Crush on OB doctor? Wtf is going on...

Question

I need some serious advice because I don’t know what to think anymore. My OBGYN delivered my first daughter a year ago and I am currently pregnant again (exactly 29 weeks) so I’ve been seeing him throughout this pregnancy too. This pregnancy, Every time I get my blood pressure taken at his office it’s literally so high (160s, 170s, 140s). 
Now every time I get my blood pressure taken somewhere else it is always in the normal range. I keep being sent to labor and delivery to get it monitored and I’m basically laughed at because it’s normal at the hospital but high at his office that the hospital doesn’t even know why I’m there! 
My ob said something the other day about it being high at his office, he thinks I get nervous to see him and it spikes up. I told my husband this and my husband thinks I have a crush on him or something because it does only spike up when I’m waiting for him. I seriously have no idea why and I’m actually so uncomfortable with this. I’m uncomfortable that my doctor thinks he’s making my blood pressure spike and I’m uncomfortable with the fact that my husband agrees and thinks I have a mini crush on him (by the way, I don’t, he’s not attractive or anything, he’s literally a 40 year old man). For some reason it lingers in my subconscious and makes me uncomfortable to even think that. It just creeps me out! 
Well guess what happened tonight. I’ve been having headaches all day, I called my doctor this afternoon and his assistant said that he wants me to go into labor and delivery to get my blood pressure checked since I have a history of high blood pressure. I walk in to labor and delivery and guess who’s there? My doctor. I go in the triage room with the nurse to get hooked up and she’s about to take my bp when my doctor walks in to talk to be about my symptoms. As I’m talking to him the bp comes back 171/97!!  He says to wait a bit and retake it but that he has to leave for the night and if they need him to just call the on call doctor. You guys not even 5 mins after he left, they took my blood pressure and it’s completely normal 120/80. Wtf is going on?! How do you explain something like this? I feel like my doctor thinks that he really does make me nervous when he doesn’t! And my damn husband literally thinks I have a crush on this doctor that’s why my bp is high. Opinions please!

Answer

It sounds like white coat syndrome (fairly common - https://www.healthline.com/health/white-coat-syndrome) but a little more targeted. I have it sometimes with providers that I’m worried are judging me or I don’t particularly like. Not sure if this is what it is for you, but maybe.

Answer

This is actually fairly common. It’s called “White Coat Syndrome” or something like that. From what I’ve heard it usually happens to people with the medical profession in general but t probably now that you’ve got it in your head at least subconsciously that it’s because of your specific doctor it’s only happening when you see him.

Answer

Do you feel at all nervous or stressed when you go in? It could also be in your mind where you know its usually high at your doctors office so the thought alone makes you slightly nervous or stressed. I keep a log of my blood pressure and I take it about 3 times a week at work and it’s been lower than 120/80 which is perfect. For every doctors appt I’ve had so far it’s been elevated slightly, 130s. They chalk it up to me being nervous which is usually the case for me. I don’t know if switching doctors would help since I think it’s more so the office that makes you more nervous. Try to close your eyes and take take deep breaths and envision yourself in your most favorite place!  Good luck!

Answer

So I have this too. I’ve always had a slightly elevated blood pressure at the dr office (any dr, and I’ve had many as I’ve moved a lot). It’s white coat syndrome. During my pregnancy I’ve had 3 higher readings and only at my OBs office. I also go to an MFM twice a week and have never had a high reading there. My OBs office is made up of many dr, only one being a man I’ve never met. It’s not a crush. I’m pretty sure that it’s just stress and worry over something being wrong with our babies. And you had a bad headache which could mean your bp was actually high but maybe being at the hospital makes you feel safe and calm. 
Also the top number is usually the one affected by stress. So having a high bottom number over and over is very concerning.

Answer

U probably don't but u get nervous , it could be that reason , and now that it's stuck in ur head about that it has u thinking some way , just change doctors

Answer

My midwife would always talk about labor and delivery then take my blood pressure and it would be a bit high! I always told her she gave me anxiety before taking it... now we take it first lol

Answer

At first, it was probably a coincidence. Now, its probably stuck in your head that its going to happen - so it does. Have you considered the option of just switching doctors?

Crush on OB doctor? Wtf is going on...

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