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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

High blood pressure, please help!

21 replies

lucy5 · 25/07/2006 21:46

I've had high bp since very early on in this pregnancy, I am now 21 weeks. It has taken me this long to get used to the medication, it has been pure hell. Anyway over the last few days my bp has been up again, banging headache, cross eyes etc. Please give me some tips to lower it, I can't bear the thought of uping the tablets as the doctor has suggested as I will have to get used to them again.

OP posts:

Original poster

lucy5 · 25/07/2006 22:02

Just bumping as i feel like my head is going to explode and i can't focus for much longer. Thanks.

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saltcod · 25/07/2006 22:22

Hi Lucy, sorry to hear you're having such probs with your BP & the medication. Do you mind me asking what you're currently taking? I also have high BP & have been on methyldopa for the past 2 years (doc switched me on to it when we first started ttc). I'm on 3 tablets per day & they make me very sleepy. I was also given them when I had pre-eclampsia during 1st pregnancy. Combined with the natural exhaustion during pregnancy, I now find I have to sleep for approx 10 or 11 hours per day.... I rarely manage without a mid-afternoon nap.

Anyway, the reason for all the waffle was just to say that I don't get any other side-effects apart from the sleepiness. There is also at least one other type of BP medication that is safe during pregnancy, so if your current one doesn't suit you, then you could get your GP to try you on a different one. I found that different doctors favoured different treatments, so it might be worth seeing a different doc if your one won't budge. You should also be seeing a consultant if you have high BP throughout your preg - maybe he/she can give you some advice? HTH & good luck!

Iona
16+6

LieselVonTrapp · 25/07/2006 22:35

There are a few things you can do over and above the medication. Lower salt intake, try a week of just fruit and salads. Take gentle exercise everyday. Sorry if I sound a bit Rosemary Conley but I also had eclampsia and I think its really important to keep weight and blood pressure down.
You have to tell your GP/obstetrician about this asap. I wouldnt even hesitate to phone the hospital during the night for some advice.

Elibean · 26/07/2006 10:06

((lucy5)) I would definitely let my doctor/hospital know, for starters - especially if your bp has risen significantly. I had PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) last time, and have been told I will again this time - it was borderline high first trimester, but has come down to normal during the second: it will definitely rise in the third, and I too am dreading the meds.

To be honest, with PIH, I found that diet and exercise made little difference - only the meds did. (I was on Niphedepine postpartum for six weeks last time, horrible headaches at first then ok). That said, I try not to eat much salt, swim twice a week, and walk as much as I can - not much, in this heat.

And I bet this heat is not helping your bp.

Really hope you feel better soon, and FWIW with Niphedipine raising the dose didn't make me feel nearly so crap as starting them in the first place.

heavenis · 26/07/2006 10:28

I would get in touch with gp/mw. Anything which is effecting your eyes as well needs to be looked at. Have you had your urine checked lately.

Original poster

lucy5 · 26/07/2006 14:06

Thanks all, have just got back from midwife and have been told to rest. I have to go back tommorrow and if it's still up which it will be, I have to go to hospital. I actually feel a bit better today. My mum has dd so i'm going to go to bed for a bit.

I was taking aldomet but they really floored me, now im taking 2 trandate labetalol [sp].
Thanks for all the advice so far

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heavenis · 26/07/2006 15:01

I was on those tablets with ds1. They might get you to lie down at hospital to take your blood pressure. Usually on the left side. My blood pressure is never helped by white coat sydrome. (you see a white coat and bp goes sky high)

Iklboo · 26/07/2006 15:10

I was on Labetalol throughout pg (was on Atenolol before for existing hypertension). Have stayed on it after pg as i find it much better.
The weather won't have helped you bp one bit. I feel much more "bangy crashy" in hot weather.
Rest as much as you can, plenty of fluids etc. I was finally "seduced" (sorry, my nan never could say induced) on my due date as bp was climbing a bit.

Original poster

lucy5 · 27/07/2006 12:49

Well just back form the midwife and i've got to go to the hospital, i've managed to talk them out of admitting me. So will wait and see what they are going to do to me there. Just waiting for dh to come home now. It's so strange having a baby in a different country.

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bundle · 27/07/2006 12:55

oh lucy i'm sorry to hear this, I hope everything works out for you and the bp comes down, x

Original poster

lucy5 · 27/07/2006 13:16

Thanks Bundle, i hope so too as they have told me i will have to stay in hospital if it doesn't and I desperately don't want to do that as my dd is 5 and i'm not leaving her.

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bundle · 27/07/2006 13:41

It must be hard lucy, but if they say rest then it'll be to keep you well you & your baby are the most important people

heavenis · 27/07/2006 13:52

Where are you ? They may let you out at weekends I know they did with me while having ds2.
Hope all goes well.

Original poster

lucy5 · 27/07/2006 13:56

Thanks, i'm in Southern Spain. It must be hard to leave your other child, how did you cope?

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heavenis · 27/07/2006 13:59

It was hard, but he did come and visit me. I had his photo with me too. I also knew he was being well looked after and that I was in the right place.
That sounds funny "they let me out at weekends" lol

Original poster

lucy5 · 27/07/2006 14:07

Hehehehe, sounds abit like day release, doesn't it? i'm probably getting worked up over nothing. because I am in a different country, I don't know the system and you here lots of rumours. One being that children aren't allowed on the wards. I know this is the case after you have had the baby.

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heavenis · 27/07/2006 14:31

Take a photo with you then if you do have to stay. You might be able to phone too. How old is your other child ?
Is there anyone else on MN who has been in spain and given birth there do you know ?

Original poster

lucy5 · 27/07/2006 14:39

Dh is home now, so we'll be off soon. Dd is 5. Senorapostrophe has given birth here so i'll catch up with her soon. Thanks for your support. I've calmed down now.

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heavenis · 27/07/2006 15:05

Good luck hope you home again soon

Original poster

lucy5 · 28/07/2006 18:42

Well i'm back and i've been prodded and poked, scanned, monitored etc etc. But I am pleased to say that the baby is fine and my blood pressure has come down. I've got to have daily monitoring but for now, i'm home.

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heavenis · 29/07/2006 14:29

Thats good news. I bet your glad to be home again. It's good that they will monitor you daily too.

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