What counts as a worrying rise in blood pressure in the 3rd trimester?

[Artichook]

Quick question: throughout my pregnancy my BP has been around 110/60. Sometimes a little less, never more than 118/64.

Today my calves swelled up. I was visiting my MiL who has a home BP monitor so I took it and it was 131/72. Is this a worrying rise or OK?

[FrustratedSycamoresRocks]

I'm not sure, but am interested in what the "normal" ranges are, I was told today that 134/82 was still within "normal" ranges.

That said, because you have swollen calves I'd advise speaking with a midwife.

[Artichook]

I think was is considered normal is all dependent on your normal BP. That's why I'm worried about the rise.

I did have mild pre-eclampsia with pregnancy 1 but I cannot remember what the BP rise was. I know my BP was 145/90 when they induced me but I think they were more worried about the massive amounts of protein in my wee. Plus I was swollen all over.

[FrustratedSycamoresRocks]

I've just found this chart which would suggest that your 131/72 is worth watching.

[PseudoBadger]

It's relative to your booking bp as well. Mine shot from normal to 160/110 at 36 weeks.....

[PseudoBadger]

Also they worry about the bottom number the most afaik

[PandaNot]

It's generally when the bottom number gets to 90 that they take it seriously.

[FrustratedSycamoresRocks]

With your history I'd definately recommend phoning the midwife, I'm sure they'd rather check your bp and protein than not, so don't worry about bothering them.

[PseudoBadger]

Sorry I missed that you were at home - I'd check with a mw especially with the swelling

[Ellypoo]

Sometimes though these home kits aren't as accurate as the hospital ones, and if you were talking that can affect it too. I would call your MW and ask to go in to get it checked again - also, if you were worried about your ankles being swollen, then that won't have helped your BP!

[Artichook]

Thanks all. I'm probably just looking for problems now but I've just read that sudden weight gain is a sign of pre-eclampsia and I've put on 4lbs in the last 4 days. I wonder if that just because of my swollen calves though. Overall my BP isn't that bad is it? The midwife isn't going to answer at this time.

[bruffin]

I spent 7 weeks in hospital with Ds for high bp and at the time it was 20 above booking in for the bottom reading. Mine was 105 i think when i went in at 32 weeksand was told i could go home if went below 90 which it never did. It was usually in the 90 but i think i did have a reading of about 125 in the end. I had swelling but didn't got protein until 38.5 weeks when i was induced.
That was nearly 18 years ago and i think they use medication now to manage bp.

[Ellypoo]

My bp was 142/84(or 86) last week so I went to see MW to check it again but that was because I was concerned not cos the consultant & hospital were.
Well worth a call to your MW in the am or triage now - always better to be safe than sorry xxx

[Zara1984]

That sounds well within the range of normal!

My BP was always about 120/70 ish until 38 weeks. Then it shot up to 150/100! I got put on hypertension medication, was hospitalised for a few days, had to go for regular bp checks and I was induced at term + 1.

My hospital were particularly focused on second number - where it was over 90 they started to get anxious.

[marshkat]

Ive suffered with high blood pressure throughout this pregnancy. it is only classed as high if bottom number is over 100 and even then it depends on what your BP was when you had your first appointment. xx hth

[HavingALittleFaithBaby]

My midwife said 140 systolic (the top one) bearing in mind my usual in pregnancy has been around 100. I think with the swelling its worth contacting the MW on Monday and taking a urine specimen to the GP practice so they can dip it and see if there's protein in it.

[blondiep14]

If it is high for you, please get yourself checked out.

Probably absolutely fine, but check.

[lotsofcheese]

Arti: I also had PE in my 1st pregnancy & am now 32 weeks. My usual BP is 100-110/60-70. Last week it had crept up to 115/75.

I was sent for a Doppler to check blood flow, ctg monitoring & was reviewed by a consultant (in addition to my usual growth scan & weekly BP/urine checks).

My consultant says that the intervention level for diastolic BP (the lower figure) is high 80's.

And I always get higher readings on electronic monitors than I do on manual readings.

Hope that helps - good luck!

[Artichook]

That's interesting Lotsofcheese. I have now looked at my notes, booking BP was 90/60, last BP (10 days ago) was 107/58. So today's is quite a rise and might warrant a check, will call mw on Monday. I had a placental artery scan about 8 weeks ago and it showed high pressure which can indicate future pre-e so I think it's better to be safe than sorry.

[lotsofcheese]

Arti, that sounds like a good plan. Don't hesitate to call triage/labour ward over the weekend if you're worried.

[Pontouf]

Yeah that's right, it is the diastolic figure that they worry about. This is the pressure exerted on your blood vessels while your heart is at rest (in between heart beats). My BP has always tended to be on the low side. It was 100/55 at booking in. I rang my Pregnancy Assessment Unit last week because I had had an increase in swelling in my hands, I had a headache and when I was showering I had some slight flashing lights in one eye. The combination of symptoms persuaded them to get me to come in and be assessed. I went into labour ward, they tested my wee, took my BP several times which was 137/85, so pretty high for me. They also put me on a foetal monitor and did a trace of the baby's heart beat. There was no protein in my urine and the baby was fine. I was told to go home and take a paracetamol for the headache, but to come back if my symptoms worsened. They were perfectly happy to see me and said they would rather people called if they were concerned.

If you are concerned or have any other symptoms, just call them. Better to be safe I reckon. Goods luck with your pregnancy.