Monitoring your blood pressure at home
During pregnancy or after the birth of your baby
Your doctor or midwife has asked you to monitor your blood pressure (BP) at home. This information will give you instructions on how to do this and what to do with your BP reading.
Why is checking my BP important?
A BP measurement is recommended at every pregnancy care visit because high blood pressure (hypertension) is common in pregnancy.
Having regular BP measurements is a part of keeping you and your baby safe, through ensuring your BP remains normal and you are not developing high blood pressure, or pre-eclampsia.
How do I check my BP at home?
- Sit comfortably at rest and place your feet flat on the floor.
- Make sure you are using the right size BP cuff (the part that wraps around your arm).
- Sit upright and rest for 2 minutes before taking your BP.
- Do not take your blood pressure when you are feeling stressed or in pain, as it will likely be higher.
Checking your BP for your telehealth appointment?
Only take your blood pressure during your Telehealth appointment unless otherwise advised.
If you are unsure about how to do this, your doctor or midwife can assist you during your Telehealth appointment.
Alternatively, you could ask your GP to measure your BP and write this down for you or you can take a photo of the measurement. This is best done the day of your telehealth appointment.
Your doctor or midwife will discuss your blood pressure result with you during your Telehealth appointment.
If your BP measurement is 140/90 (or higher) we will ask you to come to the Pregnancy Assessment Centre (PAC) for further assessment.
Women diagnosed with high BP
- If your BP is less than or equal to 140 systolic (top number) and/or less than or equal to 90 diastolic (bottom number) it is normal. Keep a record of your readings to show the midwife or doctor at your next routine review.
- If your BP is greater than or equal to 160 systolic and/or 110 diastolic it is high and you need to come to PAC.
- If your BP is between 140–160 systolic and /or 90–110 diastolic—you need to rest for 15 minutes and then repeat the reading (sitting upright). If it remains between 140–160/90–110 we recommend you attend PAC for review within 4 hours.
When else should I come to hospital?
If you have new symptoms that are concerning you, we recommend you attend PAC for review – even if your BP readings are normal.
BP machine—buy or hire
Contact Mater Pharmacy for details and costs for either buying or hiring a BP machine.
Buy—a receipt can be provided for your private health fund.
Hire—the cost covers hire for the duration of your pregnancy. Approximately half of the hire cost will be refunded when you return the BP machine.
Mater Pharmacy is located on Level 2, Salmon Building, Raymond Terrace.
Phone: 07 3163 1056
Mater acknowledges consumer consultation in the development of this patient information.
Mater Doc Num: PI-CLN-430250
Last modified 27/5/2020.
Consumers were consulted in the development of this patient information.
Last consumer engagement date: 02/4/2020
For further translated health information, you can visit healthtranslations.vic.gov.au/ supported by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services that offers a range of patient information in multiple languages.