Anyone had high blood pressure whilst pregnant?

Question

I am 18 weeks with my first child at the age of 36. At a recent check up my blood pressure was high. ( I have had some problems with it going up and down in the past but not in the last 4 years). I am worried that it might be the beginning of pre-eclampsia although I have none of the other signs of it e.g no blood in my urine or swelling. I've been advised to have it checked again at my doctor who may prescribe some medication to lower it. The last time he prescribed a beta blocker which an Australian doctor friend told me was 10 years out of date. How can I be sure I am being prescribed the best medication for me and the baby? Has anyone else had experience of high blood pressure during preganacy? Any advice other than watching out for the signs of pre-eclampsia?

( I am of course getting advise from the midwives but find it useful to have input from other women who have been in similar situations).

Answer 1

I had high blood pressure throughout my pregnancy. I never actually got put on any medication for it but its bad because you worry it'll be high when you go to get it checked, then it gets higher due to your anxiety!

The only tips I can offer is remove as much salt from your diet as possible. I assume you don't smoke but obviously stop if you do!

Also a slight tip is Pomegranate Juice, it is supposed to lower BP and I did find that mine was a little lower when I managed to drink some (its not the nicest taste).

You know to look out for re. Pre-Eclampsia. But try not to worry as you may not develop it just because you have high BP. I developed a lot of pre-eclampsia symptoms and was induced, but not until 38 and a half weeks which was perfectly safe. Most of all try not to worry as it will just make matter worse.

Good luck with your child and your own health.

Answer 2

Hi, I am pregnant and have High Blood pressure for the last 6 years. There are certain tablets that can be taken whilst pregnant, and they are usually beta blockers. These do not affect the growing baby. Your GP or Gyneacoligist would recommend these to take. There are others that cannot be taken, these are specifically for High Blood pressure problems. I was on a cocktail of tablets and had to be taken off 1 set when I found out I was pregnant. Apparently some tablets stop the red blood cells going to the baby at the third trimester. There are tablets out there that are for pregnant women, even on the sheet that goes with the tablets would tell you who should take them. I would recommend you talk to your GP if you are worried as high blood pressure needs to be kept an eye on at any time.
Best of luck to you. Hope all goes well.

Answer 3

Well, this isn't good. You need to stay relaxed, and if you have a job, you may want to take on less hours. Stress levels while pregnant will raise your blood pressure drastically, so maybe do some mental relaxation exercises. By doing this, you will release anxiety's, possible pain (like in you back), and just clear your mind of everything. This is very important to stabilize your mental state.
Another great idea, not to you maybe :o), but you need to exercises. When a woman becomes pregnant, they tend to gain weight. To help yourself out, just walk a bit each day.... about 30 min. will do and this will keep you from quickly gaining so much weight, and it will make your pregnancy much easier, and it will speed up healing time.

Answer 4

When I was pregnant I was the only person at my clinic whose blood pressure had not risen due to pregnancy so it must be a very common side effect so try not to worry as obviously stress and worry will increase your blood pressure anyway. Relax, and use this an a good excuse to take things easy and at a slower pace than you would normally and most of all enjoy it!!!

Answer 5

Dont worry, your pregnancy is a little immature for it to be pre eclampsia (although not impossible) its very unlikely.

I had high blood pressure at 38 weeks with both of my children and on both occasions i was taken into hospital for a few days, i even had protein in my urine which is another sign of pre eclampsia, but everything was fine.

what were you doing before you had your blood pressure read? anything that had your blood pumping could be to blame, even just walking to the docs could affect the reading.

Take the advice of the midwife, if shes worried im sure she will send you to the hospital!!

Goodluck.

Answer 6

I have high blood pressure too. The doctor put me on blood pressure medicine and limited activities (I am not confined to laying on my back, but I am not suppose to be standing alot). Pre-eclampsia usually does not occur until the end of the second trimester/third trimester. They will probably test you to see if you have a vitamin deficiency or another problem that can cause high blood pressure.

Answer 7

yes i had high blod pressure from 28 weeks. it later developed into pre-eclampsia, severe swelling etc. i was put on medication for blood pressure, i was taken 2 pills 4 times a day for it but it was still way to high, in the end i was induced at 36 weeks.

Answer 8

Ihad high blood pressure while pregnant, and I didn't take any medicine. And I had a very healthy baby. So don't worry.

Answer 9

i have just had a baby 5weeks ago and i also had high blood pressure but then overcome it i was told to have plenty of rest with my feet elevated on some pillows and then it calmed down but came back wen i was in labour, if you start to look quite puffy then tell your gp straight away.

Answer 10

dont want 2 worry u but i had high blood pressure with my 1st child it turned out that my placenta had stopped growing and i went into labour at 28 wks.My daughter was stillborn,i just think u should get everything checked out,good luck