High Blood Pressure?

[girliedreamz]

I'm almost 13 weeks, and my blood pressure has been high the last few times I've been in to see my midwife, so they referred me to specialist. I'd really like to avoid taking any medications right now if possible, so I'm wondering if anyone has some safe-while-pregnant tips for lowering blood pressure? This is totally new to me as I usually have chronically LOW blood pressure. Go figure. Pregnancy is stressing me out. ha!
I know that olive leaf lowers blood pressure, but not sure if it's safe in pregnancy. :/ Any other thoughts on natural ways to keep things down?

[Throwaway_panther]

I just read a study that daily stretching during pregnancy lowered the chances of pre-eclampsia-- even more than walking!

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[essnce629]

Are you eating enough protein? I always follow the Brewer diet when pregnant and that's what the Bradley natural childbirth classes recommend as well to prevent pre-e and stay low risk. You need to be eating 80-100g of protein a day. You'll have to keep a food diary for a week to see if you're getting enough. Google "Brewer pregnancy diet" for specifics.

[ksmom]

I second the diet! I had pre-E with DS1 that I started developing in the 3rd trimester so they induced me. I was determined to not have that happen with DS2 so when I started getting high BP, swelling, proteinuria again, my midwife put me on the Brewer Diet. I was advised to eat at least 80g protein a day. I used hemp protein powder and also often ate almond waffles for breakfast which have 45g protein in them!! (I can give you the recipe if you like) I also made sure to drink water all throughout the day. At my next appt my BP was back to normal, swelling gone, and no protein in my urine. I had a very healthy pregnancy with DS2 and I credit the Brewer diet for that.

[atomic sagebrush]

How sure are they that it's really high and not just white coat hypertension??

A little potassium (no more than the ONE 99 mg pill) may help. Also magnesium (no more than 150 in addition to waht is in prenatal)

[girliedreamz]

Thanks, ladies!


I just read a study that daily stretching during pregnancy lowered the chances of pre-eclampsia-- even more than walking!
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Stretching I can definitely do! There's a pre-natal yoga class that's actually within walking distance of my house, so I was thinking of looking into that. Unfortunetly, it's during work hours, but I may be able slip away at least a couple times a month.


Are you eating enough protein? I always follow the Brewer diet when pregnant and that's what the Bradley natural childbirth classes recommend as well to prevent pre-e and stay low risk.
Thanks for this! At the moment, I know I'm not eating enough. Hardly any, because I'm so sick all the time that I really can't keep anything protein related down right now. Mostly toast and crackers... a little cheese here and there. But I'm hoping the nausea will start to go away soon.


How sure are they that it's really high and not just white coat hypertension??

A little potassium (no more than the ONE 99 mg pill) may help. Also magnesium (no more than 150 in addition to waht is in prenatal)
Well... if i had to guess, I'd say it's at least partly white coat related. Maybe fully. But since it's been at every visit, they want me to see a specialist. So... *shrug*... better safe than sorry? I will look into potassium and magnesium! I probably need a bit more of both anyway.

[essnce629]

Here's a link to the Brewer diet info: The Diet (http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id96.html)

And a protein counter: Bradley Method Nutrition Information (http://www.bradleybirth.com/diet.aspx)

[atomic sagebrush]

For me that velcro sound of the blood pressure cuff ripping is like someone putting a poisonous tarantula on my arm and letting it crawl up to my face LOL. Just the idea of it makes my BP skyrocket!!! FX that they can get it figured out!!

[ever hopeful]

I had white coat hypertension with DD - BP had always been perfect, even during pregnancy with other three. Luckily it was same OB who I'd had for my others, so we talked it through and I got a b/p machine and took my own twice a day and kept a record. Bizarre that it was totally normal at home but the minute I went anywhere near a medical professional went ski high. Might well be worth investing in one, they aren't expensive. Good luck

[essnce629]

Yes, my friend had high blood pressure for both of her pregnancies and ended up getting a blood pressure machine for at home. Her numbers are always fine at home and she's currently on her third pregnancy.

[girliedreamz]

Thanks for the responses! I'm going in to the specialist tomorrow...but of course I have a super stressful appointment with my youngest son's autism doctor beforehand. Gah! Oh well. My BP has been totally fine at home the few day's I've been checking it. Low even! I just hope they take that into consideration. :/

[atomic sagebrush]

yes be sure and stress that to them!! Sometimes I also think that just reassuring yourself that it is normal, then makes it be normal at the doc's office.

Another thing I have found but forgot to mention before, is that doc's offices are often frigid which can make your BP low. Wear a sweater.

good luck I hope both appointments go great!

[Bluebooties]

Its always best to take in ur home blood pressure log for a docs review and at least once bring ur home blood pressure device in to office for what we call "calibration"

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[Bluebooties]

There is a thing called white coat hypertension but in order for it to be diagnosed home logs are needed

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[girliedreamz]

Thanks! The appointment went surprisingly well. The high risk OB told me that I didn't even have "high" blood pressure but "borderline." Basically it sounds like my midwife was really being overly cautious and trying to cover her booty just in case by sending me there. The OB said I should just keep a home log and if it doesn't get any higher than it is--even in the offices--I should be fine and don't have to come see her again. If it does, we can revisit the issue then. Whew.

Of course, there was traffic on the way to the appointment and I spent half an hour looking for parking in their crowded lot, so no stress there. Lol! My BP was super high as soon as they took it. But, the OB had me lay down for a few min and listen to baby's heartbeat (so nice!!), which caused it to drop like 20 points. Thank God.

[atomic sagebrush]

:agree: exactly that is what they are supposed to do.

I know there's a proper way to diagnose WCH but when a young slim non-smoking woman with no medical history walks in there and has high blood pressure in early pregnancy (blood pressure is normally LOW during early pregnancy and only a very, very few cases of pre-e start then) the odds are good that's what it is. :)