Resources Please - Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

[Lizbiz]

Hi Ladies,

Short history - never had hypertension before. I've had one baby (textbook healthy pregnancy and delivery at home with midwife, no complications, good recovery).

Suddenly, at about 32 weeks along with this pregnancy, my BP started rising, and seems to have plateaued at about 137/88 for the last couple of weeks (I'm now 37 weeks, 4 days). My baseline is about 105/65 pregnant and even lower non-pregnant. I have no other signs of pre-e - not one bit of swelling anywhere, no protein spilling (although I haven't had the 24 hour test), but I know that pre-e can be asymptomatic.

So here is my question: What ARE the risks of high(er) blood pressure during labor/delivery? And What resources do any of you have (websites, pdf docs, etc.) that you can point me toward? Anything else I can do to lower my risks? I'm having a hard time finding good resources (I'm in China - so I'm limited to the internet and my OB - who doesn't seem to think it's a problem - but I'm not so sure).

My plan all along has been to UC - but I feel like certainly this pregnancy is more and more looking less than ideal (I'm just more tired out, and wimpy and not gaining as much weight as the last time - I was really robust and healthy with my first). What's funny is that my doctors are GLAD I'm not gaining as much weight! Crazy docs. Maybe it's normal that I'm less robust running after a toddler and just living in pesticide/second-hand smoke land - but I don't know.

I still would very much like to UC - we are prepared - mind and heart, have done our homework... and I'm very skeptical that going to the hospital would help, but I just want to know the facts, and right now I'm in the dark because I've never dealt with this before.

Thanks for any assistance!

~Liz

[Lizbiz]

Bump

I've also been reading the other post on high BP as well, but if anyone has any resources or a basic list of possible implications or anything, please do share! Thank you!

[Bokonon]

www.preeclampsia.org is a wonderful source for all the pre-e research you can handle.

The worst case scenarios for elevated blood pressure at delivery include placental abruption, seizure, and stroke, so it's important that your blood pressure be taken seriously, even with no other symptoms.

[gossamerwindweb]

I read this book http://www.amazon.com/What-Every-Pre...1447194&sr=8-1 I borrowed it from a friend. If you can get your hands on it, do so! It talks about the difference between pre-eclampsia and simple high blood pressure. High blood pressure must present with other symptoms to be pre-e. People don't seem to know that. He talks about how many women are falsely diagnosed pre-e even though they aren't spilling protein in their urine, aren't swelling, etc. It was a very helpful resource and very reassuring. Since I didn't have protein spilling or any swelling (even in my feet!) I realized I just had high blood pressure and we were fine.

OOPS! I just saw that you are limited to the internet and OB. Are you spilling protein? Will the OB order a 24 hour urine test? Do you have swelling, especially in the face and hands? Do you have bad headaches? Any pre-eclampsia signs besides the High BP??

[Krisis]

Just as a general note, it's not fine to have just HBP. I had only HBP and it nearly killed me and my son - he was born 7 weeks early because had I not been induced, I would have gone into a HBP stroke and died. I now have permanent damage from the blood pressure I suffered and can't have any more children. Be so, so so so careful with high blood pressure. It's not something to mess around with.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by Krisis

Just as a general note, it's not fine to have just HBP. I had only HBP and it nearly killed me and my son - he was born 7 weeks early because had I not been induced, I would have gone into a HBP stroke and died. I now have permanent damage from the blood pressure I suffered and can't have any more children. Be so, so so so careful with high blood pressure. It's not something to mess around with.

Dr. Brewer is not well-respected at all amongst preeclampsia experts and researchers. Yes, PIH and preeclampsia are different, but that doesn't make PIH any less dangerous. It's actually more likely for a woman NOT to be diagnosed with pre-e when she has it because the dipstick protein tests are not very accurate, and so many doctors do not pursue further testing because of the assumption that preeclampsia is rare. On the Preeclampsia Foundation forums, I read tragic stories every couple of weeks about moms whose symptoms were dismissed by their care providers, or they followed the Brewer Diet to the letter and didn't think they could possibly get preeclampsia, and now they are visiting a very sick baby in the NICU, or worse.

[UCmamaToMany]

This is an excelent resource web-site http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id36.html

[Kidzaplenty]

[gossamerwindweb]

Originally Posted by Krisis

Just as a general note, it's not fine to have just HBP. I had only HBP and it nearly killed me and my son - he was born 7 weeks early because had I not been induced, I would have gone into a HBP stroke and died. I now have permanent damage from the blood pressure I suffered and can't have any more children. Be so, so so so careful with high blood pressure. It's not something to mess around with.

I understand what you are saying. It depends on HOW high the blood pressure is. There is a point where strokes are more likely and where blood pressure is causing problems. There is a point where it is o.k. and you and baby will be fine. I wasn't dismissing it at all, just talking about my experience and how I felt. I hope the OP knows that on this forum that is what she will get. A lot of different opinions and suggestions... it is up to her to figure out what is right for her and her baby. Just like you did. Just like I did.

[djsnjones]

Here is an excellent resource on how to handle a rising BP in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/mam...id=44&Itemid=3

As you can see here, the primary trigger of the rising BP and pre-eclampsia is a falling blood volume. As this author says, the earliest symptom of this process is a rising hgb/hct, so I would suggest that you ask your doctor for a blood test with every prenatal visit. I would also suggest that you start using Anne Frye's suggestions from the above link as soon as possible. I agree that it's vitally important to turn this process around as soon as possible.

Best wishes,
Joy

[Lizbiz]

Thanks everyone!

I really appreciate the resources and feedback. My BP dropped a few points at the doctor's office today and I gained almost a pound after having gained nothing since early November. This weight gain seems to have gone to the baby according to the new ultrasound estimations (which are not all that accurate I know!), but she looks to be a great size for gestational age and growing nicely. My doctor gave me all the warning signs to look for and told me to just come right in if anything came up, but told me that I'm so close to delivery (almost 38 weeks) and that lots of good rest, good walks, and good diet should keep me healthy. I know that when I do take this advice (which I'm taking very seriously right now), I feel about 100 times better than when I try to push at all. So I'm clearing my calendar, and my husband is helping me in every way possible to just relax. My toddler is not helpful, LOL, but he is a total joy.

So I'm grateful for the resources, watching myself carefully, and proceeding with our plans. We have a decent amount of medical resources on hand at home to deal with some complications, and a good back up hospital to transfer to fairly quickly if necessary. I'm moving forward with UC plans as of now...

Thanks again mamas... and if anyone has any other feedback, please feel free to chime in! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the wisdom around here...

[georgia]

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Please PM me with any questions, thanks!