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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Blood pressure readings - really worried

16 replies

Dirtydishesmakemesad · 15/11/2011 14:14

For once its not about my blood pressure but my sister. She is due her first baby in Feb so is now 28 weeks. She had her appointment today where her blood pressure was 96/76. Her booking in blood pressure was ?/60 she also had a trace of protien in her urine although i know this is common.
The midiwfe is comign to recheck her blood pressure at the house tomorrow because although the reading itself isnt high it is an increase on her normally veyr low blood pressure.

I have had 4 children and had preeclampsia in all of the pregnancies, 2 of my greatgrandmothers died of eclampsia and one of my grandmothers had it btu didnt die. I am really worried is this a bad reading?

My blood pressure is normal outside pregnancy so a reading of 76 at the bottom woudl be fine for me but then it woudlnt be an increase?

I know theres nothign i can do just wait for tomorrow to see what they say but anyone know anythign about how it works with an increase in blood pressure even if its still not hugely high?

OP posts:
MrsHuxtable · 15/11/2011 14:20

I believe, not an expert though, the reading sounds fine, even in proportion to the booking one. Also readings can be higher than normal temporarily for loads of reasons, being nervous etc.

And like you said, a trace of proteine, so presumable + is also very normal. Even ++ as is so easy to give a contaminated sample.

Sandra2011 · 15/11/2011 15:23

According to this chart her blood pressure is desirable en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_pressure

ShowOfHands · 15/11/2011 16:12

You're right that they do a comparison between bottom readings according to booking. It is a normal bp reading but in pregnancy what is relevant is how it compares to your booking bp. They allow for an increase of 20 so would be concerned at 80+. Because it's raised a wee bit they'll keep an eye and they'll be aware of the family history which is relevant with pe. If she does have consistently high bp or it gets higher than it is now, or looks like she's developing pe, they can do things to keep her bp down before it gets to the stage of needing to deliver.

I had a reading of 110/86 after a 90/60 booking appointment and was monitored v closely. All was fine in the end, no problem. Just v stressed.

Original poster
Dirtydishesmakemesad · 15/11/2011 16:24

thanks so much :) I know i shouldnt worry I just know she is hoping for a home birth etc and i really want it to be ok for her :(.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 15/11/2011 16:27

Don't panic just yet. It may very well be fine. The important thing is that they're keeping an eye on her. This is what antenatal care is for. I do really hope she manages her ideal delivery but a healthy baby and healthy her obviously take precedent.

Make sure she knows the signs of pe developing and encourage her to rest as much as possible.

Northernlurker · 15/11/2011 16:33

It's really good that your sister's midwife is so switched on and is looking at what's normal for her. Nobody can stop PE developing but it can be picked up as early as possible and treated as necessary. There's a really good chance this isn't happening to her but if it is, isn't it good to be in this position of having an eye kept on her?

Try not to worry too much - just because you've had it, doesn't mean she will. If she does - well what a great source of support you can be! I know you're worried about the health of your sister and the baby but with an early diagnosis the outcome now for women with pre-eclampsia is likely to be excellent.

Just don't take your own BP right now - stress will have put it through the roof!

Original poster
Dirtydishesmakemesad · 15/11/2011 18:10

thanks :) we will just wait and see what her midwife says tomorrow and try ad relaxxxx - not my normal state Grin

OP posts:
MissCKitty · 15/11/2011 21:00

My BP was 154/96 at its worst when i was taken in to be induced with pre eclampsia. I think she is prob fine and at least she's being monitored by midwives so if it gets worse she will be in the right hands Smile

Lisatheonewhoeatsdrytoast · 15/11/2011 21:08

Well it's good they are keeping an eye on her, i know how you must feel tho, i had pre-eclampsia with DS and i have no other children as of yet, cause i'm so scared to get it again. But the positive is, the more they know, the more they can look after baby and mum. My worse BP, when i was rushed down the hall in the bed to have my section was 160/120 Shock BUT they looked after me well and me and DS are healthy and happy now Smile

Original poster
Dirtydishesmakemesad · 16/11/2011 11:37

Ok well a quick update from today, the midwife came to the house. Her wee was fine but her blood pressure was 150/104

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 16/11/2011 18:28

Ok well that BP has shot up but if the wee is ok that may just be stress induced. Did she just take the one reading? I wonder if your sister needs a 24 hour reading doing? That gives a picture just about excluding white coat induced hypertension.

Northernlurker · 16/11/2011 18:29

Btw - the midwife is definately using the right size cuff isn't she? Worth checking if your sister has a higher BMI.

paranoidandroidwreckmyownlife · 16/11/2011 19:56

I had my first of two eclamptic seizures when my BP was only 115/76! However my normal BP is usually 100/59 so there was an increase.
Has your sister been admitted for monitoring and blood tests?
You have a strong family history of preeclampsia, she IS at high risk. Keep us posted how she's doing.

Listzilla · 16/11/2011 20:06

My booking BP was 120/80 and last week (at 25 weeks) I hit 210/120. This week, with appropriate medication and rest, it's back down to normal. It is treatable, so try not to worry (and tell your sis the same!).

paranoidandroidwreckmyownlife · 16/11/2011 20:17

I also had no protein till after the first seizure.
You know the score OP, if the midwives don't seem to be taking this seriously enough, you should advocate on her behalf. Family history of PE here too. You cannot be too careful, PE IS dangerous.

pootlebug · 16/11/2011 20:24

I can see why you are worried given family history and I think you are right to make sure that the relevant medical professionals pay particular attention to it in your sister's case.

That said - I tend to have very low BP at booking in appointment - especially if booking in appointment is a few weeks into my pregnancy. The pattern I've had in my 3 pregnancies is:

  • Pre pg blood pressure on low side of normal
  • Drops further in early pregnancy (was 80/50 at one point with my first)
  • Then goes up later on in pregnancy.....I can't remember offhand but I don't think 96/76 would have been unusual by 28 weeks.

Both of my previous pregnancies have been trouble-free, no issues over homebirth etc. I'm giving the examples not to say that your worries are unfounded or not worth bothering about....as given family history I think your concerns are justifiable. Just to say that BP can move by that much and still be within 'normal' too, if that makes sense.

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