High blood pressure

[Billy]

Hey everyone,

I went to the hospital today for my regular check up (I'm about 38wks) and they found that I have high blood pressure. Not sure what the first reading was, but they made me stay there for 2hrs then get it checked again.
Next reading I saw and it was 150/100?? :confused: They were unhappy with this, so I waited another 20mins and they checked again it was 135/90...

They also did blood/pee tests and they were ok. They were going to admit me overnight but decided I could go home if I just take it easy. I am supposed to go back on friday for more tests, but in the meantime I have to watch out for any blurred vision, headaches or chest pains...

I don't know exactly what all this means really, but I'm a little worried as I also have a hole in my heart, and I'm not sure if it will be affected??

Any advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx, Belinda xo

[the_queen]

I am not sure how our experiences may differ, because of your heart condition. But here's my little story!
I had bp of about the same as yours, at about the same point of my first pregnancy. I think mine was 125/94 (I'm sure of that lower number). The way they talked about it stressed me out A LOT. Plus I had a lot of other "stressors" in my life at that point.
I had no other pre-eclampsia symptoms. I had no headaches, no swelling, no blurred vision. But because I was freaked out by what they were saying about "possible PE", I agreed to be induced when I hadn't gone into labour by my due date. I was induced at 40w+7days. It was a horrible experience, and I would never ever reccomend an induction to anyone. It will be less stressful for you to wait at home, relaxing and sleeping while you still can ;). Bubs will come when it's ready!!:D

I guess what I'm trying to say is, borderline-high blood pressure is only really a problem if it's accompanied by other symptoms. So take this opportunity to get plenty of bed-rest, relaxation and be waited on hand and foot!! Don't stress out about it. Just get lots of sleep, drink lots of water, some gentle exercise if you feel up to it (ie walking), lots of nice warm baths/showers. Just do not stress about what they've told you :hugs:

Having said all that, maybe get some advice from your cardiologist/specialist - like I said, I'm not sure how your heart condition may impact on this.

[CarolineF]

High BP is one of the signs for pre-eclampsia. If PE is diagnosed the only cure is delivery.

Its just one indicator, and so long as your medical team know about your heart defect you should be OK. If they seriously believe there is a problem they will admit you and advise you accordingly. Don't worry too much about it. Part of the problem with blood pressure readings is that you can suffer from "white coat hypertension", where just being in a medical environment which can be intimidating makes your BP go up.

I am sure they will be monitoring you well. If you have any questions ring either your OB or your midwife. Stress wondering what it all means will not help your BP at all.

Good luck with it.:hugs:

[the_queen]

"White Coat Hypertension" what a fantastic term!! :D I love it!!! And very true!!!

[Billy]

Hi guys,
Thanx for your replies, good to know its not necessarily terrible news! :)

I agree with the 'white coat hypertension' thing :D , definately- but i've had all of my bp tests done in the hospital and i'm pretty used to it all now, so i thought i 'd be over that by now!! :o

The worst thing about me is i have this terrible tendency to look up symptoms for things like this, and manage to apply most of them in some way to myself!! :rolleyes: So the problem is then i don't know if i'm actually feeling this stuff or not... some of the symptoms just seem to be normal pregnancy symptoms- but you're right- either way stressing about it all is not going to help the high blood pressure at all!

Thanx again,
Belinda xo

[CarolineF]

Belinda

I'm fine in hospitals too, and my BP is the only part of me that doesn;t have something wrong with it. But when I was pregnant with my first daughter, I went for an ante natal appointment and the results of some bloods had come back. The results were peculiar and the midwife asked me if I was having a multiple birth. She then did my blood pressure. It rocketed!!!!!!! First and only time.

anything can raise it. Don't panic babe, you will be fine if you don't panic.

Oh, and just like you I am always looking things up. Its bad. A little knowledge can be dangerous. :laughing:

Take care everyone xxx:kiss:

[Billy]

Hello again all,

Don't know if i'm stressing over nothing or not, but the hospital just rang and want me to come in this afternoon for an ultrasound... :confused:
Is that normal? I don't know exactly what they would be looking for considering I just have high blood pressure- I don't know if it means anything or not... Hopefully this is just routine...

If anyone knows please advise me :o

NOT helping the blood pressure i'm sure :rolleyes:

Belinda xo

[the_queen]

You don't have to agree to any kind of invasive testing - this includes ultrasound.

Is your baby moving around every day?

Are you feeling just the same as you have for the past few weeks (except for the "white coat hypertension" LOL)


You know your body best.

I personally wouldn't bother, I'd be telling them to stick it up their *ahem* but then I'm not in your position.

Ask lots of questions, why do they want to do an ultrasound? What are they looking for? Beware of patronising answers, too eg if they say "oh it's nothing to worry about, we just want to keep an eye on things" well they haven't told you anything, have they??!

[Billy]

Queen,

Yeah I wish I had some sort of warning before they rang so i could prepare my questions LOL!!
Also they have had to do an ultrasound b4 on my heart too, so i don't know whether it has something to do with that either??
Argh- this is so frustrating... :banghead:

TRYING not to worry hehe :rolleyes:

Belinda xo

[HoopDeeDoo]

Try not to stress too much. Think of this ultrasound as a sneak peek at your bub. I was in hospital last week with a stomach bug, and was secretly hoping they would want to do an US becuase we don't know the sex, but luckily they didn't because I would have had to ask :p