I just wanted to emphasize something--Sometimes protein does not show up on the strips. I have pre-eclampsia, and mine doesn't. I suggest you request a 24 hour urine catch if she hasn't had one already, and that be tested for protein(a real test, not the strips.) That was where they found my protein. It sounds like she does have pre-e and this very simple test may confirm it so they can start treating her properly. A headache that doesn't go away could be a very good indicator that she has pre-e and it's progressing fast. Good luck.

Everyone's given you great advice so I wouldn't suggest anything else but wanted to elaborate on the APEC recommendation. Action on Pre-eclampsia is actually an organization that helped define who we are as they are about 20 years old now. They are based in Harrow but are really readily available and of course much more familiar with UK guidelines than any of us would be. I can tell you that the UK has had a phenomenal drop in bad maternal outcomes due to a combination of factors but they are really at the forefront in care (of course, that might also be in part a reaction to a massive settlement last year because of a bad outcome). The website is www.apec.org.uk and we have NO problem with your using them and staying active here. We are very collaborative and supportive of one another. They can guide you through this process and they also can help you advocate for better care.

Hope to hear nothing but good news from you--stay in touch!

I always hated the comments about it being too early to have pe. I heard it with my last two pregnancies and both times I had early onset preeclampsia. The last time, I was just 22 weeks. Yes it is early but, it is possible. I'm glad that you have found this website. I know that it has helped me get through a lot of tough times during my pregnancies.

Chris - I just wanted to add my voice here. The labile BPs are worrisome. I had labile BPs plus "the headache" about a week before I had to deliver my daughter at 21 weeks, 5 days. With various trips to labor and delivery, the nurses kept telling me it was too early for PE, and the urine test strips showed no protein. They could always get my high BP to go down, then sent me home. It was a very dangerous situation as my BPs kept climbing and I ended up with liver problems. I found that my judgment was impaired - I was suffering from severe swelling, including in my skull. Even when I had excruciating pain in my ribs and chest, I told my husband we should wait to go to the hospital until morning - I wasn't in my right mind and I was terrified, so please be aware that this illness can affect a woman's judgment. Keep us posted. I hope you can get a little more time for the baby to stay "in".

Chris, I'm glad you went in and got checked out. Do you know what Emma's non-pregnancy BP is? One of the things we notice with BP in pregnancy is that if starts to become labile, it's often a precursor to it going up and staying up.

Please keep a close eye on it. I would also ask to be referred on by your midwife to a consultant.

Chris:
I hate to hear that the hospital staff wasn't helpful. Please be vigilant as there are many of us here who have had very early onset PE. I delivered my first son at just 21 weeks. So - while it is rare to exhibit symptom of PE so early, it is possible. Please look again at the signs and symptoms page and go back to the hospital if symptoms worsen.
Leslie

just thought i'd post a quick update.
Emma's BP kept rising for most of the weekend and spiked on Sunday at around 4 at 157/94.
This combined with a continuing headache caused me to make the trip to maternity. After a 2 odd hour wait, we got seen to. Emma's BP had fallen by this stage to around 137/82 which we were told is fine.

Her urine was clear of protein though which is the important thing. So hopefully the threat of PE is abated for the moment.

So we were sent home and told to take it easy, although her headache still persists.

The hospital staff were a bit unhelpful reallt though, as all they could keep saying was that 'really, she's very early to be exhibiting signs of PE', to which I replied that that was exactly my concern. Still due for a midwife appointment on wed, so we'll see how that goes.

Many thanks for the concern and help from all involved here. It has been greatly appreciated.

Hi chris, welcome

So glad to see a caring and protective father on here, your pro active care for your wife and baby is to your credit.

I am from london, if you want to chat plkease feel free to email me at samhayman72@yahoo.co.uk.

the midwife should refer you immediately to a high risk doctor if she suspects PE. Your wife needs more careful monitoring now with those symptoms, and i concur with all the ladies here, that 6 days is a little too long.Not to frighten you but some gals can limp along with PE and others require more urgent intervention.

I think it was caryn who posted about signs and symptoms, please keep an eye on these, and also check out APEC's website (action on PE in the uk), or if you want to you can call Liz who runs it on her helpline the number is 0208 427 4217, she can answer any of your questions and concerns regarding your wifes and your baby's care. All hopsitals and NHS trusts in the uk must now follw the PRECOG guidelines, a protocol for women with suspected PE or PE. I suggest you visit APEC's website and get your ink cartridge flowing and print these off, so you can see what the uk's criteria are and if it is being followed by your midwife. I carry a copy in my ante natal notes all the time, just in case, thankfully this pregnancy i haven't had need of them.

As everyone else has said please if anything changes/worsens please get yourself off to maternity/delivery and they can carry out blood work, and check everything is ok, that is what they are there for. wishing all three of you the "best of British"

keep us updated when you can, and as i said you can contact me directly if you wish.

take care, best wishes

Better safe than sorry is our mantra around here ;-)

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. If nothing else it gives me something to direct my energy towards rather than feeling rather helpless.

The wonderful thing about the NHS and our care plan is that it is shared care between the hospital and our GP and as such we get to keep our chart at all times so I can track what is being noted.

Her BP was measured as 140/80. The protein level was not quantified, just that it was away to get checked, possible UTI etc. We had a re-scan 2 weeks ago and everything was normal. She had her blood pressure taken as her ankles were (and still are) very swollen, but it was normal then.

Like I said before, its hard not to look at everything thats happening as a symptom, like when she was getting out of bed at the weekend from an afternoon nap, she got nauseous and started to heave for about a minute. I asked her this morning if she was feeling any more nausea but she said no, just some dizziness (another symptom).

I'll test her BP this afternoon and if its still high I'll take her to the maternity ward.

Its probably just a case of being safe rather than sorry I suppose but still the uncertainty is a very unsettling feeling.