It's impossible to know who's right and what's extreme. My mom and I both thought it was very extreme to put someone on bed rest after taking an elevated bp...that isn't common sense. Common sense tells you to eat a more consistent diet and get some exercise. That's what I would think anyways. There is so little information out there about Toxemia, that Doctors get up in arms and start trying to cover their own ass.
I know my body, I won't hesitate to call if my fingers look like sausages and I am seeing spots.
Here is the advice I got from a different doctor (god I wish I could find a doctor who has better advice like this..)
by ____on Feb. 20, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Elevated blood pressure is not a symptom of Pre-e/toxemia by itself. You have to have other symptoms in order to diagnose Pre-e. If your labs came back normal that means that your kidneys are functioning just fine.
Bed rest has been counter-indicated in most cases. This means that often times it leads to worse problems then it prevents. Complete bed rest leads to muscle atrophy and a higher chance of blood clots. It also doesn't leave you in great shape for labor.
Take it easy (as in VERY light duty), but do excersice for at least 15 to 30 minutes every day. You want to get your heart rate up a bit and break a light sweat. The best excercise is walking, swimming is another great option. Follow the Brewer diet, you can find the guideline at www.blueribbonbaby.org. It's good for controlling high BP and Pre-e but it's a diet that all pregnant women should follow anyway. And of course drink riduculous amounts of water-at least 10 cups a day.
Thankfully, the diet is what I've been following since I got pregnant. Sure I sneak in something sweet once in awhile, but it's a very OCCASIONAL thing. It's amazing to me how my COMMON SENSE (light exercise and a good diet) seemed so blatant here. Last week it was impossible for me to eat balanced meals, I had the flu. Over the weekend, I didn't always eat like I should have. We ate out twice and although I wasn't scarfing down huge bowls of pasta and salt, it's just normal to not be able to eat as well in a resturant. I got VERY LITTLE exercise all week last week because I was ill. I think all of these things play a part in my symptoms.
Honestly, I don't understand why Doctors can't take the time to explain the whole picture. Tell me what you're testing for, explain to me what I need to watch out for and for gods sakes...don't send me home on bed rest without giving me an explanation!
Needless to say, the next time Brian tricks me into having another kid...I won't be using this doctor.
Bed rest has been counter-indicated in most cases. This means that often times it leads to worse problems then it prevents. Complete bed rest leads to muscle atrophy and a higher chance of blood clots. It also doesn't leave you in great shape for labor.
Take it easy (as in VERY light duty), but do excersice for at least 15 to 30 minutes every day. You want to get your heart rate up a bit and break a light sweat. The best excercise is walking, swimming is another great option. Follow the Brewer diet, you can find the guideline at www.blueribbonbaby.org. It's good for controlling high BP and Pre-e but it's a diet that all pregnant women should follow anyway. And of course drink riduculous amounts of water-at least 10 cups a day.
Thankfully, the diet is what I've been following since I got pregnant. Sure I sneak in something sweet once in awhile, but it's a very OCCASIONAL thing. It's amazing to me how my COMMON SENSE (light exercise and a good diet) seemed so blatant here. Last week it was impossible for me to eat balanced meals, I had the flu. Over the weekend, I didn't always eat like I should have. We ate out twice and although I wasn't scarfing down huge bowls of pasta and salt, it's just normal to not be able to eat as well in a resturant. I got VERY LITTLE exercise all week last week because I was ill. I think all of these things play a part in my symptoms.
Honestly, I don't understand why Doctors can't take the time to explain the whole picture. Tell me what you're testing for, explain to me what I need to watch out for and for gods sakes...don't send me home on bed rest without giving me an explanation!
Needless to say, the next time Brian tricks me into having another kid...I won't be using this doctor.
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