Pre-eclampsia anyone else got it?

[MonMic]

Hi,

I am 38 wks now and yesterday at my check-up my Dr found I am getting pre-eclampsia.

This is my 2nd baby, my first was fine until labour when my Blood presure went through the roof. I thought that was just from the labour but now they think I had it then too.

Anyone else got it? had it?
How did you feel?

I look back at the last couple of weeks now and realise alot of things I have been feeling that I shrugged of at the time as usual pregnancy things, are symptoms of pre-eclampsia.

As I am so close to the end anyway, it doesn't make alot of difference if they decide to induce , although the Dr has said the baby is small and I am concerned he is suffering. Everything else has been so good it is easy to assume that everything will continue that way all the way through, and its a bit of a shock when this pops up.

Its only very mild and the Dr doesn't want to see me again till next week but I want to know if my bubs is Ok and just get it over with!

Anyone else feel like this?

Also how have people gone when having more babies after this? It seems to have come on earlier this time so what does that mean if I have more bubs?

thanks
Monica

[Donna]

Hi Monica

Like you, I was fine in my first pregnancy until labour and then had problems. But with my second (he is now 18 months old), I had mild blood pressure problems even earlier on. Then, when I got to about 34 weeks, it got quite bad and I was having blood tests etc twice a week and had to rest and keep my legs slightly elevated. I had 2 times where I had to be assessed in hospital, but they only kept me and monitored me for a few hours, before I could go home.

Then, when I got to 36 weeks and 6 days, they decided to induce me. My little man was fine, quite small, only 2570 grams, but healthy. They had to keep him in neo-natal the first night to keep him warm, but apart from this, he was fine !!!!!! Don't worry too much if it is only mild, and your bub will be fine. Just take it easy and try not to do too much to elevate it. On your next check-up they will assess you, but even at 38 weeks, if they decide to induce, bubs would be fine. I was worried at 36/6, but he was ok !!!!

Let me know how you get on ... Good Luck !!!!!!!!

Donna.

[Elfin]

I had bad pre eclampsia with my first child but didn't get it in subsequent pregnancies although I was closely monitored as by bp was a bit high for about the first 20 weeks. I was really swollen especially around the ankles and once I had a strange vision of shooting stars. I shrugged all this off. I was hospitalised at 35 weeks and had a c-section. I didn't feel sick at all but it got worse very quickly. My son was small and spent a couple of days in special care. He is absolutely perfect no long term implications. PE babies are small because blood is restricted to the placenta. The way to cure PE is to have the baby although medication is sometimes used.

If you get any symptoms like headaches, strange visions, pain near the liver, or if you swell up more go to your doctor straight away even before your next appointment as PE can get worse very quickly. I don't want to cause you any alarm but it is something that can't be messed with. I feel if my GP had of acted quicker I might have been able to avoid a premmie and c-section. Try to rest as much as possible as this can help.

Good luck and hope it all works out well for you.