Pre-e worries: Update

Okie doke. So, as I mentioned in my 33 week check-in post, I was concerned about pre-e since I gained 8 lbs in the past week (!), my blood pressure has been high, there's been protein in my urine, and my swelling is increasing.

Even though my next appt was scheduled for this coming Tuesday I called my OB's office this morning to let them know about my worries and they said they wanted to see me ASAP so I went in this afternoon.

Based on today's appt I guess everything is fine for now as far as I know.  My blood pressure was good at the office (still higher than usual for me at 121/83 while normal is about 110/75ish but nowhere close to some of the readings I've been getting at home with my BP cuff - highest has been 145/98!) so that's good. But it's also slightly frustrating since I feel like the boy who cried wolf.

They tested my urine and the protein level is still at +3, as it was at my last appt a little over 3 weeks ago (and consistent with my own testing at home).  They sent me home with a pee jug and are having me do a 24 hour urine collection.  Since I have a 3-hour baby class at the hospital tomorrow and then my shower on Sunday I won't be able to do the collection until Monday into Tuesday and will bring it back to the lab on Tuesday morning. I also mentioned to the doc that I have been turned down for a urine test at every single prenatal appointment so far and she said she'd put it in my chart to make sure it is now tested every time moving forward. Good.

They also drew blood and I should get results within a couple/few days. I believe that is to make sure I'm not having any kidney issues.

Regarding the crazy weight gain, the doc didn't really have an answer for that. She seemed to chalk it up to the fact that my weight hasn't really changed in about 3 weeks, plus regular pregnancy swelling, plus growth of the baby, and she suggested that maybe I have been eating too much sodium which could be causing excess water retention.  That's possible - I haven't really been focusing on sodium and I do eat canned soup almost every single day for lunch which is full of sodium so maybe all of this is just the perfect storm this week.  I guess I'll just have to see how the next week goes weight-wise.

A good thing is that I don't have any additional symptoms of pre-e: vision changes/floaters, severe headaches, abdominal/shoulder/back pain (beyond normal 3rd tri aches and pains), swelling that so bad it's pitting... I did vomit the other day but I think that was more due to having an empty stomach and eating too many Tums, and I see stars pretty often but it's always after movement (changes in position or bending over to pick something up), so I'm not worried about that stuff.

So for next steps, I need to do the 24 hr urine catch, she told me to continue to monitor my BP and keep using the urine test strips if I want to, try to limit my sodium intake, and just wait for the results of my B/W (and then urine collection next week).   They're also switching me to routine appts every other week now moving forward.

Lastly, I did mention to her that I've been feeling the baby move less lately so she gave me a non-stress test (NST) to make sure baby is doing okay. And he is! His HB is good and he passed in plenty of time. She also told me I should be doing kick counts (which is interesting because at my last appt I specifically asked that doc if I should do them and he said no), so I'll be starting those now.

I'm also measuring at exactly 33 weeks so that's good :-)

All in all I still feel a bit concerned but I'll just keep an eye on things and keep my FX that all my test results come back okay. 

Thanks to everyone who checked in on me today!!