High blood pressure - will I be induced?

[UsernamesHarderThanBabyNames]

I'm coming up to 32 weeks with first baby and discovered this week that my blood pressure has gone up over the course of my pregnancy - it was 130/70 at 8 weeks and is now 130/90. This is borderline high as opposed to officially high. Due to a bit of a family history of pre-eclampsia they now want to check my BP weekly. I don't have any other pre-eclampsia symptoms at all at present although obviously this could change. The doctor said that if it went over 140/90 they would potentially look at inducing me early (although probably no earlier than 37 weeks). Just wondered, has anyone else been induced early for high BP alone or only when displaying other pre-eclampsia symptoms too? I don't feel mega-stressed about it and I'm glad I'm being monitored (even if all those appointments are a bit of a ball-ache) but just don't like the uncertainty (this control freak struggles with that element of pregnancy!).

[quirkychick]

I had severe pre-eclampsia with Dd1. I think my bp had crept up a little at the end of pg, but it was only by my last mw's appt it was through the roof. I also had oedema and was sent straight up to the hospital. I was 4 days before edd so was kind of ready with hospital bag etc. I actually ended up with a c-section as they couldn't induce me quick enough. I felt loads better after the birth, I hadn't realised how rubbish I felt. I thought it was normal pg tiredness.

So, to answer your question, it was only when my bp was really high and they couldn't bring it down that I was induced. I then had other symptoms, swelling and protein in the urine. Great you are being monitored so thoroughly, I wasn't and maybe I should have been admitted earlier and wouldn't have been so severe.

[notmuchofaclue]

I had high BP towards the end of my first pregnancy, bottom number in the 90s. I didn't have any other symptoms of pre-eclampsia. They put me on medication to control my BP (Labetalol I think?) and told me that they would induce me if I went overdue. Unfortunately for me I went to 41 weeks and so they induced me then, they didn't seem in a huge rush though and there wasn't any talk of inducing me before 40 weeks. The problem I had was that my BP took a while to calm down after the birth so they kept threatening to take me back into hospital. Luckily I just about managed to dodge that.

[yummymango]

I had high blood pressure which saw me being admitted to hospital but no other symptoms of preeclampsia. I was put on medication and monitored very closely during the final weeks but although there was mention of induction at one point, they never did and I went into natural labour at 40+5.

[Theboxtrollsareallowed]

I was induced with my first for high blood pressure, they did a few days of medication but it kept high so induced. It was fine, the web is full of negative stories of every type of birth, but if you have to be induced it's for both your benefit. My labour was good, yes was on the drip, yes had to be monitored but was still on birth ball, knees & just moved to the position I wanted & midwife adjusted the monitor. Number 2 induced for high bp & high liver levels - great labour - no need for drip this time, very active labour & fast, I felt great afterwards too.

Any questions just ask & even if induced remember there are parts you can control, music, position etc

[dancestomyowntune]

I recently (10 weeks ago) had my Dd by c section after two weeks in hospital due to high blood pressure. Apparently I did not have pre-eclampsia but my essential hypertension (my bp is always high) shot up at 28 weeks and at 30 weeks they conceded defeat in their attempts to reduce it and delivered. However my bp was 160/110, 180/124 at its highest. 130/90 is good in comparison!

This was my fifth baby. Previous pregnancies I have had high bp at the very end similar to your now, about 140/90 and apart from extra check ups not a lot was done. I was induced on my due date with my first, officially due to the blood pressure but really due to my anxiety.

[croon979]

Following with interest. I am 32+2 and my blood pressure is high. Also suffering from v swollen ankles. Midwife was concerned today and wants to recheck blood pressure mud-week next week. Not sure what this could ultimately mean. No other pre-e signs such as headaches, protein in wee or black spots/dizziness....

[ShootTheMoon]

I had high BP with DC1 with no essential hypertension - only from early pregnancy.

It was usually just under 150/100 which is the point at which you typically need monitoring. I went to 40+5 and laboured naturally, but my BP went to 170/130 in labour so I had to leave the MW unit during transition. And had treatment and stayed in for a week. BP was back to normal within 3 months.

18 weeks with DC2 and BP is in 130s/80s, I'm taking aspirin and under consultant care. No mention of the possibility of induction but things may change if I move into properly high BP. And since I have no risk factors generally and no chronic hypertension, I'm having a variety of tests.

[UsernamesHarderThanBabyNames]

Thanks for all the responses, really useful and mostly reassuring!