Can you AVOID pre-eclampsia?

[MilkOnTap]

... or is it one of those things where if it is going to develop there is nothing you can do about it?

2 weeks ago I had high levels of protein in my urine and border-line/high bp. I was sent home and told 2 days later after another checkup that everything was okay. Today I had another obs appointment and had protein in my urine again. I have had swelling of my feet, hands and face; I'm seeing stars quite often but no headaches or dizziness.

My obs is keeping an eye on me; but is there anything I can do to avoid it?

ETA - Today at my obs appointment my bp was border-line/high again.

[bigglet]

I believe giving birth is the only sure cure.

My SIL had pre-eclempsia with all her kids and they were all prem because of it - I think your OB will just be keeping a firm eye on your progess.

All the best anyhow.....

[Ashleigh<3]

I'm pretty sure it is un-preventable.

It's a disorder of the placenta, I remember being told that it was a serious disease but you have to be very sure of it. Everything you read about it just says to be sure to make every single antenetal apptmnt so you can be checked on, the protein in your urine and high blood pressure needs to be checked regularely.

The dizziness is what worries me, do you also get severe headaches or sharp pain in the ribs?
These are the symptoms of which pre-eclampsia are advancing.

It's more common in first pregnancies, with diabetics and for some reason african decendants. No idea why but the facts state so.

Keep your OB's number nearby just incase these symptoms worsen.

Those symptoms are telling you something. :hugs:



(I was pretty eye-to-book all throughout my pregnancy so I read a lot about it).

[Merlion]

I am on hubbie's computer right this moment but if you PM me your email address I can send you some information I was sent via email by a friend who has researched pre-eclampsia and wrote an article regarding it and how to avoid it. I had pre-eclampsia with Jess and didn't have it with Daniel.

[Ashleigh<3]

by a friend who has researched pre-eclampsia and wrote an article regarding it and how to avoid it. I had pre-eclampsia with Jess and didn't have it with Daniel.

I'd love to know how you avoid it... Could you pm me too please?:o

[madreader]

Just wondering if you could pm with the info as i had very high bp with my lasy pregnancy and i would like to have another child buti dont want to risk getting high bp etc again.

[Claire-Bear]

Pre-eclampsia is most often cause by oxidising stress. So prenatal health is really important to avoid it. So foods high in anti-oxidants, organic supplements and avoiding things like trans-fats, artificial sweetners and other nasties full of free radicals. There is some great research out there by Dr Michel Odent. If you google it you will probably come up with heaps of great tips.

[viperpt]

Giving birth is the only cure.. I read that it had something to do with the placenta not attaching correctly or the baby laying on blood vessels..

Try and lay on your left side as much as possible as the baby will not be squashing any vessels.(if the bubs squashes vessles it makes it harder for the blood to pump around your system making your blood pressure go up)

Drink plenty of water as water carries oxygen which will help with the dizziness etc.

rest as much as possible dont do anything at all except be a lady of luxury,..

[OneBabyBoy]

Hi Pink Lady
I had pre-eclampsia and in my opinion if you are seeing stars you should go straight to the hospital. I was always told this. I was hospitalised for a few weeks and anytime I saw stars my baby and I were monitored especially closely. By the time it gets to that your blood pressure is already dangerously high. Same with the headaches.
The problem with pre-eclampsia is that generally you feel perfectly fine (that was what was so frustrating about being stuck in hospital) so you really have to take notice of the symptoms you get.
Good luck with everything :hugs:

[MrsDribbleDrawers]

.

The dizziness is what worries me, do you also get severe headaches or sharp pain in the ribs?
These are the symptoms of which pre-eclampsia are advancing.

It's more common in first pregnancies, with diabetics and for some reason african decendants. No idea why but the facts state so.




Also common with a new partner - it's just like a first pregnancy again!

Having just gone through an induction because of being "on the verge" of pre-eclampsia, and knowing how much they kept checking about spots in front of the eyes, headaches, etc - go to the hospital, straight away!! You really don't won't to risk anything going wrong!

That said, if it's caught early enough, it's no problem. My BP is still high, and I was monitored for a week after birth (and felt like a pin cushion from the constant blood tests!), but my daughter is beautiful!

Good luck.

[MilkOnTap]

Thanks for all the info ladies! My next appointment is on Tuesday so here is hoping for a good result.

I'm still seeing the flashing lights - but no headaches. This morning while I was in the shower I had a lot of light flashes and crazy heart palpitations but it seems to have passed now. I have no idea what is going on :confused:

[stellarella]

There are certain things you can do to lower your chances of getting it and also minimise it I would imagine.

Healthy weight gain, eating well, exercising, relaxation etc are all going to be of benefit.

[Elfin]

PL I don't want to frighten you but it may be a good idea to ring the hospital now and talk to someone there as they may want you to come in a be checked out especially if you are seeing stars and having palpatations.

I think you should ask for some medical advice before Tuesday as PE can accelerate very quickly. I am talking from experience and mine did accelerate very fast and I felt fine even though my PE was starting to get bad.

Again I don't mean to frighten you but PE is something not to be trifled with:hugs:

[MilkOnTap]

PL I don't want to frighten you but it may be a good idea to ring the hospital now and talk to someone there as they may want you to come in a be checked out especially if you are seeing stars and having palpatations.

They know that I'm seeing stars and having palpitations already though. I've had this on and off for the past 4 or 5 weeks and spent 1 night in hospy cause of it already.

I thought about calling this morning but figured that they wouldn't be able to do anything - since they couldn't last time.

Should I call anyway?

[Elfin]

Do you have any swelling PL?

[MilkOnTap]

Do you have any swelling PL?

Yep - my ankles, hands and a little bit in my face. But again its been like this for quite a while now...

Hmmm - maybe I should call?

[Elfin]

Ally because I am cautious by nature, it wouldn't hurt to give them a call just see what they say.

[MilkOnTap]

Yeah your right... *sigh* I am normally much the same - but I just know that if I go in then I'll be there all night and then they'll just send me home tomorrow cause they cant 'find anything.'

Though last week I did have higher than normal levels of protein in my urine again (second time this has happened).

Alright, Alright - I'll call them... But if I have to stay o'night its your fault!!! :p

[Elfin]

Oh PL, I don't want to cause you any worry, it is just because I care:yes:

I thought they could give you medication to lower your BP to prevent the PE getting worse.

I hope all is fine, but it is always worth getting it checked. Sorry I am so anal:p

[MilkOnTap]

Oh PL, I don't want to cause you any worry, it is just because I care

I know, I know... I'm just teasing.

Okay I just called the hospital and I'm going in - and she told me to pack my bag for the night too :rolleyes:

So I'll chat to you all tomorrow.

Good Night! :wave:

[Elfin]

Take care Ally, don't hate me too much but you are doing the right thing. You have to take care of yourself and your precious bundle:hugs:

[lavenderpegasus]

Pink lady, how often are you going to th ob?? Are you on a fortnighly visit??

[Ashleigh<3]

Keep us updated, hoping everything is okay!:hugs:

[MilkOnTap]

Okay - I'm home sweet home and everything is A-OK. Blood tests, ECG, two BP checks and a visual check and apparantly I'm fine and healthy.

Which is definitely a good thing :yes:

[Melo]

Thats good to hear Ally :)

[reAllytee]

Glad to hear all is ok hun !

Better to be safe :hugs:

Got yourself a precious bundle there you need to stop stressing us surrogate mums here on BH out so much :p ;)

[Elfin]

That is great news, I think you did the right thing to get checked out. Try to get plenty of rest, sorry mother hen here:o

[DMC]

:hugs: Wishing you all the best hope you are feeling heaps better - take very good care of your lovely self and go to straight to the doctors/hospital if you have any recurrence of any symptomns - I had severe pre-eclamsia and my little boy was delivered at 26 weeks it crept up on me really quickly and I didnt realise how serious and how quickly it can happen - not that I want to scare you - just want to make sure that you and your beautiful baby are okay
Wishing you well

[Julie Doula]

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/pih.html

This link has some useful articles and research on what causes PIH and tips for what might prevent it. In USA they call Pre-Eclampsia "Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension" or PIH.

Basically they list possible causes:

- gum disease
- placental problems
- stress
- magnesium deficiency
- genetics

And ways to treat & avoid it:

- exercise
- sex (semen)
- herbs - Uva Ursi, Passionflower, Garlic capsules, Evening Primrose Oil, Fish Oil; Skullcap, Hawthorn Berries, dandelion, nettle tea, raspberry leaf tea
- diet - increase protein and calcium, magnesium and potassium; grape seed extract, bananas and yellow cucumbers (potassium); Vitamins C, E and A, B group vitamins, parsley, garlic, raw beet juice (calcium)
- immersion in warm water
- drink lots more water
- baths in Epsom salts (for the magnesium)

As with anything, check out the facts carefully yourself and check with your careprovider.

Glad you are OK Ally and hope you are still going strong.:hugs: