Frustrated (A vent, obviously)

[katie80]

Some of you might remember my post from a week or so ago about how my blood pressure was high and my initial PIH blood work showed elevated liver numbers, so my dr sent me to L&D to be monitored. Not how I wanted to spend Columbus Day, but everything looked fine at that point (BP was better, protein in urine was negative, and PIH numbers were the same, and 5 different people came in to tell me how great the baby looked on the monitors) so they sent me home. 

I went to my doctor the next day, and she had me do the 24-hour urine collection and ran another PIH panel. I got those results back this week and according to the nurse, "the liver numbers are lower, and the protein in the urine was too low to measure." Great, right? Well, now they want me to do it again next week. It didn't occur to me to ask why when I talked to the nurse about it, but I'm going in about an hour for a growth scan, so I'll pick up my urine collection supplies (yay, ugh) and ask about it then.

Obviously I'm going to do it, but seriously? Why? Is this normal? I'm checking my BP at home and it's been ok- not perfect, but not high (generally in the 120s/80s, so pretty close to "normal"). I have no symptoms of pre-e. My weight gain is on track and the fundal height measurement was perfect at my last appointment. My doctor keeps telling me that she's pretty sure I'm fine, but just wants to be thorough- obviously I'm glad she's being proactive, but I'm getting really annoyed. Peeing in a bottle for 24 hours is a pain. I have so much anxiety about this (the whole situation, not the peeing in a bottle ). 

I'm just whining and not really looking for any advice, but if you have some I would take it. Same with any positive stories or thoughts and prayers. (BTW I'm about 26.5 weeks, for those who can't see the ticker)

[Bonita]

No advice, but my understanding is that things can change very quickly in pregnancy...so maybe that's why they're having you repeat it again just to make sure that the trend is that the numbers are lower, and aren't hopping all over the place.

{{{hugs}}} I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, hopefully the original BP and liver #'s were just a fluke and they stay at normal levels now

[katie80]

Thanks, that's my guess as well. Ugh I'm just exhausted from all this, and I'm sure the stress isn't helping anything.

[katie80]

Yeah that's definitely on the list of things to discuss with my dr at my next appointment (Monday morning). Good news is, I just finished my growth scan and everything looks perfect. Baby is in the 57th percentile and weighs 2 lbs 4 oz!

[MrsAggie]

Just because the results are negative does not mean the test is unnecessary. I'm sure it's frustrating having to carry around a jug of pee and I definitely wouldn't look forward to it either.

Remember, pre-E can quickly turn into eclampsia or HELLP syndrome when it isn't monitored and treated. Your doctor has a ton of knowledge and history behind his decisions and I'm sure he'd be happy to talk about it in detail at your next appointment.

I hope your results continue to come back normal

[katie80]

You're right- I trust my doctor and I'm sure she has a good reason for doing this again. Also, I'd much rather have her be too cautious than blow me off and ignore something alarming.

[imimahoney]

Are they concerned about HELLP?

High blood pressure, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets?

At around 25 weeks I had my first test where there were wonky readings and then I was monitored every 2-3 weeks from there. I was never officially diagnosed with it but border line my entire pregnancy. Every other test would be normal then my levels would get wonky again.

It can associated with PIH or even Pre-e. I had no idea what it was until my 2nd test where my platelets were oddly low. I ended up being induced at 38.5 weeks because they didn't want to risk the chance that I would develop it late in pregnancy as it can be fatal.