BP question

[rockgal]

Before I was pregnant my BP was usually anywhere from 110/70 to 120/80, which is normal. For the last couple of months it has been around 130/90, or slightly higher at the beginning of an appt, but it goes back down to 130/90 by the end of the appointment.

My mw was concerned about it despite the fact that it isn't really that much higher than normal and sent me in for a blood test to check liver and kidney function. The tests came back normal. No headaches, no weird vision, no excessive swelling.
Despite that, she still might make me come in just for BP checks. I kind of think she's overreacting. She was going to check with the OB and call me later.
I'm concerned that they're going to start talking about inducing me or something, which I don't want to do, and I don't think there would be any reason for it.
Anyone have any experience with this? My BP is not that high.

[brooklyn_warbler]

my blood pressure is generally somewhere in the same range (110/70-120/80) for most of pregnancy (and even slightly lower at the beginning/when i'm not preg) but in the last month or so it has gone up to 130/90 BOTH times. my m/w was not concerned at all and both times i have had healthy pregnancies, labors, and babies. hth.

[rockgal]

That does help. I'm not quite sure why they want to do this, but they just called and they want to do some home monitoring of my BP and pee? I mean, my blood tests they just did came back completely normal. Now they want to do daily monitoring of my BP and all this crap like a week and a half from my due date? My BP hasn't changed for over a month. I'm kind of pissed about it actually.
I mean sure, I would want to know if something were wrong, but this seems like it's just likely to make me more stressed out and make it go up, you know?
*sigh* As if there aren't enough things to try and make you worry toward the end of pregnancy, they have to add stuff like this? I've been trying very hard to maintain my easygoing and zen attitude about everything, but if they bring up induction because of this, I'll be pissed.

[brooklyn_warbler]

it does seem like it could make your BP go up just to be stressed about all of this. i'm sorry you have to deal with it. keep in mind you do not have to consent to an induction if you feel deeply that everything is fine. hopefully all their tests will make them feel better however and won't come to that.

[elyag]

Originally Posted by brooklyn_warbler

my blood pressure is generally somewhere in the same range (110/70-120/80) for most of pregnancy (and even slightly lower at the beginning/when i'm not preg) but in the last month or so it has gone up to 130/90 BOTH times. my m/w was not concerned at all and both times i have had healthy pregnancies, labors, and babies. hth.

I'm exactly the same way. Plus sometimes it's even higher because I have white coat syndrome. My midwife wouldn't even blink an eye at your numbers especially if it went back down by the end of the appt. I know my blood pressure goes up just from being nervous about what my numbers are going to be.

As long as I'm not spilling protein, excessive swelling, etc she's fine with it. I do check my BP pressure at home just in case and report my numbers to her as well because they are significantly lower at home. My midwife from my last pregnancy had me do the same thing. Take it at home if possible and see if it's lower at home. Maybe they'll be okay with you doing this if they threaten induction?

[dkenagy]

Originally Posted by rockgal

I mean sure, I would want to know if something were wrong, but this seems like it's just likely to make me more stressed out and make it go up, you know?

Yes, this can make your BP go up (a little), but it can't put protein in your urine and that's what they're looking for. It seems inconvenient, I'm sure, but (and I speak from experience) you DON'T want to be dealing with pre-e, eclampsia, or HELPP syndrome--especially not to be blindsided by it. I say go along with BP checks and urine tests; they don't hurt you or take much time/effort and can give a wealth of information. Keep in mind that you don't have to have EVERY symptom to have pre-e.

Then, if things continue to come back normal (and I hope they do!!), you'll have even more of a leg to stand on against induction (if it comes up).

HTH!

[Starfish11]

Originally Posted by elyag

I'm exactly the same way. Plus sometimes it's even higher because I have white coat syndrome. My midwife wouldn't even blink an eye at your numbers especially if it went back down by the end of the appt. I know my blood pressure goes up just from being nervous about what my numbers are going to be.

As long as I'm not spilling protein, excessive swelling, etc she's fine with it. I do check my BP pressure at home just in case and report my numbers to her as well because they are significantly lower at home. My midwife from my last pregnancy had me do the same thing. Take it at home if possible and see if it's lower at home. Maybe they'll be okay with you doing this if they threaten induction?

Agree with both these mamas. I was really worried, too, that I was going to be put on bedrest or they were going to induce me/talk c-section but nothing was ever mentioned.

Breathe deeply!

[Carliegirl]

I'd say to go ahead and do the testing. Its non-invasive and it might give you clear defense against the induction plot just in case it rears its ugly head. Sorry this is happening though. I had a bp spike at my last appt up to 135 when I've been in the teens through the rest of the appts and my midwife just noted it and kept rolling. It does seem like yours is a little extra nervous.

[attached2ethan]

Having just went through this myself and ended up with pre-eclampsia, I would say that your midwife is just being cautious because hypertension in pregnancy can become very serious very quickly.

My normal BP also usually runs in the 110/60 to 120/70 range but around 34 weeks it started going up to 130/80 and stayed that way for several weeks before suddenly spiking up to 150/100 at week 37 and I had to go on bedrest. Luckily my water broke on its own that week and I delivered the baby- we had been doing all the labs at my midwifes office since week 34 and they were always negative, and then the day I delivered my baby, my uic acid was high as well as my liver enzymes- resulting in a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and a BP in labor if 162/117. Luckily my daughter was born quickly and both of us did okay, but she suffered some mild growth restriction as a result of weeks of high BP and 9 days postpartum my BP is still running high.

I think that being cautious, noting my blood pressure, being on bedrest, and being pro-active is what kept us healthy, because I never really felt that bad even when it was really high. I hope in your case that it's nothing, but I think your midwife is just looking out for your and baby' safety