Preeclampsia


So I have developed preeclampsia over the last week. I knew something wasn’t right when my legs and ankles were swollen and the compression socks weren’t helping. This started on Sunday and then got better on Monday, Tuesday was ok, but Wednesday it started to get worse. Also, my BP was high again. I didn’t sleep very well last night, I was worried about my OB appointment this morning.  

My BP this morning at the OB’s office was 166/95 and I weighed 209 pounds. So in just a short week I gained 16 pounds- That’s how swollen my legs are!   

The first thing the Doctor said to me was “it’s time for your babies to come out”. The results of the weekly blood and urine tests I’ve been doing have been normal until this week. My liver and blood are good, but there has been a shift in my kidneys and there was protein in my urine. These two marker qualify me for preeclampsia. My kidneys have creatinine of 91, the Doctor said 100 is considered super risky. The risk of keeping the babies inside are stroke, seizure and renal failure. So, we agreed to an induction. The Doctor submitted the paperwork to the FMC and they are going to call us either tomorrow or Saturday (whenever they can accommodate us) with a 2 hour window to show up to start the induction. If I don’t hear from the hospital by tomorrow at 3:00pm I am supposed to call them and check in.  

The Doctor checked my cervix this morning as well. I am 2 cm dilated, my cervix is soft and I am 50% effaced. So, my cervix is actually ready for labour. She did a sweep on my membranes to help my cervix along.  
At the hospital they will break my water and put me on a low dose oxytocin (synthetic hormone to induce labour, titrating up every 30 – 60 mins)

I am ok with this medical intervention. There are some significant risks to my health if i continue to be pregnant, I can get behind that logic, as opposed to the reason for an epidural that was just a flat out “we won’t do a breech extraction without an epidural”. The induction makes sense to me. The demand for an epidural is too subjective. I am not thrilled about being induced but it needs to happen for my health and well being, that’s easy thing to get on board with. 

The Doctor also looked at the babies on the ultrasound, baby girl is still head down in a great position, but baby boy is transverse at the very top of my uterus along my ribs. She said this is actually a favourable position for him to drop head down after baby girl is born. So, let’s hope he stays that way, and the choice to take an epidural won’t be forced on me!   

3 thoughts on “Preeclampsia”

  1. Thinking of you constantly. Sending best wishes for your labour and delivery. Can’t wait to hear the news!!!

  2. Well that is quite the progression of events in only one week!! We are thinking of you sweetie and hope all goes as planned with the prescribed procedures. Keep us posted – we really have enjoyed following your journey through these past months. Lots of love and hugs to you and Kyle xo

  3. All our love for the big event. Remember we can always fly in for a couple of days as well as come for weeks in May.

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