When is a rise from baseline normal/not normal?

[akemt]

Okay, as you probably know, dh has taken my bp a few times already. It seems to have jumped a little from my baseline already at about 9 wks pg so we decided to check it over a few days and see if it really is my new norm. Nothing high enough to qualify as hypertension (baseline of 100's/60's with increase to the 120's/80's), but it makes me wonder just the same. Last pregnancy we attributed the start of my BP increase to the end of my hyperemesis but I don't have that this time around.

So here is my question...I know that a rise in BP in the second trimester is not a good sign and that hypertension before 20 wks is a sign of chronic htn, but where do I sit? I meet neither of these criteria, atleast not yet. Is it common to have a rise in BP in the first trimester?

Thankyou!
Paranoid mom-to-be

Catherine (22)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004

[julie f]

Catherine,

I don't have an answer, sorry, but, am glad you posted the question as I have been wondering too. This happened to me in my last pg.

LOL at "paranoid mom-to-be"... We should make T-shirts, I'd get one for each day of the week![8D]

Julie (26)
Zachary James, 7/22/03-7/27/03, born at 26wks - severe pe

[akemt]

LOL Julie,

I posted this same question in the "ask the experienced" section since there would be more viewing there, but no responses yet. Though, when searching the "ask the experts" section I did find something an expert said that was somewhat on topic. They said they had seen BP elevations in the first trimester that resolved in the second only to return again in the third. It was in response to a chronic hypertension diagnosis question. I would venture that they meant an increase that equates to hypertension, though obviously don't know. Guess we'll just have to wait and see? lol Have I told you I HATE waiting? [;)]

Catherine (22)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004

[laura]

Catherine, hon, I think you're starting to get into the "not the subject of any study" area, which is why there's a dearth of answers.

One of the reasons they don't use the rises from baseline for hypertension dx is because BP isn't something they document well in the first trimester most of the time. Heck, where I normally get care- the first prenatal visit isn't until 12 weeks, second trimester!

Regardless, rises from baseline are always something to be watched with a great index of suspicion- hang in there- it's not necessarily diagnostic. As the hallowed Dr E once said- it means- I don't know, so I will wait and watch.

Besides, if you end up with a dx of chronic htn will you be terribly surprised? Hey- at least they tend to treat chronic htn a whole lot more than it's gestational cousins- IMO, a good thing!

Side note- I think my home BP cuff is complete junk- I've been taking my BP at home- thought it was fine- turns out- I've been in the 160's-170's/95's Whoops! Moral of the story? Unless you know you're calibrated beautifully- avoid the home monitors!


Laura-28
DH Jack-31
Allicia 5-13-98 (35 weeks-pre-e)
Camille 4-17-03 (36 weeks- htn and oligo)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/camilleandallie/

[akemt]

Thanks Laura,

I know it's not diagnostic...lol And my BP cuff is right on. Technically I now have "normal" bp! lol And I agree that it seems like they treat chronic htn more aggressively.

Catherine (22)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004

[akemt]

So it does appear to be a rise in baseline. BP last night was 128/82 or so. lol Guess we'll just play the waiting game. HATE WAITING! [:D] lol

Catherine (22)
DH Britton (27)
Emma Margaret (03/02/03) 37 weeks from PIH & oligo
Baby #2 due August 11, 2004