Anyone have info about PIH (High BP)?

[riversmom]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this board, and am so glad I found it! This is my second child, but first HB. I recently had my 34 week apt. and my BP was slightly increased, 130/84. I'm an overweight woman and my blood pressure is usually a little high, about 124/74. Other than the BP everything is going great, no weight gain (I've only gained 10 lbs so far), no protein or sugar in my urine, and everything with the baby is great. My MW wants me to start swimming regularly and to start taking a high blood pressure herbal blend, which I've already started doing. I don't want to have to go to the hospital over this issue, and my MW doesn't think I will have to, but I'm still concerned. Has anyone had PIH and still been able to have their baby at home?

Thanks so much for any info!

~Brooke (28), River (8/21/01) and Leif (e.d.d. 7/25/03)

[indigolilybear]

HI Brooke. Welcome to the boards.
I had slightly elevated BP w/dd (a HB). I also had a lot of other stuff. If your MW is willing to work w/you (as it sounds like yours is...) and you are willing to do what it takes, *most* things won't disqualify you for HB. I also had borderline gest. diabetes, group b strep pos.....etc. and went on to have a wonderful HB. ALso, don't rule out that you may have "white coat hypertension" high BP brought on by the stress of being at an appt., stressing about the reading, KWIM? I'm fairly convinced that is what mine was. W/ds, I did my own prenatal care and checked my BP a couple of times and it was not high.

Good luck and check out SUsun Weed's book as well if you don't already have it....herbal for the childbearing year.
You'll do great. Being confident and determined is usually the greatest predictor of if you will deliver at home!

[KittyKat]

Here is the gentlebirth.org midwife archive page about PIH

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/pih.html

High protein and lots of Vitamin C are mentioned as things to try.

Kathryn

[pamamidwife]

I've had a few clients with borderline high blood pressure. One thing that really helps for the birth (because invariably your bp will rise when you kick into labor) is water. If you arent' planning on getting a waterbirth tub, you should reconsider it. Water brings down the bp very nicely!

You can get a nice inflatable kiddie pool - you don't have to buy or rent one of those expensive birth tubs even.

High blood pressure isn't because of your weight. Most of the mamas I have that have issues with bp are not overweight - that's a common myth perpetuated by fatphobic people.

Journaling helps, too - keeping stuff inside brings the bp up.

[MelKnee]

I had PIH at the tail end of my pregnancy.
My normal bp is about 120/80. It went up to 140-160/90-110. I didn't have any protein in my urine or swelling, so my mw and I decided I would go on a modified bedrest. My bp would stay around 110/70 while lying down.
I spent the last month either in water (a warm hot tub) or in bed.
I had a beautiful home water birth.
I suggest getting plenty of water and protein, relaxing and visualizing normal bp and a home birth.
Good luck!

[Peppamint]

With both of my pregnancies, my bp went up to 130/80ish. No protein in my urine. Slight swelling with my first, but I wasn't drinking enough water or exercising at all. With my second I drank lots of water and exercised right up to the day I gave birth and didn't have any swelling.

My midwife was okay with my bp since whenever she took it and I laid down it was lower. Basically, she told me to rest when I could but also to keep exercising since it's good for you! It was hard to rest since I had a 2yo, was working 30hrs/wk and exercising. Not to mention household chores. LOL Anyway, it was fine... I never had any problems and I had a beautiful home watebirth! The most important thing is it sounds like your midwife isn't worried. I took my cue from my midwife and didn't worry about it, and I think that's how I stayed so relaxed through it all.

PS- my birthstory can be read at my website... click on our names below

[naturalmama3]

PIH

Hi Brooke;
134/84 is still not even considered borderline high blood pressure. I had PIH (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension) with my first. It is most common with the first pregnancy. I had borderline with my second. I am not overweight. What made a big difference for myself was a small article I read in "Fit Pregnancy" magazine. I don't remember where the study was done (university) but it looked at women who snored while pregnant (me) and found that they had a significantly higher risk of developing PIH later in pregnancy. I think due to improper oxygenation at night when they are lying down. I know my nasal passages close up and I have a terrible time breathing. Anyhow, they used "Breathe right" nasal strips on these women while they slept at night and had significant success in lowering their blood pressures. I have used them every night from 25 weeks on with my last 3 and had great bloodpressures. I have also noticed that if I do not drink at least half my body weight in water I start to become very edematous. They are about .30-.50 cents a piece but well worth it. I would try this as it is a drug free, non-invasive way to go. Good Luck with your bp.
Susan

[violet]

Looks like you've had lots of helpful responses but I thought I'd chime in. I also had high BP from about 22 weeks on and some swelling at the end. We had a freebirth, so I was testing for protein myself and never showed any. I was on the high protein diet (I forget the name of the doctor, not the atkins, the high protein, high calcium diet for pregnancy). Everything was great. Waterbirth. DH tested my BP while I was in labor in the tub and it was actually lower than it had been for most of the pregnancy. Although I was headed into transition at that point, I was very focused and breathing well.
Best of luck. Violet