[Solace]

We are planning an UC but have monthly visits with a back up provider. I had some questions about BP. My BP has ranged in the 130s to 140s over uppder 80s/90s this pregnancy. The care provider has not indicated any concern with us having UC, by the way...very supportive. Today at my monthly check in I ended up with a 3 BP checks about 1/2 hr apart. 1st check was 165/110. 2nd check was 144/108...a half hour later 139/99; I wish I knew what was up with that.To my knowledge I was not stressed or anything but to be honest I would be happy to see it a bit lower. I don't know if the stress from being sick lately could mess with BP...Dr. didn't say anything about it though). I asked Dr. to palpate to confirm what I was feeling and he confirmed what I thought, (baby head down, etc). I will go back in 2 weeks if I am still pregnant to check in. I can't help but think how nice it would be if baby was here sooner than later, (haven't we all, lol)...but not getting my hopes up

I think that he thinks my BP is due to anxiety/being stressed maybe? He has commented that after all these years I still get white coat hypertension...but seriously...I don't see how. I am not nervous at these appointments. I was super relaxed today. I mean, I got up, showered and came to the Dr....traffic wasn't nuts, I was reading Childbirth Without Fear while waiting and felt very...zen. I do not desire to nor really cant afford to switch drs because he is the *least* interventive dr. (caught my 5th dd breech) and is supportive of us having an unassisted birth and not vaccinating our other children, etc. He really is one of a kind and we really love him for that because we know how RARE that is. Literally, there are no other options in our area. I will admit that a teeny tiny other part of me does worry (just a bit) that if something were wrong it would be overlooked but then again, that could be my anxiety and just knowing "too much", you know? I did mention to the nurse that I had 2 episodes this month that worried me. One I was sitting and I suddenly felt very weak and faint and nearly blacked out. That was weird/scary b/c I had never felt like that before and it hit very suddenly. The other episode around the same time period..maybe a few days later where I felt dizzy and saw "sparkles", etc. (also while sitting); however, both episodes were during the past few weeks when I have been battling this cold/bronchitis junk...so I am hoping they were/are isolated incidents. I don't want to go through any undo risk but I don't want to freak myself out unnecessarily. I have been under a lot of life stress in addition to the illness the past few weeks but I am hoping as that clears up there will be no more symptoms.

Prayers would really be appreciated though. I can't handle anymore stress right now. Feedback would be appreciated...those of you who have known me through a few pregnancies...am I overreacting? Under reacting? I feel out of my league lately these days, lol. I am believing for a healthy, peaceful birth and just don't want my desires to cloud reality. I understand my health is my responsibility but just seeking opinions to weigh. I posted on freecycle to see if someone may have a blood pressure cuff I could use to monitor at home while resting, etc.

This post has been edited by Solace: 09 July 2010 - 10:17 PM

[bydesign]

Do you have a way to check your blood pressure outside of the Dr. office? At home or at the drug store? I assume the Dr. was attaching significance to the fact that it went down while you were there.

[Solace]

bydesign, on 09 July 2010 - 10:17 PM, said:

Do you have a way to check your blood pressure outside of the Dr. office? At home or at the drug store? I assume the Dr. was attaching significance to the fact that it went down while you were there.

I do not have a way to check it at home currently..working on it though (through freecycle). It is not realistic for me to pack up kids to go to the drugstore...my BP would probably jump 30 points just with the effort. I wish I did know what it was at home though ...compared to the Dr. office.

[luvrbbs]

The 2 episodes you spoke of sound scary to me, as a pregnant mom but more as a nurse. Did you mention those to the doctor? If you mentioned that to a general practitioner I assume they would be concerned.

Are you looking for an automated BP machine or could you use a cuff and stethascope?

I am praying for you and I too believe that God can take care of your physical issues with that said... I am concerned that your BP has been to high and that can endanger you your brain and the baby. BP affects the blood flow thru the placenta which can affect many things for the baby including growth.

Please keep us updated.

[Solace]

I have a chiropractic appointment tomorrow. I am going to stop and have my blood pressure read nearby. I have had a headache for 2 days now ...which is not normal for me. I know it could be a number of things...allergies, stress, hormones, etc. but I want to keep an eye on it. I don't want to over react, but I want to be cautious b/c I know the risks with the placenta, etc. I will keep posted here.

edited to add... I know the dr. knew b/c the nurses chart everything. I think he probably wasn't concerned enough to mention it because the numbers dropped while I was there? I really wonder how accurate some of those cuffs are, to be honest. (They use the wrist electronic cuffs at the office)

This post has been edited by Solace: 13 July 2010 - 09:46 PM

[bydesign]

If I was borderline hypertensive, I would probably ask to have them verify it with a regular cuff (that fits properly) and stethoscope. If you have hypertension, would it go down while you were in the office? Sombra - any wisdom on that? I would think it would just stay elevated the entire visit.

[Solace]

I had some muscle work and chiro work done today, including some cranial therapy by the massage therapist. When I was laying down it felt great but as soon as I sat up things shifted...same thing with the adjustments. I think the headaches may be sinus related. Since the apt. I still have a headache but not as severe. Just wanted to update.

[Cara]

Praying for you. If you felt relaxed, then it might not just be white coat hypertension. With me (I have white coat high bp as I'm sure most of us do ;) ) I'm able to lower it if they give me a couple minutes to get myself together before they re-check. Are you open to doing natural remedies to try and lower it? How's your swelling?
http://www.home-reme...d-Pressure.html
I can't remember where, but I've heard of women eating a LOT of watermelon to stop PIH I think it's a combination of all the water and the minerals/enzymes/etc in the melon that encouraged swelling to go down and the hypertension to stop.


For the sparklies/feeling faint, are you eating often enough? Do you drink coffee? I had to stop drinking coffee when I was pg with Sam because it made me feel faint. That could be the BP as well.

I know how it is with doctors who are 'cool' because they're laid back... and then they're still laid back when you think they shouldn't be. I'd trust your instinct.

[skittles46]

bydesign, on 14 July 2010 - 02:01 PM, said:

If I was borderline hypertensive, I would probably ask to have them verify it with a regular cuff (that fits properly) and stethoscope. If you have hypertension, would it go down while you were in the office? Sombra - any wisdom on that? I would think it would just stay elevated the entire visit.

I know I'm not Sombra, but I've had blood pressure issues with 4 out of 5 pregnancies now. With all of them, my pressures would drop given enough time to "lay down on your left side" in the office. The same thing at home, if I was up and about they were higher, laying down and relaxing lowered them some.

I would be at least slightly concerned with pressures that high if thats not your normal. The dizzy spells remind me of when I had pre-e with my daughter, as do the headaches. Not saying thats what it is, just it does remind me.

My advice would be make sure you're drinking enough, and getting enough protein. Are they checking your urine? If so are you spilling protein?

[Solace]

skittles46, on 15 July 2010 - 11:43 PM, said:

bydesign, on 14 July 2010 - 02:01 PM, said:

If I was borderline hypertensive, I would probably ask to have them verify it with a regular cuff (that fits properly) and stethoscope. If you have hypertension, would it go down while you were in the office? Sombra - any wisdom on that? I would think it would just stay elevated the entire visit.

I know I'm not Sombra, but I've had blood pressure issues with 4 out of 5 pregnancies now. With all of them, my pressures would drop given enough time to "lay down on your left side" in the office. The same thing at home, if I was up and about they were higher, laying down and relaxing lowered them some.

I would be at least slightly concerned with pressures that high if thats not your normal. The dizzy spells remind me of when I had pre-e with my daughter, as do the headaches. Not saying thats what it is, just it does remind me.

My advice would be make sure you're drinking enough, and getting enough protein. Are they checking your urine? If so are you spilling protein?

I am long out of urine test strips but I did put a call in to my careprovider and the nurse said my urine has had only a trace of protein, (which is normal, I guess?) I would feel better testing myself but it just isn't an option. Really, I feel like my options right now are to pray, take it easy bbetween household chores..push fluids, etc. I am about 37 weeks now so hopefully baby will be here soon, regardless. I really hope I don't sound flip or negligent...I have given this prayer and thought..it just isn't an ideal spot to be in and I don't want to carried away by fear/emotion based on what ifs. I feel like the risk for an interventive birth if I give myself over to medical care is much higher than the risk for pre e. I have minimal swelling, trace protein, and no more spells...so that is a blessing. I am hoping to chalk it up to stress/being sick and praying for a healthy, glorious birth very soon.

[Sombra]

Did you stand up just before the first bp reading? like to move from one place to the next? That can cause that.. and.. too.. you may not have been stressed, but still, just being out of your natural environment causes stress. But the fact that you got the two other lower readings is a good sign.

Stay well hydrated, and get your minerals - cal, mag, potassium.. and I'll bet it was just a blip... nothing to worry about,

I would have your chiro check your bp.. check before the adjustment and then again after, and you'll probably see immediate response.

This post has been edited by Sombra: 18 July 2010 - 10:31 PM

[luvrbbs]

Solace, on 16 July 2010 - 06:55 PM, said:

skittles46, on 15 July 2010 - 11:43 PM, said:

bydesign, on 14 July 2010 - 02:01 PM, said:

If I was borderline hypertensive, I would probably ask to have them verify it with a regular cuff (that fits properly) and stethoscope. If you have hypertension, would it go down while you were in the office? Sombra - any wisdom on that? I would think it would just stay elevated the entire visit.

I know I'm not Sombra, but I've had blood pressure issues with 4 out of 5 pregnancies now. With all of them, my pressures would drop given enough time to "lay down on your left side" in the office. The same thing at home, if I was up and about they were higher, laying down and relaxing lowered them some.

I would be at least slightly concerned with pressures that high if thats not your normal. The dizzy spells remind me of when I had pre-e with my daughter, as do the headaches. Not saying thats what it is, just it does remind me.

My advice would be make sure you're drinking enough, and getting enough protein. Are they checking your urine? If so are you spilling protein?

I am long out of urine test strips but I did put a call in to my careprovider and the nurse said my urine has had only a trace of protein, (which is normal, I guess?) I would feel better testing myself but it just isn't an option. Really, I feel like my options right now are to pray, take it easy bbetween household chores..push fluids, etc. I am about 37 weeks now so hopefully baby will be here soon, regardless. I really hope I don't sound flip or negligent...I have given this prayer and thought..it just isn't an ideal spot to be in and I don't want to carried away by fear/emotion based on what ifs. I feel like the risk for an interventive birth if I give myself over to medical care is much higher than the risk for pre e. I have minimal swelling, trace protein, and no more spells...so that is a blessing. I am hoping to chalk it up to stress/being sick and praying for a healthy, glorious birth very soon.

I like that you have prayed and feel peace about the situation. I would like to reiterate be sure you are getting lots of protein. Dr. Brewer's book "What every pregnant woman should know" has documented his research on Pre Eclampsia and fond diet to be a significant factor. 80-100 grams of protein a day is the reccomendation and that should include 2 eggs, 4 servings of milk, 2cups of leafy greens and vitamin c source each day (there is probably a little more to the daily requirements that I am not recalling right now).

Praying with you for a healthy birth as soon as the baby is ready.

[Sombra]

I did Brewer's diet the whole of Asher's pg - and had ZERO success with it.

If it went down at all, I wouldn't worry... and with my situation, I can have a few checks done in a few minutes and still get similar results. I've only once been asked to lie down on my left side, and that's when I was post partum with Janney, 234/142 and they used an IV drug to lower my bp.. and it made me sick.. nearly puked.. but they got it down in about 30 minutes..

[Solace]

Sombra, on 21 July 2010 - 04:30 PM, said:

I did Brewer's diet the whole of Asher's pg - and had ZERO success with it.

If it went down at all, I wouldn't worry... and with my situation, I can have a few checks done in a few minutes and still get similar results. I've only once been asked to lie down on my left side, and that's when I was post partum with Janney, 234/142 and they used an IV drug to lower my bp.. and it made me sick.. nearly puked.. but they got it down in about 30 minutes..

I really appreciate your feedback Sombra. It helps to put things in perspective.