Anyone have high BP prior to pregnancy?

mrsjohnson706 · May 2010

Hi ladies - I'm not yet pregnant, but was wondering if any of you might be able to help answer some questions I have about high BP.

I'm 30 years old, and have been on BP meds for about 8 months. When I began them, I was overweight and have since been working hard to get myself healthy. I've lost about 25 lbs, and yet my BP is still high enough that my dr. thinks I need to stay on the meds.

DH and I plan on TTC in August. I have found a new (and I think, better) primary care doctor and also a new OB/GYN in the same practice. The hospital with which these doctors are affiliated has a high-risk maternity ward as well as an advanced NICU, so I think I've made a better choice in changing practices. I see both doctors for the first time next month, and obviously will talk with them about this.

I was wondering if anyone might be able to share their own experience with pre-pregnancy HBP. I guess I just don't know what to expect, and despite my efforts to get more healthy, my current dr. thinks my BP is mostly hereditary since both parents and all grandparents have it (and some have high cholesterol too). I want to have a healthy pregnancy, but I'm scared about keeping my BP in check.

Thanks for reading this, and any advice you may be able to provide.

Monicagail1 · May 2010

I was diagnosed with HBP a couple of years prior to getting pregnant. I currently take labetalol (100 mg a day). Pre-pregnancy and all throughout my pregnancy my BP has been pretty well controlled. I have a little bit of white coat syndrome, so my numbers at the doctor tend to run a little higher than at home, but my home numbers are always good (usually 120's/70's).

Overall, my pregnancy has been fairly normal. I started 2x weekly NST's and once a week AFI ultrasounds at 34 weeks which is pretty common for "high risk" pregnancy (I also developed gestational diabetes, so I got the double whammy). Other than that, I've had no issues, and the baby has been growing normally.

Good Luck!

mrsjohnson706 · May 2010

Thank you for the insight. That gives me some hope that I can have a "normal" pregnancy despite the BP. Hope you have a safe and uneventful rest of the pregnancy!

MrsRenee · May 2010

I developed hbp when pg with DS and it never went away after birth. With this pregnancy, it hasn't really been an issue yet. I had to switch my medication (the one I was on prior isn't safe while pregnant), so it took some time to get the dosage of the new medicine right, but once they got that figured out, things have been fine since. You'll likely be monitored more than a regular pregnancy (I go in every other week right now) and they'll probably want you to monitor your bp at home. You just have to be prepared. There's just no way to tell how pregnancy is going to affect your numbers. There's a good chance your bp will go a little crazy, especially near the end of your pregnancy. You're at an increased risk of developing pre-e or HELLP. There's also a chance that you'll need to go on bedrest at some point in the pregnancy. Then again, you could go your entire pregnancy without any single problem.

mrsjohnson706 · May 2010

Thank you for the information. I do monitor my bp at home already, so I know what my "normal" is. I'll continue to do it at home during pregnancy. May I ask what medication you are on now? The previous poster mentions labetalol, which I'll ask about. I'm currently on HCTZ (12.5 mg), but can't be on that one when pregnant, so I want to switch when I go to the dr. next month.

Thanks again for the help. I appreciate it.

julielovestom · May 2010

I developed HBP in my first pregnancy, and it never really went away. I am borderline, so I have been on and off meds since it was not consistently high, but for me, this pregnancy has lowered my BP up until recently (I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow), and even now I'm just moderately high. I have an appt tomorrow to see what they want to do. I never developed Pre-e with my son, which I know is usually a big concern with HBP. I was induced at 38 weeks last time after being on bedrest from 36 weeks due to HBP and low fluid. It sounds like you're taking good steps in the right direction to have a safe pregnancy! I am taking juice plus this time around because I have heard good things about it helping to prevent Pre-e and I was all for anything that could help. Good luck to you!

mrsjohnson706 · May 2010

Thank you for the information. What is juice plus?? I'm off to google!

Devonanne · May 2010

I have had cronic hypertension for the past 2-3 years. My blood pressure hasn't been high during my pregancy but my doctors says that sometimes your body goes into a "honeymoon" period but it will come back strong.

I am also on bedrest because having high blood pressure can cause blood restriction to the baby causing IUGR.

You just have to be careful and know your body.

MrsRenee · May 2010

mrsjohnson706:

Thank you for the information. I do monitor my bp at home already, so I know what my "normal" is. I'll continue to do it at home during pregnancy. May I ask what medication you are on now? The previous poster mentions labetalol, which I'll ask about. I'm currently on HCTZ (12.5 mg), but can't be on that one when pregnant, so I want to switch when I go to the dr. next month.

Thanks again for the help. I appreciate it.

I'm on 200mg of Labetalol twice a day. It's a pretty common medicine when pregnant the only downside is it's not a long lasting medicine, so that's why you usually have multiple doses a day.

Matkinson08 · May 2010

I have chronic hypertension and have for about three years. I went through the 'honeymoon' phase with my first pregnancy, as soon as I got the BFP it was healthy numbers. My bp stayed normal all the way to 32 weeks thats when it shot up, but at that point my Ob's were not comfortable medicating me to extend my pregnancy because of my DS's already dx heart defect. So I was on hospital bed rest for a week and then modified until almost 37 weeks when they decided to induce me.

Interestingly enough, my bp stayed normal after his birth and for about 7 months.

Now I'm pregnant again and my bp is doing the exact same thing.

mrsjohnson706 · May 2010

MrsRenee:

I'm on 200mg of Labetalol twice a day. It's a pretty common medicine when pregnant the only downside is it's not a long lasting medicine, so that's why you usually have multiple doses a day.

Thanks for the info! Good to know.

ginleigh · May 2010

I developed High BP in my first pregnancy with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome at 24 weeks (never had it before) and it never went away...I stayed on meds between (procardia xl), and have been on meds throughout this pregnancy. They are working, and my BP is stable - I am now 36 weeks pregnant. The BP management has turned out to be among my easiest complications to deal with...

mrsjohnson706 · May 2010

ginleigh:
I developed High BP in my first pregnancy with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome at 24 weeks (never had it before) and it never went away...I stayed on meds between (procardia xl), and have been on meds throughout this pregnancy. They are working, and my BP is stable - I am now 36 weeks pregnant. The BP management has turned out to be among my easiest complications to deal with...

I'm so sorry you had/are having a hard time, and I'm sorry for the loss of your child. I'm sure it's not easy. Thank you for replying to my post. I hope you have a healthy rest of your pregnancy.

Nikkicole007 · May 2010

I was diagnosed with chronic hypertension prior to becoming pregnant. Not due to being overweight, but apparently having very bad genes. Smile Before pregnancy, I was taking 25mg Toprol a day and once I became pregnant the OB switched me to 250mg methlydopa (pg safe med) 2 times a day. I thought that was a lot, but he said it could go all the way up to 1500mg a day.

So far my BP as been great and especially low during the 2nd tri (which is normal). Now that I am nearing 3 tri, that's when it can start to go back up. Since 12 weeks, I've been seeing a perinatologist who does monthly growth scans to check on the baby and make sure my BP isn't having adverse effects. After 32 weeks, they will start to do NST every other week as well.

To this point, my pg has been very typical regarding BP. My doc feels very good that I might make it through the whole pregnancy without developing pre-e, but is watching very closely now that I'm getting into 3rd tri.

GL!!

mrsjohnson706 · May 2010

Nikkicole007:

I was diagnosed with chronic hypertension prior to becoming pregnant. Not due to being overweight, but apparently having very bad genes. Before pregnancy, I was taking 25mg Toprol a day and once I became pregnant the OB switched me to 250mg methlydopa (pg safe med) 2 times a day. I thought that was a lot, but he said it could go all the way up to 1500mg a day.

So far my BP as been great and especially low during the 2nd tri (which is normal). Now that I am nearing 3 tri, that's when it can start to go back up. Since 12 weeks, I've been seeing a perinatologist who does monthly growth scans to check on the baby and make sure my BP isn't having adverse effects. After 32 weeks, they will start to do NST every other week as well.

To this point, my pg has been very typical regarding BP. My doc feels very good that I might make it through the whole pregnancy without developing pre-e, but is watching very closely now that I'm getting into 3rd tri.

GL!!

Oh, that's promising news! I really hope you have a safe rest of the pregnancy!! Thanks for sharing

Ashley8634 · May 2010

"I was diagnosed with HBP a couple of years prior to getting pregnant. I currently take labetalol (100 mg a day). Pre-pregnancy and all throughout my pregnancy my BP has been pretty well controlled."

This, pretty much exactly for me too! I actually had my 31 week appointment today and my first non-stress test. They weren't getting what they wanted from the test, so they ended up doing an ultrasound to check her out, a nice surprise, and everything is good as can be! From here on out, I'll have weekly regular appointments along with a non-stress test every week and monthly growth ultrasounds which actually started at 27 weeks. So far, my BP has remained normal with the 100 mg of Labetalol twice a day and I've had no other complications with the pregnancy. On the up side to having high BP---you get to see LO a lot more!! Good luck to you with everything!

mrsjohnson706 · May 2010

Ashley8634:

"I was diagnosed with HBP a couple of years prior to getting pregnant. I currently take labetalol (100 mg a day). Pre-pregnancy and all throughout my pregnancy my BP has been pretty well controlled."

This, pretty much exactly for me too! I actually had my 31 week appointment today and my first non-stress test. They weren't getting what they wanted from the test, so they ended up doing an ultrasound to check her out, a nice surprise, and everything is good as can be! From here on out, I'll have weekly regular appointments along with a non-stress test every week and monthly growth ultrasounds which actually started at 27 weeks. So far, my BP has remained normal with the 100 mg of Labetalol twice a day and I've had no other complications with the pregnancy. On the up side to having high BP---you get to see LO a lot more!! Good luck to you with everything!

Thank you for sharing and for the well-wishes! Listening to all you ladies has given me a glimmer that I, too, will have a healthy pregnancy

AGmomof3 · May 2010

I was diagnoised with pregnancy induced hypertention when I was pregnant with my first - in 2000. I was 28. They put me on Aldemet, and were never really able to get my bp under control. I was taken off of work around 24 weeks or so. I was put on bedrest around 33-34 weeks I think and induced at 37 because my bp was on the rise and they saw some early signs of pre-eclamsia. After that pregnancy I was diagnoised with high bp and went on meds - can't remember what they were.

2003 was my 2nd pregnancy. I was switched to labedalol which controlled my bp pretty well. I had severe dizziness, heart palpatations and fainting. It may or may not have been connected with the bp. I was again taken off of work around 24 weeks I think. I couldn't drive much, grocery shop etc because of the fainting. It all went away immediately after giving birth.

I was put on procardia after that. Just last year new meds were added to try to control my bp. Yes, I am overweight.

I surprisingly got pregnant again this winter. I was hospitalized a few weeks ago for heart palpatations, dizziness and chest pain. They think it's just acid reflux, and it is somewhat better with prilosec - they sent me home with a heart monitor. I'm still very dizzy and I had a nasty bout with dehydration last week. I was taken off of work due to those complications and stress. My bp is under control. I take procardia and labetalol 2x a day. I also have a thyroid issue and poly cyctic ovarian sydrome. I've lost 15lbs so far this pregnancy and they'd also added an anti-nausea drug. I've never been on so many drugs in my life.

I'm now seeing the doctor every 2 weeks and somewhere between week 27 and 30 will start having 2x weekly non-stress tests and a bi-weekly ultrasound.

With all the complications, worries and stress my older children were induced at 37 and 39 weeks and very healthy. Although I'm stressed out, the baby is doing fine. Needless to say, I hate being pregnant, but in the end it is worth it.

I hope this helps. I think it's good to know what you might be getting yourself into. Losing weight now it great. Excersizing is even better. Good luck to you.

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