preemie-l preterm labor
D4165/Nancy Heiliger/X7047/M000000/B033 (nah@cbddo2.cb.att.com)
Fri, 7 Jun 96 11:32:04 EDT
I ended up with toxemia and HELLP syndrome, which involves
the liver. At the time my doctor and others were shocked that
I had this because I had "no symptoms" - that is no protein in the
urine, no blood pressure problems, and no swelling.
When I look back though, I did have one very severe headache
(almost went to the ER), I had terrible heartburn, several UTIs,
did not gain weight properly (lost 7 and gained back 9 at 31 weeks)
and I was also having alot of contractions. I specifically asked
the doctor about the contractions and also the fact that I felt
I had a foul smelling discharge. He blew both of these things off as
"just normal".
I think that because I had a normal first pregnancy, that was
what he expected this time and he never took any of my complaints
seriously. Yes, pregnant women feel lousy, but doctors should
not become so immune to their complaints. In the reading I've
done since this, I've seen mention of all the the above symptoms
as those of preterm labor and/or toxemia.
Nancy H.
(MOM! to Stephen (almost 4) and Michael (born at 31 weeks))