Induction at 38 weeks for elevated blood pressure

leora11

I'm currently 28 weeks. I've had elevated blood pressure for many years and also white coat hypertension. Usually at home I'm around 120/70 and at the doctor I'll sometimes go up to 130/80. Because of this, my BMI (I'm about 19 kilos overweight) and because I have PCOS I'm seeing a high risk OB.

I had been tracking my BP the entire pregnancy at home and for the last month and had a few readings that were elevated with the highest being 133/88 but otherwise normal I take my blood pressure twice a day and the highest reading I've gotten in the past few weeks is 124/74.

My OB says my BP will only get higher in the third trimester and she will induce me at 38 weeks. I'm very stressed about this and have been trying everything I can to get my numbers lower. Basically just wanting to know if there's any hope of my numbers staying stable or if I'm going to be forced to have an induction I don't want. Currently no signs of preeclampsia (my doctor has even had me do two 24 hour urine tests) and I've been taking 150 mg of baby aspirin every day since week 12. I've only gained 1 kilo so far and I'm walking at least 10,000 steps most days. Is there anything else I can do? Is an induction really necessary or should I ask for blood pressure medication?

harpseal135

Do not stress over a possible induction, it will make your anxiety and blood pressure worse.  

Unfortunately, it is something you can only control so much.  If you have had elevated blood pressure for many years why are you not on BP meds right now?  Honestly I think it would be a great question to ask about.  

Yes, if it comes down to it, if your blood pressure is high an induction may be necessary.  It's for the health of you (so you don't stroke out) and baby.  

leora11

That's what bothers me. I've been told it's elevated but not elevated enough for BP medication. If it's not high enough for medication, then why are they already talking about an induction? I'd rather just be medicated and avoid induction if possible. I'll talk with my OB at my next appointment.

And you're right. Just her talking about inducing me has had me stressed for weeks. No discussion, just her telling me I'll be induced at 38 weeks.

00kim00

Remember that they cannot force any medical decisions on you; you can always decline. They can tell you your options and the risks associated with any decision, but it's your decision. I was also told I'd need to be induced, at 39 weeks, only due to my age- it was a healthy pregnancy. I was not on board at first, but eventually I made peace with it and went with the doctor's and midwives' recommendation. Knowing I could say no (though they thought it was a bad idea because of XYZ) was helpful. There's something to having agency over our own medical decisions, and it being "my" decision even if it wasn't my first choice. I had my own goals of a natural childbirth with little intervention, setting myself up for breastfeeding success, etc. Their goal was whatever was most likely to get me and baby out of the hospital alive and healthy; my goals were all based on that being a given, but it's not. That's why the high risk ob is there. Definitely talk to the ob about all the options and risks, and make your decision fully informed 

leora11

Thanks so much. My plan now is to ask to wait until 39 weeks unless my blood pressure goes up and instead just ask for additional monitoring. If my BP goes up I'll do an induction whenever it's necessary.