question about pre-eclampsia (toxemia)???

Question

I am 34 weeks pregnant and I was recently diagnosed as having toxemia, after suffering for nearly 8 wks with majorly high blood pressure and dizziness/headaches - I know what toxemia is - my wuestion is about the symptoms - in what order did the symptoms occur and what all syptoms should I expect - I have read alot of medical sites and books containg info on it but it helps me to know what happened from personal experiences - I am truly worried about the safety of my child and don't know what symptoms are severe enough for me to go to the doctor over and what aren't - i'm one of those new mothers who, if she gets worried she goes to the doctor or hospital, all the doctors know me - lol - I just need help on understanding what really happens first, then next and the different levels of severity it can get to - the first symptom i've had is swelling, any help will be appreciated... thanks in advance to those who sincerely answer!!!!

i'm going to the doctor at least once a week - today (2-16) i have had really bad headaches, my stomach has been upset, and i've been extremely tired when i have gotten enough rest. if it doesn't go away after i lie down for a while i will probably go get checked out

also, is there anything i can do that you all know of to relieve the swelling or is it something i just have to deal with? thanks

Answer 1

First i started out having swelling in my hands, feet, lower legs and hands. I started having headaches and went into labor at 33 weeks which was stopped by drugs then they put me on high blood pressure medicine. I started getting dizzy. My pre-eclampsia caused me to go into labor twice and the scecond time at 35 weeks is when they decided to go ahead and let me have my son by a c-section. He was healthy and did not require to stay in the hospital no longer than i did (3 days).
The only cure for pre-eclampsia is giving birth. Just do what your doctor says and if you think there is something wrong then go to the er like i did. I went so many times but better safe than sorry.
Good luck

Answer 2

My friend started out with swelling and headaches which weren't even that bad, and her doctor thought this was serious enough to induce her at 34 weeks. That didn't work and she had to have a c-section. (She had those symptoms for a weekend, and on Monday she went to the hospital thinking she would get meds to control the blood pressure. The high blood pressure was actually causeing her organs to shut down - they could tell by her urine). She had a baby by that afternoon. She ended up being in and out of conciousness for a few days becasue they couldn't control the blood pressure even after the baby was born. I don't want to scare you, but this is very serious. Her baby is FINE - he was pretty small but he was only in the hospital 2 weeks and has caught up to my baby who is 5 days older but born on time. I think that you can't really judge these symptoms on your own - you should be very overly cautious. Don't let it go because it doesn't seem to compare to other people's symptoms on here. You need to be very very careful. Don't worry about bugging you doctor - so what if you look crazy - this is you and your baby's health!!!! Good luck! I will be thinking about you.

Answer 3

I had swelling and bad headaches. If you are not scheduled to go to the doctor then just give them a call. Better safe than sorry. It will only go away when you give birth.