Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

Original poster

High blood pressure in pregnancy, what happened to you?

35 replies

PurpleWithaBlueBun · 21/11/2011 17:00

My BP keeps shooting up and I had to go to local large hospital as BP was high, it dropped once I was there so was discharged. I am only 24+3 weeks and I worried what it will mean for me and my baby. My BP keeps shooting up as had it checked at pharmacy today. I tested fine for pre eclampsia on Saturday and I have another hospital check up tomorrow. Hoping it is ok but very worried!

OP posts:
BabyAcorn · 21/11/2011 17:18

PWABB, do not worry yourself at all!!

I had perfect BP, then all of a sudden it was high, MW sent me packing, i felt more stressed than ever in the waiting in the room, thinking about it all, what could happen blaa blaa.

If you have tested fine for PE, you shouldn't need to worry.

I have suddenly blown up like a water melon [ am 39 weeks ] and MW was worried that I had sudden swollen everywhere here plus BP was suddenly high.

As long as your movements are good [ by the way I hate it when they say that, I always feel like, well i can feel it, but how do you know if they are good or not??"!] And your feel ok, no headaches etc, just take it easy as you still have a while to go! :)

seeker · 21/11/2011 17:22

My bp went up in both my pregnancies.I ended up taking a low dosage pill to control it, and I was given a big pot of dip sticks to check my pee for protein.

I never had any other symptoms and my bp went down to normal again as soon asthe baby was born.

Do you know what to look for? I was given list of symptoms so that I knew how to recognise warning signs.

seeker · 21/11/2011 17:23

Baby acorn- are you being monitored daily?

Original poster
PurpleWithaBlueBun · 21/11/2011 17:25

I was feeling fine about it until I decided to get it checked earlier, thing is I feel fine and then it is high. Hmm I just don't know what the implications are of high bp in itself and I don't know anyone who had high bp so early. Thanks for replying :)

OP posts:
Original poster
PurpleWithaBlueBun · 21/11/2011 17:27

Seeker, I have been told to look for signs of PE, I am not on medication yet. Is there any side effects? I would feel better if I had test strips and things tbh

OP posts:
allgoodindahood · 21/11/2011 17:29

My BP kept climbing from about 20 weeks. I took 2 or 3 different types of medication but still remained high. To cut a long story short, I ended up being induced at 36 weeks because of BP concerns and 9 months on its still high.

Original poster
PurpleWithaBlueBun · 21/11/2011 17:35

How high did yours go if you don't mind me asking? I am just worried I will end up delivering really early, but 36 weeks is respectable :)

OP posts:
bruffin · 21/11/2011 17:39

I had high bp and odema from32 weeks. I was taken into hospital and stayed there until 38weeks when bp shot up again and I started to get protein in my urine and was induced.
That was 16 yrs ago and medication was never mentioned

allgoodindahood · 21/11/2011 17:47

Purple it was regularly 160/98 even though I was taking two meds everyday. I was so glad to be induced in the end as the constant monitoring and hospital appts, scans, midwife, consultant, while trying to work and look after my sons was wearing me down. Emcs unfortunately because baby just wasn't ready to come out!

Original poster
PurpleWithaBlueBun · 21/11/2011 17:53

When my bp is good it it is between 135-145/88 but had one reading earlier 157/101 (middle one of three) on Sat was consistently 160/92 and didn't go down for a long time. Just not sure whether to push for medication or not, I feel tired a lot and I guess this is due to BP? My pulse is always high also.

OP posts:
spicyorange · 21/11/2011 17:53

I developed high blood pressure very early on, i swelled like a balloon and was put on medication. Spent months in and out of hospital, battled to keep pregnancy going for as long as poss, then developed eclampsia was rushed 4 c section. That was 9 years ago and to this day i still have blood pressure problems and i am still on medication Sad. Hope all turns out well for you.

befuzzled · 21/11/2011 17:56

I too have had high BP in all 3 pregnancies (first was the worst - medication) - each time they kept an eye out, extra checks etc and constantly ruling out PE. It shot up very high during the labours - which was a pain as I couldn't have water births, go in midwife-led etc and had to have different medication - but the babies were always fine and BP always returned to normal staright after the birth (in fact normally is on low side).

I am sure as long as PE ruled out you will be fine, hopefully.

allgoodindahood · 21/11/2011 17:59

Have they mentioned meds purple? Or referred you to the consultant? Is this your first pregnancy? What was your booking in BP reading? Mine was 110/50 at 12 weeks so the jump by 20 weeks was taken v seriously

ballroomblitz · 21/11/2011 18:01

I was on bp medication and spent six weeks bed rest in hospital. Baby developed IUGR because of my blood pressure. I had been putting the frontal headaches down to my sinues playing up.
He stopped growing properly about 27 wks I think. Had to have a c-section at 34 weeks as he had stopped growing from the previous two weeks, my placenta had packed in and the doppler results weren't good. He was born a tiny 2lb 12, spent four weeks in hospital and is now a strapping 4yo :)
Was a very worrying time but the care we both received was amazing.

Original poster
PurpleWithaBlueBun · 21/11/2011 18:02

I think I have already kissed goodbye to my Midwife led unit birth plans. :(
I have bad SPD since 15 weeks to, this pg is really putting me through the mill I have got to say!
I am glad that it looks like I should be able to keep the pregnancy going as I was worried about that. Just hope I can stay out of hospital as much as possible and don't need to be put on bed rest as have a two year old to look after.

OP posts:
ballroomblitz · 21/11/2011 18:05

Oh yeah and my bp at 28 wks was 160/105. The hospital flipped out as it had been taken by a doctor at my health center and apparently he should have sent me straight up there.

Original poster
PurpleWithaBlueBun · 21/11/2011 18:06

Glad to hear DS is better Ballroom. This is my second child had two losses between my first and this one though which makes me worry more.
No referral made as yet my initial bp was 115/65 and then 115/60 after that until it started going up 135/86 about 13 days ago.

OP posts:
ballroomblitz · 21/11/2011 18:25

Sorry to hear of your losses purple. I know it's hard not to worry, especially when you know worry can send it up to. Just try to rest as much as you can. Not the easiest with a 2 year old though.

Mine was up and down myself which is why they didn't spot it until after they noticed ds wasn't growing right. I would push to see a consultant if I were you. Make sure you test your urine, count your kicks, watch out for signs of PE etc. Took about 4 months for my bp to come back down though I now have a slight phobia of blood pressure cuffs :)

Yes he's fine. Was a bit slower on the development stages but had regular tests and ped appointments.

Good luck. My experience was enough to put me off having another Grin

Mum2be79 · 21/11/2011 19:47

I had this on 2nd November at 31 weeks. My BP was 150/95 so I was sent to the day unit to be monitored. It came down to 123/85 but I was put on weekly checks.

On 9th November my BP was 135/82 with trace protein. On the 16th November it was back to 100/62 and no protein whatsoever.

MW seems to think I had a virus (which also contributed to sinusitis and being extremely hormonal).

34 weeks now, and though I get 'flashing stars' now and again and dull headaches, I am fine. Blood pressure is supposed to be lower in pregnancy and goes up slightly in the third trimester. Doesn't necessarily mean PE.

Bearcrumble · 21/11/2011 19:47

Mine started to go high at about 28 weeks - was 140/90. I was put on beta blockers and checked regularly. Growth scans showed I had IUGR so the placenta wasn't functioning properly and DS wasn't growing well. Had caesarian at 35 weeks, he weighed 4lb 5oz - we were in hospital for 2 weeks, he to get fattened up and me because my liver function tests went screwy but they settled and my blood pressure went back to normal (After peaking 3 days after delivery). DS is fine and caught up fast. I'm now pregnant with my second and being seen more often - seeing the blood pressure consultants tomorrow actually - hoping this pregnancy goes smoother.

Original poster
PurpleWithaBlueBun · 21/11/2011 20:42

Ballroom the losses just make me realise that bad things don't just happen to 'other people' and things can go wrong when you least expect it.
I had my scan at 21+6 and he looked really good then and all my tests have come back clear for thyroid, kidney and liver function and full blood count. I am hoping I have a virus or something, DD has a cold so maybe... My temp is fine though.
I hope I can get to 30 weeks and then I will relax a little bit more.
If I get sent into the big hospital then I will push for a consultant, I am going to be more mindful about relaxing as it is lurking around high 80s when I do.
Thanks for the replies :)

OP posts:
Traceymac2 · 21/11/2011 21:18

Hi Purple, I had pre-eclampsia on both of my pregnancies and am fairly sure I am going to have it on this one. On my first the baby slowed down in growth at sometime between 15-20 wks, she was 3 wks behind from then on. Bp went up at 30 wks, admitted for meds to start. Spent last 3 wks in until her birth at 37+3 with pre-eclampsia. She was only 4lbs 120z. On my last pregnancy my bp shot up at 34 wks, started meds, then went into labour at this stage had PE at 36 wks. The baby's growth was ok that time though. My bp was much worse after birth the last time, when it was 150-60/90 ish it was more annoying because I felt fine. After my second dd it went to 195/107, that scared me. Was on meds for 6 wks after and it went back to normal. I am already hovering just below borderline this time at 15 wks, oh the joys! Even if you do need meds or get PE you will be well looked after, the hospitals don't take risks. You will be watched carefully from now on I would say. You can buy dipsticks from the chemist to check for protein, I had some on my previous pregnancies. Good luck.

ballroomblitz · 21/11/2011 21:25

As far I remember they can tell by your kidney function in bloods if your bp has been up. Fingers crossed it was just a wee glitch. As Traceymac says they will keep a close eye on you if they believe you are at risk of developing PE.

bruffin · 21/11/2011 21:48

I had blood tests every week and 24 hour urine tests where basically I had to collect all my urine for a day and was sent for analysis.

Bearcrumble · 21/11/2011 22:14

Oh yes, I had to do the 24 hour urine tests as well. It's so glamorous, lugging around a big plastic container full of piss all day.