First visit with midwife « Back to Group Discussions

[oregon2010]

Some of you know that during my DD's pregnancy, I developed hypertension at 36 weeks and had GD (barely failed) but it was controlled with diet and exercise. So, I went to see my midwife today.  She took some blood--some to determine my blood sugar for the past 3 months (in %, not exact findings) and just got a sample to determine what it was like today.  Then, came the blood pressure.  I try and relax but its hard.  I forget the top number but the bottom was 88! High! If I have 2 readings of 90 or more, it is considered chronic and I won't be able to have a home birth. 

I am going to borrow a monitor to have it home to take my own readings and I am just hoping that they will be lower and give me a better understanding of what is going on.  I had my BP read at 8.5 weeks and the bottom number was in the 70's. I don't know if I have the "white coat" syndrome but I just need to know.

I hate starting the pregnancy off this way.  I am starting to feel defeated.  My husband and midwives tell me I need to find a way to channel this stress but it's just not that easy.  Maybe I just need to come to terms with the likelihood this won't happen for me.  But I am a fighter and want to try! I just want to be able to have a normal experience! It's hard. Thanks for letting me vent.

[HeatherB]

Hugs! Can you start taking magnesium (Natural Calm) and fish oil? They are very important and effective!

[oregon2010]

I take both.  Not sure if enough, one serving each day.  I am really hoping its just a white coat thing and that by testing at home, it will give me a better idea of what is happening. 

[HeatherB]

Testing at home is definitely a good idea! For mag, you can increase slowly and see what happens. For fish oil, the more the better! When I can manage it, I aim for 3-6 grams a day. Clinical studies have been done on higher doses. It's so important and you can't overdose.

[CraftyMcGluestick]

I also recommend magnesium flakes in your bath and magnesium lotion. I got both from Amazon (but have seen at our health food store here, too) and I love them!

I hope you can manage your bp and get the birth experience you want. Have you explored any meditation? There are some good ones on iTunes just for expectant moms. The Hypnobabies program has a track called birth affirmations that is really nice, too. I think you can buy it online.

[oregon2010]

Thank you ladies.  Just wondering how much magnesium I should take?  I will increase fish oil but my fish oil has Vitamin D in it so maybe I will take one serving of that and one of reg fish oil.  I got epsom salts today but I have not heard of magnesium lotion. Thank you for the tip on mediation tracks on itunes.  I had a good cry today and I am just going to move forward, do what I can in the mean time and hope for the best.  I just hate feeling so defeated already.  I think I put a lot of pressure on myself for several reasons that i hate to admit.  One: I am a doula, I have seen lots of beautiful births and people come to ME for advice.  I feel embarrassed and insecure with my own ability and letting go of control is HARD.  I am a healthy person and it makes me feel like I have done something wrong and all these thoughts and feelings build up and then it turns into stress which is not good for my overall blood pressure! I am a fighter and I am not willing to give up but if my readings at home are high, I need to find peace with a hospital birth and possibly another csection.  Its a loss for sure to never get to experience birth.  Thank you all again.
 

[oregon2010]

My prenatal has 38 mg.  The cal mag I have been taking is magnesium oxide and it has 500. I am sure I get a little through food.

The Natural Calm I bought today has 320 mg and it is magnesium citrate. 

Lotion is an option too.

Just trying to figure out best way to take it and how much.

[HeatherB]

Mag citrate is generally easily absorbed. Not sure about the others. The number in my head is 400mg. You can likely take more but build up slowly (as on natural calm instructions).

Is the vitamin D natural or synthetic? If natural, taking several thousand iu is very safe and likely needed. It's only synthetic D that can cause problems.

[oregon2010]

I just wonder if its better if I take the liquid cal/mag.  The Vitamin D I take is: http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Vitamin-Supplement-Count/dp/B0031JK94E

[CraftyMcGluestick]

My understanding from my sister, who I confess has done all the nutritional research (and I ride on her trusted coat tails), is that magnesium is a nutrient in which most humans, never mind pregnant women, are severely deficient. And baby can really suck the magnesium out of you (leg cramps, restless legs, etc) and through the skin is a very effective method of absorption. I can consult my sister (I swear I am not the homework copying type- she is just such a pioneer!) for more details.

Also, I felt very betrayed by my body during my last pregnancy. I wanted a home birth, I had a great diet, exercise, positive attitude, etc and my pregnancy was hell on wheels. My birth was, I felt, a triumph, but it was medicated and at the hospital. Please be gentle with yourself. Every *body* is different. You are not a lesser person- you're just a person!

[Babygnumber1]

My Chiropractor told me that drinking coconut water helps lower blood pressure. I searched on doctor Google lol and apparently someone made a study where the conclusion was that 10 oz twice a day of coconut water lowers blood pressure

[Babygnumber1]

http://www.livestrong.com/article/465036-coconut-water-blood-pressure/
Here's what I'm talking about

[Banana731]

Are you already taking Hawthorne or other herbs?

[oregon2010]

I put coconut oil in my green juice. I also take Hawthorne twice a day.  I took my first reading this morning at home and it was 124/60.  Going to take it twice a day to see what I am looking at here.
 

[Banana731]

Thats pretty good!

[oregon2010]

Got some more good news today-- my blood work all came back with normal results.  My random glucose screening was 89 (normal) and then they did a test of the last 3 months of blood sugar levels which were normal too.  Then I took my BP at home twice today and I got normal readings both times.  Come on body, keep it up!!!

[cardigan]

Excellent, Oregon, excellent!

[Banana731]

Nice! Are the MWs working with you with the BP thing? Letting your measurements be the record?

If nothing else, this should give you some confidence and calm. Maybe actually knowing that your elevated BP readings are artificial anb that youre body is doing just fine, will help you have more normal readings when providers take them. Like mind over blood pressure!

[oregon2010]

Yes, they are letting me log them myself and even mentioned I may not even have to get it read at our appts.  But yes, doing this at home is now giving me the confidence I need to feel calm!  I feel like I am doing everything I can and that is all I can do.  The rest, I cannot control.  Thank you so much for responding.  I need to get more involved on here.  STARTING to feel a little better (nausea) and starting to come out of hibernation a bit....Hope you all are well too!

[Banana731]

That's all kinds of good stuff!