Anyone sucessfully HB with BP issues?

[*Karen*]

I was on bedrest with DS from 24 weeks until 37 weeks (when he was born.) My blood pressure spiked and was held under control with BP meds. IF that is the case (that it can be held under control with meds or diet) could I still HB? It has started to spike now at 29 weeks.

[notjustmamie]

Don't have an answer for you beyond keeping in good communication with your caregiver. My hbmw recommended that I seek hospital-based care at 30 weeks because I was about to risk out of her care for high BP (140/90). We agreed I'd do better if I had a chance to build a relationship with my new hcps. I don't know that it really did me any good to do that, though, since the MW I birthed with at the hospital was the one in the practice that I'd only met with once.

Good luck as you make the best decisions for you and your family!

[MsBlack]

Homebirth is still possible, IMO. I have had clients who had b/p that high, and they had no issues. Did not use anything to control it, as they had no adverse symptoms at all. High b/p by itself is not generally a problem, actually. Did you have any other issues, with spilling protein, swelling, headaches....did the HCP do a liver panel to see if you were developing HELLP syndrome or Pre eclampsia? Do you have chronic high b/p (even when not pregnant), or just during your last pregnancy?

[*Karen*]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

Homebirth is still possible, IMO. I have had clients who had b/p that high, and they had no issues. Did not use anything to control it, as they had no adverse symptoms at all. High b/p by itself is not generally a problem, actually. Did you have any other issues, with spilling protein, swelling, headaches....did the HCP do a liver panel to see if you were developing HELLP syndrome or Pre eclampsia? Do you have chronic high b/p (even when not pregnant), or just during your last pregnancy?

I do have chronic high BP. I never diped for protein or had swelling, and all my blood panels were always normal. However, on a 24 hour urine protein I was above the threshold for preeclampsia. I am meeting with my MW tomorrow and we will talk about it in depth I'm sure. Thanks for the replies.

[EarthsSpiral]

I developed high BP but it is controlled and has been since starting medication. I asked my local birth center that I am switching my care to if it was a "pre-existing condition" and they said no. As long as it wasn't high currently they had no problem taking me. I am planning to have a HB with the midwives there now.

[mwherbs]

meds- essential hypertension with pre-eclampsia not really a good plan to have a home birth -
how we got into the mess of continuous monitoring was a doctor Hon did some monitoring studies, the studies showed for High Risk clients there was a benefit to continuous monitoring improved outcomes - for low risk clients intermittent monitoring was as good if not better than continuous monitoring -
do I think you should have gentle humane care, yes, be able to be mobile in labor yes , have good support and be respected yes- but I don't think it is safe for you or your baby to plan a home birth, and I recommend you read info on pre-eclampsia
here is the MDC pe discussion
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=221654