High blood pressure in early pregnancy, worried...

[Moominmiss]

As the title suggests. After a routine appointment on Thursday with my GP she took my blood pressure, it was sky high so did it 3 times to be sure. All 3 times it was high:

170/110
166/100
164/101

I then had a reassurance scan and check up at the EPU yesterday where they redid my blood pressure after seeing the notes from my GP.

Stupidly high again - 184/91

Both the GP and the lovely lady at the EPU said it could well be that it wasn’t the best time to be trying to get a blood pressure reading while I was so anxious.

I’ve never had high blood pressure before.

My GP then called and asked how my EPU appointment had gone and I told her about the new blood pressure reading. She got me to call in the surgery to pick up a blood pressure monitoring form and told me that somebody will be dropping a blood pressure monitor to me sometime today because they want me to take my reading twice, twice a day for a week so they can get a better picture. Also I think they’re hoping that now I’ve had a scan and seen all was well that my anxiety should reduce and also taking it at home myself might be more relaxing for me.

My GP has told me it’s nothing to worry about it if does stay high, but she just needs to know so that she can manage it, but that also it can lead to things like pre eclampsia in pregnancy.

I’m terrified. Has anyone else ever dealt with high blood pressure in early pregnancy? Did you manage to get it under control? Did it have a negative impact on your pregnancy?

I’m terrified that after 4 losses and taking 16 months to get here, my stupid blood pressure is going to end up causing more issues 😩

Didn’t want to read and run.

It could be that you get “white coat” syndrome - as I do - when you have your BP taken at at doctors/ hospital. Mine is always high then. I’ve been monitoring mine twice a week with a monitor at home and it’s completely normal so hopefully yours will be the same too when you start to monitor yourself.

Consultant has me on 150mg baby aspirin/ day also as a precaution so they might do this with you too. There are other meds also that can be used in pregnancy if needed.

Good luck and try not to worry (easier said than done I know)

@TheGlitterFairy thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

I do hope it’s that. I mean I’ve had my blood pressure taken before at the doctors (when not pregnant) and it’s always been fine, but these latest times I’ve been on edge and nervous because of my previous losses so was definitely feeling anxious.

Will be interesting to see if it lowers when doing it myself at home.

I’m already taking 150mg aspirin a day due to my recurrent losses so hopefully that will be ok.

How many weeks are you now?
I’ve heard there are other blood pressure meds that are ok for use in pregnancy. I just really hope I can avoid that route if possible 🤞🏻

Hi,
I'm currently pregnant with my second baby and in my first pregnancy got white coat syndrome so my blood pressure would often be high during midwife appointments (140-150/100 at a guess!) I'd be sent to the anti-natal day unit for monitoring until it went down. This didn't start until at least half way through the second trimester though.

I had my booking appointment this week and my blood pressure was 160/112. As it's early days I couldn't go to the day unit and was told by the obstretic doctor I had to go to A&E immediately. At the hospital it was fine again - they think the wrong cuff size was used but have advised using a monitor at home.

A family friend was medicated for her high blood pressure throughout pregnancy and this didn't seem to cause any problems (not sure on the details of what she was given for it).

Hopefully it's just white coat syndrome for you and your readings will be better at home!

Thank you @KHR1.

I have my monitor at home now and did 2 readings tonight while relaxing on the sofa, first was 150/115 and second was 149/108 so both still high readings although not as high as they were at the doctors or in hospital.

I’m really hoping my readings at home will start to go down and it does turn out to just be white coat syndrome!

I do really appreciate the reassurance. It’s good to know that even if it does remain high it can be safely treated during pregnancy.

Hi OP - so I am 12 weeks pregnant and had high blood pressure the last two times it has been checked. I’m very scared of covid and wearing a mask while pregnant has because a bit tougher, so I think the combination of being in a hospital during covid times and the mask creating more rapid breathing is raising my blood pressure. I have a blood pressure monitor at home and my bp is always perfect - usually around 110/78 so for my next appointment I’m going to bring my monitor with me and if it’s high I’m going to show them the monitor (hopefully it tallies with their reading) and then show them the pictures of all my home readings. Hope yours is just anxiety too and will hopefully improve xx