BP and nightmares?

[moonshine02]

Yesterday I had my 38 appointment and my BP was elevated 130/83. Today it was 142/93 (it has been perfect my entire pregnancy). In the last three days I cannot think of anything that is speciifically stressing me-- did loose my midwife, but feel okay about the new one- we had a good meeting. AND the last two nights I have had serious nightmares. Before that I have been having very vivid dreams. Last night I woke up in a sweat the dream was so vivid-- I could not find my husband in the dream, I was calling for him, my hypnobabies script would not go off ( I was listening on the ipod, but in my "dream" it was disturbing) and I got up and cried like a little girl. When I went back to sleep I had another disturbing dream!

1. I need to get my bp down
2. comfort re: hormones, pregnancy and nightmares?

Suggestions? Perspectives? Thanks!

moonshine

[happyCOmama]

I think I've read that normal bp goes up at the end of pregnancy, though if it goes too high, that's a sign of other problems. The number I was told to watch out for was 30 points above the bp at the beginning of pregnancy. I've also heard that 140 is the number where folks start to check urine, etc.

I had pre-e with my previous pregnancy and bedrest really helped. Days when I chased my toddler around, my bp reflected that, and days when I could put my feet up and not move as much, my bp stayed lower. It was enough to keep my bp within an okay range and not have to deliver early.

As for the dreams, I think they're hormonal. I get them, too, and they're awful!

[tak]

140/90 is the commonly the "danger zone" number.

Relaxation techniques obviously help. Other stuff that's helped me:

*floating in a pool
*warm baths with lots of epsom salts
*the cream of tartar trick: Juice taken from 1/2 lemon or lime mixed with 2 teaspoonfuls of cream of tartar in half a cup of water can be taken once daily for 3 days. One or two day break in between repeats.

Here's a good page with lots of info and suggestions for treatment:
Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

[moonshine02]

Thanks ladies-- man those nightmares though. I appreciate the resources. I just love MDC!:

[tak]

I've had some crazy nightmares lately too, combined with my blood sugar dropping in the middle of the night. Hormones do wonky things, I tell ya!

[Ghislaine]

My blood pressure's been higher then the midwives would have liked, pretty much the whole pregnancy! I had a nasty cold a few weeks ago and took some herbal stuff that in hind sight wasn't a good idea. My blood pressure went up over 140/90 so I've been on partial bed rest ever since.

My naturopathic doctor also recommended that I eliminate as much salt from my diet as possible, and use up to half a teaspoon of No-Salt (potassium chloride) instead.

It's all helped to keep my blood pressure within what's it's been for the earlier part of my pregnancy.