POSSIBLE PRE-ECLAMPSIA DURING 26 WEEKS

[trynabeamom]

this pregnancy has come with many complication, chest pains started at 18 weeks, and still no definate cause, but i also been swellin since i was 4 months, my doctor told me lay off the salt and i did, i also layed off fatty foods, but the swellin now is getting even worse, in my hands, feet, ankles, face, neck. my blood pressure has been fine, but ii dont urinate as often as most pregnant women. and i called my doctor today and they told me that protein was in my urine thr past 2 visits, but he didnt even tell me anything about it and i was so heated. im wondering why he hasnt said anything and im having sum symptoms of it. i get plenty of rest and cut down on the foods so why am i still so swollen. my weight was also up and down due to the fluid, i have an appointment wed and im gonna make sure my doctor checks to see if i have it....has anyone experienced this, please help, im worried!!!!!!!

[OzBron]

I have chronic hypertension so have been given lots of information on hypertension in pregnancy and am being monitored for preeclampsia as I have a 1 in 4 risk of it due to the pre-existing BP problems. I've had no problems so far - actually my BP has dropped and I am on quarter of my normal BP meds which they say is normal for 2nd trimester. From all the information I have it seems that it would be rare that pre-eclampsia is starting this early on but who knows.

You might like to rent a BP testing kit to have at home for reassurance. You can then take your BP every day at the same time and see if it goes up. Then there isn't a panic if it is high at the doctors as sometimes it is higher at Dr's purely due to worry and the rushing around to get to appointments. Then take your record of your home test results in to discuss with the Dr.

As for the protein, since it has been high twice I would strongly urge you to request a 24hr urine protein test. However typically with Pre-eclampsia the protein indicates that the high bloodpressure is affecting your kidneys so you would see the protein once you have already noticed your BP climbing.
Protein can be present for a range of other reasons / conditions too. For example, if you have changed your diet and taken alot more dairy products it can elevate as well as if you are having problems with vomiting or other things going on affecting your diet and nutrient absorption (e.g gestational diabetes). Also if you go to your checkup first thing verses later in the day when you have had your bladder sitting full during the night it can be high. The 24hr collection may best show what the true situation is, rather than it being a one time snapshot in a month.
Best of luck with the appointment today.

[trynabeamom]

thats wat im scared of, that they are gonna put it off and maybe not find it, so ima make sure i stay cautious

[maria5056]

well just be very careful. i got pre-clampsia with my 1st pregnancy @ 36weeks. however i started getting very swollen around 28 weeks. they said it was normal. i guess! then my wait was going up alot every time i went in to the drs. then finally close to 35 wks my bp was going up. thats when the started doing blood work but they said i was fine. then a week later i went in again and my bp was high again n the found protein so they did blood work. it was really bad by then so they induced me right away. it very dangerous so keep an eye out especially ur bp. thats very important. good luck

[trynabeamom]

im definitely goin to make sure he does the test that need to be done, this is very scary for me, plus the chest pains and no answers as to why, other than acid reflux, and the meds dont work so maybe it isnt acid reflux, i talked to a couple of nurses about it and sum said go to the er right away and sum said wait till wed to see my doctor, but my bp is normal right now so its nothing alarmin, they told me to keep check of it, and watch for swelling in my feet

[meggs523]

I'm currently 24 weeks pregnant with twins.  I have been experiencing blood pressure that has gone up and down, and only recently been experiencing swelling of ankles and hands.  Every time I go to the doctor, I only have a trace of protein in the urine.  However, my OB/gyn sent me to have monitoring at the hospital clinic to rule out pre-eclampsia last Friday.  I had a 24 hour urine collection to see how much protein was in the urine, (anything over 300 is too high)  bloodwork with a full panel and liver workup, and hooked to fetal monitors for almost four hours to make sure the babies heart rates were ok with my blood pressure fluctuating.  Everything came back ok for me, but this was precautionary in my case and may be repeated later if my symptoms do not go away.  You may want to suggest that your doctor run some additional tests, at least to give you peace of mind.  If you do the 24 hour urine collection, you will know for you sure the protein level and whether or not you are going into pre-eclampsia.  I know how scary it sounds and you're definitely doing everything you can by getting lots of rest and eating a low salt diet.  Good luck and keep us posted!