Prayers please

[firstkid4me]

My blood pressure is pretty high (even after testing 3 times) and after seeing stars my midwife told me I need to go to the military hospital to get checked. I've tried to do everything I could to keep from going there, and it's going to be really shitty if I end up needing to deliver there. Please send lots of lower blood pressure vibes my way, I'm really scared they're going to say I need to be induced. As much as I don't like it, if it has to be done to keep me from losing the baby, I'm going to do it.

[JessicaDixon]

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I am so sorry & you are in my thoughts! Sending LOTS of lower BP vibes! Good luck, hope it gets lower quick!

[HeatherB]

Just how high is it? Can you get in a pool? Chest deep (at least) for an hour will help bring it down. I'm sure you've looked at the various threads on here already for other stuff, and surely your MW has had you try other things... cal/mag/zinc, passionflower, lots of protein, tons of water... That's what comes to mind.

When will you go to the hospital folks? Keep us posted, mama! Praying for the best!

[Dena]

Sending you lots of lower bp vibes!!

My bp has been creeping up the last few weeks - my bloodwork today came back normal, thank goodness, but my mw wants me off my feet as much as possible, and she also suggested magnesium supplements and tons of water.

Keep us updated, mama. I'll be thinking good thoughts.

[Banana731]

You know I wouldn't wish a MTF OB ward on my worst enemy, so I am pulling for you!

ITA with Heather-water water water! At least chest high for 20min once a day. I know you have access to a pool on base right? Along with the other things she mentioned, I believe skullcap is another good herb for lowering BP.

Don't let the MTF docs scare you(hopefully you will get a good provider who won't try to!). If you are okay other than the bp(no protien in your urine, etc.) they should give you the opportunity to bring it down before suggesting that you need to induce, kwim? If your midwife is just telling you to getchecked than I am assuming that your bp is high, but not dangerously high.

Maybe you can try to see a nurse practicioner instead of a doctor?

[wildgarden]

Sending my love to you mama. You are in my thoughts.

[thefragile7393]

Mine was like this during my last few weeks of pregnancy. I kept checking my urine and there was very little protein, and my BP didn't get dangerously high but high enough for my MW to worry. You will be in my thoughts....higher bp dosn't necessarily mean pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, it can be a good idea to check it out though.

[cherubess]

fingers crossed that your bp goes down.

[firstkid4me]

Ok, I'm back home. My blood pressure went down when they took it while I was lying down. They did an ultrasound to check fluid levels (because they said the fluid levels go down when your blood pressure goes up), blood test and urine test. The urine test came back negative for protein. They had me on the fetal monitor for awhile, I was contracting every 5-15 minutes (which was news to me, I felt maybe 3 contractions in the 2 1/2 hours we were there, and one of them I thought was just from a huge fart, lol.) I'm at 3 cm dilated, still 50% effaced (but very soft), posterior and at -2 station, so the midwife said she thought by the weekend we'd have the baby. They want me to do a 24 urine catch (FUN!) to make sure there's under like 300g (I think g) of protein in it in 24 hours.

This whole experience made me feel a lot better about the possibility of transferring to the military hospital, they have midwives there that I like (I've met 2 so far that I really liked) that respect my wishes, know the midwives at the birth center and I feel comfortable with them. (By possibility of transferring out I mean that if complications arise at the birth center and I need to be transfered.) I do like that I will be able to continue care with a midwife and won't have to go the OB route.

Thanks for the p&pt ladies

[firstkid4me]

Originally Posted by HeatherB

Just how high is it? Can you get in a pool? Chest deep (at least) for an hour will help bring it down. I'm sure you've looked at the various threads on here already for other stuff, and surely your MW has had you try other things... cal/mag/zinc, passionflower, lots of protein, tons of water... That's what comes to mind.

When will you go to the hospital folks? Keep us posted, mama! Praying for the best!

I actually don't have access to a pool, but I'll keep that in mind, I'm sure if push comes to shove I can track one down (maybe the YMCA?) My mw hasn't had me try anything else, I have only had elevated bp the last 3 weeks (and it always went down when I was laying down so they weren't worried.) I am trying to drink tons of water, but I'll keep in mind about the protein!

The bp testing was done at a pharmacy with their automated bp cuff, so there was no way to do the test lying down. I think if I had been able to do that we could have had a much more pleasant evening!

[Aeress]

*hugs* I am glad your blood pressure came down. I hope the baby makes its entrance soon.

[mittendrin]

I hope everything is going to be ok! It's good to hear that the thought of having to deliver at the military hospital doesn't freak you out. Good luck to you and happy labor vibes for this weekend

[Dena]

Oh, I am glad it came down!! Keep drinking the water today - that seems to be what keeps protein out of my urine.

I am doing the 24-hour urine catch too. Did they give you a bottle with a teeny-tiny opening in the top as well? Trying to aim at that first thing this morning sure was fun. Thankfully I remembered I have a funnel in my kitchen!

I am going to have my mw take my bp lying down next time! That is great to know that your bp goes down that way!

[firstkid4me]

Originally Posted by Dena

Oh, I am glad it came down!! Keep drinking the water today - that seems to be what keeps protein out of my urine.

I am doing the 24-hour urine catch too. Did they give you a bottle with a teeny-tiny opening in the top as well? Trying to aim at that first thing this morning sure was fun. Thankfully I remembered I have a funnel in my kitchen!

I am going to have my mw take my bp lying down next time! That is great to know that your bp goes down that way!

They gave me an "asshat" to help catch the pee It has a little groove where you can pour the pee into the jug easily. (We jokingly call it that.) Dh was worried I might fill it all up (the jug) until we saw it and I said, "There's no way in hell I'm going to fill that!" The lady at the lab said, "Oh no, you don't need to!" and I had to explain quickly about the worry.

My bp goes way down when I lay down, from, "OMG, are you sure you're not feeling crappy?" to, "Ohhhhh, everything's fine!"