What dangers are there with high blood pressure during 34th week of pregnancy?

Question

I've been put on bedrest because I have high blood pressure. I'm 34 weeks PG and I'm a little concerned as to what can be brought on by this.

Could I get toxemia or pre-eclampsia this late in pregnancy from high blood pressure?

Could I go into premature labor and what else could happen?

Thanks.

Answer 1

OMG. Does that bring back memories. Well... yes you can get toxemia or preeclampsia this late in pregnancy. High blood pressure is just one sign. The others are protein in urine and increased liver enzymes. Premature labor on your own.. probably not. They could decide to deliver your baby early for its and your health. Watch your salt intake. It will help your blood pressure stay lower. Also... I KNOW bed rest sucks badly. But do it. I didn't the first time I got preeclampsia and had my baby at 36 weeks. I did with the next (I got it 2 out of 3 pregnancies) and made it to 38 weeks. BTW.. how high was your blood pressure. Doesn't really make a difference but I am just curious. Good luck. You will have a baby very soon.

OH.. and don't stress that doesn't help either. :)

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I started getting high blood pressure at 30 weeks, and delivered at 31 weeks. I got eclampsia. One day I was fine, and the next day I had gained 12 lbs. in water weight over night. I was still feeling fine, and then suddenly I woke up to my machines at the hospital screaming. I was retaining fluid around my lungs, and it caused me to get a blood clot in my lung. Had I not been at the hospital I wouldn't have made it, and I am lucky to have made it even though I was there. The reason I delivered was because if I didn't I would have died. My son was fine. I had to take magnesium during labor which can cause temporary side effects to the baby. My son had lost weight in the womb because he had stopped recieving nutrients. I got steriod shots which helped his lungs to develope. He was perfectly fine. He was in the NICU for 3 weeks, until he reached 4 lbs. 34 weeks is when babies develope the suck swallow breathe reflex. Before 34 weeks babies are fed through a feeding tube. Since you have made it this far, I am sure everything will be fine with your baby if you do deliver. However, I have another story with a less happy ending. A good friend of mine had a little bit of high blood pressure and her doctor sent her home without a stress test. She went into a seizure and her baby died. She was on life support for three days before her family pulled the plug. 1 in 5 women experience highblood pressure during there first pregnancy. It is something you should be extremely cautious about. My cousin had a 33 weeker in July due to preeclampsia, and her daughter was in the NICU for 3 weeks also. Any little thing that seems out of the ordinary call your doctor. The night before I had the breathing problems, I kept feeling as if my heart was skipping a beat. My doctor dismissed my complaint, but it was serious. I was given lacex to remove the fluid from my body. If you wake up with an extra 5 lbs and swell, definitely call your doctor. If you have any kidney discomfort, definitely call your doctor. Good luck, and I'll pray for you.

Answer 4

3 years ago, I was diagnosed - hypertension with a reading of 160/100. I used to feel dizzy a lot, my legs had awful cramps, and levels were very low in my potassium, causing my fingers and toes to always cramp together. One day I started to feel really faint while I was driving with my daughter in the back seat and I passed out, hitting 3 cars and ending up in a ditch. That moment,I knew I had to do something because my meds weren't working. I heard about this diet from a friend and thought I'd give it a shot. The results have been remarkable. In just 21 days, I honestly can't remember feeling this good, my blood pressure went from 175/110 to 125/70.

Answer 5

In my first pregnancy I had high blood pressure in my 3rd trimester. I remember being swollen and feeling dizzy. But i've had diarrhea and bad headache in this pregnancy. But no high blood pressure. So just check with your doctor at your next appointment which should be in a week or so. If your symptoms get worse, or the diarrhea doesn't subside. Call your doctor right away.

Answer 6

Your high blood pressure could have adverse effect on ur baby.Pre-eclampsia and swelling of feet and hands is also related to high blood pressure. If the doctor has suggested bed rest then do it and keep urself stressfree as stress also leads to high blood pressure. taking deep breaths in and out for a few minutes everyday helps in stress relief and brings down the BP as well. Try to cut down on salt in take as it also leads to rise ur BP.Drink plenty of water. Don't think too much and u'll be fine.

Answer 7

Although many pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies without serious problems, high blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. Women with pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure are more likely to have certain complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure. However, some women develop high blood pressure while they are pregnant (often called gestational hypertension).

The effects of high blood pressure range from mild to severe. High blood pressure can harm the mother's kidneys and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia--or "toxemia of pregnancy"--which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus.
Who Is More Likely to Develop Preeclampsia?

Women with chronic hypertension (high blood pressure before becoming pregnant).

Women who developed high blood pressure or preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy, especially if these conditions occurred early in the pregnancy.

Women who are obese prior to pregnancy.

Pregnant women under the age of 20 or over the age of 40.

Women who are pregnant with more than one baby.

Women with diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma
but before taking any advice off the web see your OB they can direct you and make sure you have the proper care

Answer 8

Pre-mature labor is the biggest risk, that is why you are on bed rest. So don't think you are fine and do things you're not supposed to . You really need to ask your Dr. these things, that's what s/he is there for. Don't worry about calling, just do it. Get some papaer and write down ALL your questions. Then ask your Dr. every one, no matter how stupid you think it is later. Stay rested, and find ways to reduce stress and keep eating healthy food. Fruit can help any sugar cravings you have and it's much better for you than ice cream or candy. Stay well and listen to your Dr., get help from family at home if you can. You need this time to rest.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, you can. I developed pre-eclampsia at 32 weeks. The doctor had to do an emergency c-section, because my daughter was in distress. Although she was preterm, she was completely healthy. Her lungs were fully developed. She weighed 3 pounds and 2 ounces. She stayed in the hospital for two weeks inside of a incubator. At 5 pounds, she was able to come home. It's good that you are on bed rest. That wasn't an option for me because everything happened so fast. Good Luck! Take it easy!! May God Bless!!

Answer 10

All of the above.

Many women have totally safe deliveries and others have problems.

Do everything possible not to worry, stress can make it worse.
Yes toxemia can come from high blood pressure.

IT IS URGENT YOU TAKE PERFECT CARE OF YOURSELF AND THE BABY. OTHERWISE YOUR BABY CAN HAVE A LIFETIME OF DAMAGE.