congratulations JoseyJo - am lurking from the September thread, and am very that there's people on this thread popping already!
Yokefleet - I have had the same problem with my BP, picked up at my 38 week check. It's called Pregnancy Induced Hypertension, and is reasonably common in first time mothers late in pregnancy (esp. if over 35). The worry point is 140/90 - mine was that on the Monday, and 160/100 on the Thursday, so was admitted overnight for observation. Due to lack of observations while admitted causing stress, I managed to get to a whopping 224/111 , which was quite impressive! Anyway, they can manage it with some drugs that are very safe during pregnancy (although you have to make sure they change them after you deliver, as apparently can cause post natal depression), and good news is that bp tends to return to normal a few days after birth. Have been told that they probably won't let me go past my due date (25th), and am being monitored every couple of days. Medication seems to be working though, as BP has stabilised at top end of acceptable range (although does fluctuate a bit, and have to agree with Elf - am sure it measures higher than it actually is as it goes up when someone approaches me with the bp cuff !).
My doula told me that if they induce me, they will probably encourage me to have an epidural once I get to 3cm, as an epidural helps to keep your bp down during labour. Guess this is good, as it means that won't feel the effects of the accelerated labour due to induction, and also means that epidural already in place if section required. Downside is no birth pool .
Risks are that it can turn into pre-eclampsia, and even if it doesn't, there is still a risk of maternal stroke or placental abruption. Keep an eye out for headaches, seeing stars, pain at top of bump (under diaphragm), excessive swelling of feet and hands.
HTH and good luck!