AboutBrenda Expertise I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. In addition to that, I am a mother of two, ages 21 and 16, both of which I had hoped would be vaginal deliveries, but ended up being C-Sections... one of which had me in pre-term labor...another which was frank breech (bottom first)... one who rejected the breast... and so on... to list my personal experience would be a bit lengthy! I'd simply like to help anyone who might have a question or concern that I can draw on my expertise to answer!
Experience I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. My experience also includes approximately three years working in Behavioral Services.
Education/Credentials Graduated from the Mary Lanning School of Nursing in May 1988. Have been a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of NE since 1988.
Question At my last appt my dr felt that we needed to test for toxemia because I had protein in my urine and I was having some swelling. My bp was great, as usual, but he said that the protein worried him.
I did the 24hr urine test and it came back high, now I have to redo the test on Sunday.
I am really worried about it, and I can't seem to find any information on toxemia online other than it's "hypertension" which is high bp -which i don't have. I am pretty frustrated with trying to find information.
This is my 3rd pregnancy (my 2nd pregnancy ended at 9wks from a molar pregnancy)I had no complications with my first pregnancy other than during delivery. (I had a large baby for my frame, 4th degree tear and needed blood transfusion)
So I guess my questions is, how likley is it that I DO have toxemia? What exactly IS toxemia? What does it mean to me if I don't have high bp along with the toxemia? Will it show up later?
Thank you in advance for your time.
Answer Dear Kristina,
Proteinuria in pregnancy, particularly after the 20th week, often suggests the onset of preeclampsia (also called toxemia). Proteinuria without high blood pressure can sometimes indicate other issues going on that simply involve the kidneys, but typically the first thought is the onset of preeclampsia so your doctor will begin to monitor you very closely for a blood pressure creeping up. Here is some additional information on preeclampsia:
Preeclampsia is a medical condition where hypertension arises in pregnancy (pregnancy-induced hypertension or PIH) in association with significant amounts of protein in the urine. While BP elevation is the most visible sign of the disease, it involves generalized damage to the maternal endothelium and kidneys and liver. Preeclampsia may develop from 20 weeks gestation (it is considered early onset before 32 weeks) and its progress differs among patients. Some women develop high blood pressure without the proteinuria (protein in urine); this is called Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) or gestational hypertension. Both preeclampsia and PIH are regarded as very serious conditions and require careful monitoring of mother and baby. Symptoms may include:
- increased blood pressure
- protein in the urine
- edema (swelling)
- sudden weight gain
- visual changes such as blurred or double vision
- nausea, vomiting
- right-sided upper abdominal pain or pain around the stomach
- urinating small amounts
- changes in liver or kidney function tests
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
