I had swelling so I asked you guys to help tell me what to do for the swelling and many women responded by telling me I may have preeclampsia which can kill me and my baby. I just ran to google and found out all about preeclampsia. Now I am freaking out at home wondering if I or my baby is ok. What do I do. My doctor isnt in till tuesday. How do I know if I got it or what can I do?
2007-03-22 15:09:33 · 14 answers · asked by plaster_employment 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Okay, first, calm down. I had preeclampsia with my first child. I was diagnosed in my fifth month and I ended up having a perfectly healthy baby. Second, you have not been diagnosed, and swelling is a symptom of toxemia, but only one symptom. Headaches, blurred vison, protein in your urine, abnormal liver levels, a sudden onset of weight and high blood pressure are some others. But you must go to you're obstetrician to be diagnosed. Swelling is very common in pregnancy. I had severe swelling with all of my pregnancies, but only one classified as preeclampsia. Call your doctor tomorrow and tell him/her that you are worried about your swelling. They will probably have you come in for a blood pressure test and a urine check. If that comes back elevated and with protein, they will order blood test to determine preeclampsia. If you have it, you will be put on bedrest and have weekly observation appointments at the hospital. You may not have to go in for observation. I had to because I had it so early in my pregnancy. If you have it, your condition will be monitored. Preeclampsia does not kill you, eclampsia can. That is why they closely monitor preeclamptic mothers so that it does not get to this point. I am not a doctor, this is only information from my own experience. You need to contact your ob w/ your concerns.
2007-03-22 18:59:54 · answer #1 · answered by Krissi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you really think something may be wrong, go into the ER or Labor and Delivery.
The main symptoms of pre-eclampsia are high blood pressure, extreme and sudden swelling and/or weight gain, vision changes, dizziness, and headaches. My doctor told me that the swelling would be so extreme in your hands and feet that if you poke the body part with your finger, it would leave a little pit in your skin. It would be very obvious that something was wrong. My mom had pre-eclampsia with me and she said the swelling was just ridiculous. The doctor would take your blood pressure and do urine or blood tests in order to diagnose it. A bunch of people on a message board can't diagnose anything.
Most pregnant women get some swelling. It's usually due to water retention and totally normal. I woke up yesterday morning and my wedding rings were cutting off the circulation to my finger, which hadn't been a problem before. Drinking lots of water and cutting salt out of your diet may help with the swelling. If it's in your feet, try to elevate them and rest for a while.
Like I said, if you really feel like something is wrong, it can't hurt to call or go into the hospital. But some swelling is normal, so I wouldn't worry too much. You know your body - use your judgement in deciding what to do.
EDIT - If you're worried about your blood pressure, most fire stations or EMTs will check it for you. The machines at drug stores are also a good option, although they may not be as accurate as a trained person taking it.
2007-03-22 22:23:42 · answer #2 · answered by Cloth on Bum, Breastmilk in Tum! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay don't panic yet because my blood pressure was really really high with my first baby and I didn't develop preeclamspia until the end, and they will monitor youand your baby during delivery so much that they will not be in danger the second they get a little distressed, you get a c section. So during your labor they will put you on magnesium sulfate and it will keep you from having a seizure or a coma, and they will continually monitor everything so you will be safe. Now to tell if you have preeclamspia (i got a severe case of it in my 37th week and they induced me but didnt seem too worried) they did a BP test, then they did a urine test, and there was protein in my urine, and swelling in my face and hands under my belly too (feet and ankles were swollen for weeks but doctor says thats normal) so I think the desisive test was the urinalisis.
But don't think that you or your baby will die! If it went untreated yes, but if you go to the doctors office or the ER and just see about getting tested. Better to be safe than sorry, because your right you dont want to mess with it, but when its caught in time even a severe case of it doesnt scare the staff, so I wasnt too too scared, just a little. I wasnt really scared until after everything when I read about it on the internet LOL glad I didnt scare myself before labor. Good luck to you
2007-03-22 23:00:09 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some types of swelling are perfectly normal. Preeclampsia also goes along with high blood pressure. So, if you haven't had that don't worry.
Try to walk around some more and soak your feet in epsom salts.
If you can't shake the worry call your local hospital's nurse's line. I had swelling with my first and he and I turned out just fine! And, I've got it again (24 weeks pregnant).
2007-03-22 22:22:38 · answer #4 · answered by Baby #3 due 10/13/09 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are diagnosed with toxemia (preeclampsia) there are 3 levels of it. Mild, moderate and severe.
With mild they usually try to deliver the baby at around week 37
With moderate they will monitor you frequently throughout your pregnancy
With severe, women can look forward to spending the remainder of their pregnancy hospitalized.
It is a serious condition and the only cure is delivery of the baby, but my friend had toxemia and just delivered her baby 3 days before the induction date and she was a little small at 4 pounds and 1 ounce full term,,, but perfectly healthy. She was in NICU for only 3 days.
2007-03-22 22:19:58 · answer #5 · answered by hollilynn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some swelling is normal but if it is extreme swelling that seems to be cutting off your circulation you need to see your doctor. If your legs look blue with white spots then go to the hospital. If your circulation seem fine then relax. Any time you have questions you should be able to call your doctors to talk to a nurse about your concerns. Stressing out when pregnant is not good either so call to get your questions answered.
2007-03-22 22:16:11 · answer #6 · answered by bvtc6677 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well a really simple solution is to go to your local walmart or anywhere you know that has a blood pressure machine and get your blood pressure checked. If its above 120/80 go see your doc or head right to L & D. That is in no way a definate answer but it will reassure you some. Now if you have a headache or blurred vision I would go ASAP that is a definate sign.
2007-03-22 22:15:59 · answer #7 · answered by Justine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The WORST thing you can do is expect anyone who isn;t medically trained to diagnose you. Only a physician can do that. If you are having medical problems you need to see your doctor. If he is not available, then see the one who is on call, or in an emergency situation go to the hospital. Too many people end up in serious condition for listening to medical advice from people who are not medical professionals.
2007-03-22 22:16:32 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
swelling is pretty typical and it doesn't necessarily mean that you have pre-eclampsia...your body could just be holding onto extra fluid(happened to me both pregnancies)...But if you are worried at all, go to Labor and Delivery immediately. They will check your blood pressure, check the amount of protein in your urine, and check out the baby....good luck.
2007-03-22 23:39:20 · answer #9 · answered by Sandra V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the doctor on call. You need someone to look at you and do some blood tests.
No one here can tell you what you have.
Take care of yourself and your baby!
2007-03-22 22:19:12 · answer #10 · answered by Cammie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋