Seeing flashes of light during pregnancy... whats going on?

H

Hope D

New member
I had a scare the other day, I'm about 28 weeks pregnant, and I keep seeing flashing lights. My head gets all funny, and my vision goes crazy. I called my doctor and asked them about it, and they told me to come in NOW or go to the emergency room. They were worried it might be related to high blood pressure.
I went in, and they said everything looked fine. They don't know whats wrong, but they are going to "keep an eye on me". Has anyone else had similar symptoms while pregnant? What did your doctor tell you it was? I've had 3 episodes over the past 2 weeks.
 
I was thinking - have you ever had migraines, or do they run in your family? Sometimes they can come on with weird mixtures of symptoms - visual disturbances and stuff like that, but no pain. I have them occasionally, and although most of the time they are pretty standard, sometimes I'll get one where it just feels like half my face is numb and I'm sensitve to light - no headache at all.
 
I'd keep an eye on your blood pressure.

I'd also go have my eyes checked. It may be unrelated to pregnancy. If your retina is detaching it can cause severe floaters or flashes of light. The problem can be fixed if caught before a detachment occurs. Once it detaches, it causes blindness and can not be repaired.

Not trying to scare you at all, but I'd make an appointment and also get a BP cuff to use at home.
 
Yes, I had flashes, and tunnel vision...and I was driving!!
It was my blood pressure.
Maybe your blood pressure is just spiking, and by the
time you get checked it's back down.
Definitely watch this -- could be bad for you and baby
if you let it go...
Mine settled down, but they watched it the rest of
the pregnancy...
 
You really need to watch that. I'm 37 weeks, 3 days and I'm in the hospital now for mild preeclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension). Your doctor should be monitoring your blood pressure and checking your urine for protein just to be on the safe side. Usually the flashes are caused by high blood pressure, but if the ER said it was fine maybe it's something different. I would certainly keep talking to your doctor about it though, as it doesn't sound normal and if it is preeclampsia it can be dangerous for you or baby if it's not closely monitored or treated.
 
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