What constitutes high blood pressure?

[VillageMom6]

My blood pressure is always around 108/60. It has been throughout seven pregnancies over the past 16 years.

At my 36 week midwife appointment last week it was 130/80. She wasn't unduly concerned because I had no other symptoms. But I was surprised enough (and worried about my AMA of 40) that I went out and bought a home monitor.

Since then it's always been in the One-teens or 120s over the 70s to 80s. Not high enough to be preeclampsia but according to the National Institute of Health, it's pre-hypertension. I've not been too worried since I still have had no symptoms.

Today, however, I feel like crap. My eyes burn and are puffy. My ankles are puffy. I had a splitting headache last night and I just don't feel good today.

Today's readings are all in the 120s over 80s. I'm not even doing anything! I sit at the computer or lounge in bed.

I've got my 37 week appointment tomorrow and of course I'll bring this all up with my midwife. I was just wondering if anyone has experienced "higher" blood pressure that doesn't meet the guidelines of being preeclampsia?

[MaerynPearl]

from what I am told anything above 140/90 is bad (either number being above either of those numbers, so even 120/90 would be bad, or 140/80)

My blood pressure is normally very very low, ranging from 90 to 110 over 50 to 70...

lately it has been much higher (122/86 at last weeks appointment) and that set off a red flag for my midwife. We are not treating me for pre-e but I have been told I really need to destress, hydrate even MORE and try to relax, but stay active (hard to do with SPD LOL) because she is worried it will just keep going up if I keep going how I am.

[finnegansmom]

Are you dehydrated? I would be taking it easy and drinking lots of water.
I've walked the line with pre-hypertension and did get induced with #1 when my bp reached 140/something i can't remember. I was extremely swollen though, like to the point that the only shoes I could wear were size 11 men's houseslippers....
I wasn't spilling protien, they never said I had pre-e.

There are food you should/should not eat when dealing with swelling - I took better care of myself with #2 and didn't get as bizarelly swollen as I did with #1. Obviously drinking a lot of water, but I think no refined sugars?

My BP is generally around where yours is (I actually used to have low BP, like 90/60 when I was a little younger/thinner). My last appt I was 130/80 I think but I know it was becaused I was super stressed out about the US i was getting.

[MaerynPearl]

Oh yes, #1 food for swelling - watermelon!

And lucky you, its in season!

[VillageMom6]

Thank you, ladies!

I am soooo well hydrated. I had an ultrasound last week to check my amniotic fluid level and it was on the low end of normal... an 8. So I've been drinking at least 80 ounces of water each day.

Yesterday's ultrasound for amniotic fluid showed an 11, so I'm very happy about that.

Now, the refined sugar??

Watermelon sounds yummy!

I've never had complications during pregnancy but now with my amniotic fluid down and my blood pressure up, I'm worried about being induced. Do not want.