blood pressure - an update

[mpc]

Update:

Well my blood pressure has been in the normal range since my high reading last week. But, my 24 hr urine test did show that my protein is elevated. I'm not sure if that means officially pre-eclampsia or just trending in that direction. I'll be 30 weeks tomorrow.

I'm going to start weekly appts with the OB and weekly non stress tests at the hospital. It makes me nervous that I'm still so early, but my doc isn't freaking out so I will try not to as well.


Original Post:

My blood pressure was high at the OB's today - 162/70. It did go down when they checked later, but they are still having me do the 24 hour urine collection. I begged her not to make me do it on a work day, lol. My blood pressure got high last time, which eventually led to bed rest and an early induction. This is starting earlier than last time... hopefully it doesn't get worse. She said they don't really recommend bed rest anymore for this, but at some point they may take me out of work. I'm not sure what that means - I'll be home and vacuuming? Being out of work sounds so nice but I just don't have the leave to support it and a maternity leave. 

[jene]

I'm sorry, that's stressful. Mine started creeping up in the last few weeks of my first pregnancy, they threatened bed rest, and then they had me monitor at home, which all produced normal readings. Fingers crossed that everything comes back fine!

[mccallister84]

My BP started creeping up around 30 weeks. At some point I was told to go to work but to really try to minimize errand running after work - to save that for the weekend, and not to spend the entire weekend running around. She wanted to pull me from work at 36 weeks but we compromised on 37 as long as I checked my BP every morning and didn't go in if it was above a certain number. Even when she pulled me from work I wasn't on bed rest - but I also taught so was on my feet all day long at work. I was just supposed to limit activity. Ultimately I was induced at 39 weeks. She said I could be induced as early as 37 weeks depending upon what my pressure did.

[lb2006]

Mine kept creeping up too; which led to being induced at 37 weeks. I was only told you"lay low" the last few days before being induced, to see if it helped my blood pressure. It did not.

Good luck - I hope yours does not continue to rise!

[redpenmama]

I'm sorry -- hope it was a fluke. I had high BP at an appointment with my first, and it went down when they took it a second time. I never had issues with it again that pregnancy. Hope that is the same for you.

[clseale]

Any chance it's only that high when you're at the doctor's? Mine usually does that, but hadn't throughout this entire pregnancy. However, at my last two appts it was getting a bit higher (still "normal, but high for me.) Anyway, they let me take it at a pharmacy and send my numbers in. Of 4 different tests over 5-6 days, my highest was 116/74. Now they aren't concerned. Have you tried taking at home or at a pharmacy?

[bostonmichelle]

I hope it was a fluke as well. Mine used to always be higher at the doctor's office.

[mpc]

I tested last night at home and it was 124/76 or something like that. so at least in the normal range. For my last pregnancy I started getting readings around 140s/90s at about 35 weeks - it was that way in the office and at home. I'm 29 weeks now, so plenty of time for this to slowly creep up ;-/ hopefully not though.

[starryfish]

I was put on work from home status at 31 or 32 weeks? It was due to swelling and my BP increasing. I was at high risk for PreE so she was very cautious about handling me. I did multiple 24hr urines too. Not bad on the weekends to do. PM me if you want to chat, hope your urine comes back normal!

[macmars45]

I hope your BP stabilizes.

My BP crept up steadily my entire pregnancy. I got pulled from work (preschool teacher) at 37+5 (Thursday) with strict instructions to put my feet up and drink all the water and induced at 38+4.

[mpc]

updated in OP

[Velar Fricative]

Oh man, I hope the numbers don't go any higher but I'm glad you'll have regular appointments to make sure you and baby are safe.

[redpenmama]

It sounds like your doctor has a good plan moving forward, and I hope you don't have any more BP spikes!

[bina]

Oh man i'm sorry, i hope your numbers dont go any higher, definitly take it easy as much as you can. I'm glad you'll be getting checked weekly to keep an eye on things.

[clseale]

I'm sure it is making you anxious, but it's good that they are so on top of it. They are closely monitoring you so they can take action if needed and will be able to do everything they can to 1) Keep you pregnant for as long as possible, and 2) Keep you and baby girl safe. Don't stress. They've got you!