SO much information at 9 week appointment! Confused FTM!

peppercorn16 · June 2015

I just got back from my 9 week appointment and saw a healthy, wiggly baby measuring perfectly with a strong heartbeat! WOOOO sigh of relief every time!

DH and I could see the cute little arm and leg nubs and it wiggled 3-4 times during the scan! On cloud 9 and soooo in love!

BUT......
My blood pressure was high (140/80) and I really think it was from being SO insanely nervous before the appointment. I had myself so worked up in the car I was just a step from needing to breathe in a paper bag! I get that way about doctor appointments of all kinds. But of course they are airing on the side of caution and having me do a 24 hour urine draw to check for protein in my urine, and also having me go for standard prenatal bloodwork, AND doing an early glucose test in addition to my 28 week one. She said this is just to get a baseline to compare to, and we will deal with it either way and not to worry.

So my point in all my rambling is-- does this seem like a lot?? They didn't seem overly concerned, but now I am concerned. I'm high-risk anyway, do you think they're just being cautious? Is any of this standard? Confused and worried FTM!

SummerOH · June 2015

I think this is standard when your BP is that high. Fwiw, my sister had pre-e with her first (undiagnosed, almost killed her and my nephew) so was monitored very closely with her second. She also had high BP her whole pregnancy, beginning very early like yours is. She had more tests and ultrasounds than normal, but had an easy delivery and healthy baby. Even went med free! So I totally understand why you're worried, but it's very normal to monitor you closely. In fact, it means you have a great team! (As said before, my sister didn't have that the first time and almost died.) So try to find some reassurance in that. And who knows, it may just be a fluke!

Karenin · June 2015

I think that's just being cautious given the high BP at the appointment. Totally understand you getting overwhelmed but if your OB doesn't seemed concerned, you're probably fine. I also sometimes get nervous for doctor's appointments (depends what it is for) and when I do my normally very low BP spikes high, so that's very common. I'd be glad your OB is taking precautions to make sure you and baby are safe!

SullyN · June 2015

I think they're bring cautious and I would take caution over just ignoring it. If you think it was high just from stressing over the appointment try going to a pharmacy that has BP machines and see what it says there. I have a few friends that ended up buying BP cuffs for checking at home and check in with their doctor.

narissa2013 · June 2015

I usually have my BP checked at the begining and end of appointments. I have a lot of anxiety at the doctors office but it tends to be much better by end of appointment. Maybe next time you can ask for them to redo it at end to see if its more accurate.
As for the tests, doesnt hurt to be cautious. I wouldnt worry too much. Congrats on your wiggly baby

JNGettinMarried · June 2015

I agree... they're being cautious. I find that the obstetrics community in general tends to take a very conservative and cautious approach to pregnancy and childbirth, and attribute a lot of it to the very high rate at which they are sued should something go awry. They are going to make sure they cover all of their bases as best as they can. I wouldn't let it worry you... I had a high reading at the first several appointments for my first. After awhile I requested to have the doppler find her heartbeat first, then take my blood pressure... sorta helped me relax to know she was OK first. Once I could feel her moving I felt better as well.

Mommyduclos · June 2015

My BP with my first at my first appointment was so high (for me anyways) I think it was 130/ something and my first appointment with this baby it was 96/something to give you a comparison- it was seriously all nerves, but it wasn't really that high do they didn't do any tests for me. But high blood pressure can be very serious in pregnancy so it's good that they are checking you out to be safe. Though I'm not really sure what the early blood sugar test has to do with a high BP.

willashbaby · June 2015

Mine was just like that before my first scan, I had them retake it after the scan and it went down to 120/78 so they let me be.

peppercorn16 · June 2015

Thank you everyone! I agree that them being cautious is a good thing, just so much at once! Thanks for all the input ladies

KaraEpp16 · June 2015

Hi! That sounds about normal - your blood pressure could have been elevated from nerves. I also had to do an early glucose test because my mother had gestational diabetes with 2/4 of her pregnancies. I was very appreciative that they suggested I do an early test. Don't worry about all of the poking and prodding....it's just going to increase. The first appointment seemed like a lot of info for me. My midwife sent me home with a packet after we went over everything. Most of the doctors/midwives are aware that they are giving you a lot of information the first day, that's why they send you home with the information - that way you can reference it. Did they send you home with a packet? It took me about two weeks to even open it and go through it, again.

My advice: Please, don't worry! They are just making sure that everything is all good where it is and it's better to be safe than sorry in these types of situations. If you are prone to anxiety attacks - I would bring it up at the next appointment. Make a list of any of the questions or other concerns that you may have, as well. They are totally on your team. If you find that they are not - then I would suggest looking at another clinic. This process can be slightly overwhelming, especially to a FTM (living it!) but the clinic should be well equipped and working with you for a happy and healthy nine months +.

peppercorn16 · June 2015

KaraEpp16 said:
Hi! That sounds about normal - your blood pressure could have been elevated from nerves. I also had to do an early glucose test because my mother had gestational diabetes with 2/4 of her pregnancies. I was very appreciative that they suggested I do an early test. Don't worry about all of the poking and prodding....it's just going to increase. The first appointment seemed like a lot of info for me. My midwife sent me home with a packet after we went over everything. Most of the doctors/midwives are aware that they are giving you a lot of information the first day, that's why they send you home with the information - that way you can reference it. Did they send you home with a packet? It took me about two weeks to even open it and go through it, again.

My advice: Please, don't worry! They are just making sure that everything is all good where it is and it's better to be safe than sorry in these types of situations. If you are prone to anxiety attacks - I would bring it up at the next appointment. Make a list of any of the questions or other concerns that you may have, as well. They are totally on your team. If you find that they are not - then I would suggest looking at another clinic. This process can be slightly overwhelming, especially to a FTM (living it!) but the clinic should be well equipped and working with you for a happy and healthy nine months +.

Thank you so much for all the kind words and advice! I have a large bag of information, packets, magazines, and pamphlets that I will begin reading through little by little. Again thank you for taking the time to reply, made me feel better. I'm ordering a blood pressure monitor to have at home so I can check between appointments and get a better idea of how I'm doing under normal circumstances and other than that I'm going to try and follow your advice to not worry

enkb · June 2015

I have a similar 'white coat syndrome' with higher bp at the dr than I ever have at home. My provider recommended when your cuff comes in take you bp at the same time of day like once a week and bring your log in to the appt, so they can see that you are in the normal range normally. Will also probably make you feel better (it always does me)!

Carr2016 · June 2015

I didn't have high blood pressure, but they had me do the glucose test as well... So they could get a base line of where I was.. Also the blood work it typically normal... I would not stress Hun, they will coach you through every step of the way!

Emott13 · June 2015

I know this is kind of off-topic but I've had the same high BP issues and got an at-home cuff but I always struggle with how tightly to wrap it? I always get a reading of like 97/60 at home at I've had 115/80ish at the doc. I feel like that's a wider spread than can be attributed to "white-coat hypertension". Yes/no?

In relation to the post, I agree- OBGYNs are typically the "better-safe-than-sorry" kind of group so they'll run tests to be sure even if they're 99% sure without tests. If they're not worried, you don't need to worry.

sounds like you have a great team on your side!

peppercorn16 · June 2015

enkb said:
I have a similar 'white coat syndrome' with higher bp at the dr than I ever have at home. My provider recommended when your cuff comes in take you bp at the same time of day like once a week and bring your log in to the appt, so they can see that you are in the normal range normally. Will also probably make you feel better (it always does me)!

I'm definitely thinking that's the culprit with me too! I've checked at home a couple times since then and its been 115/68 and 116/72. I'm glad they're keeping an eye on everything but I'm also glad that it seems like everything is good overall. Thank you for sharing your experience and recommendation. I'm definitely going to keep track between appointments.

peppercorn16 · June 2015

Emott13 said:
I know this is kind of off-topic but I've had the same high BP issues and got an at-home cuff but I always struggle with how tightly to wrap it? I always get a reading of like 97/60 at home at I've had 115/80ish at the doc. I feel like that's a wider spread than can be attributed to "white-coat hypertension". Yes/no?

In relation to the post, I agree- OBGYNs are typically the "better-safe-than-sorry" kind of group so they'll run tests to be sure even if they're 99% sure without tests. If they're not worried, you don't need to worry. sounds like you have a great team on your side!

That's a great question and I would be totally clueless of how to wrap it too. Mine wraps around the wrist so it isn't a problem. I'd recommend testing yours at the drug store next time you're there and see what it reads. Your home reading sounds low but you never know. Would be good to check multiple sources! You might be wrapping it just fine. Good luck!

kducharme · June 2015

Everything seems pretty standard. I had high blood pressure with my first pregnancy that showed up in the second trimester so I didn't have to do an early glucose but everything else is the same. Nothing to worry about and if there is a problem at least they will be catching it early.

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SO much information at 9 week appointment! Confused FTM!

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