BP confusion at 38 weeks

[MountAbora]

Hello, FTM and I’m probably worrying over nothing but I had a midwife appointment today as I’m 38+2 weeks. At my 36 week appointment I was told I had subtle signs of preeclampsia -due to symptoms of high blood pressure, some swelling in hands and feet , some nausea and sickness so to keep an eye out in case they got worse. They haven’t and when they took my blood pressure today they said it was okay, so said not to worry about preeclampsia. I went away relieved but looking at my maternity notes now, my blood pressure was 110/80 at my 36 weeks appointment and today was 121/81. So my BP has gone up.
Should I be querying this with the midwife? Was a different person I saw this time, but this is the highest my BPs been. Don’t want to question it unnecessarily and not sure what I would say anyway but also feel a bit worried again.
Anybody have any advise please?

It's not a huge jump and isnt in the high blood pressure range so I wouldnt worry too much

Thank you for responding to me.
I have been quite anxious the past few weeks so any little thing like this just sets me off!!

120/80 is the normal maximum, if it starts creeping up past that point they might monitor you more regularly

Do speak to the Midwife if you're concerned with the other symptoms though

Hope it all goes well

The bottom number is the most important. And yours is only 81 - so no concern. I developed pre eclampsia in my first pregnancy at 38 weeks - if you're going to develop it later is better!! I ended up with a BP of 140/115 (up from an original 105/70). They induced me at 39 weeks as I wasn't able to take the drugs they'd usually give due to my Raynauds. Keep an eye on symptoms- I didn't have any swelling at all, just a headache that wouldn't go away & protein in my urine. So if you develop any symptoms contact your midwife straight away but don't panic! Just to add I've never had preeclampsia or BP problems in any of my subsequent pregnancies.

Totally normal BPs OP. The upper limit of normal is 140/90. Just keep an eye on symptoms as people have said, try to enjoy your last days/weeks of pregnancy :)

It depends on what your first BP reading in pregnancy was also. Preeclampsia is diagnosed by High BP, protein in your urine that's confirmed by another test and changing liver function blood tests. Preeclampsia isn't just high BP. Any severe headaches, visual disturbances, flashing lights, swelling/oedema or bad pain in the top of your bump - do call your maternity unit. Try not to worry and enjoy your pregnancy but be aware of the symptoms

I'd say you're bp is ok but if you feel something isn't quite right please ask your mw and/ or hospital.

I had normal bp until about 34 and 36 weeks- mw said not to worry as I usually read normal and this couldn't be right as it was too high for my normal reading to suddenly jump to.

I also had urine tests at both these appointments saying something didn't feel right (can't remember what now).

I also asked at about 24 weeks about a test for group strep B (not sure which way round that's said) and said I'd pay for it / go private if nhs couldn't do it. She talked me and dp out of the test saying no one has it nowadays...

38 weeks I had reduced movements (half normal amount if that) and awful stomach pain crippling me- couldn't walk. Called hospital they said go in.
Well guess what. My bp of 162/96 was putting me at high risk of a stroke and they were very alarmed and put me on meds and had to be induced because it was so high. They also found out I had a severe urine infection that would have taken weeks to get so bad AND I was group b strep positive!

Was really pissed off as I KNEW something wasn't right but being a ftm and everyone saying you worry more/ don't know anything I didn't follow my gut.

MW was lovely, overworked but unfortunately not on the ball as I should have had these things noticed earlier.

Go with your gut.

Thank you for all your replies.

@rainydogday thanks, my BP at intake was 100/62 and has remained normal apart from dropping low once until the past few weeks.

@MrsP2015 jeez that sounds scary!! No wonder you were pissed! I think that’s what I’m worried about with everything that’s going on currently, as the midwifes are lovely but as they have so much to worry about with Coronavirus will they miss something?!

@onlyreadingneverposting8 thanks for the reassurance. That must have been pretty stressful! I have no headaches atm and had no protein in my urine, just as swelling and some nausea so fingers crossed it will be okay!

Thanks for everyone’s reassurance. It sounds like I should try not to panic but be aware of my symptoms. It’s just so difficult to know what’s ‘normal’ pregnancy and what’s something to worry about!
Off to try to relax 👍