Anyone ever dealt with gestational hypertension?

misspuppychow · July 2016

Around 35 weeks they found that my blood pressure runs consistently in the 140s over high 90s unless I am on my left side (which it's then normal). They did a full pre-eclampsia workup which was negative. The week prior, all my BPs were normal so this is a new thing.

They plan to induce at 39 weeks unless things get worse, but they'll be watching me closely as there is always the risk of it turning into pre-e. Anyone ever dealt with this? How did it go? FTM and nervous

bearsandbeets7 · July 2016

I dealt with it but it wasn't until the very end of my pregnancy last time around 39 weeks. They ended up inducing me at 40w 3d due to it. So I have no advice or anything but I know how frustrating it is! Did they prescribe you any blood pressure meds or just keeping an eye on it?

AmandaG225 · July 2016

I dealt with this when I had my daughter. I don't remember exactly how far along I was but it was toward the end so probably around now. They did do all the pre-e tests and 24 hr urine collection but luckily everything came back ok. All I ended up doing was buying an at home blood pressure monitor and taking my pressure several times a day. I ended up going into labor at 39w 2d and delivered with no complications.

Sunnyn75 · July 2016

This happened to me in my first pregnancy. Mine started getting high around 35 weeks and just kept creeping up. I was on modified bed rest at 37 weeks, and they ended up inducing me at 38 weeks. I also had pretty significant swelling starting a little earlier than the high blood pressure that worsened the later we got too. My labor and delivery were perfect though...no other complications, and baby and I were perfectly healthy! I know it's nerve wracking, but try not to worry too much! I hope everything else stays normal!

Stephanie7693 · July 2016

I had it with my first. They put me on bed rest and kept an eye on my BP every week. I think I was arpund 33 or 34 weeks. I ended up going into labor at 37 weeks. My BP spiked to dangerous numbers during labor. I'm told I was minutes from a c section due to my bp... the top number was in the low 200s. But she came out just in time and we were both ok

TCUFrog08 · July 2016

Im currently dealing with the same thing. I've had pretty bad swelling most the pregnancy, but my blood pressure shot up to 140s/100 for several days.
I went into work last Monday and sat at my desk all morning and it continued to climb with an increase of swelling. I ended up being sent to L&D. Was put on bedrest. I was so swollen that they had a hard time evening finding my veins to get blood. That 32 weeks and 5 days.

My OB ran all the pre-e test on Thursday and I am just waiting till Tuesday with the results. Im
hoping for a modified bedrest with a c-section at 37 weeks if my BP continues as high.

My BP since being home and on bedrest is still in the 120-130s/90-100s. So not great. I also have swelling if I do run a small errand or something.

Keep us updated!!

ebilbao · July 2016

Yup. I had it with my son and had almost identical symptoms to yours. My BP would only ever go down if I was on my left side. I hated going to my appointments bc it was high every time and you just have no control over it. You might try taking it at home and see how it is, as well as requesting they take your BP manually at the end of your appointment when you've been sitting for a bit.

riveridgional · July 2016

I'm currently going through this too. After my appointment last Thursday I was put on "vacation rest", meaning no bed rest, but I can't go back to work until my OB re-evaluates after a NST Tuesday. I'm supposed to pretend I'm on vacation.

My BP last Thursday was 156/94, but all bloodwork and urine tests were negative for preeclampsia and have no indication it's heading in that direction. My OB said to prepare for delivery as early as 36 weeks (I'm 35w2d), which is worst case scenario, to 39 weeks. If all stays the same, we're likely looking at 38-39 weeks depending on my cervix (if I've started dilating at 38, she's more likely to recommend induction at that point, but if I'm completely closed at 38, she'll try to push me to 39).

StarLiteKiss · July 2016

I dealt with this with my last pregnancy. My BP would be very high at my Dr appointments the last month that I would be sent to L&D over it each time. I passed every pre-e test as well. In the end I ended up delivering 3 weeks early and my baby girl was good and healthy and my BP went to normal. This pregnancy they diagnosed me with hypertension at the beginning. I am on medicine for it and my readings have been beautiful and again I have passed every pre-e test. I will be delivering at 39 weeks because of the hypertension. With both pregnancies I cut back my salt intake, and drank more water. I would lay on my left side after drinking water when I started getting headaches (headaches are my indication that my BP is rising). My Dr had me take 1 baby asprin per day (do not do this without Dr's okay to), this supposedly helps prevent low birth weight.

Try not to stress yourself out. Listen to your dr and take it easy.

misspuppychow · July 2016

I did order a home BP cuff. I read consistently in the mid 130s over mid to high 90s at home. If I lay on my left side, it immediately drops to 115/70 or so. It's just so frustrating because it's out of my control!

I don't eat much sodium anyway, but they said it wouldn't help to cut it out because my underlying BP is great. I already drink around 150oz of water per day.

Every since ACOG came out in late 2013 stating that full term is now 39 weeks and that 37/38 weeks is early term and there is an appreciable difference between the two... I'm terrified to deliver before 39 weeks.

StarLiteKiss · July 2016

misspuppychow said:

I did order a home BP cuff. I read consistently in the mid 130s over mid to high 90s at home. If I lay on my left side, it immediately drops to 115/70 or so. It's just so frustrating because it's out of my control!

I don't eat much sodium anyway, but they said it wouldn't help to cut it out because my underlying BP is great. I already drink around 150oz of water per day.

Every since ACOG came out in late 2013 stating that full term is now 39 weeks and that 37/38 weeks is early term and there is an appreciable difference between the two... I'm terrified to deliver before 39 weeks.

I completly understand. The longer baby stays put the better but if things get worse health wise, then delivery is the best route. Remember if the dr decides to deliver early and you are questioning it, you have the right to ask for a second opinion. Also, Have they been doing or mentioned about doing NSTs and/or a growth scan? Wouldn't hurt to ask about it if not.

misspuppychow · July 2016

StarLiteKiss said:

misspuppychow said:

I did order a home BP cuff. I read consistently in the mid 130s over mid to high 90s at home. If I lay on my left side, it immediately drops to 115/70 or so. It's just so frustrating because it's out of my control!

I don't eat much sodium anyway, but they said it wouldn't help to cut it out because my underlying BP is great. I already drink around 150oz of water per day.

Every since ACOG came out in late 2013 stating that full term is now 39 weeks and that 37/38 weeks is early term and there is an appreciable difference between the two... I'm terrified to deliver before 39 weeks.

I completly understand. The longer baby stays put the better but if things get worse health wise, then delivery is the best route. Remember if the dr decides to deliver early and you are questioning it, you have the right to ask for a second opinion. Also, Have they been doing or mentioned about doing NSTs and/or a growth scan? Wouldn't hurt to ask about it if not.

I had NSTs on Friday and yesterday - passed both. I am having a growth ultrasound tomorrow since my last one was at 28 weeks. I'll be going to the doctor twice weekly now.... once for my regular visit and once for another BP check and a NST.

StarLiteKiss · July 2016

misspuppychow said:

StarLiteKiss said:

misspuppychow said:

I did order a home BP cuff. I read consistently in the mid 130s over mid to high 90s at home. If I lay on my left side, it immediately drops to 115/70 or so. It's just so frustrating because it's out of my control!

I don't eat much sodium anyway, but they said it wouldn't help to cut it out because my underlying BP is great. I already drink around 150oz of water per day.

Every since ACOG came out in late 2013 stating that full term is now 39 weeks and that 37/38 weeks is early term and there is an appreciable difference between the two... I'm terrified to deliver before 39 weeks.

I completly understand. The longer baby stays put the better but if things get worse health wise, then delivery is the best route. Remember if the dr decides to deliver early and you are questioning it, you have the right to ask for a second opinion. Also, Have they been doing or mentioned about doing NSTs and/or a growth scan? Wouldn't hurt to ask about it if not.

I had NSTs on Friday and yesterday - passed both. I am having a growth ultrasound tomorrow since my last one was at 28 weeks. I'll be going to the doctor twice weekly now.... once for my regular visit and once for another BP check and a NST.

Awesome! I go twice a week as well(I litterally fall asleep during the NST because the heart beat is soothing, lol) and have a growth scan in two weeks as well. I hope everything goes well and you are able to deliver close to the 40 week mark.

ebilbao · July 2016

I should have mentioned that even with the Gestational Hypertension, I delivered my son at 39+2. As long as it doesn't get worse, it can be done.

misspuppychow · July 2016

ebilbao said:

I should have mentioned that even with the Gestational Hypertension, I delivered my son at 39+2. As long as it doesn't get worse, it can be done.

I am REALLY hoping it is just gestational hypertension that doesn't get worse or progress into pre-e! They'll induce me at 39 weeks best case scenario though. Fingers crossed. At least on the bright side, I got pregnant via fertility treatment so I know my conception date exactly and therefore know my due date is 100% accurate.

cal031686 · July 2016

What was your blood pressure at when your Dr. Ran testing for PreE or gave the hypertension diagnosis? I developed PreE very quickly and without warning around 36 weeks with DD1 and was induced following a regular check up. This time around everything has looked fine so far too. BP has been around 110-120/60-70s. Over the weekend I was feeling kinda off so I took my BP and it was 138/96. I took it again later and it was down to where it had been. I have an appointment this week so I'm curious as to what to prepare myself for and what others have been thru.

SkiChic626 · July 2016

My BP was always a little high for me during my pregnancy with DD. On paper and their charts it looked fine to them at 120-130/80-85, however, my normal BP is 100/60, so 120/80, which yes it's "normal" was actually kinda high for me. I kept saying that it was high for me, but no one would listen. Hi, I think we all know our own bodies the best. They should have known when I started gaining 3-5 lbs in ONE week....NOT normal. Around week 38 it went up even higher to 140/96, and at that point they did a biophysical profile and then checked me and decided to induce a few days later. This time my BP has remained down where it normally is, and I visibly look better and healthier than I did last time, though I've gained more weight overall this time - it's just been more steady.

riveridgional · July 2016

3 weeks ago, my dad (who is a cardiologist), took my BP after I swelled up very badly, and it was 142/89. He gave me an automated cuff to take my pressure the next am and call my doctor with the 2 readings. That morning I want to say it was 146/94 (can't remember 100%). My BP in my right arm was giving higher than 140 readings, but my left arm was giving mid to high 130s. They sent me to L&D for monitoring to make sure it wasn't pre-e and hooked up the cuff to my left arm (the one with the lower readings) even though I told them about the variation between arms (my left has always been 5-10 lower). My first reading was 141/91 and every other reading was below 140/90. The resident was very annoying and said, "you were probably just active before you took your BP" even though I told I took it right when I woke up and before I got out of bed. Anyway, I was discharged without a diagnosis as I was told I needed 2 readings over 140/90 for a GH diagnosis. I took my BP a few more times and noticed it creeping up over 150/90 but decided to wait until my OB appointment in case I wasn't using the cuff properly. At my OB appointment last Thursday, it was 156/94. I just took my BP and it was 152/95. I have my NST today, so we'll see what they say.

kwilliams3402 · July 2016

@skichic626 - My BP is the same way--usually really low, and around the 120/90 mark consistently during pregnancy. I definitely have swelling all over, but nothing too extreme, and so far at 35 weeks, it's never higher than 120 when I test at home on a super-puffy-feet day. I'll be interested to see if it gets higher as I get closer to 40 weeks or if it just hovers around the "new" normal. I've had a few weeks of crazy 3 lb or so weight gain, which correspond to when I jump to a new plateau of swelling.

SkiChic626 · July 2016

@kwilliams3402 said:

@skichic626 - My BP is the same way--usually really low, and around the 120/90 mark consistently during pregnancy. I definitely have swelling all over, but nothing too extreme, and so far at 35 weeks, it's never higher than 120 when I test at home on a super-puffy-feet day. I'll be interested to see if it gets higher as I get closer to 40 weeks or if it just hovers around the "new" normal. I've had a few weeks of crazy 3 lb or so weight gain, which correspond to when I jump to a new plateau of swelling.

Yup, sounds like EXACTLY what happened to me with DD. I've had a little swelling here and there in my ankles with this pregnancy, but with DD I was swollen ALL over. Everyone kept commenting that I was "carrying everywhere" (thanks a-holes) but it was all swelling....my hands, arms, entire legs, feet, face. It's kinda annoying that my providers didn't pay closer attention to it even with me telling them "that's not normal for me, hello??" because then maybe there was something I could have done to get it back down or at least keep it from going up to where it did get to. It actually took the nurse practitioner to look at my chart one time and say, hmmm something looks off, and she said that BP aside, my rapid weight gain should have been a red flag to the midwives. I didn't gain any weight until I was maybe 23 weeks pregnant with DD, so they just kept saying "oh, you're just catching up."

kwilliams3402 · July 2016

@SkiChic626 - What a-holes to say you were "carrying everywhere." I might have slapped them. I look in the mirror and feel that way, and my clothes size reflect it, but luckily no one has said that. A saint of a coworker tells me I'm all bump, but I'm not buying it. Hopefully you're having better luck this pregnancy!!

riveridgional · July 2016

I hope everyone currently dealing with GH is doing well. I found out yesterday that I will officially be a mom no later than July 18! I'll be induced then if he doesn't decide to come earlier himself and as long as my NST's on Monday and Thursday are reactive and my BP doesn't rise significantly/become pre-E on Thursday. I'm so nervous and excited wrapped into one. I also feel relieved now that I have a date. I'm hoping 37 weeks, 2 days will be sufficient for the delivery of a healthy, baby boy.

kecoff01 · July 2016

I was diagnosed with GH at like my 12 week appointment with my first daughter. My normal BP is about 120/60 and it jumped to 140/90. I had a 24 hour urine then and it was fine. It was consistently 140/90. I did have a lot of swelling but like other PP's experienced my providers didn't seem too concerned. At my 38 week appointment they decided they would likely induce at 39 weeks for GH but they went ahead and ordered a 24 hour urine to make sure. My swelling hadn't changed and I had actually lost 3 pounds so I'm not sure what made them order it, but when I came back the following Monday morning the lab results showed that I had protein in my urine so it was an immediate induction. I was 38+6 so they were planning on inducing me that week anyway.

So far, my BP hasn't gotten that high. It's been around 128/70 so for now they're just keeping an eye on it. I had an appointment today and they seem to think I won't make it to 40 weeks, so we will see what happens. I'm hoping to avoid an induction this time around.

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