent to the hospital. I was monitored there that night and since my BP went down after a few hours, I was sent home with strict instructions to complete a 24 hr urine, take it easy, drink lots of water, lay down as much as I could and was told that I would not be going back to work. I followed up with my OB 2 days later. My BP was still a bit high and there was some protein in my urine, but not an alarming amount. My OB really wanted me to wait until I was at least 34 weeks, so I was told to repeat my 24 hr urine and continue to take it easy. I did what I was told and made it clear to my doc that I did not want to be induced unless the health of myself or the baby was in imminent danger. I continued seeing the doc every week and they closely monitored me. I had bloodwork taken twice per week. It was crazy. Then at 36w5d, my water started leaking and I ended up having a vaginal birth the same day.

You must take this seriously (as I know you already are) b/c it can be very dangerous. My BFF's sister had full blown eclampsia and her kidneys started failing. She was rushed into an emergency C/S and her DD was born 12 weeks early. All is well now, and it is rare for this to happen... but just do as the OB says and take it easy. Your baby is well within range (full term) so that induction is definitely an option. Hang in there! Please FM me if you have any other questions.

ETA: I was also very swollen almost my entire pregnancy, but at 32w even my face was swollen- which is a sign of pre-e too!

Message edited 10/1/2009 9:10:14 PM.

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

I had early signs of preeclampsia throughout the later part of my pregnancy (higher blood pressure, VERY swollen, but no real traces of protein). I wound up having a c-section at 37w2d due to preterm labor and VERY strong contractions that would not go away, even with meds. I delivered a VERY healthy baby girl and wound up developing full blown preeclampsia AFTER delivering. I had to stay in the hospital a few extra days, and was on quite a few meds for three weeks, but recovered just fine. Trust your doctors - they will do what's in your best interest and get the baby out if they think it's best. FM if you need some more advice! Good luck!

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

i had this.. my blood pressure was alot higher then yours 208/110 at one point. and just never went down even when i would rest on my left side. I had alot of right upper quadrant pain (under my ribs) i did all the pre-e blood work and many many 24 hour urine collections and everything came back NEgative for Pre-E...BUT they didnt let this go. i spent many nights in L&D being monitored. i also had a t-pump becausei had preterm labor. i had avery complicated pregnancy.

anyway, at my 36.5 week apt. (i was going 2 times a week for apts) my bloodpressure hit an all time high, the doctors were very concerened for my and the baby so they sent me to L&D for monitoring. i met another doc in the practice there and within 30 min he told me to go home lay on my Left side and return the next day for a scheduled induction. They believed i was a good candidate for a induction, Well... needless to say i became sympotmatic, and went back the next day... we discuessed all the options. i was scared to death at this point, we knew the baby had the cord around her neck a few times, and my bloodpressure just wouldnt drop prob due to stress. so the doctors told me they recommend a C-Section at this point and i was all for it. i felt that both the baby and i were safer with out having the stress of a vaginal delivery. and at this point it tunred into an emergency section.

Im more then open to any questions you might have!

Re: Upsetting Dr.'s apptmt. Does anyone know about preeclampsia?

Posted by QTDimps23

it doesnt mean a c-section...but they most likely will induce if they find proteins in ur urine. my friend gave birth at 38 weeks with pre-eclampsia and had a vaginal birth. they'll just want to get the baby out sooner. GL!