chronic hypertension - what should I expect?

Hey all,

Just to update you...had my 12wk scan on Monday and they put me forward to 13+2 (quite nice to skip a week!) I had 24 hr BP monitor and as readings were still fairly high consultant wanted to increase my meds. As I get some wheezing with the Labetalol she decided to change me into Methyldopa instead- just on my first day today so waiting for the sleepiness to hit!!

The consultant and hypertension mw said that if they can get my BP under control there's no reason why I shouldn't have perfectly 'normal' pregnancy and birth. She did say they won't let me go over 40 weeks though and will probably suggest an epidural during labour- I told her about my strong feelings about this and she said that epidurals used in labour are quite different to those used in operations (which is when I had it before). I'm still not keen though as I want to be able to move around as much as poss so I think I'll be quite clear that I only want one if it becomes necessary and not just as a preventative measure.

MissMoody how did you get on yesterday?? Have you noticed any other side effects from the methyldopa? Johnnieswife- how did you cope with 3 months in hospital before giving birth?!

take care all xx
 
Hi Newgirl79,

Glad your scan went well :happydance:

Hope the change in meds does the trick for you. How have you found the Methyldopa? I think it does settle once your body is used to it I've not had any other side effects apart from excessive tiredness which could also be just a pregnancy symptom. For the first time today I actually felt awake at work so things are looking up.

I was so excited to see our little bean at the scan, I was really nervous that there would be nothing there :blush: but saw a right little wriggler! I finally feel like it's ok to be excited about meeting little bean now.

I have been put onto Aspirin daily as well as the Methyldopa. I asked about the birth and have also been told that as long as bp is controlled a normal delivery should be fine. The Doc said that I would have increased BP meds during the labour.

I'm seeing the midwife in 4 weeks and then back to the consultant at 20 weeks for the scan and repeat bloods etc. I will be having some extra scans in 3rd trimester to check growth is ok. At the moment only having BP checked every 4 weeks to be increased if it goes up.
So far so good :D

Good luck to you all, keep us updated with your progress

:flower:
 
Hi again MissM,

Feels so good after that first scan doesn't it!! I am also allowing myself to get a bit excited for first time now too! :happydance:

Just to follow up on your post, it sounds (amazingly) as though we are getting pretty much same treatment. I will be having extra growth scans later on and 4wk check ups too and have also been put onto daily aspirin...

Let's keep our fingers crossed that things run smoothly from now on!! Take good care xx
 
I've had a call from the midwife at the hospital and have had to send in another urine sample as the protein creatine ratio is borderline :shrug: should hear the new result today
 
Hey hon,

Have you heard anything back from the hospital yet? Sure the borderline result was not what you wanted to hear but good they're picking up on things so quickly- let us know how you get on...

Thinking of you :hugs: xxx
 
Thanks Newgirl79 x all ok
level back down and well within limits. Will have a re-test in a few weeks at MW appointment. Was in a bit of a panic but the hospital was great contacting me directly to give me the results.
 
Yay- glad to hear levels are back down and all is ok :happydance:

My BP is being very stubborn and not settling on the methyldopa (or meth as I like to call it much to dh's amusement!) so have had to go back to hospital and pick up a prescription for nifedipine (which they only took me off a week ago) to add back in again- aghhhh!!!

Oh the joys of hypertensive pregnancy :wacko:

Keep in touch xxx
 
Hi,I have chronic hypertension (renal) and was monitored very closely. My bp is crazy high (easily hits 240/120) I saw my nephrologist (renal consultant) high risk OB consultant, and fetal maternal med consultant weekly for monitoring,growth scans, dopplers etc I also saw my specialist midwife and consultant (renal hypertension and pre e) in the renal hypertension antenatal clinic) atleast once a week for bp monitoring and changeing meds. I ended up on maximum dosages of methyldopa,labetalol,nifedipine,candasartan,spironolactone,oral hydralazine and doxazosine.
Both my girls were born at 28 weeks due to fetal distress (caused by my BP and the meds) They both had a lot of conplications through NICU and grace still has problems stemming from her being so prem but they are both very happy girls xx
 
Hi Newgirl, sorry to hear the meds didn't work out :hugs: you'll be a rattling soon! Hope things level out with the new (or old) meds added. At least they are monitoring you closely. It's slowly dawning on me that it's unlikely we will be getting an easy ride! Stay in touch and let us know how you get on. Thankfully elevated BP seems fairly common in pregnancy so the Drs know how to deal with it. :flower:

Thanks for your story Olivias_mum, it's good to hear that despite the difficulties of your pregnancies you have two happy little girls x
 
Hi, I developed hypertension in my pregnancy- never really got very high though.

I ended up being induced at 39+2 because of it and was also put on Labetelol.

I was induced with the drip and had a natural birth (although with vacuum extraction). I did ask for an epi, but had quite a short labour - they broke my waters at 3.30pm and I gave birth at 6.44pm - so there wasn't enough time.

Now I have a lovely healthy 8 month old boy :)

Even though I had a fantastic recovery from my labour, next time I am really going try and avoid being induced -at least with a drip anyway.
 
Hi again everyone,

Olivias_mum- sounds like you had a right old time of it- it must have been exhausting keeping up with all those appointments! Still I suppose it's worth it to keep a close eye on your babies though, and so wonderful to hear that both of your girls are happy, and completely gorgeous judging by your pic. Thank you for sharing your story :flower:

Ginny83, it's good to hear that you recovered well from your labour too. I too would like to avoid being induced with a drip if poss but hey we'll see how it goes!

Take care all xxx
 
I'm not doing too badly cheers- was really pleased last week as BP had stayed under 140/90 but has been heading up again this week. Got another appt at hypertension clinic tomorrow so will update after that. Am assuming it will mean another increase in meds. How are you doing??? xx
 
I had really bad high blood pressure when I was pregnant, causing my loss at 28 weeks. The doctors tried methydolpa, lebetalol, and one other... nothing seemed to bring it down enough. This time I'm seeing a cardiologist before we try to get my blood pressure regulated on medications I can take while pregnant. He is currently trying nifedipine and it seems to be working. Just make sure that you keep a close eye on it.
 
Really sorry to hear about your loss Jenn, glad to hear you are getting extra care to manage things this time around :hugs:

I have to say hearing that has scared me a little bit though as I'm still only 18 wks at the mo- how high did your BP get?? I am trying not to worry about the effect on baby as I'm guessing that will just get me even more stressed out but it's really hard!

Had another appt at the hospital yest and they have increased my methyldopa again to 750mg three times a day. Readings I'm getting at home aren't too bad and still put me in the moderately high rather than severe category at the moment I think. Dr listened to heartbeat and said baby sounds fine and going back next week for an update...how is everyone else doing? xxx
 
My blood pressure was never really stable, it would just vary. I was going through a stressful time, so that didn't help at all. Sometimes my blood pressure would be 140/90 ish and as high as 180/110 ish... so it just would depend. Make sure to keep an eye on it. I actually did my own research about blood pressure medications that you can take while being pregnant. I mentioned the nifedipine to my doctor and he said that would be a good one to put me on. So you might do a little research and ask about them when you go. My doctor also told me that since I went through that before, I'm almost guarenteed to go on bed rest the next time I'm pregnant. So you might wanna ask your doctor about that as well. I have done tons of research to find out every possible way to help blood pressure while being pregnant. It has really helped me, I would be happy to help you!
 
Hi again Jenn,

I'm also on Nifedipine currently (as well as Methyldopa). I have chronic hypertension and was on enalapril (an ACE inhibitor) for many years prior to trying to conceive. This type of drug definitely isn't advised for use in pregnancy so I came off this before ttc and changed onto Labetolol and then had to add in nifedipine when my bp increased. I get quite alot of breathing difficulties with the Labetolol so I have now been changed onto methyldopa but as far as I know these three medications are the ones most usually used (and deemed as safe) in pregnancy.

Think you're definitely right that doing your own research helps, fortunately I feel well looked after by my hypertension team too as I see an obstetric team and my usual hypertension consultant at my local hospital!! I have a home monitor which is calibrated for use in pregnancy and monitoring a few times a day. My BP is running at around 145/98 this week which as I understand it is in the moderately high range- unfortunately it always reads higher at the hospital (the old white coat syndrome!) and the docs can't ignore that so we're still trying to get it down at this stage. (It's probably also worth saying that my BP typically ran at around or just under 140/90 even before pregnancy so what might sound quite high for one person may not really be that high for me!)

MissMoody- I forgot to mention that I had +1 of protein in my urine sample this week :wacko: how long did it take to get your results back when they sent yours off?? xxx
 
Let me to you... I know all about the white coat syndrome! Everytime I go to the cardiologist, it's always higher. So I told him he wasn't allowed to take my blood pressure any more, the nurse would just have to do it! Haha! During my first pregnancy, we didn't think my blood pressure was going to be as big as an issue as it was so I wasn't seeing a specialist. That's why this time around, I'm taking every extra step before we TTC that I need to do to make sure that doesn't happen again. As soon as I get the ok from the cardiologist, then I will go back to my OB to get the ok to try. Once I'm pregnant, they will send me to a high risk dr. I will be monitored by all 3 next time around, so I will be a lot more comfortable with the care I get.
 
Hi Newgirl79,
sorry busy weekend at work. My results where pretty quick took sample in Wednesday evening to gp sent to labs Thursday lunchtime and received results by phone on Friday morning. The midwife from hospital was great and phoned me. They might not get back to you if your results are ok xx hope everything ok . Must be a worry with your bp fluctuating. Thankfully so far mine has behaved but it's still early days!

Hi Jenn,
sorry to hear about your loss, glad you have things in place to ensure you are well looked after in your next pregnancy. How often would you recommend having bp checked?
 
Thanks... I will keep my fingers crossed for you! I actually bought a blood pressure machine and take it at home everyday. I keep a record of it and take it to the doctor with me so they know what my blood pressure runs normally. It might also show them that you have "white coat syndrome!"
 

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