High blood pressure (140/96) 38 weeks started on labetelol

[noaddedsugarx]

Hi just wondering if anyone has been through anything similar. I’m currently 37+6 weeks. BP has been fine all the way through pregnancy but it was elevated at my midwife appointment today (140/96). I was sent to daycare for monitoring where a bp panel was done which came out at an average of 141/90. No protein in urine or other signs of pre-eclampsia and bloods all fine.

Because my bp was borderline I was started on labetelol 2x a day. I have to go back on Friday for another bp panel to check i’m not developing pre-eclampsia or my bp isn’t going too low due to the meds. Lots of talk of induction being thrown around which I was really hoping to avoid. They said they are happy as long as there’s no pre
eclampsia for me to try the meds first.

anyone have a similar experience -
did you end up being induced?
is there any chance I will still be able to have a water birth if I don’t get induced and the meds bring my BP down? the MLU is attached to the hospital but i don’t know what the protocol is.

I’ve read about babies needing their blood sugars tested after birth due to the medication - what happens with this?

im really stressed about it all which obviously isn’t helping! I’m convinced stress levels are why it didn’t come down today in the hospital

Hi @noaddedsugarx I had my DD four months ago and also had high blood pressure at 38 weeks. However, I also had high levels of protein in urine so got hospitalised immediately. They were talking about inducing me due to the pre-eclampsia but I happened to go into labour naturally. I’m not sure if they will induce if blood pressure is under control?

With regards the water birth, I wasn’t allowed one as I had to have my blood pressure constantly monitored and DD’s heartbeat had to be constantly monitored throughout my whole labour! But seen as you don’t have pre-eclampsia they might still allow it? But I’m not sure.

With regards the blood sugar check, they just do two heel prick tests a few hours apart once baby is born. DD didn’t even cry when they did this and her blood sugars were fine on both occasions so that was that.

I then had to stay one the labetalol for a few weeks postpartum but then my blood pressure has been gone ever since. I hope it all turns out well for you!

I can't help with the induction question but I was hospitalised at the end of my pregnancy with high BP that wouldn't drop even with labetalol. I had a scheduled c section for over a week later and they didn't move it forward. My baby had both low blood sugar and a low temperature at birth so we had a longer stay in hospital until that resolved but he is perfect now and nobody except me was overly worried about him so it must be common enough at birth. Try not to stress which is easier said than done. My stress added even more days in hospital PP and my blood pressure magically dropped when they allowed us leave! Good luck

I was the same, think I started on meds at 35 weeks. Had to go back every week for monitoring. At 37.5, they decided they were happy for me to let labour come naturally. Of course the following morning my waters broke! Due to that they made me go straight in and said if my labour hadn't started with 24 hours I would need to be induced. It still hasn't started by 20 hours so they induced me. DD did have blood sugar check when born, it's just a small pin prick in foot. I was on meds for about 4/5 weeks after. I'm not sure on the water birth I'm afraid as it wasn't an option at the hospital when I was having DD.

I had high BP early in pregnancy, was on labetalol 3 times a day from 11 weeks. Which controlled my BP well. I ended up having a semi elective C-section for other reasons but before that was the plan, I was told I wouldn't be advised to give birth in the midwife led unit where the birthing pools are as there is a risk that labour can affect BP so I'd have to be in the labour suite, monitored regularly.

I have high blood pressure but during my first pregnancy my blood pressure lowered naturally so I Evans off tablets. At 37 weeks my blood pressured soared but consultants explained that it’s actually very common at the end of pregnancy. With my second pregnancy I remained on labetalol throughout. I can’t comment on the birth as I had planned sections. Both my Babies had blood sugar checks. It’s when they heel prick the baby and check the level of sugar in their blood. My babies needed to have 3 good consecutive readings before they could stop. Any borderline readings meant we had to start over again. We also had to stay for monitoring 24 hours after the final blood sugar monitoring. Please don’t worry about the blood sugar checks, my little ones didn’t even wake up for it!

I had high BP from around 36wks I think with my DS. As no other indicators of preeclampsia they monitored with regular checks etc but no medication at that point. I went to 41+1 and delivered naturally, just with some extra BP monitoring. After the birth my BP didn't come down so at that point I got an injection (can't remember what) which then finally normalised things and all fine since. Good luck ☺️