Mum2
02-09-2004, 03:25 AM
Hi All, me again - have managed to drop bp and doc is happy to monitor for now at this level. How long though - when they say if it is high over a sustained period of time what length of time are they talking about before it is a problem (or is doing damage??) or needing to be treated medically???
stats: - 30, female, fit, no weight probs, don't drink or smoke....
xxx :)
stats: - 30, female, fit, no weight probs, don't drink or smoke....
xxx :)
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zuzu8
02-09-2004, 06:03 AM
Hi Mum-
It really sounds as though you have "late postpartum hypertension" which is basically gestational hypertension occurring “with a delay”—appearing within two weeks of delivery and lasting up to six months. It is not accompanied by other signs of preeclampsia and is usually mild. You're doctor sounds wise not to push meds on you right now, given that your numbers, although elevated, are certainly not dangerous at this time.
It is not uncommon with your #s, to monitor up to six months to a year before a true diagnosis of hypertension is made/and/or medictaion is indicated.
Relax...enjoy your baby...Try not to obsess about this; It's more than likely your BP will return to normal after the lactation period is over.
zuzu xx
It really sounds as though you have "late postpartum hypertension" which is basically gestational hypertension occurring “with a delay”—appearing within two weeks of delivery and lasting up to six months. It is not accompanied by other signs of preeclampsia and is usually mild. You're doctor sounds wise not to push meds on you right now, given that your numbers, although elevated, are certainly not dangerous at this time.
It is not uncommon with your #s, to monitor up to six months to a year before a true diagnosis of hypertension is made/and/or medictaion is indicated.
Relax...enjoy your baby...Try not to obsess about this; It's more than likely your BP will return to normal after the lactation period is over.
zuzu xx
Mum2
02-09-2004, 06:20 AM
Yeah Zuzu!! thank you for your reply. The docs don't think it has anything to do with my pregnancy - which I refused to accempt and found odd that it could be ruled out!
Anyway, thanks for the reassuring message - do you know how this hypertension is different to preeclampsia?
xxx:)
Anyway, thanks for the reassuring message - do you know how this hypertension is different to preeclampsia?
xxx:)
pregowith#6
02-12-2004, 03:47 PM
Yeah Zuzu!! thank you for your reply. The docs don't think it has anything to do with my pregnancy - which I refused to accempt and found odd that it could be ruled out!
Anyway, thanks for the reassuring message - do you know how this hypertension is different to preeclampsia?
xxx:)
Hi,
I found this post very interesting. I had my sixth baby on 01/06/2004. I had a few high normal readings durring my last few weeks being pregnant but, nothing steady. I delivered after being induced at 41 weeks and 4 days. Almost two weeks latter I checked my blood pressure while out shopping. I was shocked when the machine showed 150/104. I drove to another store and checked again and still got the same high reading. My husband took me to labor and delivery so they could check. When lying down (this was the only way they would check) it was normal. The nurse told me that hormones as well as having an enlarged uterus was most likly the cause. I saw my OB the next day and when he got the reading of 105/100 while checking he prescribed blood pressure meds. I went to the pharmacy to pick up the meds and decided to recheck on their machine. My reading was 142/92. I then called my regular doctor and she asked to see me. They checked several times and got readings from 128/77 to 142/90. She then instructed me to wait on taken any meds. She said she belived it to be hormonal. She said we would monitor it over a period of time and then decide if meds were needed. Well, I am happy to report I am almost six weeks postpartum and my blood pressure has stablized at 122/77. I just wish doctors would tell you this can happen. I don't even know what my blood pressure was with my other kids after delivery. I never had it checked until my six week checkup.
Theresa
Anyway, thanks for the reassuring message - do you know how this hypertension is different to preeclampsia?
xxx:)
Hi,
I found this post very interesting. I had my sixth baby on 01/06/2004. I had a few high normal readings durring my last few weeks being pregnant but, nothing steady. I delivered after being induced at 41 weeks and 4 days. Almost two weeks latter I checked my blood pressure while out shopping. I was shocked when the machine showed 150/104. I drove to another store and checked again and still got the same high reading. My husband took me to labor and delivery so they could check. When lying down (this was the only way they would check) it was normal. The nurse told me that hormones as well as having an enlarged uterus was most likly the cause. I saw my OB the next day and when he got the reading of 105/100 while checking he prescribed blood pressure meds. I went to the pharmacy to pick up the meds and decided to recheck on their machine. My reading was 142/92. I then called my regular doctor and she asked to see me. They checked several times and got readings from 128/77 to 142/90. She then instructed me to wait on taken any meds. She said she belived it to be hormonal. She said we would monitor it over a period of time and then decide if meds were needed. Well, I am happy to report I am almost six weeks postpartum and my blood pressure has stablized at 122/77. I just wish doctors would tell you this can happen. I don't even know what my blood pressure was with my other kids after delivery. I never had it checked until my six week checkup.
Theresa
Mum2
02-13-2004, 10:28 AM
Hi Theresa
Great to hear from you!!! Me too, bp has stabilised, am now 11 weeks postpartum and reckon it would've settled down earlier had I not been stressed about it. The lack of knowledge on the quacks behalf left me confused and annoyed as they would not accept that it had something to do with the trauma that my body had just been through.
Funny you should mention you were induced - I was too and am convinced that the drugs may have had a play in it all - I also had an epidural, did you? My doc wanted me to discontinue feeding and start on meds asap, I held off and I am glad I did. As per Zuzu's reply (thank you!!!!:)) I believe our situation is not uncommon and am surprised that the quacks don't have more info on this. My first labour was drug free and as far as I know I did not have high bp - however like you it wasn't checked until I was 8 weeks postpartum - so who knows...
Vicki :)
Great to hear from you!!! Me too, bp has stabilised, am now 11 weeks postpartum and reckon it would've settled down earlier had I not been stressed about it. The lack of knowledge on the quacks behalf left me confused and annoyed as they would not accept that it had something to do with the trauma that my body had just been through.
Funny you should mention you were induced - I was too and am convinced that the drugs may have had a play in it all - I also had an epidural, did you? My doc wanted me to discontinue feeding and start on meds asap, I held off and I am glad I did. As per Zuzu's reply (thank you!!!!:)) I believe our situation is not uncommon and am surprised that the quacks don't have more info on this. My first labour was drug free and as far as I know I did not have high bp - however like you it wasn't checked until I was 8 weeks postpartum - so who knows...
Vicki :)
pregowith#6
02-13-2004, 11:33 AM
Vicki,
Yes, I also had an epidural. Just something else I'm currious about, did you have a boy? I'm just wondering because when I had my first son 20 years ago I had eclampsia. Back then they didn't induce until at least 40 weeks. As a result by the time I had him my blood pressure was 210/115. At that time I was only 16 and had no idea how serious it was. I had a son again three years latter and can not remember if my pressure was elevated. After that I had a daughter who was not induced and had no problems. Then 12 years ago I had another son my pressure was slightly elevated at term with him and he was induced. I don't know if it returned to normal right away or not because it was checked for six weeks. I had another daughter two years ago also induced and had no problem before or after her birth. This baby that I delivered in January was another boy. I guess what I'm getting at in my case is I believe to be partly drug related (epidural, induction) and partly overflow of male hormones.
durring this latest pregnancy I also had PVC's from day one. As a matter of fact that is how I found out I was pregnant. I know I conceived around April 8th. By the time I was 2 1/2 weeks pregnant I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest and I could feel skipped beats several times per day. I was scared to death and thought for sure I was dying. When I went to the doctor she did blood work to check my thyroid, glucose, ect. and had me wear a 24hr monitor. When all came back normal she asked if I could be pregnant. That was something I hadn't even thought of but, sure enough I was. The PVC's happened every single day until I was about two weeks post partum and then they stopped. I have since found out through much research they are a common in pregnancy just like this post partum blood pressure. I have also researched it and you would not believe how many women have it and are put on meds right away. My regular doctor said she didn't want me on meds right away because sometimes you can't get off. The OB wanted me on them right away. My regular doctor also told me the PVC's were from hormones and not to worry. The OB wanted me to go on paxil as soon as I mentioned them. I guess some of the problem could be my OB is male and my regular internist is female.
My husband and I our so glad to have our newest little one. I just wished I would have been told how many of these things were some what common. That way I wouldn't have spent my last time being pregnant worrying myself to death. Another thing I kept hearing was your not as young as you used to be. I was 36 this time around. sorry this was so long hope I didn't bore you. I just needed to vent a little.
Theresa
Yes, I also had an epidural. Just something else I'm currious about, did you have a boy? I'm just wondering because when I had my first son 20 years ago I had eclampsia. Back then they didn't induce until at least 40 weeks. As a result by the time I had him my blood pressure was 210/115. At that time I was only 16 and had no idea how serious it was. I had a son again three years latter and can not remember if my pressure was elevated. After that I had a daughter who was not induced and had no problems. Then 12 years ago I had another son my pressure was slightly elevated at term with him and he was induced. I don't know if it returned to normal right away or not because it was checked for six weeks. I had another daughter two years ago also induced and had no problem before or after her birth. This baby that I delivered in January was another boy. I guess what I'm getting at in my case is I believe to be partly drug related (epidural, induction) and partly overflow of male hormones.
durring this latest pregnancy I also had PVC's from day one. As a matter of fact that is how I found out I was pregnant. I know I conceived around April 8th. By the time I was 2 1/2 weeks pregnant I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest and I could feel skipped beats several times per day. I was scared to death and thought for sure I was dying. When I went to the doctor she did blood work to check my thyroid, glucose, ect. and had me wear a 24hr monitor. When all came back normal she asked if I could be pregnant. That was something I hadn't even thought of but, sure enough I was. The PVC's happened every single day until I was about two weeks post partum and then they stopped. I have since found out through much research they are a common in pregnancy just like this post partum blood pressure. I have also researched it and you would not believe how many women have it and are put on meds right away. My regular doctor said she didn't want me on meds right away because sometimes you can't get off. The OB wanted me on them right away. My regular doctor also told me the PVC's were from hormones and not to worry. The OB wanted me to go on paxil as soon as I mentioned them. I guess some of the problem could be my OB is male and my regular internist is female.
My husband and I our so glad to have our newest little one. I just wished I would have been told how many of these things were some what common. That way I wouldn't have spent my last time being pregnant worrying myself to death. Another thing I kept hearing was your not as young as you used to be. I was 36 this time around. sorry this was so long hope I didn't bore you. I just needed to vent a little.
Theresa
Mum2
02-13-2004, 12:18 PM
Hi Theresa
I understand you wanting to vent, I feel my concerns landed on deaf ears (where the doctors were concerned) they were just so eager to get those meds down me.
I had a girl 27/11 - number 2. I found during this pregnancy I got heart palpations whenever I had caffiene - like you heart pounding through my chest so hard it was frightening - so I cut out coffee and didn't think any more of it.
I have to admit I still get the odd high reading... 140/95 but am not so anxious now as it seems to be generally around the 130/90, I believe once I cease lactation my body will return to normal along with my bp. Do you still get the odd high reading and are you feeding? maybe I should just stop monitoring it and let it run it's course.
So is 6 enough then?
V :)
I understand you wanting to vent, I feel my concerns landed on deaf ears (where the doctors were concerned) they were just so eager to get those meds down me.
I had a girl 27/11 - number 2. I found during this pregnancy I got heart palpations whenever I had caffiene - like you heart pounding through my chest so hard it was frightening - so I cut out coffee and didn't think any more of it.
I have to admit I still get the odd high reading... 140/95 but am not so anxious now as it seems to be generally around the 130/90, I believe once I cease lactation my body will return to normal along with my bp. Do you still get the odd high reading and are you feeding? maybe I should just stop monitoring it and let it run it's course.
So is 6 enough then?
V :)
Mum2
02-13-2004, 12:21 PM
Me again - forgot to ask what are PVC's and also from your research do you think post partum bp should be left to run it's course or treated in order to at least level it out ....
v
v
pregowith#6
02-13-2004, 01:46 PM
Vicki,
PVC's are palpatations (skipped beats) they feel like your heart stops for a second then starts again. From my understanding what actually happens is on one beat your heart only fills half full of blood and then makes up for it by beating harder on the next beat or two. I did breast feed for about a week and my internist said that could have also stimulated hormone production and caused the high readings. I did check my blood pressure every day three times a day as per my doctor for two weeks and found each day it was a little lower. I only check it a few times per week now and have not seen any reading above 135/88 but, it mostly stays around 122/78. My heart rate has also droped from my pregnancy highs of 98 to 120's and now stays mainly in the 70's and 80's. From what I've researched I don't think meds should be started unless it is dangerously high or has stayed elevated for several months. It is also my understanding that most doctors will watch blood pressure in the range we were in for 6 months to 1 year before starting meds.
And to answer your other question 6 was enough my husband of 19 years had a vasectomy in November. We have the 6 week old, 2 year old, 11 year old, 15 year old, 17 year old and a 20 year old.
Theresa
PVC's are palpatations (skipped beats) they feel like your heart stops for a second then starts again. From my understanding what actually happens is on one beat your heart only fills half full of blood and then makes up for it by beating harder on the next beat or two. I did breast feed for about a week and my internist said that could have also stimulated hormone production and caused the high readings. I did check my blood pressure every day three times a day as per my doctor for two weeks and found each day it was a little lower. I only check it a few times per week now and have not seen any reading above 135/88 but, it mostly stays around 122/78. My heart rate has also droped from my pregnancy highs of 98 to 120's and now stays mainly in the 70's and 80's. From what I've researched I don't think meds should be started unless it is dangerously high or has stayed elevated for several months. It is also my understanding that most doctors will watch blood pressure in the range we were in for 6 months to 1 year before starting meds.
And to answer your other question 6 was enough my husband of 19 years had a vasectomy in November. We have the 6 week old, 2 year old, 11 year old, 15 year old, 17 year old and a 20 year old.
Theresa
Mum2
02-13-2004, 08:51 PM
Theresa
Wow you sure do have your hands full with 6.
Thanks for your messages I have found them very reassuring. I believe that from our experiences (and others) doctors will become more aware of this condition and hopefully less eager to prescribe meds so readily. I know at least my doctor will be able to reassure the next person that it is probably just a blip and will sort itself out and NOT to worry.
Take care and good luck with your new addition.
Vicki
Wow you sure do have your hands full with 6.
Thanks for your messages I have found them very reassuring. I believe that from our experiences (and others) doctors will become more aware of this condition and hopefully less eager to prescribe meds so readily. I know at least my doctor will be able to reassure the next person that it is probably just a blip and will sort itself out and NOT to worry.
Take care and good luck with your new addition.
Vicki
pslam 91
02-13-2004, 10:43 PM
Boy is it nice to have you guys aboard! Mum, I have told you my story about postpartuem hbp. I have felt so lost for now going on 4 years. Nobody told me it could be because of hormones. thanks for being there you guys! Its encouraging to know I;m not the only Mommy out there that has gone through this.