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2nd Trimester
sunflwr2
member
Talk to me about your high blood pressure
sunflwr2
member
I went to my 16 week appointment last week, and my blood pressure was a little high. (130/80 or something) I was excited and kind of nervous for no reason other than just being anxious to hear the baby's heartbeat again.
The doctor wasn't really concerned but did mention that my blood pressure is "hanging on."
Talk to me about your experiences if you have/have had high blood pressure during your pregnancy. Is there anything I can do to naturally lower it?
What do they do if it gets too high? Like I said it may just be that I was a little excited/nervous for my appointment, I've never had problems with high blood pressure before.
The doctor wasn't really concerned but did mention that my blood pressure is "hanging on."
Talk to me about your experiences if you have/have had high blood pressure during your pregnancy. Is there anything I can do to naturally lower it?
What do they do if it gets too high? Like I said it may just be that I was a little excited/nervous for my appointment, I've never had problems with high blood pressure before.
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Re: Talk to me about your high blood pressure
The most important thing to remember about blood pressure is that nothing can be diagnosed based on one reading -- there are so many factors that can affect a reading (recent caffeine intake, stress, even the position that you're sitting). They'll start watching the trends, but a single reading of 130/80 is nothing to be too concerned about at this point.
If you want to keep tabs on it, you can make regular stops at a local drugstore or anywhere that has one of those BP readers. They're not the most reliable things in the world, but it may put your mind at ease...particularly to see if your BP is spiking because of being anxious about hearing LO's hb.
In the meantime, lots of water, regular light exercise, and a balanced diet. Don't stress yourself out thinking about the later effects of high BP in pregnancy -- for now just focus on being and staying healthy!
There are teas that you can drink that help lower it. don't know what they are but my midwife mentioned it she all so said that eating greens can help lower it.
Mine was a little high and she said that I should make sure I was eating really well stay way from processed foods and working out.
Well, I think I can provide a little insight because I am home today due to recently (last week and over the weekend) experiencing high BP.
At my apointment last week, my BP was 150/80 something and over the weekend it was high again (I had a bad headache and felt faint, so I went to the pharmacy and checked it). I followed up with my OB yesterday and after checking my BP and it being high again, she sent me for lab work and today I am home from work because I have to collect all of my urine for 24 hours
Anyway- my OB said it is too early in the pregnancy for my high BP to be related to an issue there. She thinks it may be something else and is investigating. I go back tomorrow morning to drop off my pee. My OB also mentioned that she may put me on a low dose of BP medication to keep it under control. I think to naturally help it stay low is to try to reduce your sodium intake. GL
What Mereou12 said and this:
My blood pressure was through the roof at my first appointment (mainly because I was nearly having a panic attack waiting to get in so I could get on progesterone) so they were watching me really closely after that.
I had four consecutive visits with the BP floating between 136/80 and 140/90. It seemed to rise pretty steady as the HcG level went up, so my doctor put me on Labetalol (which is safe during pregnancy and doesn't pass the placenta). I also have a prothrombin mutation and started my pregnancy 15lbs overweight so I was at higher risk for pre-e and my doctor wasn't taking any chances. I bought a home bp monitor for $40 the same day.
If you have pregnancy induced HBP, there's very little you can do but delay the onset and try not to do anything that would add to it. Cut your salt intake, don't eat red meat, take little walks during the day, trying some relaxation breathing techniques. I do all of that and on average, my bp is 117/60 with the pills. At the doctor's office, it is always higher, unless I can do some deep breathing relaxation before hand (I've had 2 m/c, so I'm always nervous at the dr's)
I had early pre-e my first pregnancy and my bp went up at 7 weeks.
lowering your salt intake to lower blood pressure is a bit of fallacy. salt is a necessary mineral, so unless you're having a ton there is no need to steer clear. but try if you want.
also try: acupuncture, meditation, hiking/exercise, cucumbers, lots of protein, fermented/probiotic food, and definitely stay far far away from processed food.
This exactly for me! My BP reads high at every appt, even before the pregnancy, so I bought a BP machine for home and it's always normal. Even when I didn't "feel" nervous at the doctor's office, my BP read high, which I thought was totally weird. I guess "white coat syndrome" is pretty common and fairly normal, so try not to worry. Now they just accept my readings and I don't worry about it, which probably helps too.