Preeclampsia

So I had my monthly prenatal checkup yesterday. It did NOT go well at all. The first two things the nurse does is have you urinate into a cup and check your blood pressure. Once I did both, she had a concerned look on her face. I asked her what was wrong. She said my blood pressure is 154/84, EXTREMELY high for a pregnant women. For the past 7 months my blood pressure was about 132/80. The top number is what she was so concerned about. At that point she told me to lay down on my left side and relax and she would be back in 20 minutes. I did as told, and she returned to retake my blood pressure. The second time it was 156/86 (even higher then the first). This is when she mentioned preeclampsia and told me the doctor would be in ASAP. This worried me for several reasons. 1- preeclampsia is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. If preeclampsia is diagnosed I would have to be put on bed rest until delivery. If severe preeclampsia is diagnosed I would have to be admitted into the hospital for monitoring until birth. 2- Globally, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. By conservative estimates, these disorders are responsible for 76,000 maternal and 500,000 infant deaths each year.

The only way to diagnose preeclampsia is to have blood tests done and a 24 hour urine screen. My doctor also had me do a non-stress test (NST) there in his office before I left. This test involves hooking me up to several different machines to monitor the babies heart rate and my contractions for 30 minutes. So we sat there, as I tried to relax on a lazy boy recliner, and did the NST. When that was complete the doctor looked at the results and said everything looked good, which means the baby is NOT stressed (whewwww). Another plus is that he asked the nurse to re-take my blood pressure one more time (because I had a chance to relax) and when she did it was 136/82 (back to normal, which is good, but does not mean a whole lot, the fact that it was soooo high to begin with is what is concerning)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Once my appointment was over he sent me immediately down to have my blood drawn. I did that and they gave me a bottle to do the 24 hour urine scree (this involves peeing in a jug for 24 hours straight and turning it back into the lab. You can not miss a urine in this jug once the 24 hours is started or you have to start all over). It is NOT the funnest thing to have to urinate into a jug every time I need the bathroom. Anything for the health of my baby and me I will do, no questions asked.

As of now, 1:20pm on 1-9-09 I have not got the results back on my blood tests. Please keep Liam and I in your prayers, as preeclampisa is a serious disorder. As soon as I get results back (if they are good) I will update you. If they are not good results then my update will not be as prompt.

I know that God has reasons for everything and I have to trust in Him. He will guide me and protect me and my unborn son.

God Bless!