Controlling high blood pressure/concerned about preeclampsia

LovewithXOXO · January 2015

I am obese and just about a week away from my second trimester.

I have have borderline high blood pressure readings in the past, when I was in a really bad situation and my life was all about poverty and stress and no access to healthy food. Since things have gotten better for me, however, I eat mostly healthy and have not had a high blood pressure reading for a couple of years now.

During my first visit to the doctor (about 5 weeks ago) to simply verify the pregnancy, my BP was at 120 over 83, which is close to perfect.

However I just had my second appointment the other day and my blood pressure was at 125 over 90. They said that was borderline.

Now I must confess that for most of those 5 weeks my appetite went OUT OF CONTROL and I could almost never feel satisfied. The only things that really helped me feel like I was not starving and take away my nausea was heavy and salty foods. I ate way too many mashed potatoes with butter and salt, burgers, SO many pickles as they helped a lot of the nausea, and very unlike me, I just ate lots and lots of processed foods, whereas I typically cook from scratch. I had no energy and slept for more hours of the day than I was awake. Practically never exercised and was basically just a bump on a log for most of that time.

So, naturally I can assume that the high blood pressure reading was due to this horrendous lifestyle that I had adopted for those 4 to 5 weeks, or so I hope. Can blood pressure rise that high in that amount of time with those kind of bad habits?

Currently, I am feeling much better. My energy is slowly returning and I am now walking for 15 minutes, twice a day and soon I will be hitting the pool a couple times a week, just for gentle movement and stretching and stuff and I am dedicating myself to a tremendously healthier diet.

I am hoping that this will lower my blood pressure and keep it low. My doctor was not acting too concerned but she is blasé about a lot of things. I don't entirely trust her.

So, anyway I am not really asking for medical advice here, but I am just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and can clue me in as to whether my assumptions might be correct, that those few weeks of being bad was what did me in with my bp and that this change can possibly undo the damage?

nursej519 · January 2015

I was welcomed to the second trimester with true high blood pressure. Yours is not borderline...not even close. My readings were higher than 160/90 for 3 solid weeks until they started me on blood pressure meds. Yes, eating healthier can help but I'd you're destined to have high blood pressure during pregnancy, you will.

LovewithXOXO · January 2015

Are you still pregnant? Or is this a previous pregnancy? How did it, or is it going?

I guess that is comforting that you feel this is not a high bp reading. It is higher than I usually have, and the nurse said it was borderline.

Hopefully my lifestyle changes will reverse the current increase. I am really concerned about pre-eclampsia because of my weight.

Thanks for the feedback.

jess9802 · January 2015

Lurker here. I was diagnosed with chronic hypertension during my pregnancy (consistent high blood pressure prior to 20wks). My blood pressure was typically in the 140/80s, and after the 20 week mark was consistently in the 150s/80s. My OB was most concerned with my diastolic blood pressure staying under 90 (which it did until the very end). I did not go on any anti-hypertensives while pregnant. I am also obese.

While I was not rigid with my diet, during pregnancy I was far more mindful of what I ate (and the severe morning sickness played a role), and managed to gain just 12 pounds. I did not develop GD and despite the consistently high blood pressure readings, never developed pre-eclampsia. I was monitored more closely - lots and lots of ultrasounds - and agreed to an induction at 39 weeks. Baby was healthy and weighed 7lbs, 14oz.

It's not really understood what causes pre-eclampsia. And while being overweight and having a history of high blood pressure are correlated with the risk, they don't predestine you to develop the condition. Your best bet is to keep doing what you're doing: eat well, be moderately active, avoid excessive weight gain, and be aware of the symptoms of pre-e. If you don't trust your doctor b/c you don't think she's proactive enough, I strongly recommend seeing whether another OB will be a better fit. Having a high risk pregnancy is incredibly nerve-wracking, and you need to feel confident in the advice and expertise of your doctor.

Good luck, and congrats!

LovewithXOXO · January 2015

Thanks Jess, that was very helpful. I am still just seeing my GP. I am getting an OB in a few more weeks, and I will definitely be very selective when it gets to that time. I am in Canada and it works a bit differently here than in the USA where I assume you are. I have to wait for an OB referral and then I can decide if I like the one I was assigned to. If not I get another referral.

Right now I am not sure if I will be considered high risk or not, though I feel I should be, and honestly, I want to be because I want closer monitoring. My GP said that that decision will be made after my physical in 3 weeks.

Thanks again.

jess9802 · January 2015

I'm not a medical professional, but I do tend to agree that obesity should move a mother into a high risk category. The increased risks of gestational diabetes, pre-e, HELLP, and complications at delivery including C-section are worth keeping in mind. Again, just because one is obese doesn't mean any of these things will come to pass - they didn't for me! - but I definitely wanted someone who was experienced with high-risk pregnancies and could manage them well. I am in the US and when I got pregnant my care was transferred from my gynecologist to one of his partners in the same private practice. He was wonderful and very reassuring, and I hope you have the same relationship with the OB who ends up treating you through the rest of your pregnancy.

And despite the inevitable worry of pregnancy - try to enjoy this special time in your life.

LovewithXOXO · January 2015

Despite my weight, and the knee and feet pain that I get because of it, I am otherwise very healthy. My bp is usually good, cholesterol is great and my diet is usually very very healthy, etc. So I think this is why my GP is not convinced I should be classified high risk since my weight is my the only factor, but since my bp was elevated during my last visit maybe that will put me over the edge.

Ok, thanks for all your advice again. We shall see what happens.

CivilMommy · January 2015

I had pregnancy hypertension (controlled by meds) with #1 and #2. I was over 300 pounds, eating not great, but not horrible. My BPs were 185/high 80s by 8w and my doc put me on BP meds right away.

I had some higher readings over the weeks, was monitored often for pre-E (never developed it, but did have higher than preferred protein in urine levels - but not high enough to call it Pre E).

I saw a MFM clinic for extra ultrasounds in 2nd & 3rd tri. I was induced at 39w per high BP protocol.

My babies were totally healthy.

It is possible to have high BP, be obese, and still have healthy babies. Follow your doc's instructions.

Cut your sodium intake (no canned soup, no lean cuisines, avoid eating out). That helped me a ton. I thought I was doing great by eating the fat free/low fat soups and lean cuisines for lunch/dinner every day - but really all that sodium wasn't helping at all.

Good Luck!

LovewithXOXO · January 2015

I typically cook everything from scratch and eat simply. My main diet when not pregnant is mostly meat, not too lean, good fat is good, and lots of veggies and low glycemic fruits. I indulge in anything I want from time to time but usually I am very good.

It was just those 4 to 5 weeks there, in the first tri, I got SOOO tired and HUNGRY! I have never been so hungry! And all I wanted was convenience foods. I ate whoppers and frozen pizzas and so much horribleness. SO not like me!

I am back to my old ways, except I eat more carbs now. Whole grain bread, whereas I usually avoided bread in the past, and sweet potatoes and any fruit I feel like having, not just low glycemic fruit. My body just really wants extra carbs now so I am giving it what it wants. But no worries, I have no addiction to canned or frozen "health" foods. Thanks for the advice.

I have been feeling much better now since I have gone back to healthy eating. I have a feeling my next blood pressure reading will be better.

And thank you for your story. It gives me tremendous hope. I was 280 when I got pregnant and now I am 290. Hopefully I do not gain much more.

LovewithXOXO · February 2015

Well, I was at 118 over 93 at my check up today. The doctor seemed happy with it but I am not happy with the bottom number going up. At least the top number went down so I guess this is half a victory. I also lost 5 pounds which they said is fine. Feeling a lot better physically now that I can eat healthy again and feel satiated and I am sleeping normally again.

qtpi145 · September 2015

Hi there! I had pregnancy induced hypertension from 20 weeks on with my first, 3 1/2 years ago. I was put on bed rest for the last two months and gave birth at 37 weeks to a healthy baby boy. I, however, developed post-partum PE. Honestly, once the baby was out and I knew he was safe the whole experience wasn't thT bad. I was put on a magnesium bag, which is uncomfortable but not unbearable and it went away. By the way, I was a tiny 130 lbs during that pregnancy. Fast forward to now, I'm 6w 5d pregnant and 180 lbs! I know this puts me at a double increased risk. So I guess I don't have a lot of advice except to say that I'm right there with you

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Controlling high blood pressure/concerned about preeclampsia

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DD 7/2010, DS 3/2012, #3 due 4/24/2015

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