High blood pressure BEFORE conceiving?

[PinkFizz1]

Hi everyone,

Just looking to see if anyone is/has been in the same boat. I have been under monitoring for high BP for nearly 2 years. Countless recording readings, altering medication, recording readings again etc.

I’ve recently switched to a pregnancy friendly BP medication as I told my doctor I would like to TTC in the near future. Long story short, it’s not bringing it down any, if anything it’s spiking. Now I am panicking that I won’t be able to get/stay pregnant, I’ve heard high BP in pregnancy is highly dangerous.

Just looking to see if any of you ladies had high BP already before conceiving and how it affected your pregnancy?

Thanks!

Have you been prescribed labetalol? It doesn’t seem to be the best for blood pressure but is the best for pregnancy. There are a couple of other medications that can be used so I’m sure you’re doctor will be able to find something that will work.

My blood pressure was borderline high pre pregnancy so I was not medicated beforehand but got put on labetalol at 14 weeks after being referred to the consultant. The labetalol has worked quite well for me and I’m now 36 weeks.

@SW100

Have you been prescribed labetalol? It doesn’t seem to be the best for blood pressure but is the best for pregnancy. There are a couple of other medications that can be used so I’m sure you’re doctor will be able to find something that will work.

My blood pressure was borderline high pre pregnancy so I was not medicated beforehand but got put on labetalol at 14 weeks after being referred to the consultant. The labetalol has worked quite well for me and I’m now 36 weeks.

Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes, it’s labetalol that they’ve changed me to. My GP is aware I’m not actively TTC just yet but he switched me to it already, and said I’d need to go back on my previous medication after pregnancy.

I’m worried that my BP has spiked so high being on labetalol that it won’t help at all when I get pregnant! I will call on Monday and see if there are any alternatives before I get pregnant, but it’s good to know it’s helped you during pregnancy.

Methyldopa is another one commonly used so you might find that better for you. Blood pressure actually often lowers naturally in pregnancy until the third trimester when it rises so you might find you cope better than you expect. They do take high blood pressure very seriously so you get lots of support, I’ve had frequent growth scans and consultant appointment throughout the whole of my pregnancy.

I have exactly the same issue and I am on methyldopa 250mg 3x a day. It seems to be keeping the pressure low.
Maybe worth speaking to somebody about dose change.
One was doing virtually nothing for me, two doses weren’t good still but on third is very well controlled.
I am 32 weeks now and all has been good so far.
Good luck!