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Female, 33, MO, member since Jun 2005
Doctor of philosophy in chemistry.
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Pregnancy complications....

May 16, 2008 08:06PM - 2 comments

My pregnancy was going well up until about 1 month ago when I hit the 31 week mark.  My doctor diagnosed me with pregnancy-induced hypertension due to elevated BP readings at that appointment and the previous appointment.  I was told to reduce my work hours from 40h/week to 20h/week in the hope that the condition wouldnt worsen which could result in very serious complications.  The reduction in work hours, and lots of lazing around the house!,  appeared to be helping as my BP wasnt too bad at my 33 week appointment.  Also, I had been suffering from some anxiety/depression around the 29-31 week mark AND I also get a little "white coat syndrome" which I assumed had contributed to the hypertension and by week 33 was feeling MUCH better  (working less DEFINITELY helps!) which I hoped was an explanation for the lower BP reading.  Well....... I had my 35 week appointment today.  BP wasnt "too concerning" when I first went into the office and the doctor and I talked about several of my concerns, did the routine measurements etc. and everything seemed to be going well and I was feeling very good about things. However, just before I was about to leave the doctor wanted the nurse to come in and do one last BP measurement since values can vary a little.  The doctor left, the nurse came in and took the measurement and I got up and was about to leave when the nurse said "let me ask the doctor if you are allowed to leave"... Uhhh, Ohhhh!  The doctor arrived a few mins later with the news that my BP was high (and when it was taken I wasnt feeling anxious or experiencing the "white coat syndrome" so I cant blame it on that).  I had to have a non stress test performed on Jazmine which turned out ok (after some initial concerns with the way her HB was responding) and have to have this performed every week along w/ an US to make sure things are OK now that I am in the high-risk category.  I have NEVER had any serious health conditions before and its such a shock to find out I am high risk especially after I thought things were resolving themselves. I am THANKFUL that Jazmine is doing ok and know that many women are going though this and many other women have gone through MUCH more difficult pregnancies with complications more severe than mine.  I am THANKFUL my condition is not worse and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting near so to speak.  I am however, SCARED and worry that somehow the hypertension is MY fault and that because of this I could harm my unborn baby.  I know this isnt the case but the thoughts remain.   My hope is that my reading this is 2 months time I will look back and realize that life is full of ups and downs but we DO get though these tough times (somehow or other) and become better people for it.  Learning not to take things for granted is also important - the aches, pains, discomforts of pregnancy are to be expected.  Do they suck?  YES!  But things could always be worse and I think that experiencing a complication that could harm your unborn really makes you realize this.....

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by suzi-q, May 18, 2008 07:47AM
Spade, hang in there, girl.  As you know we bring so much of this on ourselves.  Right away our thoughts go to guilt and we blame ourselves for everything in the world.  Remember, that you are doing EVERYTHING you are supposed to be doing for your baby.  You are doing your best to control your anxiety.  Just try your best to get rid of those negative thoughts..believe me, I know how hard that is.  You WILL be fine and Jazmine is fine also!  GOD BLESS BOTH OF YOU!  You are going to be a great mom!

by spade22, May 19, 2008 09:07PM
Thanks Suzi.  Anxiety is bad enough but having pregnancy hormones on top of that sometimes makes things very overwhelming sometimes.  lol.

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