Does anybody know anything about blood pressure?

[NoSleepTonight]

Hi,

I'm 35+6 and throughout my pregnancy my blood pressure has averaged at 90/60 (only one reading being different at 100/55).

On Tuesday at my consultants appointment it was 126/78. I was told by the registrar that my blood pressure is on the high side for me, but still within normal range.
I was meant to be going back in 2 weeks but I have been asked to go next week.

Any blood pressure experts think this is anything I should be concerned about?
I don't want to worry about it too much if I don't need to and end up making myself worse if that makes any sense.

Sorry for the rambly post

Were you partic stressed at the time or been rushing around? Was there any protein in your urine, and/or any puffiness in feet, ankles, hands, etc? Vision ok? These are things they'll also look out for.

I'm not a medical expert but i had BP problems throughout my first 3 preg - I'm 35+3 with my 4th and NO BP probs - yet - which is great!!!

But with all three of my first they had to keep sending me for monitoring to make sure all was fine - even when I didn't have other symptoms. I think yoiu can develop preeclampsia without any real symptoms but a particularly high rise in BP is a sign - at this stage you must go for monitoring if it's advised, just to check baby is ok.

Good luck! And hope that helps x

Hi
Definitely not to worry about your reading. The lower number is the most important one, and your well within the normal range. Remember that your pressure doesn't stay the same all the time, it goes up and down depending on what you are doing. Will be higher if stressed, or after any kind of exercise, after eating, having caffeine etc. You don't want it to be TOO low, that can be just as bad as pressure that is too high.

She shouldn't have worried you by telling you it is on the high side. My pressure averages about 110/70 so honestly it sounds like you are VERY healthy with absolutely nothing to worry about!

Hope this helps to put your mind at ease a bit!

xx

I'm not an expert, but remember something about this.

As long as the second number remains under 80 you are very unlikely to have a problem. Blood pressure does rise during pregnancy, and the first number does hop around quite a bit (ideally stays under 120 but a one off above this isn't a cause for concern as this is the one more affected by random stress at the time of the test). They should monitor you carefully if the second number is between 80 and 90, and over 90 is probably cause for concern.

As pointed out above, you should make sure you know the other symptoms of pre-eclampsia, and if any appear, ring your MW for advice.

Thank you for the replies.

I have some slight puffiness in my ankles some 'tingling' in my fingers which they are aware of.

It's been a complicated pregnancy and I'm finally in the 'home stretch' with just under 3 weeks until my c-section. Just really hoping that something else doesn't crop up at the last minute.

I have high bp before preg anyway. Just started about 18 months ago so am on meds, but if they are concerned they should be checking it regularly and will ask you back sooner rather than later. I wouldn't worry about being asked to go back a week earlier, they are keeping their eye on you which is good :)

Your bp is in the 'normal' range, however it is high for you, hence the monitoring. Regardless of whether or not it looks normal for the general population it's not for you and as such you could still suffer gestational hypertension or PE.

I'm no expert by any stroke of the imagination, but I did suffer with GH with my last two, DD is 9 weeks and I'm only just being weaned of meds, GH can be dangerous to as it can cause a stroke if bp goes to high.

I don't mean to frighten you but there seems to be a common misconception that the range of bp is relevant to everyone and thats not the case, yours is just as high as mine was in terms of your own body, mine reached 150/101 at it's peak antenatally, however it did go up to 226/126 during labour (which was only an hour!!)My norm is around 120/76. The only good thing about high bp is that it can make labour quicker!!!

Like I say I don't want to frighten you, just want you to know the truth, no sense in sugar coating it.

It's fab they have caught it and are monitoring you, if they get to concerned they'll medicate you anyway, failing that they'll bring forward your c-section if you're already booked in for one.

HTH and Good Luck

Some of you - be careful. Normal range - this is subjective. What's normal for one person isn't for another.

In my first pregnancy my booking in BP was 80/40. Yes, truly. I always have low BP. But when it peaked at about 110/80 I was induced because I had preeclampsia. My only other sympton of PE was the odd black dot floating around in my eyes and some flashing lights.

For the sake of both mother and baby, 'normal' is subjective!!! I know from experience.

It's not the numbers themselves that are a reason for concern, it's the difference between your 'normal' and what it is in pregnancy, as Permashattered discovered.

Generally a deviation of about 30mmHg in pregnancy would lead to further monitoring, so if your usual BP is 90/50 then 2 or more readings of 120 or more could signify a need for closer management.

There is no hard and fast rule as to what your blood pressure should be; it will vary between people and is influenced by many factors. But generally a persistent BP of 140/85 or more when not pregnant would require intervention.

Ahhh - you have worried me! I don't know what my normal bp is - I never really had to have it taken! At the moment I am averaging 125/75 - is this too high?

Permashattered, Sidge & JJWMummy thank you for posting.

I've been feeling rather ill all day, hardly able to keep awake with a headache & a feeling that my ribs are being pushed out - I can't think how else to explain it.
DH is coming home early today so I'm going to try and see my GP later just to be on the safe side.

It makes sense that it's only what's different for the individual now it's been pointed out, I kept thinking 'that will never happen to me, I'll never get bp as high as that'

I would ring your midwife or delivery suite asap. If you are feeling shit I would be concerned. The headache and puffiness as well as a BP raised for you need addressing. Any protein in your urine at any point recently? I wouldn't bother with GP. They will send you in. The midwife or delivery suite will see you now hopefully.
It may be nothing but lets exclude the worst case scenario first.
Good luck. Keep us posted.

jimper that sounds fine as a 'normal' reading, and if you're pregnant your BP at your booking in visit would be your baseline for comparison.

Most young people have no need to get their BP checked often, but you can always make an appointment with your surgery Practice Nurse for a BP check if you are concerned or curious!

NoSleepTonight - I wouldn't go to your GP to be honest, I'd give the midwives at the Maternity Unit a ring now as I think you need checking over. Given your recent slightly elevated BP and the headache and rib pain I think you should be seen sooner rather than later. Probably nothing but better to be safe!! Let us know later how you get on

ooooh, do keep us posted please! At least, if you're monitored and you do need inducing or whatever you should both be fine at this stage. Hopefully, though, you're just physically tired x