High Blood Pressure and Pregnancy

Hi A.-

I'm currently 27 weeks pregnant and I also have HBP. I was taking Diovan before I got pregnant and when I went to my PCP for my monthly BP appt. I told her that I was thinking of trying to get pregnant with baby # 2 so she changed my medicine to Labetalol which is perfectly safe for the baby and she said that we might need to increase the dosage but I didn't need to. I was on this medication for about 2 to three months before I became pregnant. I have ultrasounds often since I'm considered a high risk pregnancy because of my age (38) but the baby is FINE. I hope this gives you some peace of mind & good luck with trying for baby # 2!

I agree with Carmen P about supplementing some natural therpies in with the medication. Here are a couple of excellent links to articles.

http://www.mercola.com/article/hypertension/index.htm

There is a lot of literature out there about vitamin D and pregnancy. Around 80% of Americans of deficient in the "sunshine vitamin." You can get a 25-hydroxyvitamin D level drawn at your OBs office. Optimal levels will help control blood pressure and do a lot of good for your future child(ren), too. Often times though the levels need to be hight than what standard lab ranges offer. see article:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/1...

I wouldn't let it keep me from having another baby if that is what you really want. I was on 400mg of Methyldopa at the end of my pregnancy. My baby is now one year. He is a happy healthy baby and I am currently trying for another. One thing I did when I was pregnant was to watch my diet very carefully. I ate as healthy and organic as our bank account would allow! LOL Take water classes, yoga classes, or pilates classes and I did ok. It wasn't until the very end that we uped my dosage.
Hang in there and good luck!

Hello A.,

can you try other things to lower your blood pressure 'naturally'? like evening primrose oil, omega 3 oils, make sure you're taking enough magnesium, chiropractic adjustments, etc? These are just suggestions that may help you. can you make sure you eliminate all the MSG from your diet? the 700 club had really good info on what all the different names given to MSG. see if that's the last piece of the puzzle to help you manage your blood pressure. Good luck with baby #2! ~C.~

Hi. You are certainly right in wanting to be extra vigilant in monitoring your BP, esp. during pregnancy. I just had my last child on Jan. 12 and I have hypertension which worsened in the last few weeks of my pregnancy. I wound up switching OB offices because my original OB acted like it was no big deal and she could care less. When I went to the new office the midwife immediately did an ultrasound where we discovered that our daughter had IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) and was induced the following week. When she was born the placenta was SO small that it's amazing she even got to 5lbs. 14oz. I took Labetalol (Trandate) 100 mg but was increased to 200 mg once a day but even with that at the end it kept creeping up. I would go back to your OB and tell him your concerns and ask his honest opinion about what you should do and what you can do during your pregnancy to keep your BP at an acceptable limit. Good luck!!

I went through the same thing with my 1st pregnancy. There is a chance that your blood pressure may not be an issue with the pregnancy. My baby was born underweight but healthy. At 35 weeks I was put on bedrest. At 37 weeks we did a c-section due to my placenta calcifying from my blood pressure. Because it had calcified the baby had stopped growing so we had to do a c-section early. He is absolutely perfect and healthy. I would definitely consider doing cardio an hour a day. That alone has brought my blood pressure down to the point I don't need my medication any more. If you get into the habit now before you are pregnant you will be more likely to keep it up once you get pregnant. Good luck! I trying for #2 now!

A.,
I would think long and hard about another pregnancy at this point. You could spend most of the pregnancy in bed and cause harm to yourself and your developing baby.

If possible over the next year, you might try exercising and losing weight so that your blood pressure becomes more normal. Also, have you talked this over with your ob doctor o see what his/her feelings are about your case?

ThEse are difficult decisions to make. Good luck!

My sister went through the same issue. Her blood pressure has been a major issue since she was 18, way before she had children, so, naturally she feared pregnancy however she ended up with two lovely healthy boys. She understood what could happen during her pregnancy because of the HBP and understood that it would mean alot of taking extra care of herself while pregnant. She always says it wasnt easy but she says it was well worth it. So, i think that as long as you are well aware of what could happen and how to take care of yourself while pregnant, and also, knowing the sacrifices it will cost while being pregnant, I would say to try again. If you honestly just dont think it will be possible than just follow your instincts to be on the safe side.

I had the same issue when I got pregnant with my 2nd child. We ended up changing my meds and as the pregnancy progressed we had to change my meds several times. I think we ended up using 2 different types of medications to control it. My suggestion is to take your concerns to your doctor and talk it over with them. They know your history and can give you good advice on this. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Methyldopa is one of the oldest, very well tested during the pregnancy. I took it during my whole pregnancy with no problems. But of course in your case if it doesn't do the job always I would also try to do the "natural stuff" someone suggested before changing meds. I just wanted to tell you the story. I went back to Europe for a few months while pregnant, and the cardiologists there laughed at my prescription. In Europe Methyldopa is considered old, and they prescribe other newer medicines. BUT they did not take me off it, since it did the job, and definitely has proven to be safe. Hehhe, I had to have someone smuggle it for me from the U.S. since it is not available anymore in Europe, at least not in the northern part...

Dear A.,
Iwas having blood pressure problems. I stated taking this Heartland Select.I know longer have a problem with blood pressure. This is not a medical cure.The Heartland Select is made from Muscadine grapes.Do me and your self a favor and go check it out. Goto www.heartlandcareer.com/garrett it will have a little information to fill out the will tell you all about the product .Then after you watch it click on testimonials will have blood pressure. Again this isn't a medical cure this is just what it has done for people. that have drank it. You only drink 2 oz. a day.Good luck and hope it will help you.Let me know please what you think.
God Bless
J. G

A.,

Definitely start exercising!

Also, look into Omega 3 oils - get the best, not just from the grocery store. Look for cold-pressed/nitrogen processed oil. Sachse Chiropractic on Highway 78 sells a good quality Omega 3 oil, but you can get it online or at health food stores.

I don't know about medications, but it looks like you got good advice on that from others.

Good luck!

A.

Yes I highly reccomend you do some things to get your blood pressure down before you get pregnant. One less thing to have to stress about later! One of the biggest culprits to HBP is sodium. REALLY, check your labels and keep your sodium intake as low as possible. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks on bed rest becuz of HBP and they wouldn't allow me to have a drop of salt that whole time! It was hard, but it had to be done! If you get used to less salt now it's easier down the road!

This is definantly a question for your Dr. Only they could tell you best. I am an L and D nurse. Your blood preassure will have a slight inc at the begining of pregnancy, but then it should stay lower than normal. There are many women the have CHTN that have successful pregnancies, but every situation is different.

I am chronic hypertensive and have had 2 babies ( 16 months apart). That dosage seems very high on the methyldopa. I would ask if something else might be a better fit for you. I took that for both pregnanacies up until 31 weeks. Both times I ended up in the hospital for 1 week my pressures went up. They then added Labetalol along with the Methyldopa and I was on complete bedrest until 37 weeks both c sections.
I would not do take anything else without first talking to you OB first.
Good Luck.... If you have any ? let me know.

A.,

A good friend of mine had blood pressure problems for years. She had serious issues during both of her pregnancies. She was not overweight. However, after being on meds for a while she took the following measures which have done wonders for her. She started doing cardio, she cut out alcohol except for special occasions, and she did the "Six Week Body Makeover" diet. I haven't done the diet, but she said the major difference with the diet was it was all fresh food. Before, she had been eating a lot of frozen dinners for weight watchers or Lean Cuisines. Although she was always aware of her sodium intake, cutting all salt from her diet helped dramatically. Also, I don't know if you smoke, but nicotine can also drive your blood pressure up. I guess my recommendation is don't give up on your baby, but do everything you can to get your blood pressure down before baby. Also, my friend cut taking birth control as well.

Good Luck!