Hypertension in pregnancy **all welcome**

[cali]

Hi everyone,

So at my 16 week OB appointment on Monday my BP was elevated (150/90). My doctor took it again at the end of that same appointment and it had gone down to 130/82. She said she wasn't that worried but had me do a 24 hr urine collection and come back today for a BP check. Well today when I went in it was 142/94. My regular OB wasn't there and I saw her partner and he really freaked me out by saying I was "pretty high risk" due to my BP. I started crying in the office and it was super embarrassing. He referred me to do another consult with MFM (I'd done one previously for being AMA and IVF and other (possible trigger) stuff but my BPs had been normal then) to determine if I should start BP meds. I'm trying really hard not to turn to Dr. Google because I'm already freaked out, so I'm hoping someone here knows something or has experienced this. I have never been diagnosed with hypertension pre-pregnancy but I have had a few occasional high readings at random doctor appointments pre-pregnancy but no concerns were ever raised and mostly was written off as white coat hypertension but it makes me feel like maybe I'm prone towards hypertension. Thanks in advance for any wisdom or advice.


TLDR: I'm 16 weeks and have had two high BP readings this week and I'm scared. Please tell me what you know about hypertension in pregnancy.

[flazz]

Hi there -

I had high blood pressure prior to getting pregnant, so I have been on medicine during pregnancy. I know it sounds scary but lots of people have to take meds. You will need to as monitor it regularly, though. Do you have a monitor at home? I known mine is always higher in the office.

I will say that while you had some high readings, they aren't outrageous and it's really good to find out if there is a problem so you can fix it.

Hugs!

[Rama]

Your readings may be high, especially for you, but they're so borderline I wouldn't worry about them. I wish my bp were so low on a normal day! I haven't been told by my doctor that I need to take meds yet, but I'm expecting them at some point this pregnancy.

For comparison, my typical non-pregnant/early (<7w) pregnancy bp is easily 140-150/100s and I was only diagnosed with hypertension that *needed* to be addressed when my reads were even a smidge higher.

*hugs* I hope you get reassurance soon, but in the mean time, it might not hurt to get a monitor at home like flazz suggested.

[cali]

Thank you so much flazz and @rama, you both made me feel.a lot better! I ordered a home monitor and it's coming tomorrow. My OB wants me checking at home 3x a day and keeping a log. Were either of you told to change your diets or anything? My OB only mentioned meds but I'm wondering if there are other things I should be doing.

[Rama]

Mar 8, 2017 20:43:59 GMT -5 cali said:

Thank you so much flazz and @rama, you both made me feel.a lot better! I ordered a home monitor and it's coming tomorrow. My OB wants me checking at home 3x a day and keeping a log. Were either of you told to change your diets or anything? My OB only mentioned meds but I'm wondering if there are other things I should be doing.

I'm still really early, so I haven't seen my OB yet! But I'll try to remember to check back in with you after I do later this month. :)

In general, though, to combat hypertension, I have decreased sodium intake, cut out caffeine, and tried to eat more vegetables overall.

[cali]

Rama, thanks! I haven't had caffeine since my ET but I can definitely reduce my sodium intake and increase my veggies. I'm gonna work on that!

[Rama]

Mar 8, 2017 21:22:56 GMT -5 cali said:

Rama, thanks! I haven't had caffeine since my ET but I can definitely reduce my sodium intake and increase my veggies. I'm gonna work on that!

Getting some good exercise, even a half hour walk, each day works wonders, too!

[flazz]

I agree with Rama suggestions. I've also found that keeping hydrated helps (especially water, which is good for you anyways!).

[cali]

Thanks again, you guys are the best! Just this week MH and I started walking together every night since the weather's been nice! I also have been struggling with getting enough water in. This morning I ordered a 2L water bottle, so I'm hoping that helps me at least monitor my intake.

[flazz]

cali, I hope you are feeling a bit better today!

[Rama]

Mar 9, 2017 14:02:13 GMT -5 @ketchup said:

... one of these days I'll be capable of explaining something without writing a novel. I just know it.

When you do, we'll all know you've been kidnapped.  It's the sign.

[cali]

@wineandcupcakes, I got my home cuff today, so I will definitely start monitoring!

@ketchup, I actually really appreciate the novel and also you sharing your experience. The more information I have the better I tend to feel. My urine collection came back normal but I think this time they were really just looking for a baseline to compare to later urine collections. Totally looking forward to having to do that again (*sarcasm font*). Anyway, I'm glad to know I'll be closely monitored and that my readings aren't actually as bad as he made it seem. I think he felt like an ass when I immediately started bawling. Also thanks for the tip on bringing my cuff to appointments, that's such a good idea and I never would have thought of it!

[muscari]

No advice but wanted to give you **hugs**!

[kensie5226]

Super late to this party, but I've had high blood pressure periodically throughout my adult life and it started to become a problem in the 2nd tri. I never had any other risk factors for pre-e and my doctor treated it by monitoring me pretty closely near the end of the pregnancy and inducing me at 37 weeks. I'd say go ahead and get yourself a home machine and take it a couple times a day when you're not under pressure. It could help, it might not. There are several medications that are safe during pregnancy that they could prescribe, as well. I think it's extremely unhelpful to tell someone that they are "high risk" for something like hypertension which absent of any other pre-e symptoms is actually really treatable.

[cali]

Thanks kensie5226, I saw the MFM last week and what you said is basically what he said. I'll just have to monitor at home, have some extra monitoring throughout this pregnancy, and if it gets to the point where I need meds, then there are plenty available. Hr also mentioned that they may induce me early if my BP starts going up. My OB was so dramatic about it it really sent me spiraling but the MFM made me feel much better. I've been monitoring at home 3x a day and so far it's been okay.