OB Dilemma & Blood Pressure Probs

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

I haven't been very diligent with keeping up with the posts lately. At 10

weeks pregnant, I've been feeling awful. I'm exhausted, achy, cold, and have

been having dizzy spells and severe shortness of breath. I'm scared I've

gone way hypo--I should have lab results Monday that let me know if that's

the case. Yesterday, I had a 'Meet and Greet' with an OB, at which my blood

pressure was a startling 120/10! That's not a typo, it was really that low.

I was terrified and was so out of it, I actually got lost on my way home. I

didn't take my beta blocker last night (I take 50 mg of atenolol twice a

day--only needs to be taken once a day, so I wasn't really skipping a whole

dose) and took my blood pressure when I woke up this morning. Without any

beta blocker for 24 hours, my systolic bp (taken 4 times) varied from 97 -

116 and diastolic bp was between 57 and 66. So, it was reassuring to see it

had risen, but that is before I took today's atenolol. I'll check it again

in a hour or two. Should I be worried or overly cautious? I'm scared even

to drive in case I pass out at the wheel.

Now, my OB issues. The doctor I saw was highly recommended on a message

board for Washington parents. She graduated from the Mayo Medical School and

seems nice enough. However, there were a few red flags that have me

concerned. First of all, she sent me home with blood pressure so low, I

could've collapsed on the spot. Also, she felt my thyroid and I felt she was

a bit rough with it (though I am overly sensitive about anything touching my

neck). My biggest concern was that she said that she prefers me to be on the

hypo side rather than hyper because of the threat of thyroid storm. Although

I certainly agree with her that I don't want my levels to get high enough to

be in danger of thyroid storm, everything I've read and heard about Graves

and pregnancy supports keeping the mother slightly hyper. She is an older

lady--not that that's a problem in itself, but I wonder if she has a rather

dated view of thyroid issues. What do you think? Should I run now or give

this chick another chance?

One more question, then I'm all out of issues. I feel a bit like I'm

badgering the group with all this, so forgive me if I am. The hospital

closest to my home is a level 3 birthing facility. I'm not exactly sure what

this means as far as which situations they can or cannot handle, but they

definitely don't handle infant surgery if that becomes necessary. If the

baby were have complications that would warrant being transferred, the

hospital could not transfer me until I had stayed there the minimum amount of

time (I think 24 hours for vaginal birth, 48 for cesarean). I would go nuts

if I had to be apart from my baby and husband in such a situation. So, I'm

wondering if I should plan to have the baby in a Seattle hospital (30 miles

away) that can handle all sorts of problems or if a level 3 facility is more

than adequate to handle potential Graves complications. I hope my pregnancy

and the baby are perfectly healthy, but I want to be at least partially

prepared if they aren't. The other night, I dreamed that I gave birth to the

most beautiful baby boy, perfect in every way. I saw his little face so

clearly--he had dark hair, slightly olive skin, chubby little cheeks, and his

father's wonderful smile. I do so hope that's how it happens in reality. I

can hardly wait to see and hold him. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

Ok, I'm off. The 1100 lights that I spent 2.5 days putting on our Christmas

tree decided to go out last night! So, I'll be spending the day trying to

check each bulb and fuse. My cats probably knocked one bulb loose and now

none of them will light. Ugh! Pray that it's one of the first few I check.

I don't have the patience to check all 1100.

Peace & thanks for being my therapist for the day,

Tori