Another BP Scare (and a Request for Prayers)

I was diagnosed with gestational hypertension when my second baby was born. It was actually the reason why I had her via CS instead of the VBAC that I was planning to attempt.

A week after I got discharged from the hospital, I was again readmitted because my blood pressure was in the 170s/120s mark. It was supposed to be just a routine check up but the doctor decided to readmit me because my BP was so high.

I was so thankful that my mom is here for a three-month vacation! She took care of Georyl at home because only the infant, Geshery, was allowed to stay with us at the hospital during the night. But still, it breaks my heart that my eldest daughter was at home, sleeping at 2AM and probably waiting for us to come home while the three of us were at the hospital. (These are also the times when I wish that we live nearer to our relatives and friends, sigh!)

Anyway, four days ago I had another blood pressure scare. I was checking my BP (I’ve been regularly monitoring it since I got discharged) and it was in the 140s/100s mark. Everytime I tried rechecking it (and I don’t know if it was the anxiety that caused it), it just kept elevating that the last reading was 175/121.

Mothers (or parents in general) could probably relate when I say that the first thought that crossed my mind when I saw my high BP reading is “what will happen to my children?” I’m not sure whether Geshery will be allowed to stay with me if I get admitted at the hospital now that she’s more than a month old and for sure, Georyl’s gonna stay home again (and I don’t expect her to understand why she has to be at home with her grandma while her family goes away for a long period of time). Of course, there’s George who’s gonna be tired and stressed again, dividing his time between hospital and home – looking after our family while I am bedridden at the hospital.

Needless to say, even when I wasn’t feeling well I never asked my hubby to bring me to the hospital. I know it was a stupid and dumb thing to do! But I was determined to stay at home.

I just took my medications, ate a lot of fresh garlic, drank lots of water and home-made ginger tea hoping for my BP to go down. And I’m glad it did.

On the next day, my BP was in the 140s mark again but I just continued my routine. Since knowing that a high BP will probably land me in the hospital, the thought of getting a blood pressure check already makes me anxious, nervous and quite stressed. Guess what, I ditched monitoring my BP altogether. I also added deep breathing exercises (ala-yoga) to my daily routine to calm my nerves.

I still haven’t checked my BP for two days already but so far, I’m feeling better. I just try to eat healthier foods and avoid foods high in sodium. I have a feeling that what I ate four days ago triggered my elevated BP. It was chicken longganisa for brunch and KFC bucket meal in the afternoon. Sodium! Sodium! Sodium!

I really pray that I will overcome this gestational hypertension so that it won’t become chronic hypertension. Will you please help me pray?