On labour ward. This is stressful!

Flaxseed I replied to your update yesterday but it seems to have gone to the back of beyond Hope the new mum is well enough to go home, she will find it so much less stressful. When she's had some sleep, even if it's only in 2 hour snatches for a bit, everything will seem better. You must all be feeling tired too.

So pleased to hear DD1 is single-handedly keeping the baby shops in business as she buys up all the blue outfits in town I remember your post when you expressed your concern for her. Sounds like she'll be a brilliant auntie

I think her BP is high again this morning through stress of post natal ward! It sounds horrendous! Even if your own baby is sleeping, another one is screaming! So four nights without sleep must have an affect on her health!
They know what she's been through yet put her in a four bed bay when I feel she should have had a side room.

I do wonder about the young staff now

When I trained, we were expected to be compassionate and I truly believe I still am. I ALWAYS treat patients as if they are my own relative as do many of my older colleagues. Unfortunately, we seem to be in the minority these days, as I witness far too many cases of apathy and dispassion.
I don't know why people chose a medical career if they don't give a damn - it's certainly not for the money!!

I'm so glad she may be able to come home today, things will improve a lot quicker then. DD1 was let down in a very similar way nine years ago (last month), you'd have thought things would have improved by now.

DD1 was so anxious about 'getting out' that she developed White Coat Syndrome. Her BP seemed to be higher than her health implied it should be, so the doctor sneaked back in half an hour after taking it and took it again before it shot through the ceiling again. Worth a try if your DDs BP hasn't gone down enough.

I think her blood group is A+ like me

It's an evil condition isn't it?!
I think this has put her off wanting another one!

Trouble is, her main symptoms on weds were the less well known ones!
I feel that women should be aware of those as well as the more well known ones like the BP, headaches and protein in wee. And I feel even more strongly that midwives should not be fobbing women off!

If DD's bloods improve, she'll hopefully come home tomorrow.

Partners have to leave at 9 on post natal so this is her first night on her own which is a bit overwhelming as she's still finding it difficult to move!
She's still not slept.

I just want her to get home now so that we can let her catch up on her sleep undisturbed and heal and enjoy the little man

my pregnancies that were affected by pre eclampsia were 10 years apart,it didn;t affect my first or third and pregnancies that only survived 3 months or less weren't affected (6 of those)...or not that I know of.I have had high blood pressure all my life since then and medication for it,it is quite rare for pregnancies other than the first to be affected BUT it is possible and your daughter should be aware it CAN happen more then once so she can be on the lookout for symtoms which might otherwise be ignored.I almost lost my life with my last pregnancy and was told in no uncertain terms that there mustn't be any more.Medicine has come a long way in those 30 years though so as long as shhe gets the right advice from professionals she will be fine.I was told that certain blood groups were more prone to it ,I'm A neg so she could check that out too.So pleased all is well with her and her wee one

Thank you for taking the time to update us flaxseed. Goodness, what a roller coaster. Not surprised you were emotional. Why wouldn't you be? It sounds as if you believe your daughter has been let down by some medical professionals, perhaps best not to dwell on that now and think future. Being on the post natal ward feels like progress, I hope you feel your daughter gets the care she deserves there. Lovely you were able to spend time with her when she needed you. Your little grandson sounds to be thriving, how wonderful as is his Aunt's reaction to him. Hope his wardrobe can cope . So many positives, a day at a time for now perhaps, enjoy being a new Gran and please try not to worry too much.

Thanks for your kind thoughts!
You might be sorry you asked!

So. I was able to spend lots of time with DD during the night. And thank goodness I could!
The poor patients are just left to just get on with it which is fine if you have access to everything, don't have pain and restricted movement from major abdominal surgery!
We had to keep a tally of the pain relief she'd had as no one seemed to know who had given what and when, had to even remind them to take her fluctuating BP

I did see a lovely Midwife who was with her when she was admitted and she was discussing her blood results with me.
Suffice to say - DD was far more poorly than we were aware of. They said it's likely she will be predisposed to hypertension in the future

I'm angry today. Angry that her own midwife didn't take her seriously and ante natal (who were brill on admission) had told her that morning, when she rang for advice, that her symptoms were 'normal' and her body 'preparing itself for childbirth'

Why don't they listen to mum's who feel things are not right?

My anger turned to tears when I got home, exhausted. But I had a couple of hours sleep and feel less stressed now.

DD has gone to post natal ward this morning. Her BP is still unpredictable but on double meds.
She has showered and is more mobile.
Little man has learnt how to use his lungs and guzzle milk like a pro. His little milk induced drunken face melts me, and my DD makes me so proud it makes me well up.

And for any of you who read my very first post on Gransnet about finding out DD was pregnant and how worried I was about DD1's reaction (Gynae history) - I have to report that she is absolutely smitten and has been the most wonderful support.
She's currently in town buying up every blue outfit she sees as, in her words, 'I couldn't choose - so bought them all'

I don't think that is right Anya. Although it's not uncommon with first baby it is rarer in subsequent pregnancies. I had it with my first and I know others who also did....we all had subsequent pregnancies PET free. I do hope Flaxseed that things are beginning to improve for your daughter. It is very hard, as you say to watch your child suffer. I am sure your presence is a comfort to her.

How are things today Flaxseed? I do hope you all had a good night's sleep and that your DD is much better.

I thought that having preeclampsia in a first pregnancy increases your risk of developing it again in a second or subsequent pregnancy?

It is very rare indeed to happen in two pregnancies Paddyann. You were very unfortunate.

Thinking about you all as you go through the night.
Lots of love.

flaxseed it will be ok, your daughter is in the best place and this will soon be over with and you will be soon holding in your arms your new grandchild

DJ - I'm glad your DIL was able to go home after all!

Thanks again.
I know that we have lots to be grateful for, but I can't help just wanting to cry when I see DD looking so poorly.
I've just returned from the hospital before going back up for work later.

They have doubled her dose of medication to try and get her BP normal.
She has dark rings around her eyes through lack of sleep. She is totally exhausted.

Baby is quite content thank goodness.

I am not passing on my stress to DD though. I'm upbeat when I am up there!
DD had a bout of vomiting when I was there and a Midwife (not DD's Midwife) came in and starting moaning about the amount of stuff in the room
Some of them are wonderful, some are quite frankly, bloody rude and uncaring.

DD and partner have cancelled visitors for tonight thank goodness.

Congratulations Flaxseed and Durhamjen on the birth of your new grandchildren. My DD2 had pre-eclampsia with her first baby 9 years ago and is now pregnant with her second and the hospital are keeping a very close eye on her. It can happen again and we are keeping our fingers crossed. I know how worrying it can be for everyone.

*mumof madboys" that not correct,my first and third pregnancies were plagued with pre eclampsia,one baby died and one lived ,baby in the middle I had no problem apart from the vile all day sickness.I was married to the same man during all my pregnancies...still am .but pre eclampsia can appear in any pregnancy.Always best to know and be on the lookout for early symptoms .Otherwise you could overlook them or dismiss it as being unimportant with bad results

Lurking on this thread, but had to pop up and say how lovely to hear DJ's happy outcome and hope her DIL will soon be able to move in comfort ?
Flaxseed it is awful to see your child suffer, hope you are soon able to celebrate a homecoming too to you both.

The emotion is understandable flaxseed, it's all been very tense. Chin up, your daughter is having good care and your little grandson is feeding well. You will be close by tonight and tomorrow things may look so much better.

Flaxseed, my daughter in law and grandson are going home today. He was born a day before your grandson.
My daughter in law had to have another operation yesterday morning, to make sure she was okay, as they could not sew her up properly after he was born, because of the complicated caesarian.
I hope this reassures you. Yesterday morning they were saying they would be kept in until next week. Now they think they can go home today. Things change quickly.

Just to reassure you Flaxseed that pre- eclampsia only happens with the first baby . It can only happen with a second if you have a different father. It seems to have some immunological basis. Hypertension in pregnancy can happen again but not the swelling and risk of fits that happens in pre eclampsia.
Hope DD is much better soon. Congratulations from me too.

I think you have to be positive ,what if's wont help her or you.You're new wee person is here and doing well and your daughter is being looked after.Sounds harsh I know but as someone whose baby was whisked off to SCBU and stayed there for almost three months you've had a great result.Be grateful and smile when you see her,if she thinks you're worried it wont help her BP and she'll think you're hiding things which you clearly have no need to do.Breathe slowly and think positive thoughts

And now she's been told her placenta had started to fail.

Thank goodness she went up when she did!
I'm not sure what the outcome would have been otherwise but I don't think it would have been good.

Sorry I sound all gloomy!
I'm feeling really upset about it all today!

Poor DD is still poorly.
Her blood pressure is still fluctuating, she's exhausted and sore.
She needs more blood tests today and medication.
It's breaks my heart that this special time is marred by all of this.
She was upset in the night as she couldn't reach him as she was so sore. The midwives were run off their feet with mum's who were delivering, so couldn't help much. (She's still on labour ward due to needing intervention)
They did eventually take him for a couple of hours so that she could sleep.
On a positive note, little man is breastfeeding nicely

Hopefully my shift tonight won't be too busy so I can have a cuddle whilst she sleeps

Watching your own child suffering has to be one of the worst aspect of parenting doesn't it?!