Maybe losing my homebirth...

[blessed_mama]

My blood pressure is on the rise and not wanting to come down. I had pre-e with ds (my first pregnancy) and had to have a C/S. He was born almost 2 months early and it was a horrible experience! Then I had a great homebirth VBAC with my dd. Everything this pregnancy has been great. No complications whatsoever! Now this just comes out of nowhere. I have an appt with my mw to see if I'm spilling protein and if I am I already know what is coming I won't induce b/c of the rupture possibility. So my only choice is C/S I'm trying to think all of this thru so if that time comes then I'll be prepared. I'm 40+1 today. I've just been an emotional mess thinking about all of this. I just keep telling myself I want a healthy baby. My memories of ds birth keep coming back to me and makes me even more a mess.

Do any of you know of things I can do to lower my bp? I'm trying to gently get my body to start labor, but nothing so far has worked. I thought about acupuncture or labor inducing massage, but I need to find someone. Anyway, just thought I'd see if anyone had any suggestions....

[Amila]

No advice, just

[Spark]

Oh, blessed_mama! I'm so sorry! I hope labor is IMMINENT for you! I do know that increased BP is a sign that labor is coming sooner than later. Could it possibly be that?

I'd probably post in the main Pregnant forum to get as much response as possible to your question. There's bound to be more been there, done that folks!

Wishing you a gentle peaceful homebirth TOMORROW!!!!

[elisheva]

Are you on the ICAN list? If not, join right away even if it's only for a few days/weeks and post your question there. I was induced for high bp with ds and ended up with a c/s when the induction didn't take.

Recommendations to bring down bp (off the top of my head - the ICAN ladies can elaborate and give you more specifics):

acupuncture - I've heard specifically about people having success with acupuncture and some kind of electric current going through the needles (sorry I don't know the correct term)

up your protein intake

take liquid calcium-magnesium


As I said, you'll get many more helpful ideas on the ICAN list (go to Yahoo groups and search for ICAN).

Good luck, mama, you'll be in my thoughts!!!!

[prothyraia]

My BP is climbing as well, and starting to make my mw nervous. *starts taking notes from the PP's in this thread*

41+ weeks here, here's hoping we have our babes soon!

[pazerific]

no advice, but thinking lots of labor thoughts for you and prothyraia

[finnegansmom]

I had high BP with my DS. I want a natural, water birth and was told I really need to keep this in check (although we plan on being in the hospital) so I don't end up with another induction. My midwife suggested to me, no sugars, no simple carbs. She said sugar was horrible for swelling and BP. Worth a try. For some reason, this time around my BP has been OK....or better.

[so_blessed]

to you, blessed_mama

[aprilsfools]

Up your protein intake to AT LEAST 100 g a day. Try to get it from meat, eggs, milk, yogurt (Greek has LOTS of protein), beans, nuts and not from protein drinks and processed soy. Tofu in moderation is fine.

Avoid sugar or caffeine.

Salt your food to taste with a quality salt (such as sea salt).

Yellow Dock tincture- I take one serving a day.

Some folks swear by Organic Cider Vinegar (the cloudy one with all of the bits floating around in it)- 2 tablespoons twice a day (mix with water to help it go down better). It can't hurt!

Eat lots of fruits and veggies. Watermelon, cucumbers and blueberries work wonders on swelling.

REST!!! On your left side if possible at least a couple of times a day. Try not to stress to much- I know that it is hard, but try to be positive that things will work out. Stress can REALLY affect your BP.

Start taking probiotics if you don't already.

Drink lots of water- TONS.

GL!

[veganf]

You've already gotten lots of good advice. Hang in there, I hope you can get your blood pressure down and have the birth you want!

[prairieo]

my bf is an acupuncturist. he says definitely acupuncture is a good idea.

[blessed_mama]

Thank you all so much for the advice and hugs. I am trying not to stress, but it seems like everytime I get in a good place emotionally, another negative thought hits me. I am eating protein, drinking lots of water, trying to rest as much as possible, etc. I feel like I'm doing everything right, it's just not working right now. I really would like to try accupunture though. I've never had it done, but heard wonderful things about it.

I am praying that tomorrow is good and I'm not spilling protein. We'll see, I guess.

Prothyraia-I hope your bp goes down and our babies decide to make an appearance VERY soon! Keep us posted!

[witchygrrl]

bananas and cucumbers are good for bringing bp down! good luck!

[JennaW]

Best of luck. My bp was up a tiny bit at my last appt. Not a big cause for concern but its better when you don't have to worry.

Thanks to all the Mama's on the tips.

[catnap70]

to you mama. Hope you get good news today.

[GoBecGo]

When i had high BP towards the end of my PG my MW told me:

warm baths every day or even x2/day - this FORCED me to rest and relaxed me properly

chocolate - not masses of it, but a few chunks a day. I know this goes against the no-caffeine thing, but it really seemed to help me!

visualisations - while relaxing/in the bath/having the BP taken i imagined i was walking into a sunny field with long grass, hopping gently, bareback, onto an old mare i used to ride, and her walking us v-e-r-y slowly down the field. I focused on the feeling of sun on my back and shoulders, grass tickling my feet and calves, her breaths under me as she carried me, the silkyness of her mane under my fingers, i'm mellowing right now just thinking about it! Sometimes the worry of highBP feeds into the underlying the high BP and makes it all worse. THis really helped me (like i dropped 15 points of BOTH numbers in 5 minutes from visualising this!) overcome the white-coat element of my BP.

I got my homebirth

Thinking of you

[Materfamilias]

I saw somewhere they did a study and chocolate was supposed to help.
Here's one article -- a Yale study.
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis...eclampsia.html
Good luck!!!!

[madiesmommy]

I'm thinking of you. You've got good suggestions, so I can't add much. It always helps me to imagine green when I get my bp taken. Green is supposed to be the color of low stress... Also, don't let them talk to you while they are taking it. That alone can make it rise because you are having to concentrate. Then, make sure they are using the right size cuff and have your arm positioned at heart level. All the factors of how they take the BP can have an effect on it!!

[KC in KS]

This may sound really simplistic, but have your older kids out of the house and away before your next BP check. Even when mine were being good, the simple activity of keeping up with them - who needs a snack, no don't touch that, gentle with your brother, etc. - raises my BP 20 points. First time I didn't have the kids and saw that drop, I thought something was wrong with me! LOL

[lorelei]

mama. I am really sorry to hear your pressure is going up. Hopefully some of these tips other mamas have shared will help you be able to bring it back down.

I know my pressure has gone up 10 points on the top number in the last week and I feel short of breath, but as it's still way below the high bp risk numbers, nobody seems to be worrying- except me.

Try to figure out something you can do that's relaxing, or take more naps, maybe? I had pre-e with dd1, and my stupid doc actually told me that pro in my urine meant I was eating too much protein. I know better now, but that was my first pg.

I really hope you're able to hit on some things that can help lower your pressure, and/or your baby comes ASAP!

Hugs and good low bp vibes to you, mama.