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Girls that had Pre-eclampsia or HELLP
My good friend is 25 weeks pregnant and has been in the ER twice in the last week with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and high blood pressure. Her liver enzymes are high, and she's had 2 different 24 hour urine catches done in the last few days. Her urine proteins increased 5x between the 2 catches. Her blood pressure was 191/93 last Wednesday and was 143/84 yesterday. She went in for more bloodwork this morning and is now waiting for the results. She will most likely be admitted into the hospital today.
Was anyone here diagnosed with pre-eclampsia or HELLP this early in pregnancy? How long after diagnosis did you end up delivering?
Understandably so, my friend is freaking out. Her OBGYN has not been a great source of information for her throughout this. She doesn't know a lot about this, and I think she's overwhelmed with it all. Does anyone have any advice?
Re: Girls that had Pre-eclampsia or HELLP
Holy shiit, I cant believe she's experiencing all that so early. 191/93 was about where my BP was when I was diagnosed with HELLP - and they delivered immediately. Of course, I was also 39 weeks along.
Have they put her on medication for her BP? More than likely if she gets admitted they will put her on a magnesium drip.. I will say, that was the worst thing I've ever experienced - BUT, it works wonders on bringing your BP down.
I wish I had advice, but holy hell, with these symptoms at 25 weeks I'd be freaking out too. At this point, I think it'd almost be more helpful for her to talk to people who had their babies really prematurely - because I cant imagine that they'll let her sustain this pregnancy as she is now?
Gosh, how awful. Sorry for your friend.
Okay, so then maybe they'll just admit her and get her hooked up to the magnesium drip for awhile to keep the BP down.. if they do end up doing that, tell her to be prepared to feel like crap immediately (I thought I was pissing the bed when I wasnt and it also made me puke).. BUT the good news is that after awhile it makes you so out of it that you dont even care that you feel like crap.. if that makes sense.
Lots of cold water and rest. I believe they tell you to lay on a certain side of your body, too.
Do you know if she's currently on any meds for the BP? If she is, that could be making the baby sluggish. I was only hooked up for a few hours and when they pulled Audrey out she was like a purple fish - suuuper "blah" from the effect the meds had on her. I would say if the heartbeat is strong not to worry?
I was put on strict bedrest at 26 weeks. Our goal was to keep that baby in as long as possible, of course --- but my OB always said that the goal was to keep the baby in until 34 weeks. Bedrest made a significant difference and I lost over 10 lbs of water weight in the first week and it brought my protein levels and blood pressure down. Strict bedrest meaning I was allowed to get up to shower once a day (with a maximum time limit of being on my feet for 15 minutes), go to the restroom as needed --- nothing else. If my numbers weren't better (I honestly couldn't tell you where I was at number-wise), I was going to be admitted to the hospital for bedrest. I went in twice a week to have blood draws and non-stress tests. At 38 weeks my blood pressure went up... at 39, I started having blurred vision and headaches so I went in to be induced.
Married the love of my life 6/3/06
Became a family of three 8/25/09
My pre-e was dx'd at 26 weeks. My bp was 180-something over 110 at that time and my 24-hr urine was high enough (can't remember the number) that I was admitted to the hospital and given the steroid shots because they thought I'd have to deliver that week. I was extremely fortunate in that bedrest and bp meds worked for me. I stayed pregnant another 9 weeks, with twice-weekly NSTs and bloodwork, weekly 24-hr urine catches, and frequent changes to my meds dosage. I was in and out of the hospital a few times, but at home for the majority.
I pray your friend is as fortunate. I'm sorry she's going through this; it's so scary.