Hypertension Clinic???????????????????????

[jersey]

Hi

I had pre eclampsia in my last pregnancy and this time I am being refered to the Hypertension Clinc, 1st appointment tomorrow morning. Can anyone tell me what to expect as I don't see what they can do apart from check my blood preasure.

Thanks

Anybody????????????????

They're likely to do a blood pressure series (take it up to ten times and average the results), they will probably check your pulse rate too and ask you various questions about your mood and whether or not you are having headaches, and they may check whether or not you have any swelling in your ankles/fingers/face etc. Nothing to worry about!

Thanks Greenselves. Couldn't think what they could do re the BP tests. I wondered if they would do a scan to check the babies size, good opp for more pictures!! Have you been through this yourself?

I have just had a CS 5 weeks early because of Pre eclampsia. Was admitted to hospital the week before the CS and they spent a lot of time analysing my urine as well. protein content, volume of fluid intake and output over 24 hour spells etc.

Yes, twice!! If it's your first appt, I'm assuming your not far along, so I don't think they would do the proteinuria/urine output test/scan yet unless your blood pressure is already showing signs of pre-eclampsia. How far along are you?

I attended a hypertension clinic from week 8 until after ds's birth. As Greensleeves says, a lot of BP testing, monitoring of symptoms like headaches and swelling at wrists and ankles. I was also prescribed methyl dopa in increasing quantities to deal with my rising BP. As I understand it, and anybody with any medical knowledge will know better than me, methyl dopa is an archaic BP medication, but known to be safe to take in pregnancy. Like Bethanne, they also took urine samples at each clinic visit, and weighed me.

I had methyl dopa

They will probably weigh you (I think I blocked that bit out!)

They won't do anything painful or intrusive though, don't worry.

Greensleeves I am 16+3 at the moment. So far in midwife appointments bp ok and so is urine sample.

Last time (1st preg) developed pre eclampsia at 36 weeks when bp went up, protein and headaches, lost vision. Also had bad swelling in legs and feet from 30 weeks.

Hospitalised until 38 weeks when induced and had blood tests every day and bp every 4 hours and urine collections over 24 hours, then every morning.

Bp went up to 200/? night before induction but think that was me worring about induction.

So the idea is to monitor you in case it happens again. I had exactly the same arrangement when I got pregnant with ds2. I would imagine they will do all the monitoring that has been mentioned, and they may do an extra scan at a later date if the results give them cause for concern.

I had high blood-pressure in my first pregnancy and was referred to the clinic for monitoring. All I had to do was sit in a nice comfy chair for a couple of hours with cups of tea and magazines. I had a BP monitor attached to my arm which was timed to automatically take my bp every 15 minutes or so. I also had one of those monitors that fits round the bump and measures the baby's heartrate. IIRC there was also a little button to push each time you felt the baby move. I was monitored 3 times in 3 weeks and I think I was given a scan twice to make sure the baby was growing well etc.

The monitoring showed that my bp had a tendency to 'spike' for no apparent reason and so it was decided that I didn't need any medication.

Thanks eveyone, just got back to work after hyper clinic. Took more blood, sure I haven't much left the amount they keep taking , tested sample which is being sent for analysis as glucose was 3 plus's or something, and put me on a 24 hr blood pressure monitor which is raising some interest at work.

Got to go back in 16 weeks for more checks and additional scan as my DS was small so they want to keep an eye on the baby this time.