PIH again and trying not to worry

[hfwarner3]

Well, here we are again. This is our fourth child and we are now 4 out of 4 for PIH. With our first 3 children, it showed up between week 33 and week 35. All three were induced at 38 weeks.

The symptoms has showed up over the last week ... and my wife is only 27 weeks pregnant. We are very concerned.

We saw the OB yesterday and he was essentially unconcerned. Her BP was 164/92 and he just had her lay down and suggested she "take it easy." No bed rest. No drugs. No additional tests.

I am feeling overwhelmed. My wife is not able to function and we were not prepared for this to happen this early. I have no family or friends who can help for at least another month. I am working 45 hour weeks at work and doing all the work at home. And I have to be the one who is calm and re-assuring because the kids (ages 6, 3, and 1 1/2) are worried too.

We are looking into either getting a second opinion and/or switching OBs, but my wife really does not want to move to a different practice this late in the game.

I guess I just needed to vent. Gotta go back to work now.

[youtan]

I read your other post.
You can read at the link below for listing of perinatologists/MFMs:
http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4668

Welcome to the forum - I'm really sorry you're having to go through this again.

Tanya (30)
Kansas Coordinator
Nathanial 3/6/99 HELLP 27 wks, 1lb 10oz
Jonathan 8/9/02 PIH/low fluid 34 wks, 4lb 8 oz
www.geocities.com/tly_phd

[lucy]

Sorry to hear you guys are going through this in my opion that Dr seems a bit lenient ti ignore her syptoms with her history, as far as not having anyone to help I know how that is but could you maybe pay a highschool student to come help out as a mommys helper they normally wont charge much or you could also get welfare to help pay a babysitter if her Dr will give her a Drs note ordering bedrest, I also understand the frustration with wanting to switch but being in the middle of a pregnancy but sometimes you have no choice and its better to find a Dr you are comfortable with then risk something happening, anyways good luck and hope you get some help soon.

Lucy -Expecting a girl due date April 30,2005 supposed to be induced at 36 wks though so end of March begginning of April
Proud mommy to Sebastian Orpheus stillborn at 26 wks due to pre-eclampsia we will always love and never forget you beautiful baby boy!

[sweetiesuzy]

Welcome! I am glad that you found us. I hope your wife may be able to find some support her as well.

Yes - dealing with all of the issues is overwhelming. Since you have been through this before you know the drill. Your wife knows her body too. I would seriously speak with your provider about your concerns and voice any and all questions related to what is going on. Make a solid plan you are comfortable with and go from there.

Have you had a 24 hour urine done recently? Any blood work done or ordered? I would request those things as well. Bedrest would be a really good idea in my opinion... yet I know how difficult that can be when you have other children.

Be candid and talk to your doctor again - tomorrow! Call and be persistent. You are concerned and rightfully so.

Please continue you let us know how you are all doing.

Again welcome -
Hugs,
Suzanna

------------------------
Aaryngston ~ 3/25/95
Chloe Rose ~ 10/26/01 Stillbirth
Samuel Isaac ~ 12/30/02
Laura Elise ~ 7/19/04

"Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have
trouble remembering how to fly"
-Marion Beatty

[tommysmommy21004]

Hello!! You must be a wonderful hubby to express your concerns so well. I applaud and congratulate you on that. In my opinion, I would definitely get a second opinion because pih can be very dangerous and can lead to other complications.

Good luck and please keep us posted!!

Deanna Smith-Powers (30)

Mommy to Thomas James, b.2/10/04 @ 34 weeks due to severe pre-e and HELLP syndrome
Diagnosed with prothrombin genetic mutations-12/28/04

[hfwarner3]

I called the OB this afternoon and left a msg with the nurse explaining to her that I was confused. I told her how the doctor had hospitalized my wife last time when her BP got this high and it is happening much earlier this time. She said she would pull her chart and call me back.

Well, the OB called back and he was very apologetic. He admitted that he had been on call yesterday and that it had been a very long night. He said that he had looked over her chart and he is very concerned. Her BP was borderline high on her last visit and has been tracking just like the other pregnancies ... just much earlier.

He has ordered her to bedrest and has referred her to a Perinatologist as soon as she can get an appointment.

I guess we all have bad days and he definitely seems in the game now, so we will see how it goes.

Thanks for your kind comments and encouragement.

[sweetiesuzy]

Oh wonderful! I am so happy to see that update. Please continue to let us know how things are going. Can you monitor her bp at home?

Hugs,
Suzanna

------------------------
Aaryngston ~ 3/25/95
Chloe Rose ~ 10/26/01 Stillbirth
Samuel Isaac ~ 12/30/02
Laura Elise ~ 7/19/04

"Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have
trouble remembering how to fly"
-Marion Beatty

[hfwarner3]

quote:

---

Originally posted by sweetiesuzy

Have you had a 24 hour urine done recently? Any blood work done or ordered? I would request those things as well. Bedrest would be a really good idea in my opinion... yet I know how difficult that can be when you have other children.

---

No, he hasn't ordered any tests. It sounds like he is going to do a hand-off to the Perinatologist. Ironically, I gave my wife a gift certificate for a 4D ultrasound that is scheduled for tomorrow, so at least we will get to see our little girl and know that she is ok. She is still moving and kicking, so no serious worries yet.

It will be interesting to see the difference in care from the Perinatologist. Our OB's response has always been to put my wife in the hospital, keep her in bed until 38 weeks and then induce. He would occasionally do a urine test for protein, but not a 24 hour test.

As for the other kids, it is going to be interesting. I talked to my mother today and she is willing to help on weekends. My oldest daughter is in school, so she just needs a ride in the morning and in the afternoon. She is very helpful and could help "hold down the fort" until I get home. My 3 year old son goes to preschool Tuesdays and Thursdays for half the day, so that makes the schedule interesting. My 1 year old daughter is at home.

We have already had people from Church and our neighbors offer to bring us meals at night. That will really help. We have never had this kind of support before so while it is still going to be hard, I am starting to feel like we can make it work.

[hfwarner3]

quote:

---

Originally posted by sweetiesuzy

Can you monitor her bp at home?

---

Yes. I am an old hat at this point, so the OB has asked me to log her BP first thing in the morning and before bedtime. I took it when I got home and she was 160/88. With the exception of the 4D ultrasound, she is spending all of tomorrow either in bed or on the sofa, so we will see how that compares to tomorrow night.

[sweetiesuzy]

Oh I am so glad to read your update. It sounds like some things are really falling into place for you guys. That is wonderful. A 4-D ultrasound... how neat! You will have to tell us how it is. I never have had the opportunity to have one. As far as the home bp monitoring - glad to hear you are old hat to that. That really helps. I bet you will see some difference with a perinatologist. Let us know how it goes. I hope you are able to get an appointment soon.

It is amazing what can happen when you need it the most.

Keep us updated.

Hugs,
Suzanna

------------------------
Aaryngston ~ 3/25/95
Chloe Rose ~ 10/26/01 Stillbirth
Samuel Isaac ~ 12/30/02
Laura Elise ~ 7/19/04

"Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have
trouble remembering how to fly"
-Marion Beatty