today's appointment, bad news

I have developed pre-eclampsia since last friday. At my appointment today I had protein in my urine, my bp was 168/90, and I gained 6 pounds in one week due to swelling. I'm also now dilated to 3 cm. AND MY DOCTOR STILL WON'T INDUCE or even schedule an induction!!! I couldn't decide if I should even ask for induction, and when I did they told me no! Ugh can you believe it?!? After the protein/high blood pressure/weight gain was discovered they sent me straight for a BPP. The babies are still doing great, they are still gaining weight like singletons and are up to 6 pounds 3 ounces and 6 pounds 8 ounces, and both got 8/8. So I guess after seeing the BPP it was decided that it's better to keep them in than to chance being born too early. So the doctor told me to come back in one week and then we'll schedule an induction for the following week, so for the week of Halloween.

Do you think this sounds right? It just seems like the babies would be okay to be born now, they were both breathing during the entire u/s....but then on the other hand I guess the doctor has to make sure she's taken every precaution to be sure they are going to be okay when they are born and that's why she's letting me go home with pre-e?

I should mention that they took my bp 3 times, and the 3rd time they had me lie on my left side for a few minutes before taking it, and when lying on my left side it was normal.....so they told me to just lie on my side as much as I can, stop working, stay off my feet and just try to make it 1 more week. So does that mean it's only slight pre-e? How will I know if it gets any worse?

Also, I asked about diet for this next week and was told that it doesn't matter what I eat, it won't affect the pre-e. The only suggestion I got is to try drinking water with lemon in it. So my salt intake doesn't affect the pre-e?

 

I wonder why he won't deliver you now - you've safely made it to 36 weeks. I started showing signs of pre-e right around 33 weeks and by 34w, I was in bad shape - super high bp (high for me), extreme swelling, and on top of that, my liver function tests suggested my liver could be failing. My peri didn't hesitate - he sent me straight to the hospital for an induction. i delivered by c-section the next day. Pre-e, if left unchecked, can escalate suddenly, unpredictably, and into much more serious conditions so i would not let this sit. give it some thought, and maybe do a search for pre-e on here b/c a lot has been written about other women's experiences, but perhaps you should just take yourself on over to L&D and let someone there give you another opinion.

 

I dealt with that as well, except that one doctor wanted to induce, sent me to the hospital, then the doctor on call said my labs weren't bad enough to induce and sent me home (I was 37 weeks 3 days at the time). 2 days later I saw my doctor again who sent me back to the hospital, her words "you are a ticking time bomb, it's better to deliver now before it gets worse". So the long of the short of it is that different doctors have different opinions. Did they run any bloodwork on you, if not I would ask for it, if there are changes in your liver function it means the pre-e is bad and you need to be induced, if they are normal, then you may still be okay.

Just keep a very close eye on it and if you start having any acute symptoms, sudden swelling in the face or seeing spots, go right to l & d.

Good luck!

 

QUOTE
Just keep a very close eye on it and if you start having any acute symptoms, sudden swelling in the face or seeing spots, go right to l & d.


They told me the same thing about seeing spots today.....what does that mean, like what kind of spots would I see? Is it like when you get up too fast, those kind of spots? Because I have had that slightly and I told them that today, and a lot of the time I feel like my cheeks are red because the blood flow to my face is weird, like my face feels hot.

 

Ok heres the nitty gritty on preeclampsia, it can be very scary and can go from bad to worse quicker than you would think.
For the most part your bp will be labile, meaning up and down in the beginning, evenutally it can just go high and stay high. Laying on your left side helps to reduce bp and increase blood flow to the placenta. You need to take your bp 2-3 times a day at the same time and record them. If your bp goes above 140/90, I suggest you go to L&D to get checked out. Have you done a 24 hour urine? This is the ONLY way to accuratly know just how much protein you are spilling. You also need labs run every few days to see how your liver and kidneys are functioning. Pre-e can shut down your organs, its not a good thing to have. I have been there twice, my son delivered at 27+4 and the twins at 32+3.
You should go to www.preeclampsia.org and look up the signs and symptoms page, there is also a forum there for questions as well.
You really need to watch for swelling increased in face and hands, any visual disturbances (anythign that looks different than normal), high bps or even just feeling off. Liek I said before it can go from ok-bad-worse faster than most doctors are willing to accept. Unfortunatly carrying twins increases your risk for pre-e, even if you have had good pregnancies or normal bp your whole life. Pre-e is also something that can happen up to 6 weeks post partum, which most people dont realize, even if you DONT have pre-e in pregnancy, it can still come on.
There is really nothing much you can do but be stern with your doctor, labs, 24 hour urine, and left-side bedrest...the diet myths out there are just that, myths.
Oh adn I should mention, if you do get visual disturbances you need to check your bp and go to L&D, the reason we get vision changes is normally due to swelling around the brain. Pre-e (though it doesnt happen to everyone) can go to eclampsia, which means pre-e plus siezures.
I will keep you all in prayer...please if you feel off, go to L&D

 

QUOTE
You should go to www.preeclampsia.org and look up the signs and symptoms page, there is also a forum there for questions as well.


I agree with Cassie; she referred me to this site when I developed early symptoms of pre-e and I'm glad. I tend to downplay everything; I don't like to complain to my doctors, family etc. I think without resources like this I would not have been paying as close of attention. I'm glad I did!

Take care of yourself, STOP WORKING and pay attention to your body. :hug99:

 

I am so glad your babies are doing so well!!

My pelvis seperated at 36w1D and my maternal fetal med specialist delivered me that day. he said that what they would gain from being in a bit longer was negligable once past 36 weeks and it just wasn't worth it.

Is there anyone else you can consult?

Cassie, GREAT Info!! You rock!

 

QUOTE(PgTimesTwo @ Oct 19 2007, 08:48 PM) [snapback]458454[/snapback]
Also, I asked about diet for this next week and was told that it doesn't matter what I eat, it won't affect the pre-e. The only suggestion I got is to try drinking water with lemon in it. So my salt intake doesn't affect the pre-e?


I had pre-e and was on hospital bedrest before the boys were delivered early. But from what I learned salt will not affect your BP because your hbp is not caused by diet it is caused by the pregnancy. So FWIW when I was in the hospital I had no restrictions on my diet.

 

QUOTE(PgTimesTwo @ Oct 19 2007, 05:10 PM) [snapback]458496[/snapback]
They told me the same thing about seeing spots today.....what does that mean, like what kind of spots would I see? Is it like when you get up too fast, those kind of spots? Because I have had that slightly and I told them that today, and a lot of the time I feel like my cheeks are red because the blood flow to my face is weird, like my face feels hot.



Like floaters - yes, something like the spots you get when you stand up too fast. Another symptom (one that I finally developed) is a headache that won't go away with Tylenol - it may not be a migraine-strength headache, but it can be just a small one. Have you had that? Even if not, I really have to agree strongly with pp who suggested you go to L&D to get checked out.

 

Aimee,

Follow your instinct and don't be afraid to question your drs. Go to L&D as many times as it takes if you need to. I would say that at 36 weeks you have an excellent chance of your babies being just fine. I delivered just past 35 weeks with no issues. I think Cassie gave you some great advice. Pre-e can be dangerous! Please keep me posted on how you are doing.

 

I blame my mommy brain for fogetting the headache :blush: , this was a big one for me, if it is not relieved by tylonel you need to get seen. Also there is upper right quadrant pain (pain under your right breast), this can be your liver failing so anotehr reason to be on top of things...that was actually my first symptom with my son and last symptom with my twins. So you dont have to go searching around PF (preeclampsia foundation) here is a link to their signs and symptoms page.
http://www.preeclampsia.org/symptoms.asp

These are the symptoms, that link will describe each symptom and just what to watch for. You will notice that the first symptom is "none"...you would be surprised how many people never realize they are sick.

Signs and Symptoms

None
Hypertension
Swelling or Edema
Proteinuria
Sudden Weight Gain
Headache
Nausea or Vomiting
Changes in Vision
Racing pulse, mental confusion, heightened anxiety, trouble catching your breath
Stomach or Right Shoulder Pain
Lower back pain
Hyperreflexia

 

I am very surpised they didn't induce you. Scoring an 8/8 is perfect, their weights are great. Def keep an eye on all the signs...When I went in and my bp was 180/120 they induced right away (I also had protein in my urine). I had been having BIG time pains in my upper right quadrant for over a week ( I would lay in bed crying for hours bc it hurt) but just thought it was preg problems. I never got the headaches or anything like that. Watch your bp and take care!

 

QUOTE(FirstTimeMom814 @ Oct 20 2007, 10:42 AM) [snapback]459306[/snapback]
Aimee,

Follow your instinct and don't be afraid to question your drs. Go to L&D as many times as it takes if you need to. I would say that at 36 weeks you have an excellent chance of your babies being just fine. I delivered just past 35 weeks with no issues. I think Cassie gave you some great advice. Pre-e can be dangerous! Please keep me posted on how you are doing.



I'm still hanging in, I'm the same as Sara, I hate to bother the doctor when probably nothing is wrong. My mom is a RN and brought home a blood pressure cuff this weekend and I've been staying there with her, taking my blood pressure a few times a day. Just trying to hang in until Friday and hopefully they'll induce me that day. I haven't been having any symptoms this weekend and my bp has been normal all weekend. I would really like to make it to Friday!

 

Sorry you are having to deal with that, must be scary. Hope everything goes smoothly for you. Take care.

 

I was diagnosed with preeclampsia at the end of my 35th week. My OB sent me to L&D and I thought for sure that I was going to deliver that day, but I was wrong. I was sent to a peri who thought we should try to make it to 37 weeks before delivering. So, I was put on bedrest and had OB appointments every other day. I scheduled a c-section for 37w2d. As long as I was laying down, my blood pressure was okay, but any activity and it would jump up again. Luckily, I made it to my scheduled c-section and my babies were delivered perfectly healthy and came home with me 2 days later. Hang in there! You will have your babies very soon!

Sandy

 

sounds like got some great advice prayers for a heallthy delivery hopefully friday!

 

Oh no! I am also very suprised they won't induce you, you don't want to fool around with pre-eclampsia. Cassie gave you good advice. Keep a close eye on it! And don't hesitate to go to the emergency room if needed.

 

Cassie/or anyone else that had the upper right quadrant pain-
I have been reading through these posts and the pain in the upper right quadrant has me a little concerned-at every appointment my blood pressure has been great, and negative on protien in my urine, however, I have a constant pain under my right breast but I always thought it was rib pain...how would I know for sure what is causing that pain? Would other things show up in testst that would tell me it is my liver? My next appt. is November 1st, would it be okay if I wait until then to bring this up?