How long elevated BP levels?

[bookboarder]

Hi everyone! I am a super happy woman today, my son is HOME with me!! I am 4 days post partum. I do have a question, though. With my son, Aiden, I never needed BP meds at all (with the exception of the Magnesium Sulfate during delivery and 24 hours after). This time, I'm on Procardia XL and my BP is still very high. This morning before taking my med, my BP was 160/115. About 1 hour after taking it it was 150/104. Normally, my BP runs about 90/60 so these numbers are very high for me. I understand that it might take a while for my numbers to come down, but should I be worried that my numbers are still quite high even with the meds? I am still having some headaches, though not nearly as bad as before I had the baby. I would love your input-- I am to see my doctor at 2 weeks post partum-- Wednesday the 18th.

[kara]

I'd call your OB about those numbers. For you they are very high. He might want to be more aggressive in getting them down..ie additional meds or highe doses, etc

[sonja]

I agree with Kara - those numbers are quite high. You run a risk of getting pre-e up to 6 weeks post partum, so you need to watch your symptoms carefully.

Let us know what your OB has to say.

Take care.

[kara]

I'd call your OB about those numbers. For you they are very high. He might want to be more aggressive in getting them down..ie additional meds or highe doses, etc

[bookboarder]

I called my OB and I am supposed to double my Procardia dose in the morning. Thanks! I will definitely keep you posted on my situation. Hopefully these numbers will come down soon!

[amaara]

Congrats again on the birth of Luke! I hope those numbers come down soon.

~~Amaara

[kdreher]

I also urge you to find a nephrologist, a dr who deals with bp, I find that the OB's are not necessarily the expert here. It took me a while to get my bp regulated, and I mean a few months. I was on 3 meds for a while and then weaned to just Benicar HCT 40-12.5 mg. The first 2-3 mos I was monitoring my bp and seeing the nephrologist almost every 1-2 weeks. I also ended up back in the ER 2 days after I was discharged and I was on bp meds then. Please watch it closely and I urge you to see a bp specialist.