Help-Hign Blood Pressure Worry

[Jennyhere]

Hello everyone im 14 weeks gone, I was referred to a doctor via my midwife due to my blood pressure being so high. The doctor has warned me that i may have to take medication to lower it, but im concerned i have read that high blood pressure causes Pre-ecamspia. Does anyone know if this means that I will development due to this high blood pressure. I am confused about the subject and scared as I am now convinced that I will end up with this condition. HELP

[Marina]

I'm no expert Jenny, but pre-eclampsia is apparently very rare before 28 weeks, and your doctor and midwife are already on the case for you. Obviously pregnancy with continuous high blood pressure is going to be potentially more risky, and you might have to have hospital antenatal appointments and so on, but the crucial thing is that it has been spotted now. There are two midwife members on this site - hopefully one of them will spot your post and be able to explain in detail. Good luck!

[leese]

Hi Jennyhere - how high was your blood pressure? (just out of interest). You most probably have a condition called 'essential hypertension', which means you are predisposed to high blood pressure anyway (whilst pregnant or not, tho' pregnancy could exacerbate it) - generally high blood pressure recorded before the 20th week of pregnancy suggests that hypertension is a problem you have, unrelated to pregnancy.
At least it has been noted, and the midwife and GP are being vigilant about it - thats half the battle. You may indeed benefit from anti hypertensives, and your GP would be best to advise you here. It's true that those with essential hypertension are more prone to develop superimposed pre-eclampsia, so the medical staff will be checking this out - if you have'nt been already, you should be referred to an obstetric gynaecologist. The midwife will always monitor your BP and check your urine for protein, which is an indication of pre eclampsia. Should any protein become apparent later in pregnancy, she may take some bloods, and may also suggest a 24hr uine collection, to monitor your output of protein over a 24hr period.
If you do develop pre eclampsia, there is plenty that can be done to hold the condition at bay for as long as possible, until the baby is born (only delivery will resolve this condition) - sometimes babies are induced earlier if the case is severe, but other than that it is just monitored and treated appropriately.
Try not to worry yourself Jennyhere - many women have problems with blood pressure, and manage to carry a healthy baby to full term. The best thing is, you're being checked out.

[aloha]

My friend has just had a healthy baby entirely naturally after suffering high blood pressure for quite a bit of her pregnancy. Yours does seem very early, but Leese is a total expert so if she says you're likely to be fine, then you can relax (which will probably help!).

[hmb]

Jennyhere,

Hi try not to worry, and I know that is not easy to do. I had per-eclampsia with both of my pregnancies, and my BP is now fine, and so and the children!

[Jennyhere]

Thank you for your advise and the link to the web sites for information on the subject. I will have to try not to worry but I will be cautious of the condition and ask questions next time i see my doctor at the hospital. I am a worrying type anyway, can anyone tell me if there is anyway i can Monitor my own blood pressure and urine at home to kept my mind at rest or is this being to cautious.

[leese]

Agree with sobernow - DON'T buy a BP machine - the electronic devices often read a little higher than the manual one most probably used by your midwife and GP, and consequently cause more worry. you'll also get into a habit of checking it too often, and we all have variations in our BP, so it will read higher at certain times than others - if you're checking it a lot you will inevitably read it sometimes at a higher level, causing you undue worry, as it will most probably settle of its own accord.
Instead, try and be on the look out for anything which could be classed as syptomatic of raised blood pressure - any visual disturbances (ie spots/lights before the eyes, blurry vision etc)and nasty headaches over and above the eyes (frontal headaches), which are not eased with paracetamol. Occasionally people suffer with 'epigastric' pain - a pain centrally almost between the ribs, but this is less common. To stress also that these syptoms may just be due to preganacy, so not to automatically jump to conclusions - you can get headaches in pregnancy anyway, unrelated to your BP, and muscular aches and pains are more common. Bottom line, if you are feeling generally groggy and are worried, contact your midwife who will check your BP. I would urge you again not to get too focussed on this as a potential problem, as getting stressed about it will only exacerbate the condition. Sit back, enjoy your pregnancy, and let the health professionals worry about you BP if they need to

[mears]

Totally agree with Leese here. Checking your own blood pressure is not a good idea. Your midwife and consultant will keep a watchful eye on you, honestly. Try and relax and enjoy your pregnency.