Kind of concerened....

[Jojo F.]

and am almost thinking of induction.

To preface, my BP has always been around 120's/70's, my pre-preg weight was 120lbs/5'8", and had pre-e with DS 5 1/2 years ago.

So far this pregnancy has been going well but, for the last trimester I have noticed swelling (pitting edema) in my feet and legs and can *feel* it too. They get itchy and very uncomfortable. I swear I drink about 1 gallon of water per day if not more PLUS my RRL tea. I'm swimming in my skin!!

Today I peed in the cup as usual and left it in the lab. About 10 minutes later the nurse poked her head in and asked me if I was diabetic. Ummmm nope, I'm probably hypoglycemic. My 1 hour glucose test was very low, around 80 I think. Apparently there was some sugar/insulin/whatever in my urine and there was trace protein too **for the first time. There has not been a trace of protein until today.

My BP is now 138/70 which they didn't seem concerened about and my weight today was 172. My body cannot handle this weight!!!! My heels feel bruised I'm 38 weeks and 4 days today and feeling very uncomfortable but, haven't really had any contractions except for 3 this week so far.

I can't help but feel scared at this point. I was trying to keep a positive attitude and be really good with my diet but, the holidays kicked my butt I do take extra magnesium, potassium, epsom salt baths, and try to get enough protein every day to prevent pre-e. Tell me I'm just freaking out for no reason!!!!

[Lemon Juice]

Mama... I had to stop by and offer some big hugs

When do you see M again? Is she worried or do you think she will be w/ what you mentioned about today? Has she talked to you about possible induction? Like "if things went x, y, z, then we need to talk induction".

: that all is well and the swelling goes away.

[jr'smom]

Sounds like a little to be concerned about, but overall I wouldn't worry yet. Just keep watching.

I had pre-E last time too and am doing the same things as you and totally feel you. My BP was higher last time but not terrible (like yours.) I getting that edema too--but take it as a sign to put my feet up. Yesterday it was so bad that I still had lines on my ankles this morning from the swelling yesterday. I have had a little protein in my urine too. I'm trying not to panic and my MW's response is awesome. She's so calm and says everything is going well. She tells me stick with the high protein, calcium, magnesium, and just recommended the epsom salt baths. Sounds like you're doing the right thing. Listen to your gut about if/when it's tme to intervene.

[mominsnj]

let me say right off the bat- I am not a medical professional and this is all from 1st hand experience

IME you dont have a lot to worry about at this point. Yes, you are swollen and uncomfortable. Spilling a little sugar and/or protien can happen, especially at the end of pregnancy with out meaning a whole lot. Your bp is fine. For the bp to be a concern it should go up, if I am remembering correct, about 30 points in either the high or low number.

I have had pre-e 3 times and GD 2 of those times. (in my 5th pg now) My 1st and pg and my last, 4th, were the worst. My 1st I gained about 100 lbs (we are similar size) and lost about 50 within a week of birthing. 20 hour pit labor and no food for almost 4 days cause I felt so bad, raging headaches, went from a size 8 shoe to a size 11 slipper I could barely put on. And I saw mw's for my care, had to monitor bp at home and do the test strips at home also. My 4th, well, I have no idea how much weight I gained, I honestly cant remember, not as much as the 1st though. I swelled so bad I could not walk. I was in the, well, not er but on the l&d floor observation I guess, so many times because I "did not feel right" and headaches that would not quit, even got morphine for my headaches in the er just to get some slight relief. I was miserable beyond belief. Mommies at my job could not believe how bad my swelling was. What finally kicked it over for the docs was an overnight stay in the hosp. where my bp kept going up and my uric acid count kept going up (I believe I was on the mag sulfate during this, it is all a blur) so I had a somewhat emergency c/s at 34 weeks. Did not see my baby after he was born for days as I was not allowed out of bed, had to go on bp medicine to go home.

All that said, pre-e can escalate very quickly and be very serious. Listen to your body. I never had pain in my left side but that is a symptom also. increased headaches, increased swelling (more than what has been normal for you) increase in bp (check it at your local drug store if you dont know how to do it yourself, it isnt hard) spilling protien in your urine. I am sure there are other signs I cant think of off the top of my head. Pre=e is so miserable.

I guess all I am saying is dont panic yet about pre-e. read up on the signs/symptoms and prepare yourself in case it is the beginning but dont psych youself out either. I would not wish it on anyone.

[Jojo F.]

LJ- M is on vacation for this week and next! So I saw her OB partner and really wasn't pleased with the level of care at the visit. Your typical OB but, she was VERY nice. M hasn't been concerened in the past but, maybe if she were here today she would have been, I don't know: She only mentioned induction in the case that I went past my EDD and wanted to be induced but, that was a while ago.

I don't think my BP was TERRIBLE, it was a little elevated for me today but, I think that was due to the fact that I had just gotten there, walked up the stairs, didn't get a chance to sit down, and it is always incredibly hot in there (I almost faint every time I'm there it's so hot) so when I get my "rushes" of blood it makes it all worse, kwim?

Since I had pre-e with DS and feel that my old OB totally neglected me (this is a LONG story in itself) I have made sure I am fully aware of the symptoms and what to do to prevent it. I'm trying not to psych myself out and not to get stressed but, I can't help but worry. I know how bad it can be and really don't want to be in that position again.

Thanks for the support, it makes me feel much better. Now I just wish my MIL would shut her mouth. Every day she tells me how I look like I haven't made any progress, ie. not dropping. How would she feel if she was on a diet for 9 months and I told her every day for 2 weeks she was still a fat cow?!!!