I was diagnosed with preeclampsia somewhere around week 32 or 33 of my pregnancy. I was put ohn bedrest and told specifically to lay on my left side to keep the blood pressure down. I had to monitor my blood pressure at home and call the dr. if it went over a certain point. I was at the point where i was having visits to the Dr. at least once a week. I was sent over to Labor and delivery 3 times to be put on the fetal moitors. The third time I went in on a Friday, my BP would not come down enought to release me so my Dr kept me there overnite. She came in on Saturday (this was right at 37 weeks exactly, I already had scheduled an induction per my Dr for the following thursday) and decided to do a c-section the following morning. So on Sunday I had a beautiful 6lb 5oz baby boy. My Dr told me that if she had let me go home I would have gotten a lot sicker - in the hospital they made sure I was in my bed on my left side - at home, I would have probably done a little more than that. After delivery I had to be given magnesium sulfate through IV to keep from having seizures. I will tell you, that was the worst part - it wipes you out so much, it makes some people sick to their stomach I did not have that, it did however make my memories of my first day of life very, very groggy, some of it I dont remember and it was sooooo hard to take care of my baby being that wiped out.
My advice, LISTEN to the Dr. If she is on bedrest, I imagine she is. Listen, stay in bed. Something about laying on the left side brings down BP. Pay close attention to swelling - I was so swollen but never realized it until it went away and I thought hmmmm that is what my feet look like! Also, any headache is very important to report to the Dr. If you can monitor her BP at home do so. If she has to have the magnesium sulfate keep her visitors to a serious minimum - she will thank you later! Drink plenty of water, they may want to collect her urine for 24 hours to see the protein levels in. Give her a laptop, books, magazines and someone to keep her company if at all possible when she is on bedrest - that person can also do all those last minute things she hasnt gotten done. Also, prepare her for the baby having to come out sooner, it would be for the safety of the baby as well as mommy. Also, a c- section is very likely, pain just makes BP go up and thats not good. I feel totaly jipped, I had not one contraction, didnt ever dilate or anything. He was my first child so I am lucky he is ok, I just felt like I carried a baby for 8 months then boom he was here no pain! Also, preeclampsia is VERY common in first time pregnancies and they do not know why.
Well, I hope this helps you out! Also, there is PLENTY of info on bedrest and preeclampsia on the web. That is all I read about for weeks! Bedrest does get depressing! BEst of luck to your sister and baby!