Were you told about pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy?

[the_queen]

Were you told about pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy?

I was just watching the BB07 eviction - Kate got evicted and when discussing the fact that she lost a baby because of PE, she said a few times that "nobody is told about Pre-Eclampsia" and "the doctors don't want to worry the pregnant women" etc...

I think she's wrong, I would think that PE is a condition that most pregnant women are definitely aware of, and that doctors and midwives are vigilant in educating women about the warning signs.

[TwoBlue]

I was thinking the same thing Queenie

I was most definately told about PE and what symptoms to look out for...

I think its very sad what happened to her and obviously something went wrong with her care

Curious to see the general response

[Mrs AJC]

Nope, Ds is 17 mths and am pg with #2 at 21 weeks and still don't know anything about it. Have heard the term but that's about it. Considering I went private with DS one would expect that if it was something to look out for my ob would have said something. But then again, my ob turned out to be a D*&K.

[~mia&ryan~]

Yes I was given lots of information and PE and loads of other things than can effect the health and well being of both mum and bubs... I guess some people dont have a good dr/ob/gp or whatever that will sit down and talk with them...

Mind you having said that I think I first read about it in a pregnancy magazine, so I guess the information is there if you look for it...

[tyler's mum]

Nope i was never told and still dont really know much about it:confused:

[Percy]

I already knew about Pre-eclampsia as our family has a rather heartbreaking history with it. It was one of the first things that i asked about at my booking in appointment.

I was induced at 39 weeks because of it, and they talked me through every step of it. I was aware what was going on and the nurses were very reassuring.

It was also covered in our ante-natal classes.:yes:

[~rambox~]

My OB told us absolutly every kind of thing that you could possibly get :D

[Seekrit]

I can't remember where I knew about them, but I did know before getting pregnant that I had to watch my BP, and I'm sure my doctor mentioned stuff about it.

Then there was my high BP + protien trace in Urine that had my heart a flutter at one stage.. and when that happened the midwife sat me down and explained why it could be a worry and what the probable courses are.

However, it may be that I just read about it. I do like to read about things. :p

[OJandMe]

Not a word until I got it.:no:

[Herchy]

I dont know a great deal....
Swelling of the ankles wrists and face, High BP......
What are the symptoms to look for??

[Funkychicken]

When I was pregnant for the first time, I was reading everything I could get my hands on in the way of pregnancy related material and it was discussed in everything from the usual pregnancy books to the mainstream pregnancy magazines. I couldn't have not known. When, at 37 weeks I started showing signs of it, I searched out as much info as I could. I had no internet then, it was all written material. So, when at 39 weeks I had to be induced, I was comfortable knowing I had researched as much as I possibly could prior.

[luckymama]

isnt this why you have your regular hosp app, so things like this can be picked up?

ETA:
I know about it from reading different books

[Lirael]

yes I was told both times, and read about it too, but not alot about the risks. I did not know baby/mother could die from PE i thought you had to get eclampsia.
still dont get why they are saying M/C :confused: anyhoo, I didnt watch the eviction.

[MummyCharmzy]

I voted no I was not told... that is until I was 30.5 weeks and went for routine check, was diagnosed on the spot and delivered DS 9 weeks early only 3 days later! Until that day of my check I had NEVER heard of it!!!

Obv second and third pregnancys I knew basically everything about it, thankgod... I truly believe Isobella and I would not have made it through had I not known what was wrong when I woke up at 35 weeks with 'THAT' migraine. Rushed to hospital, took hours to stabilize and then emerg csect again... I really dread to think what could have been if I did not know!

[Seekrit]

PE turns into the fatal condition of Eclampsia, Em.. Pre-E is the more common name for the whole condition which is probably why that's what's being used.
She would've had Pre-E in order to have E.

THey're sayingf miscarriage because they're illinformed and ignorant.

[~mia&ryan~]

yes I was told both times, and read about it too, but not alot about the risks. I did not know baby/mother could die from PE i thought you had to get eclampsia.
still dont get why they are saying M/C :confused: anyhoo, I didnt watch the eviction.
Perhaps people find it easier to say m/c rather than stillbirth, some people find it more confronting... Nevertheless they should use the correct terminology..

[kamaraj]

i was never told about it till i got it with my first son. I was told though that there was no danger to my baby only to me, and had to be induced as it was getting so bad. I had signs of it in the following pregnancies and was still told the same that my babies where in no danger at all, only me.

[JorBai]

I felt so sad hearing her story, its heartbreaking.

I was made aware of it in my first pregnancy but still dont know a great deal about it.

This time the Dr hasnt even mentioned it to me:no:

Im just about to go do some reading on it now.

[Elfin]

No I wasn't told about PE:no: I was doing share care at the time and I was never told the symptoms to look for and I believe that my doctor didn't act quickly enough when I started to get it. Although my son was premature we both got through it ok luckily.

I think I may of come across in a book at some stage but it was called toxemia then so I was bit confused and really didn't worry about. I look back and can't believe how ignorant I was.

[Lirael]

thanks seek :)

[cheezelkat]

I was aware what to look out for and when to seek help. And all the routine blood pressure testings, checking for swelling and pee in a cup things every week by my GP at the end of the pregnancy meant they were always looking out for it - not something they just rely on the mother to pick up.

[Faeml]

I knew that part of the standard checks and monitoring that they were doing with me were for blood pressure (mine was higher than normal while I was pregnant), protein in urine, swelling in the hands and feet etc etc, but no one actually told me that it was for PE.

I learned more about it afterwards, and I'm a lot better informed this time around.

[Jbelle]

Were you told about pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy?

I was just watching the BB07 eviction - Kate got evicted and when discussing the fact that she lost a baby because of PE, she said a few times that "nobody is told about Pre-Eclampsia" and "the doctors don't want to worry the pregnant women" etc...

I think she's wrong, I would think that PE is a condition that most pregnant women are definitely aware of, and that doctors and midwives are vigilant in educating women about the warning signs.


Yeah, I saw this on TV too- and I said the exact same thing to my DP! I think that most pregnant women would know about it. I did heaps of reading and research about pregnancy when I was pregnant and that is how I found out about it.- Not so much from the hospital though, just through my own research.

So I think the women who bother to read about pregnancy and do research, they would know about it:yes:

[elissas]

We were definitely informed about it, what to look for etc. But there was no fear-mongering as we went through a fantastic birth centre.

I was watching BB and when I heard Kate say that I cringed. That was a gross generalisation and completely uncalled for. There may be some cases where people aren't informed, some where they are, and then some where they are but people just don't really listen properly.

[MummyCharmzy]

So I think the women who bother to read about pregnancy and do research, they would know about it:yes:

I read A LOT all through my pregnancy, being so young (16) I really wanted to be as best prepared as I could be... I still didn't know anything about it until I was diagnosed with it! so far 40% of us were not told about it!

[Ekoorb]

I voted no, I was never informed about it when I was pregnant. I still dont know a great deal about it.

[chellegoth]

No, I wasn't told anything about it. But I already knew what it was. I was a bit concerned as my blood pressure went up a lot higher than usual and had a lot of swelling. They didn't seem to be concerned but they didn't ask what my normal blood pressure was.

[Herchy]

I read A LOT all through my pregnancy, being so young (16) I really wanted to be as best prepared as I could be... I still didn't know anything about it until I was diagnosed with it! so far 40% of us were not told about it!


I agree!!! I have HEAPS of books, and they really only touch on PE....maybe a half page is the most extensive.

I only know that I get my BP checked and swelling etc at my AN appts, for PE because this is what the books have told me...
I dont know much more, and noone really goes into it at the hosp:(

[SassyMummy]

I chose YES, I was during my pregnancy...

HOWEVER, that's only because they kept thinking I had it. I had high blood pressure, and near the end, they freaked out and kept on sending me to hospital to be tested for it. I never had it, thank god, but I think it's the only reason I was ever told about.

[missie_mack]

I dont know a great deal....Swelling of the ankles wrists and face, High BP...... What are the symptoms to look for??

High BP and Protein in the urine are the biggest issues as most people get swelling- but in PE the swelling is generally worse. Have a look on the foundation website (http://www.preeclampsia.org/about.asp) for some more info. We are so lucky these days as it use to kill many more people than it does today....

[TwoWiseGals]

Yep definitely was.... was quizzed at each and every visit re: signs and symptoms too....

I already knew a fair deal about it as my mum was quite ill with it when she had me.....

I do believe that it is important for care providers to load us up with this info, but (and please don't take this the wrong way or shoot me down) I think there comes a point where women need to take responsibility for their bodies and their unborn child and seek as much information about pregnancy, birth and parenting in order to make informed decisions rather than plead ignorance....

I felt that my care providers where fairly supportive in this respect.... I also attended antenatal classes, along with my own research, in order to educate myself....

[OneBabyBoy]

I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at about 33 weeks and spent a few weeks in hospital being monitored every 4 hours. And my baby on a CTG machine every day. By the end of all the blood tests I felt liek a pincushion.
So to answer your question, yes I was aware of it during my pregnancy.

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

I wasn't told anything about it when i was pregnant with dd and i ended up with it i went into hospital with symptoms and they said i had it i was admitted to hospital for a few days to get it under control.

[Niki]

i wasnt told about it even when i had high blood pressure, bad headaches and lots of swelling. I read alot about pregnancies thou to make sure i knew as much as possible so thats the only way i found out

[mum2my4]

I was told about it and also read about it in my pregnancy books and magazines.

[shed]

I was told nothing. But to be fair we did wag most of the antenatal classes at the hospital.

I DID do my own research though, so I was informed about it but I still voted no because none of the staff told me about it specifically.

[GraceUnhearing]

i was told alot about it and the symptoms and if anything like that happens goes straight to the hospital

not to mention every visit they took my blood pressure!

[Emily 85]

I knew about it as i got tested early ( 20 weeks) after seizures even though i had told them i had epilepsy:banghead: but they didnt explain much about it just that i got tested and i dont have it ... so if you ask me about it i wouldnt have a clue on details

[lotti]

Every visit (which were fortnightly, then weekly in the last tri) they checked blood pressure, protein in the urine and asked how I was feeling etc.
Yes I was told about.

[MummyCharmzy]

Someone just mentioned ante-natal classes... antenatals for me were run over 4 weeks... week 1 was an introduction to it and get to know everyone..... that was great but learnt nothing..... by week 2 I had delivered my baby and went down with pics for 'show and tell' about pre-eclampsia first hand.

[Malibu]

I think Kate is right here.:yes:

I wasn't told in depth what it was or what could happen if you did get it.:no:

I never had high blood pressure.

I did know that high blood pressure wasn't at all good during pregnancy but I didn't realise how serious it could be.

I still don't really know exactly what happens to possibly make you lose your baby or your own life.

[squidge]

No have not heard about it. I just googled it and apparently it effects 10% of pregnant women.

[GraceUnhearing]

i cant believe how many woman werent told about it!
it think thats terrible!

did everyone have their blood pressure taken during antenatal visit?
if so didnt you ask why they were doing it?

i always asked what was going on!

[mum2L]

I picked 2 options - having been made aware of it and knowing about it before I got pregnant!

My midwife told me about it and made sure I wasn't suffering from any symptoms every time I went for my visits.

I also knew about pre-eclampsia before I got pregnant having had friends with it and I also read up on information while I was pregnant.

:)

[tybella]

The doc neve r talked to me about it, but I knew about it because I did alot of research into pregnancy, plus I am a RN, so I knew what to look out for.

[Melo]

I wasnt told about it :no:. Read about it a bit though!

[spoon]

Nope and i have had three pregnancies. they have mentioned i have a higher risk with twins but not indepth info.

[hippee]

Nope for me too. I asked what they were testing me for and looking for during my pregnancy and PE was mentioned but then waved away..."don't worry you don't have it" ...well ok then...:detective:

[DjF]

Well, i have never had it explained or mentioned to me. Im 21 weeks pg with my first and ive only had 2 appointments - last week being my second. I have had absolutely nothing told to me, and i actually posted somewhere about my dissappointment in seeing midwives - ive had zero told to me about anything, i feel like a numbered cow standing in a line. My last appointment lasted about 10 mins, she didnt look at me, barely asked me anything and didnt check anything. Im wondering if this is usual.

[BeachBaby3]

I had it explained to me. However I think some times people are told about warning signs, such as swelling in fingers, feet etc but not always told why.

[Ffrenchstar]

Yes, was very aware of it....it is in every pregnancy book as well:yes:

[KarniF00l]

I was totally in the dark until i had it with DS1.

[bubbles & peanut]

I had never heard of it until I started reading about it on here.

Not a word was mentioned about it when I was pregnant with DD. When I was pregnant with DS, all that was said was if I begin swelling up, I'll need to see a doctor.

[lanna]

i cant believe how many woman werent told about it!
it think thats terrible!

did everyone have their blood pressure taken during antenatal visit?
if so didnt you ask why they were doing it?

i always asked what was going on!

Usually when you have appointments - for pregnacy or any other medical problem, dont they usually take blood pressure? I thought it was routine at the docs?
Not everyone is comfortable or will have the self esteem to ask what is going on for every little thing done at the ante natal clinic. i for one couldnt wait to get outta there quick smart. As long as they said I was fine, that was good enough for me.

I knew of it sort of, with some small mentions in the pregnacy books, but it wasnt until my 3rd pregnacy that my midwife actually explained it all properly to me.

I also thought that it can happen pretty darn quickly

[SamanthaJane]

I was never told about it, but i did read about it while i was pregnant.

[AngelZara]

Yes I knew all about it, my middies told me from the start and it is in the pregnancy books I have.

Obvioulsy it is more unknown than I thought it was, I was watching Kate and thought "how can ppl not know about it..." But according to this poll I was wrong!

I was on the verge of having pre-eclampsia towards the end and was very highly monitored.

Its very sad that it can kill both mum and baby and it is not discussed at EVERY pre-natal visit no matter what model of care you have.

[FunkyMonkey]

I voted yes. I was vaguely aware of PE before my pregnancy, my best friend was hospitalized during the last 6 weeks due to Eclampsia.
I knew they checked BP, odema, protein etc, at routine checkups, but wasn't aware how serious it really is until my BP was sky high and I was sent to the hospital. When I got home I read up all I could and was vigilant with staying quiet. I was in and out of hospital for the last 5 weeks, peeing in cups and strapped to the monitors until I was induced 6 days overdue. My BP was as high that day as it was the first time I was sent up.

[reAllytee]

I knew about it before due to my sister being pg but every appt with my middies they ask about swelling, headaches etc etc etc.

[Mum&bubs]

I wasn't told about it when I pregnant with Summer but with Taliyah I was. Although they did explain it to me, I still didn't quite know all about it!

[*mumof4*]

Nope...have never ever been told about it and to be honest...I don't know anything about it either and I've had 4 babies!!!! :confused:

[misskittyfantastico]

I read about it, was told about it by my GP and my OB.

I was very aware of what to look for and when I felt dizzy one night at about 39.4 weeks, I went into the hospital and was induced straight away.

[Ange&Seth]

I can't remember - but I think I might have been told something about it.

[chellegoth]

did everyone have their blood pressure taken during antenatal visit?
if so didnt you ask why they were doing it?

i always asked what was going on!

I never asked what was going on as I wanted the appointment to be over as soon as possible. After sitting in the waiting room for an hour, I didn't want to start talking beyond one word responses.

[madreader]

I really think that there should be more info given out about this silent disease that is lurking around when we are pregnant. I got PIH in my third pregnancy and it was the worst time of my life. Yes they did ask upteen questions at my ante natal visits but until they actually told me what i had i was none the wiser. So if i had more info then i think the more we know and educate expantant mums about this we maybe to help and save more mums from suffering this horrible disease.

[storysam]

i had to find out on my own accord.
i had very high blood pressure a couple of weeks ago.
they sent me for a blood test and i did a urine test. i asked what they were for and got told they are just precautionary!!!
they then told me that if i get abdominal pains and lights before my eyes that i need to go straight back to the hospital.
still with no answer or idea what she was on about i went home and jumped on the computer and typed in my symptoms only to my shock it to come up preeclampsia. i took this to my midwife and she apologised that they didn't explain it and i quote, "we didn't want to worry you due to your high blood pressure".
so by some people saying that they think everyone is told is bull ***t!!!
everyone has their good and bad.

[~Emmylou~]

I knew about it, and I was always asked if I'd had any swelling, seeing spots etc at nearly every appointment with both my pregnancies.

[kaybee]

I thought the same thing when I saw BB07, I thought everyone knew about it! I'm so surprised!

I think I remember seeing it in a TV show many many years ago, and all my pregnancy books have talked about it. I have only had 2 GP appointments so far and she hasn't mentioned it. Haven't seen an OB or midwife yet, so don't know if they will. It's not right that they don't explain why they are doing tests like BP etc! It kinda freaks me out, coz then what else aren't they telling us???

[JessieLee]

I had exactly the same reaction as the_queen to what Kate said. As soon as my doctors found that I had high blood pressure they routinely checked my urine for protein and told me about the warning signs. They made it clear that I didn't have it and not to worry, but to watch out for the symptoms.

What Kate said really annoyed me. I feel sorry for her and it's a shame that her doctors weren't more observant. However, to say that all hospitals and all doctors don't want to mention it because they 'don't want to make pregnancy scary' is just an awful and fear inducing thing to say.

[OopsieDaisy]

Nope they never told me.. but I have read a lil bout it...

[sandralee]

Well, i have never had it explained or mentioned to me. Im 21 weeks pg with my first and ive only had 2 appointments - last week being my second. I have had absolutely nothing told to me, and i actually posted somewhere about my dissappointment in seeing midwives - ive had zero told to me about anything, i feel like a numbered cow standing in a line. My last appointment lasted about 10 mins, she didnt look at me, barely asked me anything and didnt check anything. Im wondering if this is usual.
Most of my visits are under ten mins as well - I have my blood pressure checked, fundus and heartbeat checked and that's it. I have only done one urine test and that was on my first visit. From now on though, I would like to insist that my OB keeps an eye on my urine/protein levels - because I seem to have a lot of fluid (everywhere, from my face to my feet), have experienced 3-4 day headaches every couple of wks since the 16wk mark.

[sarahbelle]

I only found out about it once I had it. I ticked the box yes, my health provider told me, but I was only told once I had it. I never realised how serious it was until afterwards (once my baby almost died and was delivered prem via emergency C section). Very scary stuff.

I had my blood pressure taken throughout my pregnancy and knew it was high but was never told how serious it was. I was also never warned of the risks of the medication which played its part in the near death of DS. I had swelling (severe actually) but thought that was normal and was not told otherwise!