high blood pressure test results

Had a full work up on Wednesday the 23rd due to my elevated blood pressure (160/100). We started off with an ultrasound which was amazing to see. I still thought of him being a little fish in a big pond – plenty of room to flip and twist but that’s not really the case. No wonder he’s kicking all the time – trying to make more room for himself! He was laying like a backward C with his feet up by my right ribs, bum over on my left side and his head down by my right pelvic bone. He was very cooperative and kept moving and kicking like he always does so Dan could see. He was opening and closing his mouth, swallowing and had a little case of hiccups while we were checking things out. His feet measured 2.5” long, estimated at 3lbs and heart rate was around 160. They like to see 3lbs at 30 weeks and I’m just at 29 weeks. He has chubby cheeks and muscular thighs. Yay for chub! He’s in the 59^th percentile which puts me about 4 days ahead of schedule. High blood pressure can affect his growth, amniotic fluid levels and the placenta. All three got a passing grade!

Next up was a non stress test. 30 minutes hooked up to a monitor to track his heartbeat and any contractions. It was the same two bands I wore around my belly in the hospital before Madi came. Same sounds too! Clear heartbeat followed by periodic swooshing sounds as they wiggle around. I’d planned to just lay there and check Facebook, get more toddler apps for Madi, maybe read a little in my book but nope, had to hold a little button like the answer buzzer on Jeopardy and click it any time I felt movement. I seriously thought the lady was joking at first – this kid moves ALL THE TIME! Going to be pressing that thing the whole 30 minutes. Then it made sense. The printout may show an increase or decrease in the heartbeat but without knowing what was going on at that time, doesn’t tell them much, so they use my record of movement to justify the spike or dip. No contractions were recorded, haven’t been having any that much. And the changes in heartbeat must’ve corresponded with movement because we got a passing grade on that test as well. Take a listen to his heartbeat:

 

Results of the glucose test weren't immediate so we didn't have a grade on that one. People talked about how bad the glucose test was – the drink tastes horrible, lightheaded and dizzy, nauseous – but my drink tasted like orange Gatorade or those plastic freezer pops. Didn’t notice any side effects either. If they said I had to do it again it wouldn’t bother me.

Then we met with our secondary, Dr. Dupler. He was pleased with what he saw from the ultrasound and non stress test. While my blood pressure may be elevated the nurse got 120/80 today. I asked for her to take it every time! He reviewed my at home readings too. Instead of diagnosing me as having pre-eclampsia he put it as pre-hypertensive, same as before I was pregnant. I may have some higher than desired readings but there is no impact on Stone Jr. which would have indicated pre-eclampsia. As long as the problem stays with me we should be okay. I have plenty of room to increase my blood pressure meds in dosage or frequency. Dupler’s ok with bp readings under 140/90 which is where I’ve been most of the weekend.

Dupler did extend my going to work privileges so I can go to work for 2 hours 2-3 times/week and work from the recliner. That makes some of the training I need to get done much easier. Plus the socialization aspect is nice too! Really miss the random personal interactions. Those that have been to the house for one reason or the other have probably figured out that I don’t let you leave in under 15 minutes – gotta talk to me, tell me how the outside world’s doing.

Having made it to the 3^rd trimester and with the high BP on the radar I now go in every week for a non stress test and check-in with the doc. If you want to be on the call list to listen to the heartbeat let me know! We’ll also do an ultrasound periodically to check the placenta and fluid. He said that should the BP stay up it could go to appointments twice a week closer to 36 weeks but we’ll see how things go. I asked if we got reserved parking with appts twice every week…answer’s No. Dang it! Next week we’re back with Mernitz so we’ll get his opinion on everything and see if something changes.

While there was cause for alarm on Friday, today’s test showed everything’s ok. Not great but ok. So we’re back to being a fairly normal high-risk pregnancy. A big Thank You for all your prayers.

I think I forgot to mention that last time I met with Mernitz he mentioned not taking the stitch out before 36 weeks instead of 32 like he’d said before. “What drugs was I on?” was his reply when I asked if that was still the goal. Guess they don’t normally take the stitch out that early. I know I didn’t make that up though. Dan and I both heard him say on several occasions that’s what we’d do. Not sure if the 32 week comment was because he was slightly pessimistic at that point or what. It appears our goal date for delivery at 36 weeks may get pushed back. I'll keep you posted.

Here's the big guy now. The first pic was an attempt at a 3D but with his head up close to my placenta we didn't get a clear shot. Shy guy!

"That way - the exit's that way."

can't wait to kiss those chubby cheeks

You can go back and look at the ultrasound pics from 11/29 for comparison, click here. I'm amazed at the difference. This time we could only get one body part at a time in the viewer where last time we'd get from his head to his belly in the shot. Of course I knew he'd continue to grow and get bigger, this just makes it all the more real.

We've since gotten the results of the glucose test...I failed. They wanted to see a blood sugar level of 140 or lower but I scored a 154. So now I have another marathon appointment next Thursday for a fasting blood sugar test. No food or drink after midnight, except water. Report at 8:30a for some more orange sugar drink. Then a blood draw at 9:30a, 10:30a and 11:30a. Yay! I LOVE needles!! (heavy sarcasm) I'm kinda curious to see where they draw it all from, usually you alternate arms but I have two arms and three blood draws. Hmm. Either way, not excited. They didn't say what would happen if my blood sugar level indicated gestational diabetes. I've read where some balance it with diet and exercise but others have to inject insulin. I'm sure you know which I'd prefer.