May 16, 2008 08:06PM
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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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