hypertension during pregnancy

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i was just curious -

today i had an episode of visual changes and hypertension that lasted approx 2 hourse - i was already at the hospital so i was monitored right away (i am 33wks)

the episode did resolve itself and all of my labwork was normal

my pressure at its worst - and at the point when i had nearly no vision at all was 152/90

when resolved - pressure came back down to normal 119/70

could this just be an isolated episode that may never repeat - or does "pre-eclampsia" come on intermittently at first ? i will mention that i have had +2 pitting edema to mid calf for 2 months - but pressures and labs have been stable till this episode - i as well had no symptoms other than the visual change which was nearly blinding (couldn't even read my own pressure or see faces of those in front of me)

i am very thankful for any insight you have.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

when are you due??????

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If I am not mistaken, a pt can still be preeclamptic without having the complete package, so to speak, of all the symptoms . . . what did your healthcare provider tell you? (Edited to say: I think pts are already in the throes of the inflammatory process before they show s/s of preeclampsia.)

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due 11/22

i am on house rest till monday when i follow up w/ my primary obgyn

i guess my main concern is that this was just the beginning and not an isolated episode and i am unable to find in the literature if pre-eclampsia comes on slowly or hits full blown

to be honest with you i can't really trust the pressures that have been done at the ob office - they are done manually and the cuff is let down so quickly i can't be sure they aren't missing the first systolic/diastolic sounds...

thanks for your help

also - should i be concerned of a h/a in any area of the head or is the posterior/parietal more common?

and what "type" of RUQ pain are we talking - dull/uncomfortable?

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I had preeclampsia when I was pregnant, and they told me that it manifests differently in different people. If you are having any RUQ pain, don't wait for Monday, go to the ER. It's not worth taking the chance. Preeclampsia can go south really quickly.

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my sx are coming and going and they are right now ever so slight - slight h/a, slight visual change L eye, intermittent/dull slight RUQ pain...

if it continues and i cannot attribute to anything else i will surely go to the hospital as my obgyn recommended

when i felt like this yesterday my pressure was coming down from the episode and was approx 140's/80... so i know if it gets worse then the pressure has increased again.

thanks again you all! what a worrisome time.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
my sx are coming and going and they are right now ever so slight - slight h/a, slight visual change L eye, intermittent/dull slight RUQ pain...

if it continues and i cannot attribute to anything else i will surely go to the hospital as my obgyn recommended

when i felt like this yesterday my pressure was coming down from the episode and was approx 140's/80... so i know if it gets worse then the pressure has increased again.

thanks again you all! what a worrisome time.

Please contact your OB or go to the ER. Every pregnant woman has an occasional headache or tummy ache, but the cluster of symptoms you are describing are classic of PIH. Caught and treated early, PIH can be successfully managed. If allowed to progress, that becomes much more difficult. Best of luck to you!

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I agree - RUQ pain is a LATE sign - please don't wait until you seize to go to the ER!!!!!!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You need to be followed very carefully. You do sound like you are heading for trouble if you don't stick close to home and follow dr orders strictly. I wish you a healthy remainder to your pregnancy and very happy/joyous birth. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

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Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.

I just wanted to add something along with everyone else's good advice. Even if you are not having any of the classic textbook symptoms of pre-eclampsia, but you are just not feeling "right", get yourself checked. With my last baby, my blood pressures were up, but I was being monitored closely. On Christmas night, I just didn't feel right, couldn't really describe it, but I wasn't having any classic s/s. I checked my BP, and it was 170/100 (normally I'm 110's over 70's). I called the doc and was induced later that night. I immediately felt better after delivery.

Take care of yourself, and even if you are just feeling "off", go and get checked. Better yet, invest in a automatic BP cuff so you can check yourself daily and keep track of your pressures.

Wishing you a safe and happy delivery!!

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