35 Weeks pregnant and need some advice...?

I am so sorry to hear about your brother!! So so so sorry.

Swelling is pregnancy is often normal - particularly in the later stages. However, doctors will keep an eye on swelling due to Preeclampsia. I would see your doctor about it just in case - you won't be calling them for something that you don't need advice on. Here is some info:

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.

Signs and Symptoms:

None

Hypertension

Swelling or Edema

Proteinuria

Sudden Weight Gain

Headache

Nausea or Vomiting

Changes in Vision

Racing pulse, mental confusion, heightened anxiety, trouble catching your breath

Stomach or Right Shoulder Pain

Lower back pain

Hyperreflexia

None

High blood pressure is a silent killer. Oftentimes, women diagnosed with preeclampsia do not feel sick. Many signs and symptoms of preeclampsia mirror other "normal" effects of pregnancy on your body. Women diagnosed with preeclampsia may feel frustrated when prescribed bedrest because they feel fine. If you feel fine, it may be hard for you or your partner to appreciate that preeclampsia is a serious condition.

What you can do...

Proper prenatal care is essential. Tests taken at these check-ups: weighing in, checking your blood pressure, dipping your urine are all done to screen for preeclampsia. Particularly after 20 weeks--do not miss your prenatal appointments. As with any pregnancy, a good prenatal diet full of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and the basic food groups is important; cutting back on processed foods, refined sugars, and cutting out caffeine, alcohol and any medication not prescribed by a physician is essential. It is also advisable to speak with your health care professional before taking any supplement, herbal or otherwise.

Hypertension (High blood pressure)

High blood pressure is defined as blood pressure of 140/90 or greater as measured on two separate occasions within six hours. However, a woman who normally has a low baseline blood pressure, such as 90/60, could be considered hypertensive at a blood pressure of less than that - especially if she has other symptoms. A rise in the diastolic (lower number) of 15 degrees or more, or a rise in the systolic (upper number) of 30 degrees or more is cause for concern.

In 1990 the National Institutes of Health, National High Blood Pressure Education Program: Working Group Report on High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy issued the following research guidelines:

In the past it has been recommended that an increase of 30 mm Hg systolic or 15 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure be used as a diagnostic criterion, even when absolute values are below 140/90 mm Hg. This definition has not been included in our criteria because the only available evidence shows that women in this group are not likely to suffer increased adverse outcomes. Nonetheless, it is the collective clinical opinion of this panel that women who have a rise of 30 mm Hg systolic or 15 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure warrant close observation, especially if proteinuria and hyperuricemia (uric acid [UA] greater than or equal to 6 mg/dL) are also present.

It should also be noted that 4 members of the Preeclampsia Foundation Medical Board and our Executive Director participated in this working group. There was significant debate over removing baseline BP as diagnostic which is why the final sentence was included. The Preeclampsia Foundation continues to encourage its women, particularly those with low baseline BPs, to know their baseline and to be aware of significant changes and to make any concerns about those changes known to their health care provider.

What you can do...

Know your baseline blood pressure (your blood pressure prior to pregnancy), learn what it means, and ask, "What are my numbers" at each visit. If you are told "It's fine," repeat, "What are my numbers?" If you have had preeclampsia before or if you have chronic high b

There are several causes for your feet swelling when you're pregnant - ranging from just overdoing things, to complications from blood pressure, medication, etc.

During the day, stay off your feet as much as possible, raising them up when you nap with a pillow under them, to help swelling go down. Drink plenty of water (more than you normally would) as this will help the swelling go down too. If you don't notice any change after 24 hours, you really should go back to your doctor though. If YOUR health deteriorates, you're putting your baby at risk, so you need to look after yourself first and foremost.

I'm so sorry about your brother. Apart from the physical and emotional stress of being pregnant, coping with death and grief makes life even tougher. I went through a similar experience when I was 28 weeks pregnant with my first, and although I didn't go into labour, I did find coping at the time very painful.

As hard as it will be to mentally distance yourself, please try and remember that you're about to bring a beautiful baby into the world! Concentrate on that, and visualise the positives rather than all the negativity in your life at the moment.

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RE:

35 Weeks pregnant and need some advice...?

OK...so here is the deal, I am 35 weeks pregnant and have had the most stressful/painful week of my life...my brother took his life on Saturday and i was so upset about that, that I actually went into labor and they stopped it and gave me a shot which I had a bad reaction to and i passed out in the...

Please call your obstetrician, he/she will understand. There is no problem too small to be ignored in a pregnancy. At 35 weeks the size of the uterus is large enough to compress the venous blood return from the legs. You are feeling that paresthesia in your feet because of peripheral nerve compression from the swelling. In the interim minimize being on your feet and elevate your legs with the knees partially bent and propped with a pillow, when seated or at rest. A flexible lounger if you have one, would help. When in bed lie slightly to your left side, by propping a pillow in your back with your right side slightly up (this maneuver reduces compression of the vena cava, by the enlarged uterus).Try to get some rest.

I'm sorry about your loss, but go on living, and enjoy your new baby. My prayer for you, in your difficult time.

First off , I am truly sorry about your brother ... As for the feet swelling .... That is most likely because of the stress that your brother's death is putting on , in return is making your blood pressure go through the roof .. and thats causing your feet to swell ... and High Blood Pressure can do harm to you and your baby ... SOOOO i would call your doctor in the morning and get in there to see them tomorrow .. Good Luck hun ...

Eclampsia/pre-eclampsia are life threatening for both mother and the child. Delivery of the baby early is a right option. Normally one has to wait upto 35 weeks. In homeopathy "five phos" as a tonic and Natrum Mur 30 should help the condition to reduce the pressure. Liver and kidney would get affected largely. Whatever be the medicine used should aim towards strengthening the Adrinal glands. With all the best wishes. God bless you with a smooth delivery and a wonderful child.

I would agree that it sounds like high blood pressure from the stress. Did they put you on bed rest? I would call your doctor and put your feet up. Make sure you are drinking enough water and getting enough salt in your diet. I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I know it is hard to get through a tragedy like this (I've been in a similar situation). It is ok to be sad and grieve. Try to stay calm for your babies sake though. You are in my prayers.

Swelling of the feet is normal so try to lay down and elevate them. If swelling doesn't go down within 12 hours it's then time to give the doctor a call. I'm so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you.

I would ice and elevate your feet. This should bring down the swelling. If it doesn't come down or other parts of your body start to swell you should probably call the dr. just in case. Good luck and I'm very sorry for your loss.

the farther along you get the chances of edema are more likely. For the remainder of the pregnancy lie down with your feet propped up on 2-3 pillows to keep the blood from rushing to them. I'm only 25 weeks and I already have to do this. Water retention is normal the farther along you get

hi, im so sorry about the lose you went through. you poor girl and dealing with this while your pregnant, its very stress full on you and your baby. the swollen feet are normal during the end of pregnancy. try to rest as much as you can, keep your feet elevated and take something for the pain. there isn't much you can do really. good luck, congrats on the bub and im sorry.