New member with some Questions

[NickyVincent]

Hi everyone,

I'm Nicole, 22 from Australia.

I was induced for mild PE in 2011 at 40+2 and delivered a healthy 8 pound baby boy. Everything happened so quickly, I gave birth naturally only 8 hours after diagnosis.

I am almost 25 weeks pregnant with my second and have been feeling extremely unwell. I have pain in my upper back and chest which I could only describe as a dull continuous ache. I have had headaches off and on for about 4 days. This morning I felt terrible, like I was going to vomit and I was seeing spots in front of my eyes.

Considering my past, I thought it was best to go get looked over so I went to a walk in clinic, specifically to get my blood pressure checked. I waited for nearly 2 hours and felt ten times better by the time I walked into the doctors surgery. When my BP was measured it gave a reading of 142/76. Previously it has measured 120/80.

The doctor seemed concerned so checked babies HB and my FH which were fine. I have been put on bed rest and have been asked to go back in a week with a urine sample. I was a little surprised he didn't check my urine or do blood work today and is waiting until next week. Is this normal?

I am worried. I feel the same as I did the day before I was diagnosed with PE last pregnancy. I know that a typical diagnosis of PE or PIH is a BP of 140/90 or higher, on two separate occasions, 6 or more hours apart. Should I be worried though because I am only 25 weeks?

I am genuinely trying not to stress as I know its not good for my BP but it's really hard not to.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[sam10]

Hello and welcome! I am surprised also that no blood was drawn nor your urine checked. Can you call them back and ask? Or go to L&D directly if this is an option. I don't quite know how the healthcare system in Australia works. What else did the doctor say? I gather this was not your usual doctor? Your overall feeling of 'unwell' concerns me.

[NickyVincent]

Thanks for your reply

It's late at night here so unfortunately the surgery is now shut. I am contemplating going to my delivering hospital first thing in the morning, especially if I am still not well. I've had heartburn too which I've read can be associated with PE too, which I had no idea about. I wouldn't have been worried if I had just one symptom but considering I have nearly all of them I'm concerned.

I have a 15 month old toddler which makes the whole bed rest thing very difficult but we will do the best we can.

If I feel any worse than I do now when I wake up in the morning I'll be heading straight to the emergency department of my hospital.

Thanks again.

[sam10]

I'd do the same. But if you feel any worse during the night, don't wait for the morning, PE can move fast. Let us know how it goes tomorrow if you are able.

[sam10]

I have been thinking about you. How are you? Did you go to the hospital or did you see your doctor in the meantime?

[NickyVincent]

Hi!

I haven't gone to the doctor yet but I did call our healthline. I have been told that if I notice anymore swelling to go straight to hospital. I haven't so far but still feel unwell so I went to the chemist for them to check my blood pressure again and it was 138/88 and my resting heart rate was 112, which is quite high, isn't it?

I am concerned as I have been on bed rest for 2 and a half days and it doesn't seem to be helping. I really wish the doctor had just ran the tests that day and them I would not be worried so much!

Thanks for your concern, if I do feel any worse I will just go straight to the hospital this time, at least they know what they are doing!

[danielsmom]

I hate fueling your worry, but you do have some valid reasons for concern here (headaches, BP around 140/90, seeing spots, upper back/chest pain). It's frustrating, but not all healthcare providers are educated enough about pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. I too had called a nurse line when I was having the upper right quadrant pain, and they assured me it was heartburn. I'm very blessed that my son hung on long enough for the accurate diagnosis of severe pre-e & HELLP syndrome.

Ask for your urine to be tested for protein (that's half the diagnostic criteria for pre-e). Blood tests can rule out HELLP. If both those reveal no issues, maybe ask if you could have some medication to lower your BP. You don't have to have swelling to have severe pre-e, although it is common. I did not swell until after my delivery. Bedrest can help BP, but is not a cure-all for pre-eclampsia, unfortunately.

I hope you get this checked out and all is ok, at least you'll have peace of mind.

[aajatwins]

I'm wondering how you are today - any update?
Bedrest is pretty impossible with a toddler! There are only so many books and sticker books and movies before the child runs off

A HR of 112 is quite high. do you know your baseline BP (pre-pregnancy)? I would definitely suggest getting checked out further, if only for your peace of mind. Peace of mind is totally worth it, in my opinion.

[NickyVincent]

Hi girs,

Thanks for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it.

Don't feel bad for fuelling my worry, I am actually terrified because in my mind there is nothing else it could be considering my history and the way I 'feel'. Makes me feel even worse for those that have no symptoms at all!

I'm going to the doctors as soon as hubby gets home from work. Its been nearly 4 days since I first started feeling unwell and it has gotten progressively worse.

I'm going to ask that along with my blood pressure, they also check my urine and take blood if they do not do it immediately.

Unfortunately I have no idea what my pre preg resting HR is and I haven't been told what it has been while pregnant either.

Its like 18 degrees here (64 F) and I am literally sitting here sweating.

And yes my toddler is totally bored out of his mind, luckily my mother in law has been able to take some time off work to come entertain him and look after me so I've been pretty lucky.

Thanks girls youve been very knowledgeable.

[MomTimesThree]

That sounds like a great plan. Update when you can.