high Blood pressure...

[shinebrite]

Okay I wasnt going to post this but i read on another thread bout someone else BP and now Im scared!!!

I went to the midwifes on wednesday and my BP was up 110/75 so she said she want to whatch it cause at 16wks it was 100/50 20wks 100/60 and now its gone up agian... what does all this mean im getting headaches and dizzy sometimes, ive also been sweating heaps and im just a tad worried now...whats all this bout pre eplisma (sp????) sorry to be a pain and ask but I dont wanna goto the midwofe and she think Im a bimbo or something.... :o

thanks in advance girls

[the_queen]

High Blood Pressure during pregnancy (http://amazingpregnancy.healthology.com/focus_article.asp?b=amazingpregnancy&f=pregnancy&c=preg_bloodpressure&spg=FLA)


One of the reasons blood pressure is monitored so carefully during pregnancy is to prevent a condition called preeclampsia, a type of hypertensive disorder that occurs during pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is classically defined by three problems:

* High blood pressure
* Protein in the urine (a sign of kidney dysfunction)
* Pathologic (abnormal) swelling

Protein in the urine cannot be seen by the naked eye; your doctor must find it by laboratory analysis. Pregnant women may experience bloating during their pregnancies, but swelling is considered abnormal when it is generalized, involving the hands, face or legs.

Preeclampsia occurs in 5% to 30% of all pregnancies, depending on the population and the precise definition of the disease. It is unique to humans, and occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy. Preeclampsia is potentially a very dangerous condition that can cause:

* Kidney failure
* Liver damage
* Bleeding in the brain
* Fluid on the lungs (called pulmonary edema)
* Delay of the fetus' growth



Don't be afraid to ask your midwife ANYTHING, better to look like a bimbo (LOL which, by the way, you are not) than to have something potentially serious go unchecked.
Borderline/High blood pressure alone is not a sign of pre-eclampsia. They will want to test your urine, to check the protein level. Keep an eye on your ankles and hands - any major swelling, accompanied by headaches, dizziness or blurred vision, give your midwife a call. But sometimes I get swollen ankles from being on my feet too much. My blood pressure is higher than yours, but then again it's remained around the same for the whole pregnancy so my midwife is not worried at all.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy matey, and I want to repeat: do not be afraid to ask your midwife anything. That's what they're there for!! :D

[CarolineF]

Fantastic answer!!!!!:thumbsup:

Just do not panic. If they think there is a problem they will tell you, not leave you.

The reason P/E is important to watch for is it can, if left untreated, also cause seizures etc in the mother and stroke. The only cure for it is delivery of the baby.

Good luck with it all.:fingerscrossed: :hugs:

[Kaileysmum]

Hey If you are worryed ring your midwife/ob. Its better to be safe and to ease your worry. And your midwife wont think your a bimbo, thats what they are there for, and Im sure they have heard lot and lots worse things that people worry about (if that makes sence). You are better to find out then leave it just incase it is something. Arent you swollen too? (msn) because that is another sign of pre clampsia.

[Seekrit]

I had a big fear that my midwife would think I was a bimbo, so I wrote it all down and that way I couldn't omit anything, you know. I couldn't just forget to ask her something - or not ask because I was too embarressed. I handed her the book which had it in and she went through it with me and some of the things were normal, but other things that I didn't think were normal were actually some sort of cause for concern (not immediate, just "watch for" things) so yeah, always talk to the midwife about any concerns you have - because your baby can't. :)

[mbrbbt]

Hi and congrats on your pregnancy and expected little one. As the above wise women have said never be afraid to ask - it is your body and you are the only one who knows how it is feeling. So many things are happening and changing during your pregnancy that your midwife will be only too happy to answer and reassure you.

All of mine have been induced early because of high blood pressure three when I was 37 weeks and 1 at 35 weeks when my blood pressure hit 160/110. They expect this one to reach about 35 weeks hopefully longer (so they say)!

Good luck with everything. Rest as often as you can and try above all not to worry or stress as this can actually raise your blood pressure (mine is always worse if I have an early morning appointment - I think its after getting everyone off to school, work, etc).