Just a bit of info please - BP and swelling.

[sndgroper]

Hey guys, I'm currently 34w 2d and at my last two antenatal appts, my blood pressure has been higher than what it should be. Over the past few days I began to notice my ankles swelling. Are these quite common at this stage during pregnancy or is it likely that I will have to get induced if my bp keeps rising? I have also been told to keep an eye out for other signs of pre eclampsia. Is it possible to have pre-eclampsia with high bp and swelling or does there need to be other symptoms for it to be diagnosed? I.e protein in urine, headaches, double vision etc.? (I do not have any of these problems).

If anyone could offer me some advice or answers, I'd be grateful. Thanks guys..

Alicia

[Moxy]

i started getting high BP readings around 34 weeks with DS. swelling is pretty normal in pregnancy and i got that as well. PE swelling is a little more severe though and sometimes affects the face and lips as well which i got much later.

i didnt have protein in urine until 38 weeks, so at first i was diagnosed with PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension). at 40 weeks i started getting flashing in my vision and my BP skyrocketed. i was induced that day.

just keep an eye on your symptoms. PE can be a dangerous condition and can go from ok to bad incredibly quickly. but it may just be high blood pressure and swelling and nothing more. speak to your ob/middy but my understanding is that the protein in urine is the deciding factor in whether its PE or PIH.

good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.

[werdxela]

I have a history of high blood pressure and pre eclampsia (2 inductions because of it 1 @ 37 weeks 1 @ 35).

When was the last time your blood pressure was checked? If it hasn't been done since you started to swell I would be inclined to go up to the hospital and get it checked. With my DD my Bp was dangerously high but I had no swelling or blurry vision so it wasn't until they checked my BP and urine that we relised just how bad it was! Like the PP said PE and come on really fast and sometimes you just dont relise how bad it is.

[sndgroper]

Thank you ladies I have an appt in 6 days so they will be checking it out again then.. But at least I now know how serious things could get if I don't keep a close eye on it. Thanks for the info..

[erinn]

I was just induced with my first baby due to pre-eclampsia.

I also had no blurry vision or headaches which I kept being told was the main symptoms. I did have the swelling and high BP though. I had some ankle swelling throughout late pregnancy but not too extreme but the week before I was admitted to hospital my ankles swelled and stayed swollen for about 5 days, and my face started swelling, by the time I had the baby my hands and wrists etc were swollen as well.

I was also told the protein is the deciding factor but like the others said it can come on really fast. I went from no protein to +3 within about 2 days and admitted to hospital and induced 2 days later at about +4 protein.

[Misschief]

My calves, ankles and hands got very swollen from 28 weeks on. But it was mid summer at that stage. The swelling caused Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in my fingers and that stayed for 2 months after giving birth.
My BP also went up at about 30 weeks and there was some protein found in my urine. (Protein is another indicator for PE).
If it gets worse, they will give you blood pressure meds and will put you on bedrest.

Just keep an eye on it and if it just doesn't seem right to you, go and visit the maternity ward and get them to check you again. Better be safe than sorry