I am 40 weeks and awaiting labour to start anyday hopefully! I am having a homebirth with a lovely independent midwife as I would be too 'high risk' for NHS policies due to various factors including blood pressure.
Just wanted to reassure you that it can be white coat hypertension. Throughout my last pg I was on bp tablets as my readings were always high (around 160/98). The tablets I was on in 2008 stopped my milk coming in.
This time, I bought myself a home blood pressure monitor (that my mw agreed was a clinically approved one) and throughout the pg, my readings have been consistently normal (119/75 etc). When I have my bp taken by the mw it goes to around 140/95 and in hospital it shoots to 160/105! This has been consistent since 8 weeks.
It is clear I have white coat hypertension (and this is backed up by NICE guidelines recommending a 24 hr monitoring at home). My urine is clear and I have a minimal amount of swelling. I also feel very well.
My mw has said she is happy with my bp and it is to be expected that bp will rise towards the end due to huge pressures on the body. She will not get concerned unless my bp went about, say, 170/110 AND I had other symptoms like protein, rib pain, headaches etc. In the past week my bp has slowly started to creep up (bottom reading never above 100) but again, she said not to worry as all other signs are fine.
During labour, she has suggested that as long as I am able to, i can be left alone to take my own bp reading as it always gives a false high around other people.
All I am saying is that yes pre-eclampsia is serious and should be treated as such, but if high bp is your only symptom, it is unlikely it is pre-eclampsia and be aware it could simply be the setting it is taken in. If it were me, I would ask for a 24 hour monitoring at home if you are concerned.
Have you considered a home birth if you don't want to go to the labour ward? You are then free to have your own pool at home and will be much more relaxed!