I have a PIH question

MrsMoher

With my son I was diagnosed with PIH was on BP meds from about 13 weeks on.  At delivery (which thankfully was 39 weeks-induction due to PIH) my BP even with meds was 140/90 and fluctuated up and down from there a little through out delivery.  I was considered high risk from 13 weeks on for pre-e, but was fortunate in that the protein and other symptoms of pre-e did not develop.  However there were complications at birth, my birth story is in bio if you want to read about it (there was a few scary moments after his birth), but basically the doc told me that a part of that incident was the PIH/HBP and stress it caused my son.

With that said, I am about 15 to 20 pounds lighter than my starting weight last time (which I think weight gain was probably a major contributor to my BP), I plan to stay in general good fitness to help prevent some of these issues.  I will definitely ask my OB, but thought I would ask you all since it seems there are others in my situation. And it will give me things to discuss with my OB too. 

Did anyone with PIH have any suggestions from OB on what they should do to help lower BP other than the obvious of lowering sodium intake?  And did anyone meet w/ a nutristonist to help with PIH?

mrsjrmiller

How was your BP while your were not pregnant?

JennlovesAustin

Honestly, sometimes it has nothing to do with how healthy you were before pregnancy.

Before I got pregnant, I was normal weight, a healthy low calorie, low sodium, low fat eater (I had not had fast food for probably two years before I got pregnant), and I worked out consistently.  My BP was normal.  As soon as I hit the beginning of second trimester my BP skyrocketed from the 120s to the 140s and then into the 160s!  I asked the OB and there is nothing I had done adn nothing I can do.  He said some women's bodies just don't react well to pregnancy!

MrsMoher

That is a good question and one I did not address.  It took several months after E was born for it to come back down, but has been around 115/75ish.  So the higher side of normal.

mrsjrmiller

The reason I asked is because sometimes pregnancy can unmask chronic hypertension so you will have to deal with a higher bp during pregnancy but may never have to deal with pre-e.  Sounds like that was the route that your first pregnancy went so hopefully you will only (even though high bp is not fun!) have to deal with high bp.  I am sure they will give you special treatment though... keep an extra eye out to make sure they are on top of everything....

I think doing the obvious things to keep yourself healthy may help keep your bp down - but after 20 weeks, you may want to rest more in order to keep bp down- depending on how things are going... After 20 weeks they did not want me to exercise, etc (went on bed rest at 22.5 weeks) in order to keep it lower. I am sure your dr will have plenty of suggestions on how to help you try to manage this.  Best of luck!!!

 

cooperme2871

I have just recently been diagnosed with PIH and they started me on mythldopa. At my last visit, my blood pressure was back to normal. I have been told to rest as much as possible, not lift anything heavy or exert myself, watch the sodium intake, and stay out of the heat. Basically I think you just have to find what works for you. They played around with my med dosage until it came back down. I started out on the lowest dosage and increased to 500 mg twice a day and that's what finally brought it down. Also, I am lucky enough to not work so I am able to rest and stay off my feet A LOT. Good luck to you~I see you are in NKY too!