high bp @ 38 weeks

[moobiegirl]

This is my first post here, but I really need to get this out. I was just diagnosed with PIH at 38 weeks. This basically risks me out for a homebirth and the birth center. My only option at this point is to go to the hospital (which I really didn't want). For this entire pregnancy my family has been secretly and outrightly wishing I would birth in a hospital. So this news kinda feels like a giant "i told you so".


My bp has been hovering around 130/80 (which i didn't think was that high)
Also my blood work has been wonderful. No protein either. So I don't think I have pre-e.

I'm so upset about not having the chance at the birth I have been preparing for for so long. I had wanted a birth center/homebirth with ds, but dh was uncomfortable with it so he was born in a hospital with an ob. But this time was supposed to be my birth and my choices.

Thanks for reading my long vent. I needed to get that out.

[DoulaVallere]

How incredibly frustrating. 130/80 doesn't sound too terribly high to me to be that late in pregnancy. I don't understand why that would risk you out, especially with no other risk factors showing up. I'm very sad for you. I would keep calling and talking and find out exactly why they considder that PIH and if there are any meds you could get on to lower it so you could still deliver at the bc or at home. *hugs*

[Eresh]

Hmmm ... my BP climbed up towards 130/80 at the end of my pregnancy as well. I don't remember if it was testing that high consistently without looking at my paperwork, but I do know I had some readings above 130/80. My MWs would retest again at the end of our appointment while having me lay down on my left side. Oh, and I had my homebirth with no problems at all.

It does seem a little odd to me unless your BP is measuring constantly in the high 130s.

[MamieCole]

Technically, PIH is defined as BP of >140/90. So I would ask lots of questions about why they are risking you out since your numbers aren't that high yet.

[Kidzaplenty]

Yeah, 130/80 is a number I dream of! I don't see how that would risk you out. Perhaps there is something else that they are worried about.

Anyways, sorry you may not have the birth you were hoping for.

[melamama]

See if you can get your hands on a copy of Susun Weed's Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year. She has MANY suggestions for lowering bp gently and naturally. (don't have my hands on my copy, but remembering there are things like having a whole cucumber, or another is mixing lemon juice and cream of tartar). Your bp isn't that high, and if you don't have any other signs maybe just a gentle remedy would lower your bp?

[nashvillemidwife]

What was your baseline blood pressure? True, 130/80 doesn't sound high, but we don't have the whole picture.

[lilbsmama]

my family doc once told me that fish oil, well, omega 3 FA is a great way to lower bp, so maybe you could try that. i don't think it could possibly hurt, kwim?

:sending some good birth vibes your way!

[moobiegirl]

Thanks for all the replies. My baseline bp is normally around 117/70. So it's really not that much of a jump. On Wednesday (38 weeks) I was sent to the hospital for a NST and thats when she noticed that if I'm laying down on my left side my bp is back to it's normal numbers. Thats when she told me that I can either take it really easy at home or she can put me in the hospital until the baby comes. But all this happened before my test results came back. Once they came back it was like nothing was ever said. She cancelled all other tests (NST next week and 24 hour urine test) and said that she will see me next Thursday like normal. It was very weird. Then on Saturday Dh and I were out buying the last of our HB supplies and he got scared again. He insisted that we call and confirm with the mw about the HB. She talked to him only and told him that right now my only option is the hospital. She will re-evaluate me during the Thursday appointment. I have some hope for thursday, but I don't think she is willing to take my bp while laying on my left side. She said that's not the normal position that I will always be in.

Sorry for the long response again. But I really need to get this out.

[littlebb]

I, too, find that really odd since you don't have protein in your urine. I could only dream of seeing a number like that! Did your midwife officially risk you out already or are you just speculating that you might be? I was afraid the same would happen to me, but my midwife has agreed not to risk me out because I have a hypertension specialist I see (that supports my homebirth) and constantly checks to makes sure my BP isn't a result of Pre-e or doing damage to my organs. As long as it's just PIH, she's okay with my continuing with a homebirth (and with the blessing of my specialist). My BP hovers around 140/80 to 85 even on BP meds (Methyldopa), but I have 'white coat syndrome' which means my anxiety skyrockets when I go to the doctor or even see my midwife, and even in her office, it usually gets to be about 160/95 on a regular basis. I'm lucky they both recognize this, and my tracking it at home helps a lot.

[nashvillemidwife]

There's no such thing as "just PIH" or "just hypertension". Prolonged hypertension can lead to end organ damage, placenta perfusion problems, and placental abruption.

I don't take "white coat syndrome" lightly either. If your BP shoots up astronomically high just in the midwife's office, what's it going to do when you're in labor?

[littlebb]

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife

There's no such thing as "just PIH" or "just hypertension". Prolonged hypertension can lead to end organ damage, placenta perfusion problems, and placental abruption.

I don't take "white coat syndrome" lightly either. If your BP shoots up astronomically high just in the midwife's office, what's it going to do when you're in labor?

That's exactly the reason both my midwife and my hypertension specialist support a homebirth - because my BP at home is consistently much lower at home (I track my BP all day long and keep records of when I take medication and take my BP). It has become more stable over time with my comfort level in both offices. I had brain surgery last year and the anxiety is linked to a my hospital experiences (so both of them believe). My hypertension specialist is pretty sure that by now I would've been induced unnecessarily if I'd been seeing an OB and I'd have been visiting my LO in NICU. He does consistent ultrasounds of my kidneys and to check my placenta and bloodwork every 14 days to check my levels on everything, and I've done numerous 24 hour urines. NOTHING comes back showing any signs other than elevated blood pressure. If that were to change, he would obviously recommend a different course of action. As it is now, he believes if my BP remains manageable during labor, HB is still the best place for me. He even admits if I go to a hospital with white coat syndrome, my BP will be even higher and will be a gateway to automatic interventions. The two are coordinating a cutoff point for my BP, at which point I will transport if necessary.

Believe me, none of us are taking any of it lightly... I'm just lucky to have a midwife and a specialist (who is actually through the Georgia Kidney Association) that care enough to not just write me off.

[Mamatoabunch]

Something is off here w/ midwife. What else could it be, b/c her reasoning sounds odd. Dandekion helps w/ swelling and bp issues.

[adlib77]

I took cayenne tincture and chlorophyll (drink LOTS of water, though) and soaked in epsom salt baths for high blood pressure. Mine was higher than yours with a similar baseline and I gave birth at home after a consult with an OB/GYN. No protein in urine, no facial or hand swelling, no headaches or visual disturbances.

If you can labor at home or the birth center, try laboring in water. It can help lower blood pressure, as well.

[phatchristy]

What about those of us who do have white coat issues? My midwives were fine with me monitoring myself at home. At home it was rather consistently 125-120/75. Going in to the birth center (which unfortunately became a place of stress for me during my third pregnancy--had a lot of staff induced chaos--two midwives left, they got a new mw, had a birth assistant who was a bit crazy and the mw who was going to be at my birth was in a car accident--I never knew who would be seeing me at a prenatal) mine was ALWAYS higher at the birth center, never accross the threshold...however I remember the highest I had there was 135/85...the mw took it at the end of the appointment then and it was back down to 120/80. They did that a few times with me, then figured it was ridiculous. Since I had my own bp machine which was getting the same readings that I could take it at home before the appointment and then be relaxed when I was at the center.

All of this is why I did their homebirth option. At home, I wouldn't have the issues! The less fooled around with the better IMHO.

If she's really worried about it I'd check out the midwife archives at gentlebirth.org. In particular there is the cream of tartar/lemon juice remedy. That takes the BP down very quickly. Also, increase the protein, fluids, cal/mag, etc. All that stuff. I did all of that, and it honestly was mainly for me *mentally* because the bp issues were all in my head really.

Anyhow, I'm a four time momma and a four time homebirther! The midwives I've worked with know me well, and know my mental issues. What are the other options for women like me really...uc?

[soxthecatrules]

I don't understand the freaking out over your readings. Heck, during my pregnancies my OB would be : if I had readings like that at 38 weeks!!

[littlebb]

Originally Posted by phatchristy

What about those of us who do have white coat issues? My midwives were fine with me monitoring myself at home. At home it was rather consistently 125-120/75.

All of this is why I did their homebirth option. At home, I wouldn't have the issues! The less fooled around with the better IMHO.

Did you happen to see my posts above? I am in the same boat, although I do have elevated BP in the wake of a surgery I had last year. I'm on medication which keeps it stable and reasonable, but when I go to the doctor's office or even my midwife's office, my BP goes up. And is fine as soon as I go home : ) For that reason, my midwife and my hypertension specialist agree that homebirth is the right option for me, unless my BP shoots up to extremely unstable levels while laboring. I'm so grateful for both of them and their willingness to support me and work together (I take info back and forth between them) because otherwise, a midwife at an OB's office or an OB would've induced me long time ago over white coat syndrome.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Hibiscus has been shown to lower BP- http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2008/081110.htm and my MW has ok'd it.

You can order it online for around $10/ pound. I make a big batch of tea (along with red raspberry) and sip it throughout the day.

[phatchristy]

Originally Posted by littlebb

Did you happen to see my posts above? I am in the same boat, although I do have elevated BP in the wake of a surgery I had last year. I'm on medication which keeps it stable and reasonable, but when I go to the doctor's office or even my midwife's office, my BP goes up. And is fine as soon as I go home : ) For that reason, my midwife and my hypertension specialist agree that homebirth is the right option for me, unless my BP shoots up to extremely unstable levels while laboring. I'm so grateful for both of them and their willingness to support me and work together (I take info back and forth between them) because otherwise, a midwife at an OB's office or an OB would've induced me long time ago over white coat syndrome.

My normal bp is good, my home bp is good...my doctor/birth center bp is higher than my home one, however not 'bad'...

But, this is fairly normal. The midwives say that is can be a fairly common thing. My mom is the same way.... The mws were really low key with it last time, because I've been there four times, I'm a very easy 'patient' (very well informed) and have had very quick, easy births. So quick in fact my last one wound up being an accidental UC. My second birth was very close too, however my third was posterior...which seemed to give us an extra half an hour LOL. The fourth resorted back to my usual quick ways...

I've heard of some people doing that tapping technique. I would like to work through some of my mental issues. I do know that doing things that do lower bp--exercise, protein, cal/mag, other stuff during pregnancy somehow calms my nerves. I've never had an above 'normal' reading...but elevated readings in comparison to my at home reading.

[littlebb]

Originally Posted by phatchristy

I've heard of some people doing that tapping technique.

What is the tapping technique? I'm looking into any possibility that's out there to keep my BP at a manageable level while in labor. I've been reading up on hypnobirthing and doing some of those exercises. I plan on taking my BP meds closer together while in labor and just doing some general visualization and meditation, maybe even some cream of tartar and lemon juice if it occurs to me. My biggest fear is, of course, transport due to my BP going too high during labor. Thanks for your help.