Another question re: bp

[mychaelelaine]

Over the past 3 days, I've had a high reading... 138/94 one morning, 144/97, last night, 144/100 this morning... So, once once per day. I know pre-e is only diagnosed when bp is over 140/90 two times in a 6 hour setting. Mine goes normal within the hour after taking my meds. So, should I not be concerned?

[caryn]

It's not "in a 6 hour setting" - it's two readings of either separated by 6 hours, the idea being that a one time temporary spike isn't diagnostic, but if you're ringing in high pressures more than once, it is. So your pressures are diagnostic, I'd think.

Apart from that, they will usually discount low pressures if you are medicated as unreliable - and follow you more closely. Meds can "mask" symptoms if pressures are the only indication being monitored, and women on meds with normal-looking pressures can still seize.

What has your doc said? They may want to tinker with the med dose or schedule an additional med...

[mychaelelaine]

It's not "in a 6 hour setting" - it's two readings of either separated by 6 hours, the idea being that a one time temporary spike isn't diagnostic, but if you're ringing in high pressures more than once, it is. So your pressures are diagnostic, I'd think.

Apart from that, they will usually discount low pressures if you are medicated as unreliable - and follow you more closely. Meds can "mask" symptoms if pressures are the only indication being monitored, and women on meds with normal-looking pressures can still seize.

What has your doc said? They may want to tinker with the med dose or schedule an additional med...

Thanks

[mychaelelaine]

I'm so irritated guys. I'm just having a bad day and had an even worse night. After I delivered my daughter last October, it took around 11 weeks for my bp to become somewhat stable. I felt helpless. One ER dr would say I needed to go to ER if my pressures were 160/100 while another would say I didn't need to go unless I saw 190s/110s. Huh?!?!?! I was soooooo afraid of having a seizure. I had already been really sick with hellp syndrome and thanked God for keeping me safe although lil Mychael died. Now I kind of feel like I'm in that same spot. My Obgyn said to go to triage if my pressures stayed 140s/90s OR elevated to 150s/100s. Last night when we arrived home, my pressure was 144/100. I sat, relaxed, and took my meds. I waited an hour and 1/2 bp just rose to 154/102. I got in the car and went to labor and delivery. Anyway, trace protein and bp did go down after about an hour (without any more meds). Baby was non reactive on his NST but passed the BPP. They sent me home with a 24 hour lab again. I asked what bp numbers should send me straight to labor and delivery. She said 160s/100s. Huh?!?!?! That high. I just disregarded her advice. I'm going with, consistently staying 140s/90s or 150s/100s. It's just annoying to place this much emphasis on me and my decisions. Ugh. Any thoughts/advice????

[Bmoremama]

I had a check up yesterday (30 weeks) and was explaining how I was starting to get really anxious about the appointments. Feeling like I'd have a positive urine dip and high BP and that would be the end. They'd whisk me away for an induction or section. My midwife was really calm and supportive and said I didn't need to be anxious, that it wouldn't be like that. There would be other tests and other factors they'd be looking at before starting an induction. I think it's the same in your case. It's not going to be a line in the sand or one bp reading that determines what the course of action is. If you're still only at trace protein, maybe they're thinking the BP can be managed Until you are spilling more protein.

You did the right thing by going to the hospital, but just going there doesn't necessarily mean they are going to do anything other than more tests.

I'm sorry you are going through this!!! Maybe you can schedule an appointment just to discuss her expectations and express your concerns, at a time when you're not in the hospital with high pressures? Just schedule a time to have a conversation.

Hope your 24h turns out ok!!!

[mychaelelaine]

Oh I know there are many factors. Overall, in my case and given I had severe pre-e, so soon at 22 weeks, lost my baby, have lupus, am 38, and am chronic hypertensive makes induction a sooner scenario for me than others though. Lol. You know what I mean? With me, if things look like they're going downhill, they are... Fast. So, they're not willing to play. Talked with my MFM today. He said 37 weeks! He said he hadn't fully reviewed my chart when he said 40 weeks. When he reviewed all the above mentioned factors, he said 37 weeks would be best.

[Bmoremama]

Sorry, I guess I misunderstood what you meant by "send me straight to labor and delivery." I thought you meant for an actual delivery.

[mychaelelaine]

Lol. I'm sorry, I meant... What numbers should send me straight to labor and delivery triage in general, not to be delivered... Just to be seen by a dr. I don't want him to come! I do but I want him safe. You know what I mean. Sorry, I probably made that unclear.

[Bmoremama]

Typical Internet misunderstanding!

How have your bp's been since then?

[mychaelelaine]

Lol. Yes! I've not had any 150s/100s... Just 140s/90s. I keep thinking about the possibility of the meds masking pre-e though. Nothing I can do though I guess but keep monitoring and watching for symptoms. I'm doing another 24 hour so, that'll make me feel good if it comes back low. 34 weeks Monday!