Borderline Preeclampsia

Today I started out with contractions! Nothing major, just tightening enough I could feel. I was put on the monitor for an hour and then taken over to labor and delivery. Of course the minute I got there the contractions stopped! So I just visited there for a couple hours and was brought back to my room.

The results of my 24 hour urine test show my protein levels at 302. Doc say's that preeclampsia is 300. So I am borderline (I'm including the description of preeclampsia from preeclampsia.org below for anyone who wants to know more!). I am seeing the high risk doc assigned to this hospital tomorrow sometime who will decide when we are going to deliver Miss. Maya. No matter what doc say's I will be here for awhile.

Since this is my new blog, anyone who would like to be added to my friends list please leave a comment or follow me, I will add you :)

What is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period and affects both the mother and the unborn baby. Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies, it is a rapidly progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms.

Typically, preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks gestation (in the late 2nd or 3rd trimesters or middle to late pregnancy), though it can occur earlier. Proper prenatal care is essential to diagnose and manage preeclampsia. Preeclampsia, Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and toxemia are closely related conditions. HELLP Syndrome and eclampsia are other manifestations of the same syndrome. It is important to note that research shows that more women die from preeclampsia than eclampsia and one is not necessarily more serious than the other.

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.