High Blood Pressure NOT Preeclampsia?

mamahann · November 2013

Any STMs+ have high blood pressure during pregnancy that wasn't pre-e? I have a history of high blood pressure that was managed with medication as a teenager and then has gone away as I've gotten older/lost weight. My BP has been fine at all previous appointments but was high yesterday. The Doctor (who I had never met before) immediately started discussing medication. I tried to let him know that we had just come from the a/s and I was still really worked up (I had been practically panicking all morning!) he refused to listen and ordered blood work to check for pre-e.

I received the call this morning that everything is fine and normal. I have been checking my BP on my own at home and at work today and it hasn't been high than 136/81. I have a second appointment with this same Doctor tomorrow and I'm worried medication will be forced on me though I don't feel it's necessary yet.

Anyone else with a similar experience?

***Also dang phone posted this twice. Sorry everyone!***

NYJodway · November 2013

I didn't have high blood pressure pre-pregnancy, but it has been slightly elevated at times during pregnancy. From what my doctors have said, including my high-risk OB/GYN, they would never medicate me for numbers like 136/81.

I do have a bit of white coat hypertension, and my first bp reading at a doc's office tends to be on the high side. Any good doctor will offer to take a second reading later on in the appointment to see if it has come down. If they don't offer, you may demand it.

Teresa1896 · November 2013

My BP is always high in the office (anxiety/white coat) but I check at home and it's usually around 100/60s. My doc got very worked up about it last time but once I could show that it's lower normally he left me alone. I did have to check it daily and still do. I never had pre-e. Hope that helps!

awraffo · November 2013

Mine is usually high at the doc too. I am surprised he was so quick to try and put you on meds! I feel like he should have you track it at home for a week or so where your comfortable. Mine was slightly high when I just went to my 16 week appt, but fortunately I had my usual doc who is well aware of my history with white coat syndrome. I hate when they worry you because it just makes matters worse and you get yourself all worked up and obsess over the numbers (at least I have). Keep your head up!

Dr Quarters · November 2013

I had high bp at the very end of my first pregnancy and was put on medicine. Sadly mine has been elevated now since about 10 weeks. My numbers are pretty similar to yours and my regular doctor is not concerned. He told me that the new studies show that you shouldn't medicate until it's like 160/(I don't remember this number). That said, I saw a different doctor last week and she freaked out at my number. Starting going on and on about pre-e even though I have absolutely no signs and started talking about medicine for the bp. I told her my regular doctor wasn't concerned and therefore I'm not either.

I do agree with PP in regards to having it taken twice. I'm so worried about my BP that my first reading is always high. They take it towards the end when I'm calm and relaxed and it's so much better.

Bees Everywhere · November 2013

My blood pressure is always really low but the last month of my last pregnancy it skyrocketed. They rechecked it repeatedly in the office to see if it went down as I just sat there but it didn't so I got admitted to the hospital and after laying down it went back down so I was put on medical leave/ rest my last month. Never got proteins in urine (pre-e sign) but I had a ton of swelling/ weight gain and high BP from then on in the pregnancy. I was able to go full term no medication for BP and after delivery my BP went back to normal.

I'd ask them to recheck it a few times before any medication. Let them know it's white coat syndrome most likely bc you check at home and it's normal.

Rrrrrachel · November 2013

Eclampsia is scary as hell. I totally get why some doctors would be really cautious about it. I hope that you can discuss it further and come up with something that you're both comfortable with (which I suspect will be do nothing because your bp is actually fine!)

Eahen42 · November 2013

You cannot be forced to take anything you don't want to. I don't think that's very high anyways. Mine runs about 120/80 and it was slightly elevated at the end of my last pregnancy. Right now it's low, around 100/60. There's more to pre-e than just high BP. Maybe you were just worked up at your appointment and it was a fluke. Good luck and make sure to discuss your concerns and feeling with your ob. Good luck

jenskurn · November 2013

From what I was told, 140/90 is considered high during pregnancy. It's a different scale than what you would normally use.

My bp went up at 36 wks. I was put on bedrest, no meds, and it evened out but they still induced me at 38 wks. During induction it was as high as 200/100. The whole time they took urine and blood and I was never pre-e.

So far I'm good. I was told if it did go up, meds would be my first defense.

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