You stated in your posting that people are chalking your symptoms up to be what happens during pregnancy. This is what angers me, that is the same thing that happened to me. It didn't matter that I could gain up to 8 pounds or more a week and that my eyes were so swollen I had slits to see through. Not only that but my bp was 200/100 and I was spilling protein into my urine and was so dizzy I thought I'd faint. Oh, but you know...it happens to everybody during pregnancy.

You and your baby are TOO important to me...if you feel as though you're being mistreated or not being taken seriously - please look for another o.b. that YOU'RE satisfied with. {{{Many Hugs To You}}}

NICHOLE

MAMA TO...

Eleighsa Lynn
02.18.03
&
Hunter Blake
10.24.97
Born Sleeping - 37 Weeks Gestation
You left and forgot to tell my heart how to live without you...

A little swelling in pregnancy is quite common, a LITTLE, and the farther along you get in your pregnancy. Pitting edema and the swelling you are describing sound like more than that to me, ESPECIALLY at 26 weeks. I am a *pleasantly plump* woman and when I started swelling, most people did not even realize except my husband and me. The best guage I had, since everything else was so hard to measure, was how far I could wrap my fingers around my wrists. It was a rather drastic change for me.

I'm glad your doctor suggested rest. Whether or not you should see your doctor sooner than scheduled all depends on how you are doing. If your blood pressures worsen or if you have an increase in ANY of the symptoms on the "about preeclampsia" symptoms page, then I would call and go in right away. I'm a bit concerned about the "seeing spots" statement and make sure you DEFINATELY discuss that with your doctor.

I would still suggest that you have your doctor order a 24 hour urine (if only for a baseline to compare to later), the normal PE bloodtests (to check your liver and kidney functions and CBC), and an NST and Ultrasound.

Good luck!

Catherine (22)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo

I monitor my bp daily and today it steadily rose through the day from 110/59 (around what it usually stays at,) to 125/78. I just took it again and it was 106/58. I heard that systolic tends to change more than the diastolic. Is this true? My ankles and feet are moderately swollen and I have pittind edema and it doesn't go away overnight. Most of my shoes are really tight and I normally have EXTREMELY narrow feet and skinny ankles. My hands and wrists are a little swollen--that just started happening. My face and nose look swollen to me--but not that bad. Is it normal to be swollen with pitting at 26 weeks?

Oh sweeetie, do not feel like a failure!! People who have had picture perfect pregnancies are the ones who say things like "Enjoy your pregnancy." When are you going to re-do your glucose test? I don't think that the symptoms you are having are related to gestational diabetes. But don't quote me on that. I owuld keep checking my pressures ( drugstores usually have a bp machine) and if you have any other symptoms ie. Headache that won't go away, visual disturbances, unusual swelling ( especially in the hands and face) call your doc immedialtely. Try to take it easy and keep us posted.

Mada Harpster

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.

Thanks for all of your input. It makes me feel like I am not going crazy. I have doctor's appt. on 12/2. If things stay the way they are then I will talk to him about it then. (Do you think that's a good idea or should I call the office?) Also, I forgot to mention I failed my 1st glucose test, so I might have gestational diabetes. Do you think that any of my symptoms could be caused by high sugar? I feel bad because I am always saying I don't feel good--I sound like a broken record! Everyone says "enjoy your pregnancy," and I'm not I feel like a failure[:(]

Lizzards,

Here is my plug...

I had fluctuating bp before it actually hit a somewhat stable higher level. I beleive they call it "labile"[?] Anyway, my doctor ordered many tests, excluding 24 hr urine though (not sure why), for baselines and to make sure things were okay even with the fluctuating bp's. What they found on the ultrasound was that my amniotic fluid level was quite low...something telling us that the blood pressure was already affecting the flow of nutrients to the placenta. I guess I'm telling you all this in hopes that you will watch carefully and have your doctor run precautionary tests. My bp started fluctuating around your stage of pg and didn't hit a constant high (I was on strict bedrest) untill about 34 weeks pg...but it can change really quickly, as some of the other ladies can attest to.

Hope all is well!!!

Catherine (22)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo

Since your mom had PE and you've had some higher bp readings, I owuld be on the safe side and have a 24 hour urine collection (have you had any protien in your urine?) and blood work done. Has the baby been moving regularly? It's best to be over cautious about this as PE can sneak up quietly and quickly! Keep us posted...

Mada Harpster

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.

One more thing,my dr. hasn't done a non-stress test or 24 urine. Should I have that done?

The doctor always takes my bp sitting up and that's the way I take it too. I just took it and it was 120/65, pulse 100. Not bad, right (except for pulse)? Well, I just don't understand why I have all the other symptoms. My mom had PE with 2 out of 3 pregnancies. So, my doctor put me on baby aspirin and told me not over exert myself, because he thinks I am prone to PE and I've had some symptoms. But I go to work everyday and I am so drained I can't do anything else. Everyone just chalks it up to "being pregnant." Well, I just don't feel right. I guess I don't make a big deal to my doctor because I don't want to seem like a whiner. If my bp is down then is there still a problem or am I ok?

How are you (and the doctor) taking your blood pressure? Are you sitting up, laying down flat, laying on your side? All of those can change the reading. Mine would change 30 or 40 points!

The absolute best method is to take it when you are sitting up (and have been sitting for a few minutes). Even if the doctor asks you to lay down, be sure that they also take one when you are sitting. (and that's the one you should use.

Be very very very vigilant with the signs of pree. Things can happen very fast. Has your doctor ordered a 24-hour urine sample? Are you doing non-stress tests?

If you ever think that your doctor isn't taking your condition VERY seriously, then immediately seek another opinion. or go to the ER.

Good luck & keep us posted.

Sharel

------------------------
Sharel & Kevin
Aaron - 28 weeker
Born 5/2/02 due to preeclampsia & HELLP

Our miracle boy is doing great!!