[Nugget0612]

I had my second OB appointment this morning. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat on the doppler which was the most beautiful sound ever! Heartbeat sounded great and in the 140s.

Here is a video of it!


I, on the other hand, need to get myself straightened out. I am dehydrated still and am going to HAVE to drink more water. My blood pressure was also very high- 141/104 and taken later 135/99. Since I already have hypertension and heart problems, my doc is concerned about preclampsia in the future which makes me so very nervous. She gave me a 24 hour urine test to measure the proteins in my urine that way later in pregnancy she can test it again and have something to compare it with if I do develop preclampsia.

I also have tacycardia and a heart blockage that I've had since age 16. My heart has been acting up the last couple weeks so I also am having to get a ecocardiogram and a holter monitor put on. Just a lot thrown at me and I'm worried about baby's health even though he/she is doing fine now. This is my first pregnancy and i've heard bad things about preclampsia and just hope and pray my blood pressure goes down and stays that way. I am already on labelotol and she increased my dose so that should help. I go back next week to check it. Then again on aug 30th for my 16 week appointment.

And for the good news, the anatomy ultrasound is scheduled and is on sept. 14th!!! Can't wait for that!!
So just gotta focus on keeping me and baby healthy!

[NewMommyNicoleRN]

I am sorry that you had alot thrown at you but you did get to hear that beautiful lip beans heart flutter away....rest and hydration are easier said then done in alot of cases...try ice pops...fresh juices and decrease anything with caffine and salt since those cause your veins to constrict and up your blood pressure...if you have questions concerns or anything along those lines I found that along with myself there are a handful of nurses and medical professionals in our group so don't hesitate to ask or vent...I'm having similar issues with hydration so anything that helps me I'll send your way as well....best of luck sweetie and congrats on that beautiful bean you are making

[chickadee]

Congratulations on that beautiful heartbeat!!

I'm sorry the rest of the appointment was so stressful, and all the news overwhelming. The good thing, though, is that your doctor is keeping an eye on all these issues, and will continue to help you find ways to manage them. I've not had issues with high blood pressure, but I have been having heart palpitations since early in my pregnancy and finally saw the cardiologist this week. I had the echocardiogram yesterday and was fitted with the Holter monitor after that. I didn't really want to go and do all this stuff because I hear that palpitations are so common in pregnancy and so it seems like just more appointments... but at the same time it is good to know that they're keeping an eye on things so that the baby stays healthy and is getting everything he/she needs from me.

Please keep us updated on how things go with the heart check-up and the additional appointments. I'll be hoping that things remain ok for you. *hugs*

[MBPhotoBug]

Beautiful heartbeat! One thing I love is having my doppler at home. My little one and I listen to the baby one or two times a day. When my older kids get back from summer break visiting, it's how I plan to tell them by letting them hear it!

I'm sorry to hear about the situation but I felt like I was reading my own post. I had pre-eclampsia with my first and went through tons. Many ultrasounds and appts and home health nurses. My 2nd pregnancy was perfect for the most part. My 3rd was exactly like you just posted. I had to see a cardiologist the entire pregnancy. I had to wear a 24 hr Holter monitor. I was admitted at 16 weeks for 3 days. They did ultrasounds to check the baby (when I found out his gender). But they also did EEGs and EKGs. Luckily it wasn't life threatening or anything to worry about but it had to be monitored. I also had to see a perinatologist because I was borderline pre-eclampsia again. I was put on BP meds and monitored very closely. I had appts weekly between my Ob, peri and Cardio. Then working full time. It was a busy pregnancy. But the baby is now 3 and super healthy if it helps make you feel better!

This one is following suit. My heart palps are getting worse. I haven't even mentioned to this my new OB. I don't think I mentioned it about my last pregnancy. I plan to at my next appt. I wasn't too worried about it as long as it stayed mild since my last pregnancy everything was fine. It has gotten worse so I plan to let her know. I've already had to do 2 - 24 hr urine catches to get a baseline for pre-eclampsia issues. My BP is higher this pregnancy than my previous 2 that had issues. I'm already on BP meds. Mine was like 160/110 when it started. I also was put on Labetalol for my last pregnancy and this one.

Try not to worry. Your OB will make sure baby and you are monitored well!

Jess

[sarah*]

That sounds stressful, you have alot going on, i hope things get better for you and the new dose of medication helps x

[Mom2twolittlemen]

first, so fun to hear baby!!! It is such a miracle.

I am sorry to hear of your cardiac condition. I def think keeping a daily tally of water will be essential for youvsonyou can rid your body of HTN and tachycardia. I hope it helps. keep us posted!

[stephanieaehenley]

congrats on the babys heartbeat being good, just try to keep yourself healthy , im sure everything will be okay

[Nugget0612]

Thank you everyone for all the advice and support! It means a lot to me! I have faith that baby and I will be okay...it was just so overwhelming to walk in expecting a normal appointment and end up leaving with 5 appointments and several test.

MBphotobug..if you don't mind me asking, what dose of labetolol are you on? I was just taking 100mg a day and my ob said that was WAY too low (my primary doc had prescribed it) and she increased my dose to 400mg a day. It seems like such a high jump that I don't want it to effect baby's heart or blood supply to him/her but Im sure my doc knows what she is doing.

Anyway, as for drinking water, I downloaded an app on my phone that tracks how much water I drink and I plan on using this app constantly the next few months as I'm taking this very seriously!

But again, thank you all, it's good to know I can come somewhere and receive the advice and support I need!

[MBPhotoBug]

I'm on 100 mgs twice a day. My last pregnancy it was a lower dose. While it's not bringing me below 120/80 as they like to see....it's bringing me close enough to make her happy.

My BP was higher than yours so when you go in if your BP is below 120/80 you may want to ask her about cutting it back to 100 mgs twice a day like I'm on. Give it a trial run for a week and then up it again if necessary.

Labetalol is a catagory C drug. So while I've had a kid on it and he's come out perfectly healthy...I freak about being on a dose that is above what I truly need. So I'm glad she's not trying to up it as long as I'm fairly close to the normal. Plus, she's pregnant herself so I don't think she'd give me what she wouldn't take herself.

Definitely talk to your dr if you're concerned about the dosage. With my son my BP was closer to what yours was and I was put on the lowest dosage twice a day. It worked plenty well and I'm a heavier girl.

Jess