Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

So I've been officially diagnosed with PIH as of Friday.  My bp was 150/92 (up from 140/90 a week before).  My doctor said that there was nothing I could do to reduce it, and we basically have to monitor it and see what happens.  He said that he doesn't want to put me on meds because that won't change the outcome of the pregnancy, just mask the problem.  I'm very scared about what is going to happen now.  I am only 22 weeks, so I still have a long way to go.  Does anyone have any advice, suggestions, or encouraging stories?  DH and I are both very worried.

[peekawho]

Its certainly very concerning to have symptoms of PIH at your gestation.  I'd certainly want a consult with a high risk perinatologist, just for the added input as to management (if you are not already seeing one,of course).  

Rest on your side as much as possible.  Do they have you on any medication, such as low dose aspirin?  Some doctors use that, others don't.  Do you have a home BP machine?  They are useful, sold at any pharmacy, and you can watch your pressure at home.  

Keep us posted!  I've seen lots of women do very well with PIH for long periods of time, so try not to worry too much.  

[wantingbabies]

I'm just seeing my regular OB/GYN right now.  I don't know if there is even a perinatologist in my area.  But he doesn't have me on any medication at this point.  I do not have a home bp machine, but I think I'll stop and get one after work today.  Thanks for your reply.

[peekawho]

I'd want the input of a perinatologist or other high risk OB specialist.  You might ask for a consult when you go next.

Where is Bellaire?  I grew up in Ohio, it sounds vaguely familiar.  If its anywhere near any of the larger cities of Columbus, Cleveland, Cinncy, Dayton...there should be high risk specialist somewhere you could get to.  

Working?  You're working???  Is that ok with your doctor?  

[wantingbabies]

Bellaire is a small rural city just across the river from Wheeling, WV.  I am about 2 hours from any large city.  I had to go to Morgantown, WV to find a RE (and that was an hour and a half away), but I can't find any info on a perinatologist there.  

As for working, my Dr said nothing to me about not working.  In fact, he even told me to do some light exercise.  This is why I'm so concerned.  He didn't give me any advice on anything I could do to help, and basically told me there was nothing I could do at this point but monitor and see what happens.  He's supposed to be one of the best OB/GYN's around here, but I'm really having my doubts about now.

[peekawho]

Well...he must not be concerned then.  What was your BP prior to the pregnancy?  Is this a drastic change for you?  Or is it in the ballpark to your prepregnancy blood pressures.

Did he do any baseline blood work related to the PIH?  Generally a CBC, AST, ALT, and Uric Acid is done if PIH is suspected.

I'm not meaning to cast doubts on him at all.  If this is not a drastically different blood pressure for you, then there probably isn't a lot of reason for concern.  But if this is a huge change for you, I'd certainly be worrying.  

Just rest as much as you can on your side, and take your BP a few times a day at home and at work.  If its way higher at work, tell your doctor.  

[wantingbabies]

My bp has been consistently 110-120/70 for as long as I can remember.  So this is a big jump for me.  The only tests he's done so far are a 12 lead EKG, and a 24 hour urine test.  And he did some kind of swab of my cervix to check for any signs of labor in the next 2 weeks.  I don't have the results of anything yet, as those were just done over the weekend.  The said they would call if the swab came back bad, so I'm assuming it didn't.

We worked so hard to get to this point, and I'm so scared something is going to go wrong.    

[LittleGracie123]

this is an older post, so i hope you are still around. i just went through this. i was diagnosed at almost 34 weeks with pih. i went in for a rountine doctor's visit and my bp was high, mine usually runs 110/60. he sent me over to labor and delivery because i had a very small amount of protein in my urine. at the hospital we couldn't get my bp under control so they admitted me for the night, and the ob on call did bloodwork and said it was affecting my kidneys, liver and what not. she decided to induce and i had my baby the next day. i can't imagine why your doctor isn't taking this more serious. after delivery my blood pressure was still a little high 155/88ish...and they put me on bed rest and i could not even go down the nicu to see my baby girl. (the rn's, not the doctor) i know meds are a last resort when you are as early as you, but bedrest or slowing down greatly should be mandatory. i read if you are higher than 20 points on your regular bp numbers, even if it is not considered dangerously high on the 'scale', still can be dangerous for you.

i always felt fine. sluggish, but fine. it is hard to tell certain symptoms apart from the normal 'pregnancy' symptoms. at least you know now, and they are watching you, hopefully very, very, closely now. my bp went so high so fast. by the time they decided to induce me it was in the 180's and high 90's.  my baby was born the size of a 28/29 week baby, only weighing a little over 3 lbs.  which they said small babies are a good indication of pih. she spent a few weeks in the nicu. you are getting to a very safe point in your pregnancy where the miracles they do with premies is amazing. i saw a whole lot while in the nicu, you have nothing to be scared of if you have to give birth early, i promise. than everything slowly goes back to normal.

i personaly know girls who are on bp meds from day one in pregancy because they normally have high blood pressure. just keep yourself informed, so you know your options. it really helped keep my anxiety at bay with everything that happened so fast because i read as much as i could on it beforehand because i had some suspicions. you have instinct, just listen to it. i now believed that a lot of things were overlooked for a while with me, but i am very happy with the outcome so i try not to focus on that to often.

my bp stayed that high for around three weeks after leaving the hospital, and i will tell you i was on the go from day out of neccessity of having a baby in the nicu and i was fine. i was told i was in no danger of 'stroking out' or having a seizure with it at those numbers, they just needed it to come down. for some reason this really comforted me! so maybe you are just not in enough danger for your doctor to totally freak out yet, and it is a good possibility you won't be your entire pregnancy.

if you are on no meds, promegranate juice has been found to help lower bps, and don't laugh but celery as well. bananas can help, but they have a higher sugar content. just keep your self very hydrated and take it easy, and don't be scared to call your doctor ALL the time! and listen to your head, and your body!!!

i wish you all the luck in the world, because i so know what you are going through and how very scary it seems at the time. my girl is now a month and a day old, and just as healthy as any full term baby!