1st consultant app/high bp & anxious!

[Lexyness]

Hi, first time posting so please bare with me!
36yo, 16wks pg with dc4 (8yr gap)
Have been taking bp meds for hypertension for nearly 2 years, otherwise fit & healthy and drs can find no underlying health reason to have (ridiculously) high bp!

Anyway I have my first consultant app on Friday and I’m terrified! Never had to see a consultant with the others! Mw has already strongly recommended hospital birth but it’s so far away and we live in a very rural place I’m worried I won’t even make it there as I labour very quickly!
Now after stupidly googling I’m worried a consultant will push for c-section 🙈 I know it’s too early to think about these things but I’ve got myself in a state! My pregnancy anxiety is sky high right now and I’m experiencing insomnia as a result!
Has anyone else been through this?
Any suggestions to calm myself down, this won’t be helping my blood pressure in any way but I can’t help myself but worry! Also I carry small babies (never been monitored in the past) and I think they will monitor me this time, but I’m worried the high bp will make the baby even smaller 🙈 so much is going through my head right now 😢

I had high blood pressure in my first pregnancy, although it wasn’t a pre-existing condition for me. It developed at about 36 weeks and I was on medication by the end.

Nobody ever suggested a c-section but I did have to have continuous foetal monitoring during labour so had to give birth in hospital. My baby was actually on the larger side (9lb 12oz) and came naturally at 39+2.

The only other thing to be aware of was that the medication I was on (labetalol) can make the baby have issues with their blood sugars after birth so my dc had to have his blood sugars checked after every feed for 24 hours. He was struggling to maintain his sugars so needed formula top ups - so maybe ask the consultant about this and look into antenatal colostrum harvesting...

Thanks, makes me feel slightly better to know someone else wasn’t pushed into a c-section! I’m on a different medication but originally was on 2 types and it wasn’t until I was maybe 8 weeks that my gp stopped 1 of mine as it wasn’t safe during pregnancy! I will ask the consultant what the risks are to baby with taking my medication.
It’s worrying because looking through my notes there is a chart of my other kids’ birth weights and they were classed as small for gestational age - the mw has already said she will put me forward for extra scans because of this (although the paperwork in my notes is left blank?) I always considered this was because I’m only 4’11” tall myself! I had low blood pressure with the other 3 and knowing high blood pressure can cause growth restriction makes the anxieties creep in! I am a natural born worrier though, just wish this appointment was over already x

@Lexyness, wow, your life sounds almost parallel to mine.

I’ve been diagnosed with pregnancy induced hypertension. Have been having twice weekly BP and urine checks since 23 weeks (now 26+2) and have also been on labetalol (400mg per day)

Have had a couple of consultants appointments since and my BP has remained stable thus far.

We live rurally too, I’ve only had one baby previously and laboured her in less than 5 hours which the consultant considered as quick. There has been no mention of a C-Section though.

I’m also having extra growth scans and she seems to be growing ok so far.

I wouldn’t read too much into your other babies being small for gestational age, I’d put that down to the fact that you’re petite yourself.

They’ll keep a good eye on you!

I've been on labetalol for pregnancy induced hypertension twice, no mentions of c sections either time! I was meant to be in hospital for the birth and I was induced for one, so was, but the second came so quick she was born at home. Thankfully I was still with the homebirth team as that's what I'd originally wanted, and they got to me (just!) in time. I then transferred to hospital for blood sugar monitoring. This time I was flagged as a priority for the homebirth team, because of the speedy birth, even though I'm too high risk to be cleared for one. They reckon it's better for me to have an attended homebirth than a taxi birth, or a pavement birth!

Very rare for consultants in this country to push c sections - it can be very difficult to talk them into one if you want one. Given that you are rural and labour quickly they may ask if you’d prefer an elective section but they probably won’t even do that, certainly not so early on - I desperately wanted an elective section with my twins and they refused to discuss it until 32 weeks (I ended up having an emcs at 35+1).

Don’t be nervous, be reassured that you’ll be getting the extra monitoring you need. My BP increased dramatically late in my pregnancy and one of my boys had undiagnosed IUGR. If IUGR is a risk then you definitely need regular growth scans, and to monitor movement carefully and seek advice if you have any concerns at all.

@currantbeings my quickest was 1hr 50mins from first sign which was waters breaking. I really don’t think that’s enough time to get to the hospital when I have to sort out 3 kids and get hold of my husband before I can go lol. Took me and hour to get there for my dating scan and that was with zero traffic (I’ve moved a long way away since having my others) I’ve heard of people here having to get air ambulance 🙈
Anyway I’m feeling a little more at ease, my friend is coming with me now as my husband has to work and my mum is away for the weekend! Doesn’t help that I have to drive and I have no idea where I’m going! There are literally no hospitals/birthing suites around here!

Thanks all. I feel reassured with the idea of extra monitoring, just stupidly read about high blood pressure and c-sections and it made it seem like it was the only option! Seriously wanted a home birth this time! Think I will ask the consultants opinion on whether I can be set up for a home birth just in case! I feel like I need to be prepared with questions to ask but just don’t know where to begin! I’m also not taking the same bp drugs as is usual in pregnancy - so maybe I need to ask about that too

@Lexyness, it takes us around 50 minutes to get to hospital on a good day. Wow! That is quick. I’d say to really express your concerns tomorrow about your tendency to labour quickly. They’ll note it down and put a plan in place nearer the time.

I’m pleased you’ve got a friend going with you now, hopefully that’ll help you to feel more relaxed and at ease. It’s never easy going to these appointments on your own. I will add though, every doctor, nurse, midwife etc that I’ve seen has been absolutely lovely, very supportive and informative.

I’ve got a growth scan and consultant’s appointment tomorrow too so will be thinking of you!!

So to update you all!
Changed meds onto lebeterol (sp?) but 3x daily instead of 2, started yesterday and have every side effect under the sun 🤢 and aspirin as well.
2weekly bp checks until 32 weeks then weekly. Growth scan at 26weeks, next consultant app at 28weeks. HAVE to have baby in hospital (😭 wanted a home birth) and will be induced early to ensure that can happen Cos they don’t want to risk me going into labour and not making it to hospital in time! No mention of c-section (phew) and The plan will be put into place next time if I don’t have any complications in between!
So I could potentially be having a July baby now instead of August - need to see my mw on Tuesday to discuss this a bit more because I don’t want to miss my daughter’s leaving assembly and other bits and pieces for last few days of primary school 😢