I am currently 17 weeks pregnant with twins...I had a doctors appointment on Monday and I brought up the topic of toxemia. My doc told me he's pretty sure I'm going to get it because for 1 it's my first pregnancy, 2 I'm having twins and 3 I'm already showing protein in my urine, but my blood pressure has been perfect. I was sent to a kidney specialist and they can't find anything wrong with me...she said this could be due to the pregnancy. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how far were you and what did your doc do??? I love my doctor and I like the fact that he's overly causious, but he's tarting to make me a little nervous. Any advice is appreciated...I need to put my mind at some ease so I can enjoy this pregnancy
My pre-eclampsia happened at 32 weeks. I delivered 2 days after they discovered it. If your doctor is suspecting this.... he'll keep a very close eye on you. There is a great pre-eclampsia website and message board at: Preeclampsia Website
Since your alreayd showing protein your doc will take extra care no doubt. I was admitted at 35 weeks even, and delivered 35 weeks 2 days due to this. I was swollen like a balloon and BP was stroke level.
I started showing signs at 31 weeks maybe soon I cant remember for sure. I was doing every other day urine collections and my Dr was keepinga good eye on me. My last visit I gained 8 pounds in 3 days, I had a headache for those 3 days, and my BP was 200/120?. As soon as he saw the numbers I was rushed to sign the papers for my c/s. Its good that your dr is keeping a good eye on you it can come on suddenly.
My BP didn't really start going up until around 34 weeks, at that point it wasn't sky high but a little worrisome. I was on home uterine monitoring & they make you check your BP so you can give it to the nurse when they call and at 36 weeks, it just went way too high. I went in right away because of the BP and it wasn't until then that there showed protein in my urine. I was induced the next morning. Like the PP have said, your doc should be keeping a very close eye on you because you're already showing signs.
I have a question about pre-eclampsia: I was just at the hospital yesterday for a scheduled NST. I have the weekly now. I noticed that my blood pressure had gone up...132/70..something like that. They weren't concerned as it was under 140/90. Well, I went in for my level II ultrasound today (they do them weekly due to low normal amnio fluid on the little boy twin) and the little girl twin did not practice breathing enough so they sent me back to the hospital for another NST. They did the NST and the littles ones heartbeats were "beautiful"...that was what the doctor said. That made me feel so much better. Then...they took my BP and it was 142/72. They decided to run some labs as it was a bit elevated. I have not had any symptoms of HELLP or whatever that is called. My feet are swollen but that has seemed normal to the doctors. Anyway..the doctor called me back and said that my labs came back abnormal and that my platelets are a bit low. The want me to go back to the hospital tomorrow for another NST, BP and lab work. Anyone dealt with this and not had to deliver right away?? Is there medication I can take to hold out for awhile? I am currently at 34 weeks. Any information would be great. I am feeling really nervous about the whole thing and I bet it's affecting my BP. That is a vicious cycle. Take care...
Definitely something you should discuss with your doc but I know there are meds to control the blood pressure portion. I'm not 100% sure but I think it's when you are exhibiting all of the main signs (high BP, protein in urine & severe pitting edema) that they start to seriously worry about everyones health, enough to say let's get the babies out of mama.
I was really hoping to at least go on hospital bedrest when my BP started to rise - but, my doctors knew it was time to get the babies out of there. I don't know if there is any medicine to help control preeclampsia.
I'm having the same thing now I too am 17 weeks with twins but my Dr won't listen to me I have all the symptoms of preclamsia but they just have never done a urine test...they keep telling me I'm fine.
For me, the swelling with PE was much more than normal pregnancy swelling. We are talking "sta puft marshmallow" swelling for those who remember ghostbusters. Pitting edema all the way up my legs, stomach, abdomen, and chest. Increased swelling in my arms and face, as well. I went for an U/S around 33 weeks and the nurse who was in the room called my Dr because of the indentations being left by the U/S equipment. If you are concerned about pre e, demand a 24 hour urine test. Even a baseline test will give your medical team something to go by if things change later.
Thank You everyone for your advice...ya'll are putting me at ease. My doc was starting to stress me out because I'm only 17 weeks and he was making it sound like I'm going to be in the hospital at 24 weeks and that it's going to be the worst thing ever. The only symptom I have of Toxemia is the protein...I'm glad he's going to be watching my closely, but at the same time you don't tell a pregnant woman that she's going to get something so serious when you can't predict it!!!
