Oh dear. High blood pressure THIS early?

[KaraJ]

My blood pressure is 126 over 90, which I'm told is border line on high.
I'm going in to see a doctor tomorrow, though I'm only something like 5 or 6 weeks.
Darn it! How could I possibly get it this early! Both my previous babes were C-section due to high blood pressure. I am feeling VERY anxious about this. :(

[Indigo]

Were you feeling anxious before the appt? I have had high bps when I wasn't really relaxed and they took them again later in the appt and they are fine. I didn't think you could have pih this early. Did they take it more than once?

[Meredith]

That could be an isolated number. The best indication of high BP is an analysis of repeated measurements over time.

Was this at a doctor visit? If so, what did they say?

ETA: I see you're seeing the doctor tomorrow.

[Meredith]

Were you feeling anxious before the appt? I have had high bps when I wasn't really relaxed and they took them again later in the appt and they are fine.

Yeah, they called it "white coat syndrome" where I used to work.

[Teresa64]

Had you been running around before that?

My first blood pressure reading was high and they said it was because I had been running around all morning and hadn't rested before they took it.

No more problems after that.

[CatEyes]

I know my blood pressure would rise just before I see the doctor. I guess I had the "White coat fear" or something to that affect. I was going to a teaching office and hospital while pregnant with K anc B. One time there were 4 licensed doctors that came in at one time and my OB jokingly mentioned the white coat fear because of all the doctors that was in my room at once and the look I had on my face.

Anyway. When did you start having high blood pressure with your other pregnancies?

[KaraJ]

Yeah, actually I walked there pushing a stroller with two babies in it, against a very cold, strong wind.
I guess I worry, because I've had a pretty bad headache since before Thanksgiving, and I often wake up with one. Tylenol doesn't seem to help, any more.
You'd think I'd know more about this stuff, but I got the C-sections almost immediately after the doc found out I was high blood pressure.

[KaraJ]

I know my blood pressure would rise just before I see the doctor. I guess I had the "White coat fear" or something to that affect. I was going to a teaching office and hospital while pregnant with K anc B. One time there were 4 licensed doctors that came in at one time and my OB jokingly mentioned the white coat fear because of all the doctors that was in my room at one and the look I had on my face.

Anyway. When did you start having high blood pressure with your other pregnancies?
Right at the end of the pregnancies. So this would be a major first.

[Meredith]

Usually, PIH and pre-e don't show up until later, AFAIK, so I'm led to believe that it's an isolated incident.

With your history, though, I'd certainly keep an I on my BP during the entire pregnancy, to be safe. Do you have your on BP monitor at home? When I had PIH, my doctor had me take my BP at home several times a day and bring the measurements in. He told me that it wouldn't hurt to take it in a pharmacy, too, just to compare, but he also made sure to tell me to rest before taking it after walking.

[KaraJ]

I don't have one, but I live about 5+ min walking distance from a walk-in clinic who have one. I got mine taken for free today. I didn't know I could do that.

[Meredith]

By pharmacy, I mean the ones that have automatic BP monitors that you sit down at. Most do, but there are some that don't.

[Babyblue]

honestly that not that high. my dr is not even very worried about the bp till its 140/90 or more.

[MoonBound]

Also the wrong size cuff can affect the reading. I'd keep an eye on it but not worry just yet.

[Meredith]

Also the wrong size cuff can affect the reading. I'd keep an eye on it but not worry just yet.

I've been told this as well.

I know that her top number wasn't as high as 140, but her bottom number was 90. Even if the top number is normal, a bottom number that's regularly at 90 or above can be worrisome.

ETA: I'm still thinking it was probably a one time thing, at this stage in the pregnancy. That's what I'm hoping, for your sake, anyways.

[AuLait]

I've had bp issues with all three pregnancies, which resulted in three inductions. This last one gave me sporadic very high readings throughout, even very early in the pregnancy but there were no problems until 38 weeks.

Don't freak out quite yet :) There are a lot of things that can make your bp spike.

[jodyvo]

I had pre-e with my first and a high reading early with my second. I learned to relax before having it taken by closing my eyes and thinking of other things. By mid and late pregnancy I was 100/60

[KerryS]

PIH generally doesn't happen this early. You may have primary hypertension.

[babymakes4]

With this pregnancy my blood pressure was borderline high until I hit my 2nd trimester, and then all of a sudden it just sort of bottomed out and has been fine ever since. I wouldn't worry too much unless the doctor thinks you should. Worrying only causes stress, and stress can raise your BP. Just keep an eye on it. The headache is what concerns me.

[KaraJ]

UPDATE:
I took my blood pressure again last night, and it had risen to 137 over 93. So I was pretty freaked out.
However, I just went to the doctor, and everything checked out normal. No high blood pressure or anything. Weird. I'm happy, I just found it strange.
On the plus side, my due date is July 23rd, which is closer than the 28th, so I'm excited. :) He or She is a tiny little cutie from what I could see in the ultra sound.

[babymakes4]

UPDATE:
I took my blood pressure again last night, and it had risen to 137 over 93. So I was pretty freaked out.
However, I just went to the doctor, and everything checked out normal. No high blood pressure or anything. Weird. I'm happy, I just found it strange.
On the plus side, my due date is July 23rd, which is closer than the 28th, so I'm excited. :) He or She is a tiny little cutie from what I could see in the ultra sound.


where did you check your BP yourself. Those machines in the pharmacy can be off sometimes.

[KaraJ]

where did you check your BP yourself. Those machines in the pharmacy can be off sometimes.


Lol! Walmart. :) I was a little skeptical cuz after the second time it said my blood pressure was off the charts and that I had no pulse. Yeah, I'd be in REALLY sorry shape if that one was right.

[HammBugga]

Stop taking your own blood pressure and leave it up to the professionals. At least until the professionals tell you to take it yourself.

[KaraJ]

Stop taking your own blood pressure and leave it up to the professionals. At least until the professionals tell you to take it yourself.


It was the professionals who told me to take it myself.

[Indigo]

Yeah, they called it "white coat syndrome" where I used to work.


Or bad day or bad traffic or difficult kid syndrome. I had high bp at my first prenatal last time because I was so sick to my stomach.

[KaraJ]

Or bad day or bad traffic or difficult kid syndrome. I had high bp at my first prenatal last time because I was so sick to my stomach. I was feeling really gross yesterday.

[HammBugga]

5 weeks into your pregnancy? I doubt it.

[KaraJ]

5 weeks into your pregnancy? I doubt it. No, I'm pretty sure I wasn't imagining it. And I found out I'm nearly 8 weeks. Not five weeks, according to the ultra sound. So I was a little off in guessing how far along I was.