chronic hypertension - what should I expect?

[Dinah93]

I'd trust the doctor, if you're high they won't let it go uncontrolled, if it's just looking like it could rise they will probably do weekly monitoring and if it does rise put you on tablets then. They kick in pretty quickly (with 2 days) but you don't want low blood pressure either, and if you have to go on tablets there is obviously a slightly increased risk of complications, and also you'll automatically become high risk, which means you have to give birth in a consultant led unit attached to a monitor, so it really limits moving around (personally I'm gutted I can't have a water birth). I wouldn't push for them if they think monitoring is all you need, but equally if you do need them then that's best for the baby and you and not to worry.

 

[Tititimes2]

I totally agree with Dinah. Trust the doctor to monitor you and determine what is best as your pregnancy progresses. BP can rise as the pregnancy progresses. So you may need different meds/dosages during diffent times.

I am an extreme case b/c I am chronic hypertensive. I have had my meds adjusted for the last 4 weeks- my dosage has changed and the number of times a day I take them has too. Looks like I may change again soon b/c it is looking like my pressure is creeping up in the morning so my OB may increase one med at night and reduce dosages during the day. BP is really is something that has to be continually monitored b/c it can be fine one minute and crazy the next.

I hope yours stays in control.

 

[newgirl79]

Hi again to new people and good luck this month Cheska!!

Dinah- your post about BP going sky high at the hospital made me chuckle!! My consultants have cottoned on now and have stopped doing it there- they are just relying on my home monitoring instead as my readings are always way higher when someone else is checking it!! Your BP sounds like it's doing great at the moment- yay!!

xx

 

[scotmum35]

sorry posted twice lol

 

[scotmum35]

grr just wrote a long post and the page reset.
ive known im preg for 2 weeks im just over 7 weeks.dr changed my meds to adalat and ive seen the midwife last thurs and this thurs.my bp was up so she talked to the OB and the dr and they want me to take 2 pills a day instead of just one.
i admit ive had 3 freakouts so far about being preg with high bp asthma and a ton of other health problems.sometimes i think i cant do this i cant put myself at risk when i already have 2 kids but most of the time im fine and think about people with worse complications.deep down i want this baby im just fed up worrying already.
it is wonderful to see other women are coping and have even had a successful birth's.

 

[newgirl79]

Hi scotmum,

It can be hard not to worry about having extra health probs on top of being pregnant, I was worrying loads about what it would be like earlier on, but after being carefully monitored and looked after I feel more relaxed as things go on. Think the different meds can take a bit of getting used to as well!! Good luck with it xxx

 

[PoodleMommy]

Hi, girls - mind if I pop in? I am 22w5d pregnant and have been having high BP readings at the midwife/doctor check-ups (140's over 90's-ish), and at yesterday's appointment, it was around 160/100. The midwife said I absolutely must go on meds, no if's, ands or buts.

I was devastated to hear this, because I want an unmedicated pregnancy and natural childbirth if possible, but the midwife explained that high BP can restrict blood flow to the placenta and caused problems for the baby. I had already been worried about possible preeclampsia and IUGR for other reasons (mainly, my first trimester bloodwork).

But, after reading every page of this thread, I'm feeling much better about it. I'm taking 250mg methyldopa twice daily, and just started the first dose last night.

I've been monitoring my BP at home, and already, after just two doses, my BP was only 120/84! It hasn't been that low since the very beginning of the pregnancy!

So, I guess after that, and after all your helpful posts, I'm a believer in BP meds... still nervous about it masking preeclampsia or causing harm to the baby, but I guess you all have convinced me that high BP would be more dangerous to the baby than any meds!

Thanks again for all your great posts here, and W8ting, if you're reading this, CONGRATS on that beautiful baby girl of yours!! She is lovely!!

 

[Dinah93]

Glad to hear you're more comfortable with it Poodle.

Mine has gone a bit mental in the last few weeks. I've spoken to three midwifes, been told by the ante-natal clinic at the hospital (whose consultant's care I'm under) to go to A&E if I'm concerned, but eventually today I found a fantastic GP who listened. Turns out I was right and not worrying for no reason, my BP was 148/108 so I've gone from 4x250mg methyldopa to 3x500mg, although she doesn't think this will be enough. I've had splitting headaches, dizzyness and poor depth of field for over a week now, and I've had high bp long enough to recognise the signs it's too high.

My GP also offered to sign me off until the baby is due. I'm in two minds about this, on the one hand I feel like my team at work wouldn't be too impressed with me vanishing off 5 months early, on the other hand I want to do what's best to keep the baby in as long as possible.

The midwife did check today and the baby is growing well, has a strong heartbeat and is very active, so that's reassuring.

 

[W8ing4ours]

Hi Poodle, thanks for the compliment on lo! She and I are doing great! Still on bp meds, but hoping at my post partum appt next week I can finally get off! Just wanted to mention that poodle, if you are on bp meds during pregnancy (due to gestational induced hypertension) they will continue to do bloodwork and urine tests, so the bp meds wont hide pre-e if you get it. Glad to hear you are responding so well to the meds! Just try to take care off yourself and rest, rest, rest!

Dinah - I was worried about leaving work early too, but i believe (and so does my dr.) that I made it to 37+1 because of my strict bedrest! This time will pass quickly (i know, it feels like FOREVER now though) but just take it easy and listen to your GP, you wont regret it.

Hoping all of you are doing well and wishing you health through the end of your pregnancies!

 

[quail]

hi can anyone help,ive been diagnosed with high b/p and i have to see my doc tommorow for some meds.what will hapeen at this visit,thanks.xx

 

[Dinah93]

They'll take our blood pressure to check if it is still high, then depending on how high they will either monitor it weekly/fortnightly, or prescribe anti-hypertensives as well as monitoring it weekly/fortnightly. You will get extra scans throughout the pregnancy from 20 weeks to check the baby is growing correctly as they can be a bit on the small side if bp is too high.

 

[letia659]

hi I just found this thread! I have chronic hbp since having pre-e with my oldest son (hes 7yrs) had to take methyldopa in all my pregnancies since and was induced at 39 weeks with my youngest son never got pre-e with him just my bp was going a bit crazy so there was no reason to keep him in any longer he was a big boy at 8lbs 14oz so Im kinda glad I had him before he gained even more! my baby girl grew her wings at 17 weeks (I was told she quit growing at 15 weeks) so I didnt get far enough in that pregnancy to have bp issues and Im now close to 14 weeks with my 4th hoping for a good pregnancy like I had with my 2nd! Im getting a scan every 2 weeks until we get past 18 weeks since we dont know the cause of losing our baby girl but I was assured it wasnt due to hbp hopefully they were right.

 

[miss moody]

Hi all,
so many new ladies to catch up with!

Dinah - sounds like you're making a sensible choice to take a couple of weeks and see how things progress, hope it works for you. It must be really frustrating to know that meds aren't going to work for you, at least you are being closely monitored.

Newgirl - glad all well with your scan, I've just been for growth scan this week and no problems with babies growth, the consultant commented on how several aspects of our baby are larger than average! So meds obviously doing the trick! I did have signs of an infection for the first time this pregnancy so am on antibiotics. I was almost a little relieved to find out as I have been totally shattered and couldn't quite bare the thought that I will be this tired until the end of the pregnancy! I'm back again at 33 weeks for another scan.

W8iting - your little girl is adorable, really glad everything worked out well in the end and thanks for the info on the magnesium drip.

Scotmum, Poodle, Yasminesa, Tititimes2, Cheska, Louise, Laura and Jess (sorry if I wmised anyone!) - welcome and thanks for sharing your experiences keep us posted

 

[quail]

hi, well i spoke with my dr and she has put me on beta blockers as the majority of my high bp is due to extreme anxiety and she said this should help both , i have to go and see my mw again next week ,she also said that i wouldnt be able to go past my due date,has anyone else been told they wont be allowed to go over? i dont mind really as my last baby was quite big at 8lb 15 at a week late.xxxx

 

[okmomma]

Hello. I am 16 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. I have had high bp for the past 2 yrs, but it was under control before getting pg. Last week it shot up to 169/100. The dr increased my doseage of Labetalol from 100 mg/day to 400 mg/day. It brought it down, barely. Two days ago I was switched to Procardia XL. I am thinking it will take a few days for my body to adjust. It has been rangeing from 130/80 to 145/95, so it seems to be better than the labetalol.

Sometimes I overreact to things. I am afraid they are going to tell me I can't continue this pregnancy (irrational thoughts). How will the high bp effect my pregnancy besides extra appointments? I want to be able to get my bp under control and carry this baby to term. I am fine with being induced anytime after 37 weeks.

 

[Dinah93]

My bp is currently averaging 140/100, and has been for 5 weeks. Before that it hasn't really been below 125/90 since I got my BFP, and before they played with my medication in week 7 I was running at 165/125 for a few weeks. No one has at any point suggested I can't continue the pregnancy, and they believe at present I'll be having a normal vaginal birth, although there is an increased chance of a c-section. I was put on bed rest a fortnight ago for the rest of the pregnancy, but I'm happy to do that if it means the baby can stay in for longer.

The main impact of high bp is that your baby will be small or you will need to deliver early via c-section. As you have essential not pregnancy induced hypertension you are at only a marginally higher risk of developing pre-pre-eclampsia than any other random pregnant lady on the street. You'll get extra scans and urine tests to make sure everything is going okay and the baby is measuring well.

My mum has the same high bp issues as me, she was put on hospital bed rest at 22 weeks with both her pregnancies, and had emergency c-sections at 36 and 37 weeks. We're both absolutely fine and were happy babies (although I did have a tendency towards ear infections).

Basically don't worry, monitoring is a good thing as if your bp starts to rise they can tweek your tablets or put you on bed rest before things get out of control.

 

[okmomma]

I hope I don't get put on bedrest. I am usually fairly active. I like to get to the gym 4-5 times aweek when I feel good. I'm glad my bp is staying below 150/100. My dr said that was ok for now.

 

[newgirl79]

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd better check in and say hi to all the new people!! Hope everyone is doing ok...

Poodle- really glad to hear the posts have been helpful, I've certainly found it useful to hear from others going through the same thing.

Dinah- was going to ask about your decision re work but am I right in saying you're on bed rest now? How are you managing? You're absolutely doing the right thing in focussing on what's best for you and baby- hope you're coping ok

Quail- Glad your appt went ok. Is it Labetolol they've put you on? I think a few of us have been advised that we won't be allowed to go over due date as they expect the placenta to start losing efficiency earlier when you're on BP meds.

Letia659- sorry to hear about your loss. Sounds like you're being monitored closely this time around though so hope things go smoothly for you.

Quick update from me: BP started to go up again a cpl of weeks ago so they've increased my nifedipine to 30mg twice per day (as well as methyldopa 750 4x daily). Seems to have settled again now and scans are showing baby is growing fine. Unfortunately though I have now developed polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) and have to have MORE scans (to check baby's swallowing ok etc) and a test for gestational diabetes and apparently may be more likely to have preterm labour- joy of all joys!! Am feeling pretty healthy still (if quite large) so just trying to take each day at a time

MissMoody how goes it with you? Are you still working? I was meant to be working until 36+4 but am thinking I might have to finish earlier now what with the new complications- especially as I work 30 miles from home/the hospital where I'm booked in. What do you all think?
Keep in touch everyone xxx

 

[laura077]

They have switched me to weekly checkups with the high risk doctors now for BP. I also go to have a 2nd growth scan on Wednesday, and they want to do one every 4 weeks to make sure there's no sign of IUGR. I've got 2 appointments a week now because I have gestational diabetes now, too. One at the maternal ward and one at my doctors office. It's all starting to get scary. BP was 145/80 today, so they left my meds the same.

 

[miss moody]

Hi everyone, good to hear how you're all getting on.
Newgirl, sounds like things are getting a bit hectic but good to see you are being well cared for. I'm currently planning on working up until 36 + 4 but keeping flexible in case health changes. If you have long commute and all those extra appointments to contend with I would definitely think about stopping work sooner just to take the pressure off. So far so good with me, slight panic at the weekend as baby had reduced movements but as soon as hooked up to the monitor baby started kung fu kicking!

BP behaving so still on aspirin and methyldopa and just having fortnightly checks for BP and urine and six weekly growth scans. Baby breech at moment but keep being told plenty of time for baby to move, seems quite comfy, kicking me in the groin!