Excessive Swelling & Elevated BP

[m_teresa_v]

Hi,

I am 36w1d. At my checkup on Monday (35w5d), everything was fine. I am 3-4cm, 70% effaced, & baby is -2 station.

On Tuesday, I woke up w/ massive swelling in ankles, feet, calves. Swelling in face, arms, hands.

Today, I went to my ob, urine was negative, gained 5 pounds in 3 days, & bp measured (3x) @ 150/100. (Nurses checked each arm, & ob checked once).

I was sent to L&D. All blood tests & urine came back normal. Lying down, my BP was okay. I had one reading over 140/90. Most were in the 130s/80s. (My typically BP is 115-122/70s).

I have been sent home on bedrest and will see my ob on Monday.

I have an elective induction scheduled in 2 weeks at 38w1d on March 13.

Here is my question: would it be safer for me & baby to go ahead & be induced next week once I hit 37 weeks, or do I not have enough symptoms to be induced then?

After doing some reading this afternoon, my husband & I are getting the impression that it would be safer to have the baby since she would be full term rather than run the risk of waiting another week and this turning into preeclampsia.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Teresa

[expert on call]

You are certainly developing preeclampsia. It could become serious. It is hard to predict when that could happen. It is also hard to make specific recommendations about the timing of induction.

You and your husband are asking the right questions. Babies born at 37 weeks can have some problems; you could also become ill yourself. It is very reasonable to have this discussion with your doctor.

Expert on Call

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