[momme2b]

Yesterday at my CNM appointment my blood pressure was suddenly very high 150 something over 108... I am normally 112-118 over 58-62. Three different people took it there at the office 6 or more times. Baby's heartrate was fine and I had had no headaches or vision problems. My midwife was concerned and asked me to go to the hospital for tests/ monitoring... but when I got to the hospital and was re-checked almost 2 hours later... it was much closer to normal, (120 over 70 ish if I remember right) and continued to drop till it was in my normal range. (WHEW) I was so relieved... Also at the midwife app. they detected a little protein in my urine (never had that before either and didn't think to ask her how much was a little) but at the hosp they didn't find any in my sample. Now I am doing a 24 hour urine test to check for protein in my urine. (hope that is fine and blood pressure still down thursday when I need to back for results etc.<br>
My question for you all is could stress alone really cause my pressure to get that high? I have been under a LOT of stress lately due to circumstances outside of my husband and my control. To boil it down, the major stress factors include my brother's wedding 3out of 4 of us IN the wedding (end of May), a potential job change for hubby which includes moving out of state and finding housing soon after baby's arrival (which we think likely, but won't know till almost the end of may), and on top of that and unrelated to the job change-move we need to be moved out of our house two weeks to the day before my due date. JUNE 26th! But we need to stay in MA because of our insurance and the fact that I would like to stay with my midwife if possible. (My parents have offered for us to stay with them but they are almost an hour from the hospital and out of state.. insurance problems) (hubby's parents even farther, out of state also, and his mother is having major surgury a couple days b4 baby's DueDay) Where we will be living when I go into labor is something we haven't figured out yet, because we are waiting on several more peices of information including the job change. So what to do with our stuff... where we will live... and a billion 'options to sort through all on my mind while nesting, baby clothes sorting, freezer stocking and the like are not happening in the middle of packing chaos. So yeah a LOT of stress to handle on top of a 2 hour car trip each weekend with a 1 and a 2 year old (related to hubby's possible new job.. so far its been easier for me to go with him than have the kids by myself for the weekend while we all miss him) He is the GREATEST DAD and Husband ever<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">.<br>
Sorry this is turning into a vent, but maybe 'talking' it out will help with the stress and blood pressure thing!<br>
I am so thankful for my husband, family, and extended family and church/ friends who all love and support us and are willing to help/ let us live with them if neccessary. Really I thought I was OK in my 'coping strategies' and haven't had any melt downs etc... but now I wonder if this IS affecting the baby and my body even when my mind and emotions are (miraculously) under control. (I also wonder if all this is going to catch up with me later and put me at risk for PPD)<br>
I am in awe of anyone who has faced some of these things without the help and support that I have. Please feel free to share anything that may help me put this in perspective.<br>
Is there anything I should do to help with the blood pressure thing? Magnesium or potassium supplements? A daily walk would be good I am sure. I really want a peaceful birth like my others to enjoy and carry me through the chaos that our lives may be. Also I am sad that not having our own place and job change/ new house/ move after baby will potentially make it harder to adjust and ENJOY my first months with baby.<br>
Thanks for 'listening'<br><br><br><br>
.

 

[Burnindinner]

Wow, that all sounds really stressful to me! I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this on top of having tiny ones and now worrying about health. Are your friends and family able to help with childcare? This is not a time to be shy - I know I would not be surviving without someone taking my DS to play every single day for a few hours.

 

[whozeyermamma]

Yikes - that does sound insane!<br><br>
I don't know if that can spike your BP but it seems reasonable. Agreed with PP - ask for all the help you can get! I also find that when I'm in a very stressful situation, I think back to how in previous stressful times I've made it through - that it will "end" at some point soon.<br><br>
Ugh! Hang in there and keep us posted!!

 

[pacificbliss]

I do think stress can cause the high blood pressure and spiling protein. Especially if it returned to normal at the hospital. I am guessing al this was on your mind all day before the midwife appointment and then the scare forced you to settle down a bit. Not knowing where you're oing to live is very stressful and a chronic stressor.<br><br>
Try to relax and focus on the positive things and the things you can control and try not to dwell on those you can't such as getting the information as to if you need to move.<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[NicolleLynne]

As someone who suffers from white coat hypertension I can tell you that yes, absolutely, stress can cause your blood pressure to rise. Every time I go to my OBs office my blood pressure starts out high, usually 150/90 and every time she asks me to lay down on my left side for 10 minutes and relax, after which it goes down to my baseline, 120/70.<br><br>
For me, the stress comes from being pregnant after two losses. I worry all the time about the baby being okay and there's something about being in the OBs office that just brings all my anxiety to the fore. When I'm laying down, I meditate, listen to peaceful music and so far, have always been able to talk myself down and gotten the lower reading. Maybe this is something you could try as well?<br><br>
I also do acupuncture once a week, take a magnesium supplement, watch my salt and eat 1 ounce of dark (70% cacao) chocolate every night to help keep my pressure in check.<br><br>
Considering all you have going on, it doesn't surprise me that your blood pressure is being effected! I love that in spite of everything you're maintaining a grateful and loving attitude toward your family and friends. It sounds like you have a lot of support around you to take advantage of and I would do just that. Lean on those around you and do your best to carve out a little time for exercise, mediation, prayer, whatever helps you to find the most peace. Our minds truly can effect our bodies in measurable, quantifiable ways... If your mind got your pressure up, it can also get it down! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><br><br>
Wishing you all the best,<br>
Nicolle

 

[Aka mommy]

Stress can cause the issues, but i am betting on dehydration. When you are dehydrated your body starts breaking down muscle to get the protein and it spills into your urine. Try and get as hydrated as possible and take a day to care for YOU. Also bump up your protein intake so that you can replenish what your body is taking from itself. Dehydration can also cause your blood pressure to drop or go high. So this could possible be the cause of it all. And worse case scenario, you are replenishing and flushing out your body with water, so it can't hurt to try.

 

[Burnindinner]

Oh I forgot about dehydration. Good point. Also how is the weather there? Is it really hot?

 

[mediumcrunch]

Blood pressure can be affected by many outside factors. Look at people with whitecoat hypertension. My mother can have a BP of 110/70 AFTER she works out for an hour at the gym and a few hours later have a BP of 180/100 just from sitting in a doctors office.<br>
My BP can elevate dramatically if I am doing nothing but talking to the nurse while she takes it. If I sit quietly it comes down rapidly to normal.<br><br>
Keep an eye on it, do your 24 hr urine collection but know that your stress level is more than sufficient to explain what happened in the absence of other evidence of PIH or PE.

 

[UberMama]

Well, I have a fear of things on my face, so when I was in the MW office last week and had a bad cold - they had me put a mask on. My BP was 145/90ish, regular is 110/70. I know for sure the spike was due to the mask and how stressed it was making me.<br><br>
I think the 24 hr urine will tell you more. It's good your BP went back down. I had high BP (not pre-e, just high BP) during my twin pg. It'd fluctuate but it never went near my normal once it was 145/95+.

 

[momme2b]

So quick update for you all, midwife called today and the urine test showed that I am spilling protein. (.7ish for those who would want to know) she recomended that I go into the hospital for monitoring today instead of just the app we had scheduled. Praying for a few more weeks with a baby belly and desperatly wanting another beautiful/ peaceful unmedicated birth.