Increase in Blood Pressure - Very Low to Normal but high for me.

[Harperhan]

Just wondering if anyone else had experienced this and it was anything to worry about. I am 31 + 4 and have been getting some headaches and swollen ankles this week. Went to the docs to collect a prescription and used the blood pressure machine. Usually I suffer from very low blood pressure at 96/60 but today it averaged out at 124/70 so quite an increase for me. Has anyone else had this where they have gone from very low blood pressure up to what is normal for everyone else. Could it be the beginnings of preclampsia. The receptionist is giving my reading to the doc to look at. Wondering if he will take into account what is normal for me.

My blood pressure has been v low throughout then at my 34 week it had a 'normal' reading- I asked if I should be worried and the mw didn't seem worried in the least. I also started to get swollen ankles around then. I don't think we need to worry unless it goes high.

Just said 'worry' a lot in that post! Lol

My blood pressure has been v low throughout then at my 34 week it had a 'normal' reading- I asked if I should be worried and the mw didn't seem worried in the least. I also started to get swollen ankles around then. I don't think we need to worry unless it goes high.

I had this, and was told it was nothing to worry about. Pre-pregnancy I was around 85/55, up to 95/60 for first two trimesters but almost 120/80 for third. No symptoms or problems, except normal pregnancy things like my wedding ring stopped fitting and my feet seemed slightly swollen. Back to normal almost immediately.

I had this with DC1 and it took ages for anyone to really take it seriously.I had protein showing up in my urine samples from 30 weeks onwards and the blood pressure kept creeping up and up until at 36 weeks it was hitting over 200/150. It turned out that I had pre-eclampsia, which affected DS's growth in the womb and I was induced early.

If you're unsure then do ask your MW for clarification on why she isn't concerned.

I was told the same on one Friday and told to get my BP measured again in one week. But three days later my BP was so high that they had to induce me straight away.

Hindsight, If I would have known the risks of high BP, I would have bought my own blood pressure monitor when my blood pressure started to increase.

Mine is normally around 110/65 in pregnancy but went to dr last week with severe headaches and it was 142/78. I said this was really high for me but as my urine was clear she didn't seem too bothered. She said bp may be up because of pain rather than pain being caused by bp. Am taking co-codamol but still having to take daily to get rid of the pain.
I have just ordered some urine testers online so I can keep an eye on things myself. I just don't feel like I can trust my health care providers.
I would go back and do another bp reading and insist on seeing a dr if you are worried x

I had very severe pre-eclampsia at 26 weeks; my baby died and I was in intensive care. I don't want to scare you; my case was severe and extreme, but its an example of what can occasionally happen.

I would say your BP is not that much higher if its just a "one-off". Its probably still within the normal range even for you.

But if the headaches persist, you develop any other symptoms (eg. pain in right side, visual problems) or you start to swell elsewhere (particularly in the face) then get it checked again, just in case this is the start of a rise. Or if baby starts to move less. APEC (action on pre-eclampsia) website will give you a fuller list of symptoms.

I would also agree with using the urine dipsticks if you are concerned. Easier than checking BP I think. You can just buy a pot for about £8 and most chemists have them.

Good luck. Most GPs know little about pre-eclampsia so I would call the maternity assessment unit for advice.

Jules- that made my blood run cold, you poor thing. Its a good reason to keep a close eye on every-thing. I think we just presume that medical people will look after us but we do have to be vigilant too and work together. I also had pre-eclampsia and almost lost my baby (and me) too so know what you're saying.

Harper- you can buy a good bp monitoring machine at boots. I'm using it daily for my second child pregnancy at the moment. Keep going back to the gp if not happy.

Jules so sorry for your loss, I had PE too, so can so imagine walking in your shoes.

I would echo what others say but add high BP is what is high for you so I would get it monitored regularly. Swelling was my first sign - before my BP really started to go up and before there was protein in my urine. Don't panic but do make sure it is monitored and kept an eye on.