[alicenwonderland]

Yes I'm a nurse. Yes, I'm a cardiac nurse. But i'm still pretty clueless when it comes to pregnancy stuff i didn't "study up on".

I'm started to swell over the past couple weeks. I know this is normal. Today my feet were so swollen i had trouble getting my feet into my flip flops. The straps were so tight. Still not horribly concerned... preggo people get swollen.

Today i decided to check my BP. Normally (while preggo) it runs around 96/60. At it's highest when i was having PTL issues, it was 120/70. Today, even after spending the day laying on the couch, it was 140/90.

I know this isn't good. But how bad does it have to be for my doctor to do somehting about it. Will they let this fly, or do you think this will require more testing?

I have an appt tomorrow already.

[SandKmommy]

They will watch it, may have you check it at home a few times, or come in more. Mine was like that with Seamus 150/90's - 150's/100's but they didn't do much cause I wasnt' spilling protein (I was slightly swollen and had blinding headaches). I'd mention it to your doctor to see what they want you to do.

When mine was that high all my doc's would do(if I wasn't in L&D for my headaches) was test my urine, we always have to give a sample for each appt so they'd test that for protein. They may want to test your's to be sure you're not spilling any.

[bittersweet]

Like everything in the medical world, everyone is different. I would get it checked at the Drs ASAP b/c you need more testing. Some women can have high BP in preg, but tolerate it fine without it effecting organ fuction/baby and it turning to pre-e or eclampsia. But other preg women, not so much. My Dr told me she's seen preg women stroke out with a BP rise up to 130/80s. Soo....don't take it lightly, see your Dr and I'm sure they will at least test your urine. And try to relax. I know in the end of my preg my axiety over running late to the Dr appts, the 2 hr drive in traffic, parking, etc always made my pressures high by the time I got to my appt. But it would go back down my the end of the appt.

[Oriyan]

You need to drink water and lay on your left side. Then retake your BP in an hour. If it does not come down, you need to call the doctor ASAP. My BFF had a similar issue and it took them a week of testing before they discovered it was indeed Pre-E and was induced and gave birth 6 weeks early because her BP was a tad higher then yours. Her son is perfectly healthy too Never wanna mess around with Pre-E! If you decide to wait till tomorrow, do yourself a favor and pack a hospital bag and bring it with you

[alicenwonderland]

Erin- That's the annoying thing. Everyone is different lol. I know what "normal" is, but being a cardiac nurse, seeing someone with a BP of 140/88 is great lol. And usually they are on a cocktail of drugs to keep it even that low. (we're a heart hospital, we never see "normal" bp) That and all the rules change when you are pregnant.

Sam- The crazy thing is, i'm on bedrest. All i do all day is drink water and lay on my left side.

My BP is now 132/86, so its a little better. We'll see how the appt goes tomorrow.

[Babybear4]

I agree with the above. It could be nothing, or it could be serious. Try to get a little rest, drink some water and recheck it. If it is still high, I would put a call in to your doctor. They will probably have you come in the have it checked and check your urine for protein. KUP!

[sara~b]

Sounds like what happened to me. If your urine dipstick is negative tomorrow ask for a 24 hour urine. If they had done one for me we wouldhave caught the pre-e earlier!

[Oriyan]

Sara that's how they finally founds my friends Pre-E. Urine dipstick was normal, 24 hour urine was not.

Hopefully we'll have some answers today!

[alicenwonderland]

urine is fine, BP is fine today too. Swelling is worse though lol. Doctor didn't seem concerned at all. (course he's not my doctor, SHE is on vaca)

Who knows what's going on.

[sara~b]

Originally Posted by alicenwonderland

urine is fine, BP is fine today too. Swelling is worse though lol. Doctor didn't seem concerned at all. (course he's not my doctor, SHE is on vaca)

Who knows what's going on.

How much water are you drinking? I was drinking 3-4 liters per day and because my urine was so dilute the dipsticks always came back negative. Only a direct sample from a straight cath and a 24 hour urine turned up positive (positive enough to warrant a diagnosis of pre-e). Don't give up if you think something isn't right! Push for a 24 hour test!

[Mjp121212]

Mine got that way the last few weeks (weeks 32-35) it would be 150's/upper 90's. I was told to drink lots, lay on left side, and walk.

[Mars]

I'm happy it was better today. I'm really curious about the swelling though. I would think that it's something they would check.

[alicenwonderland]

my doc took a look at my ankles and said "that's normal". Oh well, i feel better today at least.

My urine wasn't that dilute. I had only just woke up and hadn't had a chance to get started on my 64oz. I trust the test.

I have another appt on tuesday.

[soImarriedAnerd]

for my hospital (and 6yrs ago LOL) it was a warning to have over 140/90 for more than 4hrs (or and increase of 30mmHg systolic or 15mmHg diastolic from their baseline). Plus over 300mg of protein in a 24hr.... that would put you in the pre-e group.
That swelling is up there for sure... and yeah the swelling is hard to tell woman to woman. is it just your feet or is other stuff swelling? Do you have swelling tendencies?
How are you feeling?! If you feel crappy I would just ask for a 24 hr (heck it will give you something to do during your bedrest to make you feel like your at work )

[alicenwonderland]

It's mainly my feet, and they are getting worse. But my hands are swollen, and i think my neck may be as well. I've been checking my BP at home and it's usually 132/80 which is high for me. No protein though.

My doc is back from vacation this week, and i see her on tuesday. We'll see if she reacts the same way the on call does.