High blood pressure in third trimester 34+5

[Nov19]

Over then last week I’ve noticed a fair bit of swelling in my hands and feet. I went to hospital yesterday with reduced movement (all turned out to be fine and baby made a liar out of me as soon as I was on the monitor but it was a huge relief). When they checked my blood pressure it was high so I was kept on the blood pressure monitor for about an hour and a half, it did eventually come down a bit but was still classed as high even at the lowest reading. I was given a growth scan straight away and baby seems to be growing fine and plotted on the 50th centile on the growth chart.

The doctor has put me in on some blood pressure medication and has told me to go in twice a week to have it monitored with blood tests once a week. The midwife did say if you’re on bp medication then you probably won’t be able to go to the midwife led unit it’ll be the delivery suite. I didn’t ask any more questions but just wondering for anyone else with high blood pressure in pregnancy did it result it induction? (Even it blood pressure is controlled?)

There was no protein in my urine which was a relief and I think they will keep checking as I go back in. I’m also a bit worried that with the swelling and the high bp could this be an indication of the start of pre eclampsia despite no protein?
I know I should have asked the doctor these questions but I was more just relieved to feel the baby move so at the time I didn’t even think into anything else!

I was induced due to high BP with DC1 but that was because it kept creeping up even with medication. If it's under control then I think they're happy to just keep monitoring you. But it's a good thing they're doing these extra checks. Just try to drink plenty of water, keep stress down and walk to help.

@AuntieMaggie thank you! I’d like to avoid induction as much as possible but forgot to ask whether they would look to induce but I imagine if it stays down it shouldn’t be a problem as long as the baby is ok!

I had PIH from about 36 weeks in my first pregnancy, bp was 140/90. I was put on Labetalol, though I also had swelling and protein but the medication did bring it down enough.

Got transferred to consultant care, saw a consultant who said it wasn't PE as the medication was so low dosage and my BP had come down.

I was allowed home (had 2 hospital stays to do 24 urine) and had my BP checked every few days by community midwives. Eventually went to 40+4, I had to have the tracing monitors all during labour as they needed to monitor DSs heartbeat. I didn't have a choice of midwife led centre, it was just in the hospital.

Hopefully your BP will behave too OP, if it ever goes over the 140/90 threshold you'll be assessed and given the trace to check on baby. Hope all goes well for you!

@Schlobbob that’s reassuring to know if it does come down it isn’t likely to be PE. I was monitored all afternoon as the readings were about 160/96 but then did come down eventually. The first number (systolic? I think?) seemed to stay high even if the second number came down to an average of 90. I’m going back tomorrow morning so should be more reassured then

I think for docs to be certain that's its PE you'd have to have the whole range of symptoms, visual disturbances like flashes of light in your eye, proteinuria, high BP and the swelling. Make yourself aware of any other symptoms so you can tell your midwife if you need to.

I'd been swollen since about 7 months pregnant so that wasn't new but they kept testing my wee for protein and it always showed something! Actually found the consultant quite dismissive - oh yes you don't have PE, you're fine.

Glad you're being monitored, your BP is quite high, though I think they worry more if the bottom number goes too high, more than 100. I'm not 100% sure, worth checking!

For you, try not to worry and be safe in the knowledge you're now being well taken care of if there are any worries the docs will make a plan for you 😊

I had no symptoms of pre eclampsia, not even high blood pressure. The only reason I was tested was due to protein in my urine
the day before and the doctors were stunned when my blood test came back positive due to my normal blood pressure and generally feeling well. I was induced there and then, by the time i got took to the labour ward my symptoms hit me suddenly and my full body swelled up and blood pressure shot up. I became very ill very quick and went on to develop HELLP.

I think your blood pressure coming down is a good sign as it took days for mine to come down after giving birth but I'm no medic. Definitely phone up as soon as you think you have any symptoms as it can come on hard and fast. It's good they are keeping an eye and montitoring you, if you still feel worried maybe ask for a blood test as that's how mine was picked up. I wish you all the best.

Thank you for your replies. The doctor said I’ll have weekly blood tests going forward so they seem to be really keeping an eye on things. My mum has kidney disease and with it has terrible blood pressure so her pregnancy with me wasn’t straight forward so I naturally worry when it comes to high bp.

I have had the odd occasion of eye floaters but not something terribly regular and I did make them aware but they seemed reassured that it’s not something that’s every day. I feel fine in myself despite the swollen hands and feet which happened quite quickly. My hospital have been great though I just wondered what the implications would be but it seems it’ll be very straight forward as it doesn’t look to be PE but at least it would be monitored. The hospital have been great and not made me feel silly for mentioning anything to them. I’m naturally a bit of a worrier so it’s no wonder my bp is slightly raised !