[KatNJerPlus2]

I just posted this in response to another thread but wanted some more in depth opinions...

I have been in a battle with my Ob for weeks. I have been monitoring my own pressure from home every day due to pre e in my first pregnancy that ended in a loss...because I developed the same HORRIBLE headaches from the moment I opened my eyes in the morning. My pressure is running around 98/55 in the am and by the evening it is up to 130/70+. I almost passed out in babies r us two weeks ago...spotty vision, cold sweats, vomitted and my pressure was 152/83. I have gained 13 lbs in 3 weeks!!!!!!!! And my Ob CONTINUES to dismiss it all. Telling me to take a Tylenol, lower my sodium intake and drink plenty of fluids. I am just beyond knowing what I should do anymore. I've been proactive but what else can I do if my OB is just shluffing it all off??

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I started having severe pain on my right side below my breast right under my ribs. I called and talked to the dr on call and then the head L&D nurse and they told me to come in right away. Apparently, this is indicative of pre-e and could indicate problems with my liver. So, I am waiting for my sister to get here to stay with Kensleigh because DH is in Chicago on business... then I am headed over to L&D. I will update again later.

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Hey ladies, sorry it took me so long to update, I just got home a couple of hours ago. Good thing is no pre-e...they did give me fluids though and kept me to monitor my BP, as well as run an array of other tests to rule out any other possible causes of these debilitating headaches...the last thing that they are wanting me to do is have a CT Scan which we are going to schedule on or around my postpartum appointment, because the doctor said everything is "obstectrically sound" but he is concerned which the frequency and intensity of the headaches. They did say I have costochondritis, inflamation of the cartlidge in my ribs, that is causing the pain that the nurse said can mirror the pain women with pre-e and HELLP develop. So all in all, everything is okay and my biggest concern about the pre-e was put to rest. I have a follow up appointment with my general MD on Monday and then my appt with the Peri on Friday. Thanks for all the thoughts ladies and sorry for the scare, I'm so over this already and just ready to have her here. I told DH last night that last night sealed the deal for me..I am definitely done having babies, my body can't take it anymore..let alone my mind.

[Lisa H]

Is there any way you can get a second opinion?

If you are as worried about it as you seem, your doctor should at least run some tests to reassure you even if he thinks you are overreacting. Maybe an er visit the next time your bp gets high or you have a crazy headache.

At the very least you need some reassurance.

[Twhylite21]

Can you switch care to another OB? I would just keep calling and be insistent that you think there's an issue. Maybe they can order a 24 hour urine collection to check your urine for protein and ketones?

[KatNJerPlus2]

Originally Posted by Twhylite21

Can you switch care to another OB? I would just keep calling and be insistent that you think there's an issue. Maybe they can order a 24 hour urine collection to check your urine for protein and ketones?

This is the THIRD ob I've switched to. I'm having such a horrible time with drs this time. Im so over it. Twice now there has been protien in my urine. I'm going to go to the ER next time my BP spikes. This is all making me a nervous wreck. I have my first appt with a renouned high risk maternal fetal medicine Dr next Friday I am hoping I can get somewhere with them.

[Twhylite21]

Yeah, if there is protein in your urine, then they need to be taking your concerns seriously. So sorry you are dealing with this! Hopefully, the specialist can help!

[Raven_Haired_Mama]

How frustrating!

I have been having severe headaches and worried about it. My OB didn't seem concerned when I called. So I went to CVS and took my blood pressure. It was fine so I quit worrying so much. But if I was like you with a past of it plus protein in your urine AND some high readings I would be worried as well. If it were me I would bug them to let me come in to test me. Also I would probably just go to the ER the next time my BP spiked.

[Jennmarie]

Sounds like going to the ER may be your best bet to try to get an answer. Hope the high risk doc can help you more. I have a friend who's expecting in March, and had similar issues with her OB..she was gaining weight like crazy even though she wasn't eating that much, blood pressure/bad feelings etc., and bascially was told the same things. Hope you get some more satisfactory answers soon!!

[chicknlittle]

i hope the high risk has more answers for you. in the meantime, keep doing what you're doing and any hesitations, a trip to the ER could give you piece of mind at the very least.

[melissalaw]

I agree if your blood pressure spikes again I would just go to the ER. Hopefully when you see the high risk dr he can help you and give you some peace of mine. You know your body like nobody else and if you feel there is something wrong then definitely get it checked by someone.

[Scoobyrae1]

Let me assure you of something. 130/70 is not high blood pressure. A "perfect" BP is 120/80. A blood pressure considered high doesn't start til it is consistently 150 or over. Every person's blood pressure will go up and down daily depending on activity level, illness, etc. You just happen to know exactly how much of a swing it is because you are monitoring it closely.
They would probably put you on bedrest before they did anything else. It sounds to me like a lot of your spikes have to do with activity so they would limit activity. Salt intake does raise blood pressure so that advice makes sense. And drinking more fluids will help flush excess fluids out of your system. It sounds crazy but it is true.
Later on, it may get worse and you may need closer monitoring. And I completely understand the fear and anxiety. But honestly, at this point, I think they are doing the right thing.

[KatNJerPlus2]

Originally Posted by Scoobyrae1

Let me assure you of something. 130/70 is not high blood pressure. A "perfect" BP is 120/80. A blood pressure considered high doesn't start til it is consistently 150 or over. Every person's blood pressure will go up and down daily depending on activity level, illness, etc. You just happen to know exactly how much of a swing it is because you are monitoring it closely.
They would probably put you on bedrest before they did anything else. It sounds to me like a lot of your spikes have to do with activity so they would limit activity. Salt intake does raise blood pressure so that advice makes sense. And drinking more fluids will help flush excess fluids out of your system. It sounds crazy but it is true.
Later on, it may get worse and you may need closer monitoring. And I completely understand the fear and anxiety. But honestly, at this point, I think they are doing the right thing.

Trust me, I am not flipping a lid because I "think" my pressure is running high. I called the midwife that I used during my pregnancy with DD, who is also a good family friend and she said that if my systolic is running 30 points higher or my diastolic is running 15 points higher, then what MY normal pressure runs then there is a reason for concern, especially given that I have a history of pre-e, which was also the same thing she advised me of during my pregnancy with DD. I knew to do all of those things (avoid salt, drink fluids, rest, etc) before I ever started to get concerned...it wasn't until I gained 13 lbs (mind you I haven't changed a SINGLE eating habit), had protein in my urine my last two appointments, and changes in my vision that I started to throw a stink about the lack of interest in what I was saying to them. Had I not had this EXACT same thing happen during my first pregnancy..and I mean to a T...and had a dr that just would not hear me out...which ended in a stillbirth at 36 weeks, then I would probably agree that they are doing the right thing..whatever that is...since I can barely get out of my mouth that I am having severe headaches before I am cut off with "take a tylenol."

[melissalaw]

Originally Posted by KatNJerPlus2

Trust me, I am not flipping a lid because I "think" my pressure is running high. I called the midwife that I used during my pregnancy with DD, who is also a good family friend and she said that if my systolic is running 30 points higher or my diastolic is running 15 points higher, then what MY normal pressure runs then there is a reason for concern, especially given that I have a history of pre-e, which was also the same thing she advised me of during my pregnancy with DD. I knew to do all of those things (avoid salt, drink fluids, rest, etc) before I ever started to get concerned...it wasn't until I gained 13 lbs (mind you I haven't changed a SINGLE eating habit), had protein in my urine my last two appointments, and changes in my vision that I started to throw a stink about the lack of interest in what I was saying to them. Had I not had this EXACT same thing happen during my first pregnancy..and I mean to a T...and had a dr that just would not hear me out...which ended in a stillbirth at 36 weeks, then I would probably agree that they are doing the right thing..whatever that is...since I can barely get out of my mouth that I am having severe headaches before I am cut off with "take a tylenol."

Okay now I'm just pissed at your dr. Considering your history and your still birth he should be more concerned or at the very least do something to put your mind at ease. After what you went through during your first pregnancy that's the very least he could do. I hope you get some answers soon.

[*SamF*]

I'm really hoping the high risk doctor can help you! (or if before that a trip to the ER!)
During my pregnancy with DS I switched all my care to the high risk doctor, because he kept me sane! I've been to him with every pregnancy since. They tend to look at all the signs and not just text book diagnoses. Plus they are used to dealing with mom's who have had losses before and are a little more understanding (typically at least).

[Beachbabies]

Originally Posted by KatNJerPlus2

I have my first appt with a renouned high risk maternal fetal medicine Dr next Friday I am hoping I can get somewhere with them.

I bet you will have a much better experience with this doctor. I had a similar experience with my OB with this pregnancy. I had passed out 4 times by the first time I had seen her and had been to urgent care twice. She brushed it off as normal. The second time I saw her I had passed out 5 more times, bringing it to a total of 9 times! One of those times DH even said I stopped breathing She spent maybe 30 seconds talking to me, saying that it is normal for pregnant women to pass out as their bodies adjust to pressure changes. I knew something wasn't right with my body so I switched OBs and got a referral to one of our county's best perinatologists. Since then, everything has been so much better. He told me right away that my symptoms were not normal and had me get a lot of tests and monitoring done. I also go in for growth scans every other week. Turns out my blood sugar has been extremely low this whole time, and now that we have figured it out it is easier to control.

This whole thing you are going through *might* be nothing serious in the long run, but who really wants to take that chance when their baby is involved? Especially when you suffered a loss involving the same symptoms? I applaud you for being your own advocate in your health and continuing to seek more opinions. I agree that if you have another spike you should go to the ER or L&D.

[*MJ*]

I am so sorry for your past experience and loss with pre-e. I had pre-e with my first, and so I made sure to have a perinatologist as my ob this time and I would definitely switch to a perinatologist which it sounds like you are doing. In the meantime, definitely go to the ER. As you know, this kind of stuff is nothing to mess with! I almost lost my cousin to severe eclampsia and thank goodness though her son was a preemie, he made it. You definitely don't want harm to come to the baby, or yourself from having a seizure or just the general organ damage that happens with pre-e. And fyi, I never had protein in my urine. Just high BP and bad clonus. So you are right to be concerned with your changes in pressures, symptoms, and pre-e history. KUP.

[*Jillian*]

I have a friend that just delivered at 27 weeks because of pre eclampsia and with your past experience, I would just go to the ER. You know your body better than anyone so trust in it. Hugs.

[*Jillian*]

I hope everything is okay!!! I also hope that now they will listen to you! Fingers crossed for a good report on you and baby!!

[Twhylite21]

Praying everything is okay! Please KUP when you can!

[Jennmarie]

<3 sending prayers!!

[rmarie9509]

I hope everything is okay KUP