Pre-eclampsia - 140/80 ?

At what stage are you classified as having pre-eclampsia and besides bedred does anyone have advise on how to get my blood pressure down, it's currently at 140/80.  We are in the middle of summer and things are only going to get hotter.  I am still at work and don't want to take time off because it will mean less time withmy baby after her birth. I am 32 weeks which means I still need to go 2 whole months! To make things even worse, we booked tickets to fly to my inlaws over christmas, and if I can't keep my blood pressure down then obviously I will not be able to fly the 45 minutes it takes to get there.

[jd1419]

I am only going to guess that they are not going to let you fly with a medical condition like that and being that close to delivery time.  If it is pre-eclampsia, I have never had it and the only way to keep it under control is what I have been reading and that is bed rest or to have the baby.

I wish you the best and try and see if you can do some flex tme work hours where you take a longer break and stay at work late rif possible.  That way maybe you can take a nap to keep your pressure lower.

[surfergirl602]

you can't fly past 7 months, so i don't know why you even got tickets, but I have high blood pressure too, and my days consist of taking it easy in bed, blood pressure medication, and low stress levels.

[newlywed05]

High blood pressure isn't the only indication of preeclampsia. Docs are going to want to check your urine and other things.  Watch your salt intake and try to rest and relax as much as possible. You are going to the docs every 2 weeks now correct? They are deffinately going to keep an eye on you. Unfortunately, you may end up taking extra early time off work. As far as they flying....that is your docs decision. Good luck though! I am also 32w.

[Wendles01]

You need to have a blood pressure higher than 160/90 and protein in your urine to be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure on its own is not pre-eclampsia.  Other symptoms can include epigastric pain, swelling in hands, face or feet, vomiting, headaches and flashing lights.  If you feel ill or concerned I would contact your health advisors, pre-eclampsia is not a condition to take lightly.

[juniorfan32]

I wouldn't say you have pre eclampsia yet.  Your doc may want to put you on blood pressure meds and you probably need to take it easy.  They didn't diagnose me with pre eclampsia until I started releasing proteins in my urine.  I did have to go on bedrest which stank and get lots of tests which stank but the healthy baby in the end is worth it!!

[sam2]

Your BP is boderline high.  Has it been creeping up slowly?  are you swelling?  I have bigger arms and sometimes they use the smaller cuff and I get a bad reading, like today @ 160/80.  don't think so, if she used the right cuff it would have been a better reading.

[Jules_za]

Hi Ladies - thanks for your comments.  I am swollen but normal not overly swollen.  There is no protien in my urine (at this stage) Airline permits you to fly up to week 34 (so I am borderline on the flying thing)