High Blood Pressure 38 weeks - now what?

[Zara1984]

At my 38 week checkup yesterday the midwife picked up high BP. So spent a few hours in the hospital getting a trace, more BP & urine checks, blood tests, ultrasound. All except BP were totally fine. My BP was ranging yesterday from 150/86 - 150/104. I also have bad swelling (feet like inflated kitchen gloves!).

Have to go back this morning for BP & urine check, then spend a few hours at day unit on Monday. Docs decided yesterday not to give me hypertension meds, as my BP is borderline, everything else is fine & baby is happy and bouncy.

Just wondering what this all means - they didn't really answer my questions on this! If my BP stays raised, but everything else is fine, do they give me meds? Bring me back for regular checks presumably? Or does this mean something like getting induced?

Fingers crossed BP goes back to normal today!

Ok bit of an update. It's still all quite mysterious. Bleeding has slowed, and I have some light period pains/cramping. Hospital don't know still what's happening or why. Multiple traces show baby is still happy, bouncy and completely oblivious to whatever the hell is going on in there. M/w said that all they will can keep doing is monitoring me overnight. She says they've marked on my notes that if things don't become clearer tomorrow they will make a booking for induction. She says it could be possible the pains and the bleeding are me starting labour (if its nothing more sinister).

100% shit and confusing day. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy! Thank you for your kind and useful messages, they really do mean a lot to me.

Sorry this is happening zara hopefully it is the start of labour for you, the mild cramping sounds positive. If not I'd be with you on the 'get my baby out and in my arms' keep us updated and try to get a good nights sleep tonight I think it may be your last for a while

Ok promising update. Saw consultant this morning & doc that saw me yesterday when I arrived. Biophysical Profile Ultrasound all fine. Head not fully engaged, so that's why they won't induce today (unless I start bleeding again - in which case consultant wants baby out). But if head engages more over the next day or so they will induce ASAP. Going to be kept in for next 24-48 hours cos of high BP & bleeding was so severe (even tho stopped now). Looks like they are not going to make me go home and wait for normal labour anyway. Esp when I started crying & told consultant how scared I was yesterday.

So - I need to get this baby's head engaged and then I can get induced! Currently 3/5. Tips?!? Walkies round hospital all day? Get DH to bring in Swiss ball?

And that cramping went away, I think was just prolonged BH.

OK so mission is to get babies head engaged. Yes, go for some walks, bounce on the ball and walk up and down the stairs crab style! It does sound like you won't be coming home before the baby is born now, at least the bleeding has stopped and your baby is happy :)