Hypertension

[Mrs_C1012]

Hi ladies,

I have chronic hypertension and when we agreed to start trying, my doctor told me that I'd have a high risk pregnancy. I recently had a BP monitor and the results showed that I'm averaging about 130/90. When I took my BP at home after finding out I was pregnant, it was 120/80 in the right arm and 130/80 in the left arm. I have been eating more carefully and doing gentle exercise so I'm hoping it will come down, but it's still scary as it's one extra thing that can go wrong.
I'm 28 and about 2 stone overweight, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to control my BP enough that I can get through the pregnancy. I'm only 5+1 at the moment, so I'm taking it slowly.

Anyone else in a similar position?

 

[CARNAT22]

I'm surprised you have been diagnosed with chronic hypertension based on those readings??

I mean yes they are higher than "normal" but not in the hypertension range?

A healthy lifestyle and regular exercise should help. Plus yes do take your own readings.

I have white coat hypertension so my BP shots up when it is taken in a medical setting. My BP was normally higher than 130/80 throughout pregnancy when it was taken but as they knew about my phobia they'd take it a few times and it would gradually come down quite close to normal 120/75.

I have my own machine and even when I was in early labour my readings were 115/70 !!

I did have one episode at 38w when my BP wouldn't come down (140/90) so I was sent for a trace and had my BP taken every 15 minutes ofr an hour - they did it manually and it was fine four times out of four.

On the day I was given the OK to use the birthing centre which was wonderful as I'd assumed all along I'd not be able to with my silly white coat hypertension.

I think it is good that they are keeping an eye on you but I also think they are maybe being a little overcautious???

xxx

 

[Mrs_C1012]

I should add that it used to be higher than that and it's now come down to the 130/90 after about a year or so of messing about with various doses and medications. It was 160/110 at one point, so the doctor is pleased with the progress I've made, but is worried it might go up again.

 

[CARNAT22]

Sorry I forgot to say congratulations!

Yep sounds as though they are very right to keep an eye on you.

Well done thus far though and hopefully all will be just dandy.

What is the situation with your medication and pregnancy?

xxxxx

 

[babyem]

BP readings are more accurate from your left arm, as the right arm will always have lower pressure.
My BP was usually fairly low so no personal experience. Has the GP said that the hypertension could be linked to weight? Maybe swapping a few things about in your diet could help?
Xx

 

[Mrs_C1012]

Thanks! I've been on a pregnancy safe medication since before I came off the pill (methyldopa) and it was all discussed with my doctor so that I wouldn't be in a situation where the medication was potentially harmful to the baby.

He doesn't think it's caused by my weight, but losing some weight would probably bring it down a bit. I've cut down on my salt and stopped drinking alcohol entirely. In terms of caffeine, I have a coffee a few times a week, but since finding out I'm pregnant, I'm on decaf tea and no coffee at all. Diet wise, more fruit and veg and exercise is hopefully helping. I'm just keeping a close eye on it.

 

[JoeyClare]

My cousin had hypertension that was caused by pregnancy. She was on Labitalol throughout the pregnancy and very carefully monitored. She had 14 scans in total (though this was also because she was on the waiting list for IVF after trying for 8 years). She was fine and they kept the BP controlled with the meds and diet. She went into labour naturally at 38+5 and had a natural birth. If they do think BP is getting out of control then they may make the decision to induce early. I was induced after my BP hit 172/105, though this was because I'd developed pre-eclampsia at 37 weeks. Congratulations on your pregnancy. x

 

[Mrs_C1012]

Thanks for that information Joey. I've been worrying, partly because I haven't seen the midwife yet and haven't had the chance to ask her my questions, but that helps.

 

[titch]

I had lots of pregnancy related problems with my blood pressure last time. I spent the end of my pregnancy in hospital on labetalol and having regular bp checks every 15 mins or hour. I was induced but neither my body nor baby were anywhere near ready for labour so in the end I had an emergency section as the induction had exhausted me and my babys heart rate was slowing for too long after contractions. My BP was 100 over 58 at booking and 160 over 110 by the end I had headaches and protein in my urine but my notes read "gestational hypertension"

I am pregnant again so I have bought a home bp monitor this time. Still reading normal at 15 weeks. Im really hoping and praying it won't come back and I can have a low intervention vbac

 

[Mrs_C1012]

I have seen my consultant and he has added aspirin to my daily methyldopa. My bottom number is hovering at around 100 which is too high. They're seeing me again on the 6th February and my GP was surprised that I didn't have an appointment before that. If the aspirin isn't working, they'll add labetalol to the methyldopa. They can't figure out why it's not responding to increased dosage or added aspirin.

Plus side is that we get at least three extra scans, so three extra chances to see our baby.