Those of you with hypertension

med2663

How high did you go before they put you on meds and/or bedrest?

 I'm starting to creep on up into the high blood pressure range.  The doctor ordered blood work to get a baseline for me.  Other than that I have no instructions and have a normal appointment scheduled in 4 weeks.   I'm in 140s and 90s. 

 I'm posting 2nd tri, too, but I thought that there might be more of you on 3rd tri.

 TIA!

Alibean

I didn't become hypertensive until 37 weeks so they'll just induce me if my bp gets any higher.  No meds or bedrest for me.  They did labs, an u/s and NST when my bp became high also just to make sure the baby is ok. 

SoTouchy

I was still what would be considered borderline if I wasn't PG.  130s or LOW 140s over 90 or so.  Never higher than that.  But, I had a history b/c I had high bp with DD.  I've taken a baseline 24 hour urine and no protein so it isn't pre-e.  I'm medicated for it, and that's kept it very well in check on a very low dosage.  (Actually the lowest I can be on.)

I have never been on bed rest for my BP b/c it isn't pre-e AND it's controlled my meds.  I'd think if they're going to medicate you, they'll do it soon, because, as my peri explained to me, the safest med for pregnancy works slowly (b/c a drastic change is bad for the baby). 

There are additional risk factors with the high blood pressure, increased risk of GD, increased risk of a low birthweight baby.....so getting a diagnosis if that's really a problem is a good idea.

LillyGrrl

Well I was put on bed rest at 36 weeks after I had a pressure of 148/92 after having pressures around 120/80 (which is still kinda high for me, normal pressure is 110/70).  I was told at my last appointment I'd be induced this coming monday, a week before my due date.  I have twice a week NSTs and fluid checks for the baby-so far she's perfect.

Girl_inTX

My BP was really high a few times. When they finally put me on meds and bedrest it was 170/100. Not only is that high, but it's really high for me. I was 24 weeks when they put me on medication and bedrest. I take Aldomet and started at 500 mg a day. Now I'm up to 2000 mg a day. Yikes! They can safely give a pregnant woman 3000 mg of that. Sadly my BP doesn't seem to be responding very well to it now. It really worked at first though. Now my BP is usually around 130-140/90-95. If it stays up they will induce me and will induce me at 38 weeks not matter what.?

I also go to the doctor every week and get NST's every week. I'm also seeing a high risk doctor and get ultrasounds every 2 weeks. The good news is that my baby is developing well (actually big which can happen on bedrest).

I think the biggest concern for my doctor was that my BP was high so early in pregnancy. Sorry! I also have a little protein in my urine, but not enough to be considered pre-eclampsia.

HTH!?

Girl_inTX

Also- I have a BP machine at home (it was like $50 at Walmart) and take my BP every hour. I'm supposed to call if it's over 150 on top or 95 on bottom. You may want to check yours and call if it gets much higher. 4 weeks seems like a long time to wait!

med2663

Girl_inTX:

Also- I have a BP machine at home (it was like $50 at Walmart) and take my BP every hour. I'm supposed to call if it's over 150 on top or 95 on bottom. You may want to check yours and call if it gets much higher. 4 weeks seems like a long time to wait!

 Yeah, the wait does seem long.  I did buy a machine about 3-4 wks ago because I checked my BP at one of the drugstore machines, and I had a 143/80.   I brought the think to work today (usually just checked at home) so I'm taking numbers periodically.  I can't believe they didn't give me any instructions. 

med2663

Girl_inTX:

I think the biggest concern for my doctor was that my BP was high so early in pregnancy. Sorry! I also have a little protein in my urine, but not enough to be considered pre-eclampsia.

 That does help.  Thank you.  Mine started to be higher than normal for me (110-120 over 70-80) very early, too...12 wks.  So I'm considered "chronic hypertension" and not gestastional.  Anyway, at my 17 wks appt, my numbers were 162/82.  They checked at the end of the appt, and they'd gone down to 140/80.  

The doctor seems pretty nonchalant about the whole thing.   Now I'm thinking maybe that's not such a good idea.

Sunndraggon

My highest reading was 155/97. That was at the doctors office at about at 38 weeks.  I had had some mildly high numbers before that but nothing that the doctor was overly concerned about so there has been no need for meds. Since then we have monitored it at home and i have been on modified bedrest. it seems to have helped a bit. I had an appt today and the bp was the best it has been in weeks. I am scehduled for a c/s on friday, which will be exactly 39 weeks.

 

I didn't look at your ticker, but i assume you are in your 2nd tri? Things might be different for you since it is happening earlier. On the plus side, they will monitor you much more closely and that can be reassuring in itself. Try not to stress yourself too much about it. That will only cause more issues with your pressure. Good luck

Girl_inTX

I know all doctors are different. I feel like I'm one of the only people on this board who have PIH and are on medication. A lot of doctors don't put you on medication at all. It may be because my BP was so high.?

My parents' good friend is an OB and he says he would induce me soon if he were my doctor. I know my doctor says 38 weeks unless my BP stays up. I'm not sure if they will continue to up my medication or not.

I would really try to take it easy even though they didn't tell you that. I notice a huge difference in my BP just getting up and going to the bathroom or showering (which is all I'm allowed to get up and do). Bedrest is so boring, but I remember thinking I would never make it this far (34 weeks) and I have!

My doctor also said to watch for vision changes (seeing spots, blurry vision), headaches that won't go away w/ Tylenol or rest, a horrible burning/ripping sensation in my right rib area, and swelling in my face or really bad swelling in my feet and hands. I have experienced all these things (which are signs of pre-e) but still don't have it. I would call if you do have any of those things though.

Good luck! Maybe right down your BP every time you take it so you can share that with your doctor.?

med2663

Thanks for all the info, ladies.

I'm not stressing too much, but I'm a research engineer so this lack of knowledge is bugging me.  

I'm going to stop being lazy and write down the numbers.  My next appt is with another doctor in the practice (I'm starting to rotate through to meet them all) so I'll have another opinion and maybe get some more info/instruction.  Also, I'll call if I see some big numbers or really start to worry.

 

 

LakeBride009

I have had high bp from about 24 weeks on.  I was always borderline before becoming pg, and it actually went down for a portion of the 2nd tri.  Since 24 weeks on it has be on average around 140/95 - this past week I was not feeling right and took it at home (I also have a home monitor) and it read 176/102 - needless to say I was sent to the hospital where they monitored me and the baby for 4 hours and did a lot of bloodwork and urine samples.  My labs all came back normal and after 4 hours laying down my bp was down to the 140/90 mark again (which has been my baseline for weeks now)  I am not medicated and I am not on bedrest.  I do have appts every week now so that they can continue to monitor me.  Had my bp not come down while I was in the hospital they were planning to keep me for 24 hours and then on to bedrest - I am very glad it came down!  I have monthly ultrasounds to check on the growth of the baby - and so far the baby has not been affected at all.  I actually have a baby measuring in the 95th percentile!  No protein in my urine either.

reiljen00

140's over 90's is normal for some after their 20 weeks.  I will say I started on Aldamet.  I was on after my 3 month check up from the doctor.  My BP was always high since the beginning.  I am now 28 weeks and counting and see a regular OBGYN and a High risk doctor as well.  They changed my meds from aldamet to labatalol.  I have been on that since about 24 weeks.  It hasn't changed my BP's though.  They still read very high.  The highest reading I have gotten lately was 170/103 but the doctors tell me that they really don't start worrying about stroke or the baby until the BP is 190/120.  I know it seems bad but every doctor is different.  My regular OBGYN request that I fax her all the BP's for the week.  I see each doctor 2 times a month and get NST as well as 2 U/S every month starting this month.  You will be ok.  Your doctor will probably start you on meds at the next check up.  Good luck.   I will be thinking of you.

Girl_inTX

140/90 isn't normal for everyone. Everyone is totally different. If my BP was 170/102 again I would be a mom now! It depends on what your normal BP is. Mine is normally very good and low. My doctor said that anything above 150/95 would be very serious for me.?

med2663

Girl_inTX:

140/90 isn't normal for everyone. Everyone is totally different. If my BP was 170/102 again I would be a mom now! It depends on what your normal BP is. Mine is normally very good and low. My doctor said that anything above 150/95 would be very serious for me.

My mom has (controlled) high blood pressure, so the doctor said, "oh, well, you are probably just starting to have it, too (as in for the rest of your life)."  Well, I didn't have it before 12 wks so this is not normal for me.  Also, there's a baby in there that I would like to come out in good health. 

We'll see what the next appt holds.  I'm happy to have info from you guys.  It gives me a good range of experiences and will help me know when I should call, etc.