Getting (and staying pregnant) with high blood pressure

[Tully J]

Hi all, I am currently trying to conceive no.1 and have high blood pressure. (im 26). The doctors are looking into it, but so far haven't found any reason (its often around 145/95ish). Just wondering how high BP has affected others trying to get pregnant and throughout their pregnancy. I don't know much about medications and if these are an issue during pregnancy. (my doc knows i'm TTC and at this stage is trying to avoid meds). Just worried about pre eclampsia and i know there would be a higher liklihood of this. Hoping for some words of advice, or to hear that ? it is possible to get pregnant and have a normal healthy pregnancy with high BP pre conception.
Thanks

[~Kim~]

Hey Tully, welcome to BB.

I have persistent/chronic high BP. Mine is similar to yours. I am quite fit too and not at all overweight. It was the same when I graduated from the police accademy and was extremely fit and weighed 54kgs wringing wet. No-one's ever mentioned it as a block to falling pregnant (and DS took 18months TTC and this one 15).
I did develop PE with DD which turned into HELLP Syndrome. I got up to 200/110. My ureters are partially occluded though. It's something I was born with.
Then with DS is did get PE again (we spiked at 190/100 this time), but if you have a look at the research it's neither common nor uncommon. There is recognised PE superimposed onto chronic hypertension.
I've had medication both times and I'm ready again. TBH I'd rather be alive with healthy bub than fight a battle to keep my BP down. I eat well and exercise. I've BF both children for lengthy periods.

HTH a bit.

[Tully J]

Thanks for the reply Kim and congrats on your latest BFP. I agree, i would much rather be on meds and keep myself and any potential babies healthy. I have been trying to have some influence over it without meds, but despite being a healthy weight, not drinking/smoking, cutting out coffee and i would like to think of average fitness i cant seem to improve it.
Just reassuring to hear that despite high BP and PE you have had healthy bubs and that you are also ok.
Thanks again and all the very best with number 3

[Sagres]

My sister is pregnant with high BP, like you she had it before getting pregnant and has no real explanation for it. She was on medication (not sure which one) but had to change to a different med before TTC AND take the new one for 6 months before TTC. So if you are not on anything currently you have already cleared that hurdle.
My sister is now about 24 weeks so we don't know the outcome yet, but she was able to fall pregnant without too many hassles and her BP has been fine and even a little too low, I think they are considering changing her dosage because it is working too well.
I myself had high BP (due to PE) but only really late so about from 35 or 36 weeks. This didn't effect my baby at all but did give me some stuff to work around during the actual labour - because of course your body is working really hard during labour and BP tends to go up and I was already starting from a pretty high baseline. But as I said it was something we just had to work with and plan for, not something that drastically changed the outcome IYKWIM.

[BellyBelly]

Have you tried acupuncture? If you're in Melbourne, look up Chris Tang at Box Hill Complete Health. He's on our support panel here and works with lots of couples trying to conceive and pregnant.

[Tully J]

Thanks for the replies sagres and Kelly. It's nice to hear positive stories from others. I'm not in Melbourne Kelly, but will look into local accupuncturists.
Thanks again.

[~*Kat*~]

Tully I have genetic high BP and have has since I was 18 yrs old (and I am a big girl).
I have had to have medication for my blood pressure through all my pregnancies and even ended up with pre-eclampcia with my first but most of the time the medication they put u on/ change u too will be able to keep ur BP in a good range through ur pregnancy. Dont let u think it will hold u back just keep trying.
If I can get though being pregnant then anyone can