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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Pre-existing High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy - Any Experience?

16 replies

Pepa · 05/05/2009 14:04

I have hypertension (started in Jan this year) and have been on meds since then. (Adalat) I recently found out I am pregnant, so the doctor took me off the meds immediately. Now we are waiting to see how my body responds, if my blood pressure can't be managed at this early stage (6 weeks) then I will have to have a temination

Assuming we make it through first trimester does anyone have any experience of the types of outcomes I can expect further down the road.

btw this is my 3rd pregnancy, first two were uncomplicated, low risk home births....

OP posts:
Wheelybug · 05/05/2009 14:09

There are meds you can take whilst pregnant (maybe not first trimester ? Don't know.).

I have slightly dodgy blood pressure - it is borderline much of the time I think. In my first pregnancy, I did have problems but late-ish on. In my second pregnancy, it did rise late on but remained at an ok level.

Hope it all works out for you.

Wheelybug · 05/05/2009 14:09

There are meds you can take whilst pregnant (maybe not first trimester ? Don't know.).

I have slightly dodgy blood pressure - it is borderline much of the time I think. In my first pregnancy, I did have problems but late-ish on. In my second pregnancy, it did rise late on but remained at an ok level.

Hope it all works out for you.

Wheelybug · 05/05/2009 14:10

oops sorry for double post.

Also, I think blood pressure naturally dips in the early stages of pregnancy and then starts rising in the second half.

Iklboo · 05/05/2009 14:12

I was on Atenolol & switched to Labetolol when I told GP I was going to start trying.
Speak to your GP again about switching to a pregnancy-compatible BP drug like Labetolol

Original poster
Pepa · 05/05/2009 14:19

Thanks Iklboo and Wheelybug for the quick responses I was feeling a little hopeless here!

The doctor had mentioned Labetolol but I got the feeling she didn't want me on it too soon.

The fact that BP is lower in the first trimester and then climbs is really interesting....I guess thats why if I can't make it through the first trimester I'm a little bit screwed right!

Any advice for managing this later on....

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Sunshinemummy · 05/05/2009 14:25

Pepa similar story from me. My BP is normally quite high but I've managed to avoid meds so far. During pregnancy it drops right down to normal levels but rises in the last month (I've had two CS because of this).

There are a few of BP tablets you can take whilst pregnant. I've taken two of them - one is labetelol and the other is methyldopa. This link tells you a little more and also says that Adalat can be taken www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/preeclampsia-treatments-drugs-that-lower-high-blood-p ressure-during-pregnancy

horrorcomic · 05/05/2009 14:27

I have high blood pressure and i am usually on Lisinopril. As soon as I got pregnant I was put on to Methyldopa. I have not had to try any time without medication at all. I am now 30 weeks and it is still okay with the same dose, but will go on to weekly checks from this week. I was told that as long as I was monitored carefully my blood pressure wasn't a problem. They do tend to do more growth scans and checks on the amount of fluid. I would speak to your GP again. It is now my consultant who makes all the decisions about that sort of thing.

Original poster
Pepa · 05/05/2009 14:38

I'm back at the doctor next week, she mentioned that there is often a big upwards bounce in BP when stopping cold turkey but so far (touch wood!) its been good.

Reading your responses has given me some comfort, nine months seemed an impossibly long time when this was hanging over me!

Thanks for the link Sunshinemummy, the doctor had me a little scared talking about birth defects but then I figured it was so early on, the odds are on our side.

OP posts:
Sunshinemummy · 05/05/2009 15:03

Maybe it's worthwhile trying to get an early appointment with a consultant?

Original poster
Pepa · 05/05/2009 15:09

I'm in Ontario Canada so its a bit of a different system here...you see your family doc until 28weeks then you are transferred to the care of a OBGYN for the last trimester/delivery....I did have a midwife for the last my pregnancies but I am guessing I won't be allowed that this time ...I need to check that out.

OP posts:
Sunshinemummy · 05/05/2009 15:14

Your family doc isn't a pregnancy specialist though and I must admit I've not heard of anyone being told to terminate a pregnancy before for high BP.

brettgirl2 · 05/05/2009 15:44

No, if it is high I would ask to be referred to an obstetrician. They will have far more experience of this.

Original poster
Pepa · 05/05/2009 18:47

Thanks for all the advice..I feel much better now - doesn't feel so hopeless. I'm going to get back onto my doctor and see whether I can be referred to the OB earlier on.

OP posts:
thefortbuilder · 05/05/2009 18:51

not read all posts so hopefully not crossing over with anyone.

I had episodes of high bp before pg with ds1. at booking at 9 weeks i was very very high and was put on methyldopa from then - it's a very archaic drug and can make you quite tired but it's effectively cleared for use in pg women right from the start.
I ended up on nefidipene much later on in both pg's but that was much later and is a good control drug if bp gets very high.

I would see about getting referred asap to a specialist as they will have seen this before a lot of times, whereas your GP may not.

it's all manageable and if it comes to it they may tell you to have bed rest for a while to help bring it under control - I know not easy with other dc's but your ob will be able to manage your bp better.

good luck and do what they tell you - if they say rest, do your best to do so, it's for a very good reason and in the case of bp and pg the specialists tend to know what they're talking about!

Tinasan · 05/05/2009 21:20

I've have high bp and have taken adalat (and also methyldopa) throughout my 2 pregnancies - both children are absolutely fine and were delivered at 38 and 39 weeks without any problems. Was prescribed adalat (nifedipine) by the hypertension clinic at the hospital and assured it was ok to take during pregnancy so I'm a bit perplexed by the information your family doctor has given you. I think he is misinformed, which is good news for you! Good luck with your pregnancy

LRB978 · 05/05/2009 21:39

I was diagnosed high blood pressure early on in preganacy (booking appt with midwife, approx 10 weeks), was told that blood pressure would normally drop in the second trimester but could be higher in first and third. I ended up on methyldopa in the third trimester, with occasional doses of nifedipine/adalat to assist with lowering it when it was spiking and eventually had an emergancy section due to pre-eclampsia (32 weeks) - however there were other women at the same time and in the same situation who made it through to 36+ weeks and gave birth naturally, so it is not a fore-gone conclusion.

I would echo the comments of getting a referral to a specialist consultant asap, I was seen from 12 weeks (I think) and monitored closely all through the pregnancy, through both my GP and the hospital. The speialist will have seen this before and will know what is and isnt safe, both in terms of blood pressure and other symptoms and in terms of medication that is/isnt safe in preganancy.

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