Blood pressure

[Daisypops]

Quick question... I am really nervous and anxious about labour, yesterday at a check up I was the same and my BP was up! Does anyone know what will happen if my BP is high when I'm in labour. I have a feeling I'm going to be really anxious and panicky which evidently increases my bp. Will this affect labour, what will they do to help me?

I just sent you a message, I'm always on msn, but I just keep it minimized all day.

Thanks MKG. Whats prostaglandin insert? And what are visualisation exercises?

I'm still working, finish this friday but my work are been quite good and I'm not doing anything, just eating the christmas chocs and chatting to everyone! I drink loads of water anyway so can only put the high bp down to anxiety.

Its strange becuase I feel quite prepared for labour and intend to keep my options open with regards to pain relief and I intend to listen to the midwives coz they're going to get baby out BUT I have this underlying fear!

mkg..on laptop...so no MSN on there......still logged in to it htough.......will reply tomorrow !

prostoglandin gel / insert / pessary..used as part of induction, to ripen the cervix...

OK lulu,

Daisy,

What lulu said about the insert. Honestly you can visualize about anything you want. Just go into your on world. I prefer to daydream. I've tried others like lulu said about imagining the cervix opening like a flower. But I need more tangible things. I sit and look out the window, think about the baby, taking a bath a dreaming about Brad Pitt is a personal favorite.

You just need to get your mind on other things. You know how you read a book and get images in your head (please tell me I'm not the only one that does that). I do that when I listen to music. I listen to a song and I make a music video in my head. It may help you get or make a "labor" CD. Start listening to the music before you're labor, that way when your in labor you have something calming and familiar to listen to and focus on.

Hi Daisypops

Don't think the worry of your labour is causing your bp to rise. I have been told many times by doctors and a specialist that stress can't raise bp.

My bp also started going up at 37 weeks and i ended up with pre-eclampsia, so was induced and put on medication till it went down. It wasn't the birth i planned, very medical and I had wanted natural but got gorgeous ds in the end.

You'll get plenty of tests for you and baby to check everything is fine. I believe high blood pressure does a bit more harm to mother than baby if undetected can cause kidney damage, fits.

Take care and rest as much as you can look out for headaches and disturbed vision, which can be sign of bp rise.

Hope i don't worry you, but i'm sure your in good care, we are lucky in the western world. Eclampsia is a big problem in under developed countries though.
good luck your nearly there.

Daisy,

This is my childbirth mantra.

"I'm the star of the show. The doctors, nurses, and midwives, are supporting players. I'm the star, I'm in charge, I call the shots."

Remember everyone else is there is there to watch and help you, and really the only job the midwife can do for you is catch the baby. You are the one doing the work.

You have nothing to fear.