17 weeks with third baby and suddenly have high blood pressure?

Question

I've never had an issue with my blood pressure. It has always been textbook normal. Even at my last appointment just a week ago it was normal.

Well I've been having some issues and decided to start monitoring my blood pressure 4 times a day with a cuff that goes around the wrist and you just hit a button.

Well each reading has been high. This mornings was 156/123.

Could I be using the cuff wrong? It's an automatic kind. Or could I have developed high blood pressure that quickly? I thought before 20 weeks it wasn't pre eclampsia but I've never had this problem so I can't think of how else I developed an issue:

Answer

I have a wrist cuff, and it works well. When you're sitting, are you lying your arm down, or do you have your elbow bent, wrist up, wrist is level of your heart. Your pressure will be inaccurate if your arm is resting down.

Answer

As others have stated the wrist cuffs are often inaccurate. I would bring it to your next appointment, and they can compare it in the office.

Answer

The cuff may be inaccurate. Wrist cuffs are quite inaccurate. Also throughout the day you blood pressure will ebb and flow.

Try taking it once a day after 30mins of rest. That is your most accurate baseline. If that one is still >140/90 for 3 days, you develop foot/face/hand swelling that will not go away, or you develop spotty vision and headaches call your ob/midwife and alert them. They may just want to monitor you, but those are warning signs of possible complications that they will want to keep an eye on.

Answer

Are you having any symptoms though ? Swelling in your feet and hands? I've used those kinds of blood pressure machines and I've found them to be pretty inconsistent, especially if you don't follow instructions and place your arm out like the diagram says. Even when following directions though, I've had it give me very different readings testing a few times right after the other. If you have a local Walgreens or CVS, they can test your blood pressure and then you can see if it matches the reading on your machine. Or you can call your doctor and have him or her check it.

Answer

The wrist ones are not as accurate.  If you can get a manual blood pressure cuff, that works much better.

Answer

Make sure you're using the right size cuff. Those #s are very high. I have HBP and I was told that if the bottom # is above 100 to seek medical help. Try drinking some water and laying on your left side for awhile, then check again.

17 weeks with third baby and suddenly have high blood pressure?

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