High BMI & Blood Pressure

[pinkiebrain82]

Hi - not sure if anyone has any experience with a high BMI and sudden high blood pressure? Im 12 1/2 weeks pregnant and suddenly 3 weeks ago my blood pressure went mental. Got some pills from the doctor which have helped but due to my weight I saw a consultant at the hospital today who put the fear of god in me... he spoke so fast, told me to increase my pills but didn't explain how I increase my repeat prescription and basically confused my alresdy tiny baby brain.... !!!! I've had my dose of blood pressure pills increased and been told to loose weight.. anyone got any tips on what is the best way to loose some weight when all you can stomach is jacket potatoes and bread without gagging. Really need to shift some pounds without harming the baby and then fingers crossed decrease not blood pressure???

For me it sounds stupid to say to a pregnant lady to lose weight. I guess as soon as you feel less nauseated try to eat as healthy as possible, snacking on healthy snacks, maybe veggie sticks, so you avoid putting a lot of weights.

I think in people with a high BMI there is not a big problem if you don't gain weight, but intentionally losing weight doesn't sound wise to me.

I have a high BMI and was so each of my pregnancies, but haven't got issues with BP other than with second baby had severe preeclampsia.

Thanks R2D2 - I think i will speak with the Midwife today. My other issue is trying to get my prescription changed as i am running out of pills and the consultant didn't update my prescriptions or speak with me about how i go forward.

Basically i was supposed to be given a plan on how we work together to ensure all goes well in the pregnancy but all the consultant did was talk at 100 miles an hour and then tell me to leave....

Have you checked in your notes? They should have written a summary of the visit and then a 'plan' detailing what's happening going forward?

Speak to your GP receptionist just about how to get a repeat prescription - as dosage is changed by consultant, a GO will probably want to review. Get on to this straight away, as admin between consultant and GP can be a bit crap and it might take bit of sorting.

Do you require extra MW appointments to check blood pressure? Check that, because although for many people changes in blood pressure cause no issues at all, it is something that needs enhanced monitoring.

Agree it's a good idea to talk to MW about dietary advice. Hell to do much when you can't face much food. Get info on what might be good changes to your diet , and fingers crossed youncan stomach some of it soon.

Aiming to lose weight is usually not a good thing during pregnancy, other than in exceptional cases. Aiming to avoid gain is sometimes recommended. Aiming to eat well is universal advice

Sorry you had a bad consultant experience.

I am to an extent where you are, but further along.

I am currently 27 weeks, have a high BMI and pre-existing high blood pressure, so was already medicated before becoming pregnant.

Firstly, on BMI the recommendation is not to lose weight whilst pregnant. It is recommended to not gain as much (I think for me it is up to 11kg/20lb) and you may find that you do not (I am bordering 7 months and have gained just under 4lb). The most important things are to eat a healthy balanced diet and to build in some exercise to keep you healthy in pregnancy (they may mention Slimming World to you as that is the only weight loss program I believe that is endorsed by the Royal College of Midwives). As part of that you may find you lose weight, but it is from healthy choices rather than actually dieting. It is very important to make sure that you have a balanced diet where you can to make sure that baby gets all the nutrients it needs and dieting and cutting out will not help that.

Sorry about the morning sickness and I can't really help with that as I was lucky and skipped it completely. In the early days it is eating what you can stomach sometimes and maybe add in a pregnancy vitamin. By this stage, my stomach is feeling squashed so I can't eat as much anyway.

As for your blood pressure, it is always great fun. I am surprised you saw a consultant so early (I was nearly 20 weeks at my first appointment). If they have increased your medication, I think it depends by how much. Mine did and the GP have still not updated my prescription, but it was only by an extra pill so just means I run out a couple of days early. Best thing is to give the surgery a call and let them know. The GP may be able to sort it and check it with the consultant or they may ask for you to see the GP to check.

You will eventually get more blood pressure checks as you go along. They were not overly bothered before 20 weeks (although mine was already up rather than a sudden increase in pregnancy), but after that I have my regular midwife appointments, have been told to get BP checked in between if I feel like it has gone up (they may tell you to do it every so many weeks as by now I know whereas if it is new to you you may not recognise the signs) and I will have further consultant appointments later on. You should also be booked in later on by the midwife for growth scans which here start from 28 weeks depending on risk but may change by area (high blood pressure puts you in high risk).

Hope that helps and if you have any questions just say. As hard as it is, try to relax when you can as that can help lower blood pressure and the important thing for you is to keep your blood pressure under control to keep baby safe.

Thank you so much for all of your advice and help i really appreciate it.

We lost a baby in August when i was 11 weeks which hasn't really helped with keeping my stress levels down but fingers crossed i can try and relax a little more now.

I have spoken with the midwife who has checked that my notes have been passed to my GP which should happen by the end of the week which is good news. I think my main problem was that the doctor knew what he was talking about and i had no clue and was already anxious so couldn't really get to grips with all he wanted me to do.

Nausea is actually starting to lessen which is good news - i will speak with the midwife at my 16 week appointment and get on course for a more varied and healthy diet.

I have been told i will need scans at extra scans at 24/28/36 weeks to check everything is going to plan.

Again thank you so much for your support - i know its silly things but this is all new to me and we have been so terrified we would loose this one that its all been a worry rather than a joy which is horrible to say as we both want this more than anything.