Tell me your pre-e / bedrest stories

[acceptthegood]

I have been having headaches for the last 5 days that tylenol didnt touch, with bouts of nausea, so I took my blood pressure at CVS twice and it was 140/85 (normally 110/60 this pregnancy). I went into L&D saturday. They checked my blood and urine, said I was clear for PIH and sent me home with an rx for vicodin and reglan.

Today I had my regular appt and my bp was 137/85. After a while of sitting around it got down to 130/70. My doc is saying I have a 50% chance of her writing me out of work after this week. I have a NST and labs on Thursday.

I guess I'm just surprised that it is all happening so quickly. I feel just crappy - really low energy, sweaty, weak, and kinda emotional too. I know Starry went through a lot worse lately. I just feel out of sorts.

Anyone have a similar experience with this? Misery loves company

[ijack]

How far along are you? Did they put you on BP meds? Any protein in your urine?

[acceptthegood]

I'm 35 weeks 2 days. They didn't put me on any meds. No protein in my urine either. Are they being overly cautious? I guess I can't tell if I'm overreacting, or not.

[ijack]

I would just try to take it easy. No protein is good, as is your BP coming down after rest.
Good luck!

[satama]

You will probably have to do a 24 hour urine collection.

I was on modified bedrest from 33 weeks with DS1 because my BP went up with any activity. I had a couple of 24 hour urine collections, NSTs and biophysical profiles twice every week, along with urine dips and blood pressure checks. Also had several trips to labor and delivery (mostly for monitoring after BP spikes, once for a killer headache) . I monitored my bp at home as well. I was put on strict side lying bedrest at 38 weeks. Induced at 39 weeks. My OB said I had "borderline pre-e, but luckily bedrest helped keep my bp down.

I would get a BP monitor to use at home and rest as much as possible for now. If you have to stop working early I know it sucks. I ended up taking unpaid maternity leave after I used all my FMLA. But the good news is DS and I are perfectly healthy.

Good luck!

[keyslover]

I was on strict bed rest for about 2 months due to high blood pressure. Then the last 2-3 weeks low fluid was added on to that. I had weekly 24 hour urine catches, blood draws, ultra sounds and nst. The last 2-3 weeks the nst bbp were twice a week.

It sucks, but you get through it. I was scheduled to be induced and ended up going naturally that night.

Don't feel bad that others are going through worse- I understand it helps to put things in perspective, but what you are dealing with is rough too.

Good luck. I hope that you and your baby stay healthy!

[dcrunnergirl]

I was on bedrest from 22w-35w, so over 3 months, including one month spent on hospital bedrest. It was all for shortening cervix, so my situation was a little different. I'd just say that you should take bedrest seriously if they recommend it. I've never met anyone who had their baby and wished they hadn't been on bedrest. Instead, most people say that while bedrest sucks, they credit it for leading to healthy babies or at least letting them bake as long as possible. And, I do know some people that wish they had taken their bedrest more seriously. It does suck, but you're at 35w already, so it won't be that bad.

Sorry I don't have advice on the pre-e. When my BP got to where yours was at 36w4d, I started to spill proteins, and my dr. delivered that day b/c they decided we were all healthier with the babies on the outside, but 37w is full term for twins, so it was a different situation.

[imimahoney]

I wasn't on bed rest but had high bp which was a sign of HELLP. Here's my story even that it's not exactly what you are going through.

30 weeks: I had a "stomach bug" was sick the entire night. Went to the ob next day for a jic appointment. BP was 120/90.. really high for me. I had no protein in my urine but my stomach hurt. BP went down by the end of the appointment. They ran my labs.

My liver enzymes were elevated and my platelets were on the lower end. Those two labs were checked at every appointment going forward.

My enzymes regulated but my platelets stayed on the lower end.

At 38 weeks I had a headache and was feeling off. Went to ob, bp was again 120/90. I had trace amounts of protein in my urine and my liver enzymes became elevated once again. I also began to see spots when I blinked.

I was induced that night because it was the start of HELLP and they wanted to catch it before it got worse.

Make sure to pay attention to any stomach pain, spots when blinking or random swelling of your feet.

GL!!