Hey ladies. This is my first pregnancy and at 33 weeks I started having high blood pressure problems. I was rushed to the emergency room with what I thought was a heart attack due to: dizziness, could barely breath, chest pain, floaters and abdominal pain. Come to find out, it was a severe anxiety attack and my blood pressure was through the roof. My doctor put me on Procardia xl 60mg for blood pressure and to prevent pre-eclampsia. My blood pressure still is not the best here are some examples:
126/59 hr 63
172/84 hr 88
178/72 hr 95
164/88 hr 88
160/78 hr 88
175/88 hr 80
167/96 hr 91
143/73 hr 88
These have been over the past few days - I was told to keep track of it. Have any of you ladies been induced for numbers like this? I have a sonogram scheduled in 4 days to "check on her and make some decisions" - my doctor said that. My doctor is normally calm, cool and collected but I can tell he's very concerned. He's been calling to check up on me. Just really need advice/stories.
Re: induced due to high blood pressure
I am not medicated because it's not consistently high. I also watch for headaches and sudden swelling, and have been going in every 2 weeks since 24 weeks, primarily for the urine testing. But, I have no other symptoms other than the higher readings that sometimes spike...and in my case the docs think it's more an underlying chronic hypertension that comes out in pregnancy. So, they don't worry about pre-eclampsia as much as placenta problems and growth problems, since I've had that before. I now have bi-weekly AF scans, monthly growth scans, and next week start my weekly NSTs.
I'm also on a baby asprin to encourage good placental blood flow, and Dr. has every intention of inducing during the 38th week if I stay as I am. If my numbers start getting worse or if I have any other problems, it'll be during the 37th week. With my first, she was IUGR at 4lb10oz and my pressures were 155+/90+, consistently. She was induced at 37w4d and is absolutely perfect at almost 5 years old. My second was induced at 39w3d when I hit 155/90 that day and had the option to start daily NSTs or just induce. My cervix was very favorable and I actually delivered her just 5 hours later! Try not to worry, especially if they're medicating for the hypertension. As I understand it, as long as it's just hypertension and its well monitored and "controlled," they keep you cooking to minimum 38 weeks.
Caitlin 4.17.11 Madeline 10.20.13
But also... I know tons of women while done procardia even up to 4 times a day! So there's still wiggle room mama...
I assume they gave u some instructions on what to avoid... what activities to avoid... etc over the next few weeks? I'd lay low and just take it easy. ... no caffeine. ... no fried food no fast food no super salty food.... 60-80 ounces of water a day etc