What else should I be doing?

[cmom]

I'll try not to make this too long-

I first came to this site when at 12 weeks my bp was up at 140/90 at my doctor's office for about 5 weeks. My doc diagnosed me with chronic hypertension and did a bunch of bloodwork and a 24-hour urine and everything was fine. After that period of high readings, my bp just went back to "normal" (pre preg. was 110s/70s). It has never been that high since then. My doctor has already put me on every-other week appts. to monitor me in case it goes back up (I'm 27 weeks now).

My doctor seems to be surprised that my bp is still down. When I saw him a couple of weeks ago he looked through my chart like he was missing something and asked me what I was taking for my hypertension. I told him I'm not on anything for it. Then at my visit last week he asked me "you're not taking anything for your blood pressure?" once again like he had missed something on my chart. He's kinda making me paranoid.

I still check my bp about twice a day, and anytime I have a headache or am not feeling well. I have some mild swelling in my hands and occasionally my ankles, but nothing severe. I lay down whenever I can (not often w/ a 3-year old!). My question is- is there anything else I could or should be doing? I read all the symptoms to watch for, but I realize that sometimes there are no major symptoms. What scares me is reading stories about women feeling fine one day and being seriously sick a few days later. I feel so lucky that I've made it to 27 weeks without medication and without my bp going back up. But I'm very worried that I could be missing something symptom-wise. What else can I do?

[annegarrett]

I think what is confusing your doctor is that most pregnant women experience a 2nd trimester drop in BP...so your BP going down to what seems "normal" would not have been surprising to a well-informed OB/GP/etc..You enter your third trimester at about 26 weeks so he would be expecting it to come back up anytime now. (This is if you are following the "How to get preeclampsia" Instruction Manual...fortunately, you don't seem to be!) It sounds to me like you are doing everything you should--your doctor is clearly on top of things, you are checking your BP, trying to get rest and keeping alert to the signs and symptoms. I imagine there are women who get this disease and then suddenly have it cleared up. I know a friend who said she was able to reverse it by taking vitamins...I don't know. There are so few absolutes about this disease that we can't be sure of anything except that you are taking good care of yourself and being on top of things. Even if you develop preeclampsia, you will likely be alert to potential warning signs and seek appropriate care in a timely fashion. I would encourage you to enjoy the pregnancy and the time you have with your three year old as an only! Please let us know how you are doing. You pay your doctor to be paranoid--I wish more were!

Take care,

Anne

[cmom]

Thanks Anne. I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can because I know this will be my last pregnancy. I just get worried when I don't feel well, which seems to be more often this pregnancy. I think part of the reason may be because my son was born in March, so when I was getting bigger and more uncomfortable the weather was nice and cold already. This time I'm due in November, and the heat is really wiping me out. I'll post if anything new comes up.

[paljane8]

cmom,

It must be really worrying for you. It is hard to enjoy a preg without the concern that maybe pre-e will crop up. It is good that your dr has you coming in so often even though it is tedious for you! Hang in there the summer is almost over! I wish the whole preg could be the 2nd trimester-when you are not sick or huge and uncomfortable! Hang in there.

Nancy-34
dh-34
ds-8yrs
dd-almost 7yrs
Scott-born 05-14-99 @38 weeks-PE
Janie-born 05-12-03 @37 weeks-PIH, small for gestational age (oligo and low blood flow)

[cmom]

hi all- i have an update and a question-

sunday morning i delivered a healthy baby girl 12 days early. i had checked my bp saturday night and it was up-at one point 165/102. so the doc sent me to l&d to get checked out. my labs were fine, so was baby, but my bp was still up so they decided to induce me. delivery went well and little emilie was 8lb. 14oz!

my question is, at this point my bp is still at low 140s/low 90s. how long should it stay this high before i call the doc? at the hospital they said it could be up for 48 hours, but it's been 3 days.

i'm sure this has been asked somewhere before, but right now i can't do a search- typing left handed while nursing, forgive me! tia-

[akemt]

Tia,

I was put on bp meds at our ?10 day PP appointment and was able to go off of them by my 6 wk check. I would let your doctor know, though bp's won't affect you quite the same now that you are not pg. Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

Catherine (22)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo

[laura]

yup, it can take a while before the hypertension goes away completely, but the same rules about symptoms apply to the postpartum period- watch for pressures above 160/110, swelling, headaches, etc.

You can develop preeclampsia, hellp, and eclampsia postpartum! Watch especially closely if your swelling has not begun to subside, and go into the Emergency room if you find you're getting worse.

congratulations on your tiny one, don't forget to post your birth announcement, under the announcements section!

Laura-28
DH Jack-30
Allie 5-13-98 (35 weeks-pre-e)
Baby Camille 4-17-03 (36 weeks- htn and oligo)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/camilleandallie/

[paljane8]

Congrats on your new baby! WOW-8lbs 14oz!!!! How are you feeling and how is that sweet baby? Come see us on the "after your baby is born" boards. Take care of yourself.

Nancy-35
dh-34
ds-8yrs
dd-7yrs
Scott-born 05-14-99 @38 weeks-PE
Janie-born 05-12-03 @37 weeks-PIH, small for gestational age (oligo and low blood flow)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/4/4lbs/

[deerhart]

It took 8 weeks for my BP to drop under 140/90 with my first child and another 4-6 months after that (6-8 months pp) until i was back down to my pre pregnancy normal range.

With my second child my BP was under 140/90 (but barely) when I left the hospital and was in the 130/80's at my 6 week check up.

Erin

Mommy to Alex and Mason

[cmom]

Thank you for your responses. My bp today was 123/92, so not too bad I guess. My swelling has gone down wonderfully-I have veins in my feet again! My hands are much better, though the carpel tunnel thing is still bad. But it was for many months after my son was born too.

Emilie is doing well, breastfeeding has been a challenge, but as least she is latching on well (ds never did).

I want to thank you all and this site for all the info and support you provide. I really believe that had I not known how serious this could be, that things may not have turned out so well. No one around me (except my doctor) seemed to think it was that big of a deal. Actually they still don't get it. But I feel very fortunate to have had such a happy outcome. Thanks again-