Order of Events in PE

[Scottishgirl]

Hello everyone, I'm 32+2 in my 2nd pregnancy & finding it pretty nerve-wracking.

In my 1st pregnancy, I had severe PE diagnosed at 28.5 weeks & delivered at 29 weeks due to my baby having severe IUGR & me developing HELLP syndrome. I didn't have any symptoms at all (or risk factors) so was just on the standard low risk pregnancy protocol. Everything was fine at 22 weeks, but I only found out at my next appt (28 weeks) that I had severe PE. I had no idea anything was wrong, it was such a shock. My little boy survived against the odds, and we're so lucky to have him, but it has not been an easy journey.

So I am wondering about the chain of events that leads to PE. My question is: is hypertension always the 1st indication that something is wrong? (or can it be something else eg low fluid around baby, slowing growth, etc). Does PE have an "order" of events unfolding, or can it be random?

I am being seen weekly & having blood pressure/urine tests weekly too, plus fortnightly growth scans & dopplers.

Last week my BP was good 115/75 (it's usually about this level or lower), there was a trace of protein (which I have had on & off the whole pregnancy so far) and the baby's abdominal circumference centile had dropped a little, the doppler was good (o.56 resistance). But I was in a bit of a panic, and wondering if it was the start of things again?

I just feel like a bit of a time-bomb, waiting for things to go wrong.

Thanks for reading, I'm interested to hear what others think.

[MomTimesThree]

From reading stories here, and our two pre-e pregnancies there doesn't seem to be a strict order to things. Each case seems very individual.

I so hear you on feeling like a time bomb! It's no way to go through a pregnancy, and yet it seems thats the way it happens for so many of us. I tried best I could to focus on one day at a time, and when that sometimes felt like too much- just one foot in front of the other.

Keep posted when you can!
Lauren

[Scottishgirl]

Hi Mom, and thanks for your reply. It's good to "talk" to someone who understands.

I saw my midwife earlier & she answered my question: PE doesn't always start with high blood pressure. Mine is still good at 120/68 & I had a trace of protein. My midwife said that it can start with proteinuria, raised dopplers etc. So I thought I was doing well, when I might not be.

I got to see the hospital's notes from my appointment last week - baby's abdominal circumference has dropped over the last few scans, from the 95th centile to the 50th. The head is around 50th, so I wasn't too concerned, but I will be if there's a further drop next time.

I'm being scanned again next Wednesday & will know my answer then. I'm wondering if I'll get steroids & a date for a section - or how long they'll let me go. Am terrified of intra-uterine death & also worried for my baby (my son measured 24/25 weeks at 29 weeks).

If I could get to 36 weeks I'd be having a party!

[MomTimesThree]

Glad you got further reassurance from your midwife. I'll be keeping all crossables crossed that you continue to have smooth sailing and make it to 36 weeks and even beyond without any complications! Please keep posted after Wednesday's appointment- I hope baby levels off at the 50% level- a great place to be, especially close to delivery! A baby in the 95%... oy!

Lauren

[aundapenner]

I had PE in both of my pregnancies. Though my 2nd pregnancy was a worse case of PE, I felt much better, partly due to the fact that I knew what I was up against.

In my 2nd, I was here in Germany, where I was seeing someone quite regularly - which is sounds like you are too! Good for your docs and midwife to keep track of things. My first pregnancy went haywire right around Easter weekend - that was when I was put on bedrest.

Good luck and try to enjoy as much as you can. Waiting for the other shoe to drop was a standard for me too, but knowing it was probably my last pregnancy, helped me to enjoy more than I had during my first (where I just felt fat and bloated, not pretty and certainly had no clue how serious things really were.)

[Scottishgirl]

Thanks again for your replies.

I had a look through my notes last night; I noticed that my AFI is on the lower side of normal (it was 9.9 at 32 weeks) so that, in combination with the reducing abdominal circumference, is concerning me. Initially I was quite pleased the AC was reducing - 97th centile was a bit much & I was worrying about GDM.

I have to admit I'm not enjoying this pregnancy at all - after nearly losing my little boy 1st time, then 2 miscarriages (one of which was a molar pregnancy), I just want baby out safely.

Will keep you posted on how Wednesday goes.

Thanks for listening!

[MomTimesThree]

Hope tomorrow goes well and those numbers all level off right where they should be. I know AFI can really bounce around.

I hope you're able to find moments to enjoy the pregnancy, I know its so hard to do after complications.

Lauren

[Scottishgirl]

Thank you, Lauren.

Today went well

BP was good, urine clear, CTG tracing five, good end diastolic flow, baby on 50th centile. The only "fly in the ointment" is the AFI - it's around 10.

So I see my consultant next week & will have all of the above tests repeated before I see her - fingers crossed!!!