Advice for Grandmother-to-be please

[FoxLee2]

My son and daughter in law are expecting their first child, our first grandson, in June and I look at this site a lot and it amazes me how much you young mums and mums-to-be know these days. 38 years ago when I was pregnant, I'd never even heard of Braxton Hicks, for example. The reason for this post is that my daughter in law went for a routine check up with her midwife this morning and she was concerned about the amount of protein in her urine and sent her to hospital. She had lots of tests and everything seems ok and with the baby but they decided to keep her in overnight because they don't know why she has this large amount of protein in her urine.. I did google and found out that a certain level is normal because the kidneys are working harder at this time but I was wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and could give me some reassurance.

[leewayne]

Hiya,i think they are keeping her in for safety as protein in the urine could be a possible sign of pre-eclampsia which is dangerous for both mum and baby....im sure both are fine and it was just what they had to do.Ive had 2 children and had high protein levels through both pregnancy,im sure all is fine!! Good luck :" )

[FoxLee2]

Thank you so much for your response and reassurance. They are keeping her in to watch her blood pressure as if that goes shooting up, that would be the next sign of pre-eclampsia.

[leewayne]

Well i hope all is fine,they just have to be cautious and i know its a panic,they want to slow down her blood pressure not making it go up by making her worry!!! Lol.Sure all is well! Best of luck on being a grandma : )

[FoxLee2]

Thanks again leewayne. The next two months can't go quickly enough for my husband and I. We've been married 4l years come September so it's been a long wait for a grandchild and he will be so loved and spoiled!!!

[leewayne]

If only all grandparents were like you....i'd love that for my children : ( best of luck for all of you : ) x

[FoxLee2]

Do your children not see much of their grandparents then? Do they live far away? Our married son lives about 4/5 mins. away so they'll only have to whisper that they want to go out, and we'll be there babysitting like a shot.
Our daughter-in-law is the sweetest girl; she comes from Slovakia and her parents and siblings (except one sister) are there so we're her substitute parents and would do anything for her.

[leewayne]

my partners mum lives 10 mins away but has her hands full with her elderley parents(full time carer) so doesnt get time....but could always pick up the phone....but doesnt! My partners dad doesnt exist??!! My dad lives in manchester (300 miles away) and my mum lives in hastings(100 miles away)!!! and have no family around me!! Have close friends who make more of an effort,they have enough love from us so thats enough for me! Long story.......just wish they would show a bit more initiative on seeing there grandchildren more often.Sorry to ramble but a long long story!

[clematis]

Hello FoxLee2,
It is the best thing in the world being a grandparent..we have 5 now and we love looking after them.
The oldest is 7 .I know exactly how you feel that first one is just magic .
Best wishes to you all x

[annie0000]

I'm guessing then that your dil is 32 weeks pregnant then? I am sure that it is just a precaution, but at the end of the day, if they were really worried and had to deliver soon, the baby would have an excellent chance of being absolutely fine, if a bit on the "titchy" side. Just keep your fingers crossed and look forward to giving that wee boy a big cuddle when he gets here.

My kids only have my mum left now as their sole gradparent and she doesn't live locally - she is almost 75, she came today on her free bus transport and took us out for lunch. My eldest son, age 7, is really affectionate and jjumped back on her coach as it was about to leave, so that he could give her an extra kiss before she went home. My younger one , age 6, was busy hiding as he hates all that that kissy stuff!

It is good of you to be a substitute mum for this girl as well, she will be really missing her family at this time.

Hope all goes well.

[FoxLee2]

Thank you so much for your good wishes Clematis.

leewayne - that's really sad that you have no family around you. Grandparents and grandchildren are both losing out on the relationship. Do you get together with any of yours or partner's mum for Christmas, etc?

[leewayne]

My mum tries her best when she is not working(2 jobs!) and my partners family do offer us around for christmas and easter etc but it would be nice if they just did it of there own initiative and come round or at least a phone call,we have mentioned this before but it goes in one ear and out the other but i suppose she has her hands full and my dad books us a hotel so we can come down every so often but not much,my mum loves them to death but is going through problems herself....We are fine on our own and kids are very much loved but they are missing out and will probably realise this when they are older.I just want there own family to love them as much as i do(that could never happen) Lol : ) Its all good though were fine just us 4!

[FoxLee2]

Yes, dil is 32 weeks today. I've been thinking along those lines that the baby could be born okay now, if necessary, but I've not voiced my thoughts to anyone else.
It's been so easy tolove my dil -my son waited a long time to find his bride and it was only last June that they were married in a castle in Slovakia. It was just magical and this will be the best 1st anniversary present for them.

[harryshaw]

i dont want no upset here but you brought somthing
back to me from a while ago
i had a baby which had edwards syndrome
didnnnnnnnnnt know what it was or even heard of it
till i looked it up just now i was shocked
it was in 1995 and didnt hav a pc then
i wished i hadnt looked irt up now
in the womb it had a lump on uts nneck
it died innnthe womb and it was a girl
i had to have it natuarrally
it was heart rending at the time
and this just brought it bk to me

omg sorry for rannting as she would be about 12 or 13 now off now as they give me a pic of her to wen i was in hospital sorry no offence as im going to be a grannie in october xxx

[FoxLee2]

harryshaw, what an awful time for you. I've never heard of Edward's syndrome. 2008 is going to be a good year for both of us - hope all goes well in October and congrats. from one would-be grannie to another.

[harryshaw]

im wellinng up now but i know it will go well for you all
as i say at the time i had no idea

its like a blast from my past

as it was his first not mine as i have a daughter annnd a son
i am female by the way just using hubbys name at moment
i am monty
by the way
im off to cry before he comes in as we dont talk about it any more un less we row

thanks xxxxxxxxx

[andrea81]

Hi, I have nothing to add to what's been said as all are right about why they are keeping an eye on her.

Only thing I will say is that I had pre-eclampsia and was monitored closely for the last few months. They will be looking after her and making sure she and baby are happy! It's a good thing and try not to worry!

Congrats on being your first, all very exciting x x x x

[FoxLee2]

Thanks Andrea for taking the time to post on this. It's been so positive having this 'direct from the horse's mouth' so to speak. It's just when you read up on pre-eclampsia on line, you get worst case scenarios and it seems doom and gloom but hearing from others who've been through it okay is very reassuring.

[andrea81]

Yes I agree.. you can get too much info in the net about things!

I had high blood pressure to begin with due to my hubby being in Iraq at the time, and added to pre-eclampsia made thing a bit of a worry, but to be honest, midwives are so clued up these days. I hated being admited into hosp, but so grateful now as i was in the right place!

there are things they can do do lower BP, I reacted well to medication. Labitalol I think it was.

Keep us updated though x x x x

[FoxLee2]

As far as I know, her bp is okay at the moment - we're going to see her this afternoon - it's the amount of protein that has been the concern and theyre keeping an eye on her bp as that could be the next indication of pre-eclampsia. If everything is okay, she'll be out this evening. Did you spent most of your pregnancy in hospital?
I'll post again, fingers crossed,not until June when the baby is born.

[andrea81]

No, I went back and fourth to hosp every week in the day clinic and was seen by midwife at home every few days. I was finely admited at 37/38 weeks and I stayed in until the baby was born a week later. I was induced, but ended up with a c-section.

But I was a bad case my BP got to 120/100 + at this point!

Take care and if I can help any. I'll keep an eye out for you x