Positive stories of high blood pressure?

[FenellaFurchester]

I’m really struggling. After seemingly endless stress through the pregnancy so far, I went for my obstetric appointment today and my blood pressure was through the roof. I don’t even want to write the numbers.

They kept me in for the day and medicated me. It did come down to closer to normal with the medication so I’m thankful for that.

Last pregnancy my blood pressure was fine until it shot up when I was already overdue so I was induced and all was well.

I’m absolutely terrified that me or the baby won’t make it, I’m only 15 weeks and it just feels too early for this to have a happy outcome.

Does anyone have any positive stories about hypertension in pregnancy?

Bump 😊

I had to go to the maternity triage at 13 weeks pregnant and was put on blood pressure tablets. I think mine was around 160 over 100. I'm 28 weeks pregnant now and I update the hospital every couple of days with my blood pressure using telehealth (I text a mobile number with my levels and they reply if I need to go in or not).

So far we're fine. Is there anybody you can talk to at the hospital about this to express your concerns? X

Thank you. Thats similar to mine (although first one taken was even higher) It’s good to know you’re doing okay.
Are you on labetalol?

They’re all lovely and happy to listen, I think they have a wellbeing midwife I might be able to speak to.
I’m so anxious, which of course makes it so much worse.

Same here I had high blood pressure with my 1st early on it was controlled by medication and went into labour naturally at 39+6. You may find they want to induce a little earlier but maybe not

I was diagnosed with high bp at 27 weeks and put on medication (labetalol). Had weekly check ups and was then admitted to hospital at 32 weeks so they could monitor me closely.

was then given steroids to speed up baby’s lung development and had her by c section at 35 weeks.

she stayed in hospital for 10 days.

she’s now a hormonal and stroppy tweenager 🤣

I was on labetalol in two pregnancies, the lowest daily dose kept it at bay! I was medicated once it hit 150/100. Never had any other issues, went to 39+1 with both pregnancies. One induction and one ELCS. Babies were both 8lb and perfectly healthy.

These are reassuring, thank you.

It’s so scary. It didn’t help that I overheard someone being persuaded to induce at 41 weeks by being told that her risk of still birth was high due to her blood pressure which was much lower than mine 😢
I always run on the higher side with my blood pressure but only the higher side of normal or slightly elevated and some deep breaths bring it down straight away. None of my calming techniques touched it today so I got more and more stressed.

I loved being pregnant last time, this time I feel like I’m just wishing the time away to get closer to the end safely. I’ve been stressed since a bleed at 5 weeks, I guess it was bound to have an effect 😂

I was put on blood pressure medication early, due to high blood pressure. I was Silverstar anyway, so they checked my blood pressure regularly (and I monitored at home). As my pregnancy went on I had to up my dose several times.

I felt totally well throughout my pregnancy and noticed no impact of the medication when I took it. I had an unremarkable c section. I had to stay in hospital for nearly 2 weeks postpartum due to high.BP but I was never in any risk during labour, and because my BP was monitored I never felt at risk due to my BP in my pregnancy (or after).

I had high blood pressure, was on the cusp of being put on medication but when I got to about 30 weeks it went back to normal. Normal delivery, all fine

I had high blood pressure from around 24 weeks I think although I felt completely well, was eventually put on labetalol and had to do at home blood pressure monitoring. I was in regularly anyway as I was having twins but from 34 weeks I was in every other day to check my BP.

I had a c section planned at 36+3 anyway and just made it. I still had high BP for a couple of weeks afterwards but me and the babies were all fine!

Another Silver Star mum here

I was on medication from about 25 weeks in my last two pregnancies, I also had quite a few spells in hospital when my BP was raised until they got it to a good level again. I was monitored weekly at the hospital and my DS's were born a little early

If your BP is being monitored and treated then all should be fine. My high BP was overlooked in my first pregnancy which didn't go well

Good to know it’s not necessarily an upward only situation and it might just come back down, especially with the help of the meds.
I’m 99% sure it’s stress/anxiety because I had been taking my BP at home and my numbers were between normal and ‘towards high’. I had some bad news yesterday and white coat syndrome so I was in a bit of a state.

I had high blood pressure in my last pregnancy. I was on labetalol and aspirin from 8 weeks. It was fine, I delivered a perfectly healthy baby by c section at 38 weeks. I also have white coat syndrome so I measured my blood pressure at home and brought the results to appointments.

I'm now pregnant again and I'm on labetalol and aspirin again.

Have you been advised to take aspirin? It's supposed to protect from pre ecclampsia which is a risk with high blood pressure.

Thank you, that’s very reassuring. Especially that you’re feeling confident in another pregnancy.

I’ve been on aspirin since 12 weeks, apparently the combination of labetalol and aspirin are very effective.

My numbers at home are fine, first one usually high but I take three and it always comes down. The midwife I spoke to yesterday though, said to discount most at home bp monitors as they’re not designed for pregnancy. Even so, I can’t see how they would be so far out. Off to Argos this morning for a pregnancy specific one.

I seem to have given myself white coat syndrome recently, even at home, my pulse goes up at the sound of the velcro cuff.

I had white coat syndrome too, and took my BP at home. I was consultant led for my second pregnancy and they were always far less concerned by my readings in clinic than the midwives were. I showed them my home readings and they said that unofficially they were happy with me doing that and letting them know if it went too high, but officially they said they aren’t allowed to take home readings as gospel.

When my home readings were consistently high I was put on medication. And aspirin in 2nd pregnancy from 12 weeks, which kept me off medication til I was 36 weeks so I feel it worked really well!