This is my second pregnancy (I am 33 weeks) and last time my son was induced after I developed pre-eclampsia. I have had protein in my urine the last two times I have been tested. First time was just trace but second was higher so it was sent to check for a UTI but it has come back negative. Both times I have had high blood pressure but when taken again 30 minutes later it has returned to normal. Last week I was admitted into hosp because I couldn't breathe and had a in under one rib. After a lot of tests for a blood clot they let me go home with Iron tablets as I was anemic, sickness tablets as I was nauseous, and told I have a viral illness. It was never suggested that I might be developing pre-eclampsia but I feel similar to how I did in the weeks before I did last time. I have head aches, get dizzy and generally feel awful. My midwife agreed I look awful and upped my iron intake but doesn't seem to be suggesting pre-eclamsia either or any other suggestion for protein and BP but then she didn't last time either and let me go home with a suspected infection the day before I was rushed to hosp with a 'suspected UTI' which I never had. Am I being paranoid or does it just look like I am going to get it again?

The person to ask is either a Physician or your midwife - and I'd ask it now.

I think it would be irresponsible to guess at something this serious.

My doctor said I have a 1 in 5 chance of getting Pre-eclampsia again, especially since both babies have the same Dad, and that it is possible that I am producing protein just because I am pregnant (though he couldn't view the level of Protein as computer system as down and my midwife had paper copy). He couldn't offer an explanation for my BP but said that while it is coming down without treatment it's not really a concern even though I have never had high BP in my life, including the day before I was taken to hospital last time, except the day they had to induce me. Not really feeling any further forward but it seems I just have to wait and see what happens. Feeling ill still and now have 'period pain' on my tummy ad lower back. The joys!

Along with a list of other dramas in my current pregnancy I now have 'period pain' in my tummy under bump and lower back. I have taken pain killers over an hour ago and it's not improving. I had this on and off for one day a week ago but it went away, this has lasted all day. I'm only 33 weeks so I don't think it's the start of labour. Anyone else had this?

Are you eating well? Are you chewing ice?

I am trying to eat as well as possible, certainly no worse than I have for the rest of this pregnancy or the last one. Craving beef so eating plenty of that. I don't own a ice cube tray for some reason but I am drinking fluids

Are you eating well? Are you chewing ice?


Can you give a "medical" lesson? How is chewing ice involved in this?

There can be a number of discomforts in pregnancy, particularly towards the end. Is this pain constant or does it come and go throughout the day? Does it seem to start in your back and make its way around to the front, or is it consistent with both? Do you notice it more when walking or lying down? Do any positions seem to cause it to subside a bit?

Could be Braxton Hicks contractions, with can sometimes feel like period cramping. They will usually subside if you get plenty to drink, and/or change your activity. If it is a constant pain, or if it seems to come and go with frequency, check with your midwife. Even at 33 weeks, it could be preterm labour. Better to know for sure for the peace of mind.

Can you give a "medical" lesson? How is chewing ice involved in this?
Chewing ice can cause dehydration. Think about it, if you put 1 cup of water in a freezer, once frozen it measures closer to 1 1/2 cups. Looks like more fluid, but it's not. Then your body temp, around 98.6, expends energy to turn that cold ice to body temperature, thus expending energy causing dehydration.

Many women crave ice during pregnancy. Some even crave corn starch!

When a woman is dehydrated there are ketones and protein in her urine.

All of this happens if they are not eating properly as well.

I'd have thought chewing ice would be good for you, but I don't do it anyway. Period pains got so bad last night I ended up in hospital. They said I have a water infection after all and sent me home with blood pressure of 143/72 (I think), because they had no beds. Feel really ill today and pain is really bad. I had no idea being pregnant could feel this rough

Chewing ice can cause dehydration. Think about it, if you put 1 cup of water in a freezer, once frozen it measures closer to 1 1/2 cups. Looks like more fluid, but it's not. Then your body temp, around 98.6, expends energy to turn that cold ice to body temperature, thus expending energy causing dehydration.

Many women crave ice during pregnancy. Some even crave corn starch!

When a woman is dehydrated there are ketones and protein in her urine.

All of this happens if they are not eating properly as well.



Thanks - I've seen this mentioned before but never knew why. Now I know!

I'd have thought chewing ice would be good for you, but I don't do it anyway. Period pains got so bad last night I ended up in hospital. They said I have a water infection after all and sent me home with blood pressure of 143/72 (I think), because they had no beds. Feel really ill today and pain is really bad. I had no idea being pregnant could feel this rough

Period pains? I thought you were pregnant.

143/72 isn't high enough to warrant keeping you in the hospital.

I suffered a still birth due to pre eclampsia. I was told that in every pregnancy I have now I will get pre eclampsia. Please demand to get it seen to more I don't want anyone to ever go through what I did

I suffered a still birth due to pre eclampsia. I was told that in every pregnancy i have now i will get pre eclampsia. Please demand to get it seen to more i dont want anyone to ever go through what i did

Hi lesmiserables,

Fortunately it is not automatic that you will experience pre eclampsia again. While there is an increase risk of developing it again, most women do not.