High BP facing induction

[ezymay]

I'm 37 weeks and my OB is concerned about my BP. It has been 140/90 for the last four weeks. Blood and urine tests show no protein, so that's a good thing. However he is still concerned about the BP and is going to make the decision next week whether or not to induce me. I'd really rather not be induced but do I have a choice when it comes to high BP?

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Wow, I wouldn't have thought that was high BP? Because your systolic & diastolic measurements are both a bit higher I would have thought, not to worry - lease thats what I was told. I 140/90 I was told everything was still ok.

Obviously i don't have medical knwoeldge, but I'd be sitting firm on NO induction unless you have oedema, high protein levels in urine or dizziness & headaches to accompany it. An induction has a higher possibilty of leading to a C-Section, especially if your not even to term.

I'd do as much research as you can over the next few days/weeks and hold tight to the knowledge that for now, you are still healthy!

[[M]umma[M]ia]

yeah you dont have much choice when it comes to BP. Your doc knows whats best for you and your bub. 140/90 is a little high but still good that it hasnt gone up over the past 4 weeks.

My advice to u is just trust ur doctor and do lots of relaxing to try and bring it down a little bit.

good luck

[ezymay]

My doc and most of what I read say 140/90 is at the lower end of high, where they start classifying it as high. I do have quite bad oedema of the legs and has recently started in my hands. Its hard to tell if my face is puffy or just getting fatter! Head aches come and go, but there are so many reasons for headaches, I tend to blame them on something else. (wishful thinking maybe)

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Oedema is generally only a worry if it sort of comes on fast, IYKWIM. Swelling in general is not necessarily an issue. How about protein in urine, has it been an issue previously?

[pollyanna]

Yeah high bp is usually a pretty fast ticket to induction. But don't stress-it isnt bad. No worse than a normal delivery. I've been induced twice and its a sure thing this time too,because of a complicated medical history. But when my bp hit 150/100 and i was still feeling great-would never have known, i was admitted and induced the next day. A bit of a surprise, but it was all fine. Wishing you all the very best for your impending delivery and remember-stress less. !!!!
Pauline

[Alan]

Hi eej
At 140/90 your BP is a little too high but not high enough to require an induction providing that there are no other symptoms and it does not go any higher. Are you taking any medications to help reduce your BP? There are a number of drugs that can help to lower your BP and are safe to take when pregnant.

Hollye
There are choices when your BP is a little high and your doctor may well know what’s best for you and your baby but unfortunately many of them put a higher importance on what is best for them and will often suggest induction because then they have some control over when the baby will be born.

Pollyanna
An induction can be and often is worse than a normal delivery. There is also a greater degree danger and potential problems to both baby and mum. However there are some circumstances where an induction can save life but a BP that is a little too high is not one of them.