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November 2011 Moms
Pre-E/Pregnancy induced Hyertension
Hi Ladies!
I am a lurker who rarely posts due to a love/hate relationship between my Blackberry & TB. I have been being closely watched since 28 weeks (currently 35 weeks today) for mild pre-e. I have had weekly appointments with NST since 28 weeks and had been steadily maintaining a elevated BP of around 150/80 each week and trace protiens. Last week out of the blue my BP reading was 120/60 and no protiens. My doctor was shocked but hopeful that this would continue. I on the other hand doubt this BP reading! The office was CRAZY busy and the nurse was rushed and distracted while with me. I doubt the reading she took is accurate. I take my BP 2-3x a day at home and have been getting readings in the 150/80 - 170/100 range all week (no where near normal).
My question is this. I feel like last weeks reading was wrong and wonder if I should address this with my doctor. I regret not asking HIM to recheck my BP last week. I have an appointment today and wonder if I should say something to him that I doubt my BP reading last week was correct or if I should just let it go and see what today brings? I don't want to sound like a trouble maker but I also don't want him to start questioning my pre-e diagnosis and put LO at risk. Also, any other pre-e/PIH mommas, are you checking your BPs at home? Has your doctor said anything to you about readings at home and at what point (i.e. 180/100) you should be concerned and call? I am a FTM and don't want to sound like a basket case today at my appointment but I am almost at that point. My nephew was born at 36 weeks due to his momma's high BP and I know the dangers to LO from high BP but I don't want my doctor to think that I am second guessing him or don't trust his medical opinion because I do... I am just worried and hoping to get some reassurance/advice from other mommies..
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Pre-E/Pregnancy induced Hyertension
I haven't been diagnosed with Pre-E, but having had BP issues in the past and a scare last week, I am actually surprised that they didn't double check that reading since it was so far from your norm.
In the past, when I've had a change in BP (good or bad and pregnant or not), my doctor or the nurse does another reading the ensure that it wasn't a fluke.
You are your own advocate. Most doctor's know what they're doing, but that doesn't mean that you don't have a right to "second guess" them or ask questions. My doctor has always said if I have ANY concern, better safe than sorry and to mention it. If I were you, I would tell them that you felt uneasy about the last reading and have been getting high readings at home. I don't think you need to go into any sort of blame on the nurse or it being busy....I'm sure they'll take your BP again, and if it's high then your point will be proven.
Seriously, you should be able to talk to your doctor about this with offending him/her... if it becomes an issue, then you should evaluate whether or not that person should still be your doctor if you can't even talk about BP readings with them.
Normally my doctor does recheck it and I was going to ask him to recheck it because I was so doubtful about the reading but then we got side tracked with my concerns about LO's heartrate on the NST and I totally forgot to ask him to recheck. My doctor is great and totally usually feel like I can talk to him and voice my concerns about anything but for some crazy hormonal reason I really felt like I was over reacting or making to much out of this and was silly to say anything to him this week about it. Thank you! You are both correct I shouldn't be worried about advocating for mine & LO's treatment and care. I will say something to him today about doubting the reading from last week and show him my records of my BP readings from home and see what he says.
GL! I hope for your sake that the BP reading wasn't a fluke and maybe your BP has magically gone down!
Thanks! I have an appointment at 4pm today and I have added talking about my readings and when I should become concerned to my list of things to talk about today...
Good luck to you & I hope your BP stays in check.. This hypertension/pre-e stuff is the pits!
I have pre-e....and my readings lately have been better than they were when I was first diagnosed. It can happen.
First, take in your bp machine and have them take your bp with their machine and then immediately after with yours. Make sure they are close, if not the same readings. Different machines can be off. My personal one was a few points lower than the one in the dr office. I take that into account when I take my bp at home.
Does your bp machine have a memory that records the last several readings? Share those with your doctor- be specific (not just a vague 160s/90s-ish). Ask your dr at what point should you be concerned, at what point should you call. If its after hours, at what point should you go to L&D. My dr gave me his cell phone number and told me to call if I should have concerns after hours....and I feel a lot better knowing thats an option (I've not used it, and hope not to have to).
Did they take your bp laying on your left side? When they do that for me, mine is lower than when I am sitting. Same thing if I move too much, have my ankles crossed, etc. Make sure you are taking your bp at home CORRECTLY.
Honestly...if my bp was 160s or 170s/90s or 100s...my dr would probably deliver me today. I guess it depends some on what other symptoms you are having...but thats HIGH and I would be concerned. Even if I didn't have proteinuria. Address this with your dr, and get some answers. GL!