Possible pre eclampsia

I had a tubal ligation in January of 2008.  I became pregnant in May of 2008.  I am currently 34 weeks along with my fourth child. My first born was a male, 12.5 lbs 24 inches, and born in Germany.  I did have high bp with him.  Because of the language barrier I am not sure if I was spilling proteins or not.  I delivered him naturally.  My second and third children both girls 8lbs 14ozs and 11lbs 8ozs.  I had no problems with blood pressure or protein spillage during these pregnancies.  
I recentally started with higher than my normal bp readings.  Usually around 120/60.  Now I am clocking in around 135-145/80-100.  I did have protein in my urine on Monday when I went in because of the high bp.  I did a 24 hour urine collection and wont know the results until tomorrow.  I have had a tension headache for the past 6 days and I am experiencing arouses, and minimal swelling.  Here are my questions:
1. Is it possible for pre eclampsia to form during the pregnancy based on the sex of my unborn child.  I do know that it is a boy and he is already 6lb 11ozs from an ultra sound 2 days ago.
2.  Can I still be diagnosed with pre eclampsia even though my bp is not too high?  Or is it high?
3. If diagnosed what should I expect to happen?  My doc talked only about induction in a bigger hospital with a NICU.  
4. Should I go to L&D because of this constant headache?
Thanks so much for taking time to read and answer.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

can't answer all your questions.  But if it is preeclampsia, they would put you on bedrest and monitor the BP and protein etc.  Depending how things look they would induce you early.  The change in BP is a concern, but probably not critical level at this time.  However your doc needs to be watching very closely.

You need to contact your Dr and let him know that you are having this headache.  Time to be closely monitored.  No way you can be too cautious at this stage.  Let us know how you're going....

[Atlantisea]

Anything with a bottom number over 80, is high blood pressure. With the bottom number at 100 it is very high blood pressure requiring medication!

so 135/100 is VERY BAD!

The head ache is a symptom of the pre eclampsia, but make sure you mention it to your doctor anyway.

The sex of the child has nothing to do with whether or not you develop pre eclampsia.

You can expect that the doctor will probably recommend that you have an epidural when you deliver, as this helps keep your blood pressure down.

You also may be induced early.

[Heather3418]

The more rest you can get the better.  Laying down on your left side with a pillow between your legs, is the best position for a pregnant woman.

I had pre-eclampsia with my first pregnancy.  Bad enough to be hospitalized for it.  I stayed in the hospital for a week, when I was 8 to 8 1/2 months pregnant.  My blood pressure stabilized with bed rest and I was sent home.

My blood pressure went sky high when I finally went into labor a month later.  That was 38 years ago, so they didn't do as much intervention then, as they do today.  They now know that the high blood pressure actually has to do with high pressures in the placenta.  Once the baby is delivered the HBP usually goes away, as you probably already know from your first baby.

You can really help prevent hospitalization if you spend alot of time on bed rest.  Any swelling, blurred vision or HEADACHES, should be reported to your doctor immediately.  Pre-eclampsia is nothing to fool around with, as you already know.

I am betting that they may put you in the hospital to watch your blood pressure and give you the appropriate medication and possibly deliver you early if your pressures are not going down.  Here in the U.S. they usually give you an IV drip of Magnesium Sulfate to lower your blood pressure, if you are admitted to the hospital.  It also tends to stop or slow contractions if you are having any.  It's great for getting the blood pressure down though.

I honestly think you are looking at an early delivery.  They will try to hold off as long as it is safe for you, to allow the baby some "extra cooking time."

Please take care of yourself and report all of your symptoms to your doctor immediately.  No need to take chances with your health.

Keep us updated if you can.  We are all concerned for you.  With medical science today, pre-eclampsia is better controlled than it was when I was having children.

Best of luck to you and the little one,
Heather

[eareiling]

I went to the doc last Friday and my protein was +2 in the office and the 24 hour urine collection was 500.  My doc contacted a ob at a bigger hospital.  She told me I was going in to be induced at 34 weeks.  I was pretty scared.  When I arrived at the hospital they decided to monitor me.  My bp was excellent...120/62 was the highest that they recorded.  I was able to come home the next day.  The 12 hour urine collection there was still abnormal.  I was told to check in with my normal doc twice a week.  Plus modified bed rest.
  I went on Tuesday to the doc's office.  My regular doc was not in, but I was checked by another.  My protein levels were clear.  No trace.  My bp was a bit high though.  I don't understand how the levels can disapear.  Is this normal or could there have been a mistake?  
I finally broke my week long headache.  It comes and goes now.   I have stared with a dull pain under my rib cage more on the side than near my breast bone..  It is constant.  It is similar to the pain I had before I had my gallbladder out.  Is this cause for concern?  I know it is not the baby because he is low and it doesn't go away unless I take tyelnol.  
Thanks for your responses!