High Blood Pressure at 30 weeks. Just been put on meds. Advice?

[weebigmamma]

This happened to me last time but not until the very end, and my sister had preeclampsia so it runs in the family. Glad to have the meds and really hope they work. Does anyone know if you just go about your life as usual? Or should I be resting more? I have no idea!

[Writerwannabe83]

How high was it and what meds have you been put on?

I was started on Beta Blockers at 20 weeks gestation due to irregular heart rate/rhythms and was signed off sick for the remainder of my pregnancy.

Are you currently still working?

[weebigmamma]

Labetalol. It has been about 140/90 for the past week. They asked if I was still working but didn't seem worried that I was.

[PastaandCheese]

Carry on as normal i'd say. I didn't start medication until the end but carried on as normally as you can at 39 weeks pregnant.

That reading isn't too bad. Borderline between upper end of normal and low end of high so it's been identified early and will be under control with the medication.

How do you feel in yourself?

I'm assuming Dr thins gestational hypertension rather than pre-eclampsia?

[Writerwannabe83]

I agree with pasta - that blood pressure isn't too bad and I'm assuming they are going to monitor it??

[weebigmamma]

Yes. I had preclampsia the last time and my sister had severe pre-eclampsia which led to her having to deliver the baby at 29 weeks. I'm assuming they're being cautious and I'm grateful about that.

[PastaandCheese]

Sounds like caution to me which makes sense as you have an elevated risk of PE if you've had it before.

I'm on weekly monitoring now until I deliver as I have a history. I do sympathise and I know I will feel very sorry for myself if I end up being admitted like last time but I guess deep down I know how dangerous it can be so am grateful for the care.

I'm trying to drink lots of water which seems ridiculous but I did read it can help a tiny bit?

[weebigmamma]

Aw, good luck Pasta! I really would like to not have to deliver before the next 9 weeks are up. It's rubbish staying in hospital being hooked up to things! x

[PastaandCheese]

Absolutely. I'm 37+4 now and hovering at 130/80 so I'm doing great really.

I don't want to be admitted though as I don't want to be away from DD and I really want to give birth on the MLU this time without all the bells and whistles!

Good luck to you too. I had protein at 34 weeks but turned out to be a UTI so don't panic straight away if that happens.

[weebigmamma]

Thanks!

[BobPatSamandIgglePiggle]

Mine was really high - something over 120ish from 21 weeks. They kept telling me to sign off work and i stupidly didn't. Ended up with emcs at 34 weeks. Listen to what they say and sign off if you need to.

What labetolol dose are you on? I was on 400mg 3 x a day plus another bp drug i can't remember the name of.

This is unusual because of the high dose but DS was very ill - very low bp and blood sugar possibly as a result of maternal use of labetolol in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

[BobPatSamandIgglePiggle]

Sorry - posted too soon. don't mean to be dramatic, as ours really was unusual. Labetolol is the pg drug of choice but DS really was poorly.

[weebigmamma]

Really sorry to hear you had such a crap time Bobpat. Hope all is with well with you and your son now. x

[BobPatSamandIgglePiggle]

He's great now thanks :-) he was terribly ill though - very small for gestation, unresponsive because of low bp etc. Just watch out for extra sleepiness once baby is here.

Take care - i totally ignored problems with my bp as i was unaware of how serious it can be. Look after yourself! :-)