Pregnant Again- 20 weeks

[abell]

Hey there-

I just wanted to check in and get your opinion- I'm pregnant with my 2nd child and am 20 weeks along. I have begun to swell in face, hands, & feet -Went to the Dr. yesterday b/c I've had headaches & a little blurry vision. BP was up a little 140/80 (not too bad for me)
There was a trace of protein in my urine.
Do you think that the trace of protein is a sign of things to come or is that normal in pregnancies?
Had PE with my 1st and my daughter was born @ 34 weeks- she had IUGR. I'm worried that this is the road I'm headed down again.

What do you guys think?
I do go back to Dr. Thursday for check up- we will see.

Amanda
Mommy to Madison- born 05/24/02 34 weeks gestation due to severe PE. 3 lbs. 7 oz. 16 inches.

Pregnant Again! EDD 08/20/04

[meg]

A trace can be normal or can be a sign of bad things to come. You and your doc just need to keep a very close eye on things! Good luck, I hope its nothing for you!

Will 2-6-00 ( PE at 35 weeks)
Elizabeth 7-3-01 ( NO PE)
#3 EDD 10-25-04
Proud Aunt to Ethan born 27.5 weeks weighing 1lb 8 ounces! Our little fighter!
Already off the ventilator and opened his eyes!

[akemt]

Assuming the trace is accurate, it is normal. I had trace protein the entire second half of my last pregnancy. That said, if your bp is increasing as well as those symptoms you have described, I would ask for a 24 hour urine even if it only ends up serving as a baseline because your results are normal. Better to know.

Also, how often are you checking your bp? I'm curious what your baseline is and where you are now.

I'm pretty close to you in gestation (hitting 22 wks tomorrow) and while I'm not swelling or vision changes (did you report that?), I am having the nagging headaches (no, not "the" headache) and fast pulse as well as increased bp and +1 protien on a dip. I'm doing the 24 hr now...great fun! LOL So, I'm with you...hoping that all this will end up being nothing. But, also feeling that that is just wishful thinking.

Let us know about what happens thursday...hopefully it really is nothing -for both of us.

Catherine (22), Moderator (pregnant again)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004

[abell]

Yeah I don't know what's going on with me- I just don't feel like myself this week. My heart races, I feel out of breath, really tired. Just not myself- maybe that's all normal pregnancy stuff- I just don't remember feeling like this with my 1st one this early.

My blood pressure normally runs about 140/80-90 but it has been lower over the past weeks. And then this week has been back up to 140/80. The swelling is so annoying- my skin feels so tight.

I will let you know how Tuhrsday goes. :)


Amanda
Mommy to Madison- born 05/24/02 34 weeks gestation due to severe PE. 3 lbs. 7 oz. 16 inches.

Pregnant Again! EDD 08/20/04

[abell]

OK- Went to the Dr. today and here's what happened:

We found out for sure we are having another girl - really wanted a boy but as long as it's healthy I'm cool with it :)

My BP read 146/96, a trace of protein again in my urine, gained 7 lbs. in 1 month.

My dr. said she would up my bp meds if my bottom # got over 100 and she would order a 24 hour urine test if my protein exceeded a trace. She said to call her immediately with any changes in swelling or readings. She wants to see me again in 3 weeks and then every 2 weeks after that.

Hopefully things will calm down- but I just have a feeling the direction we are going here isn't good.

I will keep you posted- keep us in your prayers :)

Amanda
Mommy to Madison- born 05/24/02 34 weeks gestation due to severe PE. 3 lbs. 7 oz. 16 inches.

Pregnant Again! EDD 08/20/04

[abell]

Just an update-
Swelling last night pretty bad- woke me up several times b/c I was so uncomfortable. This morning my eyes were really swollen.
I have cloudy urine- afraid that might be a sign of more protein in the urine- so I'm going to purchase test strips today.
I have been extremely irritable and tired.
Let me know what you guys think.


Amanda
Mommy to Madison- born 05/24/02 34 weeks gestation due to severe PE. 3 lbs. 7 oz. 16 inches.

Pregnant Again! Baby Girl- EDD 08/21/04

[akemt]

Call the doctor about it. What is your BP?

Catherine (22), Moderator (pregnant again)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004

[sandy]

Have you called your doctor yet? [;)]

Swelling especially in your face is not normal pregnancy swelling. My swelling in my hands, face, and feet started around week 20/21, was eventually diagnosed with preeclampsia around week 27 or 28.

Please keep in close touch with your doctor (and let us know how you're feeling).


~Sandy/DD born via emergency C at 35 wks/1 day June '03 due to Severe PE/class III HELLP/chronic HBP/asthma

[abell]

I purchased the test strips yesterday and it's showing as a Trace... but the outer edges are the green color of the +1 category.

I felt pretty tired yesterday and bp readings haven't been high.

I am definitely swelling- but I guess there's not much that can be done if I'm not spilling more protein and my BP's aren't high.

Have you guys expreienced that you get diff. readings on the test strips at different times of the day? Is that normal?
This morning when I did the test it read negative.

I just wondered.

Thanks- for your support
I promise I'm keeping a close eye.

Amanda
Mommy to Madison- born 05/24/02 34 weeks gestation due to severe PE. 3 lbs. 7 oz. 16 inches.

Pregnant Again! Baby Girl- EDD 08/21/04

[akemt]

Amanda,

Mine has gone from negative to +1 this pregnancy but my 24 hour came back at 182. So, I'm sure it was all fluid intake related. The +1 was an early morning appointment and I had only drank one cup of milk with breakfast before leaving home and bet that is what skewed the results. I was glad to get a 24 hr urine anyway in case the time comes that we need a baseline. So, yes the dipsticks can go back and forth and are not very reliable as to true protein values because of the fluid variable.

Catherine (22), Moderator (pregnant again)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004