Silly Blood Pressure

Today I went to the Dr for my 35th week check up. I am starting weekly check ups as it's now the last month. I went into it thinking 'Ok, I have my appointment at 8:50, should be 10mins in and out and then I will get to school with an hour to do some different things.' This is the first week that I have thought that and I shouldn't have.

When I arrived Tanya, the training midwife, was there and we sat down and had a chat about everything. We spoke about my birth plan (keeping in mind that things often don't go to plan) but it is good for her to be aware of our plan to also encourage and support me effectively. It was nice chatting with her (I haven't seen her for a month because I needed to change to Tuesdays for the lat 2 appointments and she is only in on Wednesday).

When chatting with the Dr he took my blood pressure and then looked a bit puzzled. He decided to take it again. He said that it was a bit high so he wanted me to wait for Rhonda to take my blood pressure after as well as a urine test. He measured Bubble and said that was looking good. It was hard for him and Tanya to work out what parts of Bubble they could feel but it is facing the right way which is good. 

After taking the test Rhonda told me that it came back clear - they needed to check that there was no protein in my urine as that can lead to preclampsia (I think it was that). She took my blood pressure again and also said that it was high. After about 10 more minutes and her having a chat with Booker she came back and tested it again - again it was still high. They want me to go back on Friday to have another test, around 4 blood pressure tests to see if the results are lower and if they are still high I will get a blood test. They are just wanting to check that my kidneys and liver are still functioning properly. They kept saying that it is common to have a high blood pressure in your first pregnancy - 15% of women experience it (which even though to me that's not much, it is when you think how many women get pregnant). At this point I was a bit upset because I expected everything to be fine and in and out, but that didn't happen. They were very lovely though and very caring and reassuring.

I went to work and arrived at recess time - just in time to teach. I poked my head into Lyn's office and said I'm here, all is good but I need Friday off - and then I started crying again. She was so lovely! I really am blessed. She spoke through it with me, was totally fine about me having Friday off, offered that if I need to leave school at 3:30 to rest then I can and the same as she is ok for me to arrive at 9am in the morning. She re-assured me that I am still doing a good job and am coping very well. And she also gave me release after fruit break so that I still get it, as I miss out having appointments in the morning. So I am very blessed!

The day went well and I was a lot more aware about how I was teaching, trying to sit down more, having the students come to me, not me bending over them. Hopefully everything will be ok on Friday.

I am feeling quite big and am having a bit of back pain when I wake in the morning. Am trying a pillow between my legs, as well as the one under my tummy to make it feel better. Hopefully it helps. Will wait and see.