Pregnancy Induced Hypertension!

**FrankieGirl** · 30-03-2009 09:58

Morning Ladies

I'm a bit worried !

I am 34wks preg and saw my OB last Thursday and he confirmed I have PIH. My blood pressure has been gradually increasing as time has gone on and was 145/85 last week - which i didnt think was too horrendously bad?

Anyways, he set some alarm bells off when he said he needed to send me for a scan to make sure there are no blood clots on the placenta as this can happen in women with PIH. I asked him "what if there are clots?" and he said "we deliver her early". Wha????

Has anyone else suffered from PIH and had to deliver early?

My bub is also breach which does not help.

Are the dangers of having PIH fairly REAL?
Im not questioning science HOWEVER, i want to hear your views.

**JessieLee** · 30-03-2009 10:59

I had PIH during my first pregnancy but was fine last time around. I was diagnosed with mild pre-eclampsia by the end of it. I was induced at 39 weeks due to my blood pressure. I was never told anything about clots and didn't have a scan. They just put me on the monitor a few times whilst also monitoring my BP for a few hours. It was always fine while that was happening, so I think sometimes we just get stressed when seeing the doctor. Just try to put your feet up and relax as much as possible.

**meggs** · 30-03-2009 11:10

Hi there

I had PIH also, i had it in the first trimester then again in the third, towards the end by BP was climbing too and was around 150/95 at one point, i was being monitored twice weekly the last 4-5 weeks and on bed rest as they were watching for PE luckily though i didnt get it but i had a scan at 38 weeks to check bub was growing properly and turned out bub was breech and big so i decided to have a CS at 39 weeks i didnt want to endanger bub with more stress...I was never told about clots or anything...

Truly the best thing you can do is try to relax and not stress too much easier said than done I know but for the sake of bub and your BP lots of rest! Diff people will have diff experiences depending on their dr and hospital.im sure everything will be fine..

**JimJamsMum** · 30-03-2009 11:11

Hi, doctors are generally very cautious when it comes to high blood pressure and pregnancy. The main risk is that it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia which can be serious for both mother and child. Your doc probably tested your urine to check there was no protein.

If you did develop pre-eclampsia or the high blood pressure was causing the placenta to not function properly then there would be a risk to you and/or bub which is why they would deliver you early.

The risks are real but if you just have the high blood pressure by itself I wouldn't worry about it because it will just make your blood pressure higher. Try to relax and enjoy your last few weeks.

**Sheer Bliss** · 30-03-2009 11:32

PIH can be very dangerous, but not in all cases. The thing is that it is hard to tell if it will develop into Pre eclampsia or not. A girl in mothers group had her hospy appt, BP was a little high, but nothing too bad, did some shopping, then stopped for lunch. She felt a bit funny, then started having a fit, rushed to hospital and delivered bub by emergency c-section at 32weeks. PE came on that fast - but this was quite severe, not the norm.

Me on the other hand....had PIH with DD since about 30weeks. I was monitered, put on tablets and it steadily rose, but to 145/95 at it's worst. I ended up going into spontaneous labour at 36weeks + 4days and DD was perfectly fine.

BP CAN be worse than 145/85, but it's the possibility of what it may lead to that causes concern, and how quickly it can come on. So I am quite happy to accept extra monitering in this pregnancy just to keep an eye on things, but at 29weeks - all is good so far!

**Natsmummy** · 30-03-2009 13:05

I also had PIH during my first pregnancy. I was put onto 2 different types of blood pressure medication and when this failed to bring it down (I was averaging around 180/95) was hospitalised at 33 weeks. I was put on complete bedrest (only allowed to get up to use the loo) and was given blood tests daily and CTG scans 3 times a day. I wasn't sent for any scans. My urine was monitored for proteins and when these reached ++ at 37 weeks I was induced. So by the time I took bubs home I had been in hospital for almost 5 weeks.
Try to take this as easy as you can and just go with what your Dr says - the reason they are so cautious about this is that it can be very dangerous for both mother and baby.

**Mads Mum** · 30-03-2009 17:15

Hi

I was diagnosed with PIH at about 35 -36 weeks in my first pregnancy. Was put on medication for a few weeks and monitored once a week. At 38.5 weeks I was induced.

I was not told anything about clots either.

Sorry can't be of any other help.

Suzi

**Herchy** · 30-03-2009 17:45

I've got supposed PIH this pregnancy ( none last time) and my highest reading was 150/80. I am on aldomet tabs twice daily, adn my last reading at my AN appt was 110/70. Tabs seem to be working really well.
Anyway, It's not causing me any probs currently. I have no swelling and no protein in my urine, and I feel fantastic.

I'm not really all that up with what PIH can cause... I know what PE signs to look for and won't hesitate calling someone on first sight of swelling, but I don't think my PIH is much of a drama. I have white coat fever.... so my BP readings are always higher at first, but go down within minutes.