Weekly Bp checks

[GemmyMummy]

I am currently 23+4 with baby number 2. I had high bp in my previous pregnancy and have had raised bp since the start of this current pregnancy. At my 22 week mw appointment it was found that my bp had increased again (150/100)!! I was sent to the day monitoring dept at my local maternity hospital and had blood, urine etc checked....everything came back perfect and my bp came down and I was sent home. I do have white-coat syndrome and my bp always spikes when I attend appointments!! I am now on weekly bp checks with my community midwife which I know is for my own benefit. The thing is this just increases my anxiety about the whole thing as I find myself worrying all week that my bp will be up and I'll be sent to hospital yet again!!

Has anyone else experienced weekly bp checks?? Is there any way I could monitor this at home??

Some pharmacies will check your BP for you if you would be more comfortable with that? Remember, you don't HAVE to go if you don't want to, it's just what they feel is best for you but they aren't forcing you to do it. Could you go every fortnight if that would make you more comfortable, or do it at the end of appointments so that you are a bit more relaxed?

Hi. I'm currently 36+5 and have had bp issues from booking in. I know I have a bit of white coat syndrome. I've been lucky with my care. I have shared care with a single midwife and consultant. We agreed I would buy a machine and test myself twice a day and have done so since 20 weeks. I've had 2 weekly
Appointments since and a few 24 hour traces. I've also had 4 or 5 extra scans. We now don't even bother with checking bp at the hosp as it simply isn't worth it. I have no pe symptoms. Baby growing fine and my bloods are clear. Maybe you could ask for something similar? Meantime lots of sympathy it's all so needlessly worrying!!!

Winnie, that sounds ideal! I too have a very understanding mw who knows that my high bp readings are purely caused by anxiety. i had a 24 hr monitor and the results came back normal (average of 124/77!!). The trouble is that my current Mw is leaving the area, so I will be introduced to a new Mw. apparently my current mw wants to have a plan of action organised for when she leaves.

Can i ask how high your Bp is when taken at the hospital??

Sure. My bp at the hospital can be routinely over 150/100. At midwife usually 130/90. At home 110/ 75. My deal is I call the day ward if my home reading goes over 150/100 twice in a day. It never ever gets best that. I have no swelling no epigastruc pain no visual disturbances and no headaches. I am however very very aware of pe all the time but it's a small price to pay to avoid medication. Good luck.

Oh and my bloods have always been clear. The thing with a high bp is not only pe but baby growth. If the placenta struggles with a high bp that can be restricted. It's essential that you get regular growth scans to make sure baby tracks along its percentile. We are at the 50 th percentile all the time.

It's really comforting to know that I am not alone!!

I am currently on 75mg of aspirin a day to keep my blood thin and in turn ensure that it is flowing correctly to the placenta. My DS was only 2.5kg at birth which the Drs believe may have been due to high bp in my first pregnacy. I was prescribed labetalol last time and really don't want to have to take medication this time as my mw and myself are not convinced it is necessary as bp is down to the "white coat syndrome" and anxiety issues.

I have been told I may need extra growth scans which I am all for to make sure the growth isn't affected. In last pregnancy I never had any swelling, headaches, visual disturbances or epigastric pain and have none so far in this pregnancy. I , like you, am always very, very aware of the symptoms and dangers of pre-eclampsia.

My Mw is coming to the house next Wednesday to take my Bp and see if it is any lower at home. I think I might mention to her about home monitoring or maybe even another 24 hr monitor.

Meant to say all the best winnie....at least you don't have long to go now! Good luck!! xx

Good luck too gemmy! Labetalol can also cause low birthweight itself. Good luck with keeping the medics on side! :)

If you're tempted to get your own machine. I think mine was £30 off amazon try to buy an omron. Medics trust that brand and you can usually hook it up to your laptop to print out results to complement your case!