How can you conquer white coat syndrome?

My husband has the same problem and I can’t wait to hear the answers, GQ!

Your BP is most likely higher due to your pregnancy. It is normal.

Doctors are used to nervous “new moms”. Just let the Dr know your issue. It’s nothing new for them.

After you have the baby, you will most likely be less nervous around your doctor. Right now, you are truly facing the unknown. It’ll be okay.

What is your head script like when you’re waiting for the doctor? Possibly you could alter the story in your head prior to your BP reading.

yeah I’ve been doing that as well @SpatzieLover – changing the head script, deep calm breathes in the Taxi, the thing is is that i feel calm but in reality my heart is pounding and nothing calms it – as soon as i leave the Dr’s, my heart is normal I come home and my BP is normal, they always get me to lay down at the Dr’s and wait 20 minutes, but I know it’s fine – I just need to get the association away from the BP cuff for danger.

There’s really no need to concern yourself over this right now. You have enough to concern yourself with. Since they have you lying down first, ask if they can put the cuff on you when you lay down. Then, when they come in they can do the reading.

When you are birthing, you will most likely have a BP cuff on for the entire birthing (I did).

There’s no need to conquer this whilst pregnant. It can wait until afterward. As you can read from @rooeytoo‘s response, some people have this their entire lives. It’s really no big deal.

Yep and he’s not even pregnant!

haha yeah I guess you’re right, I’ve conquered so much during this pregnancy – which has been amazing for me mentally I guess this was the last thing but worrying about conquering something like this is in itself a bit of a oxymoron!

I guess if i stopped actually caring about it, it might make it go away!
Ignorance is bliss!

How annoying to have the cuff on the whole time – can you actually move around, I don’t want to be laying down whilst giving birth!

Wear sunglasses and the white coat will be black and that should take care of your problem.

2nd Answer…........

I use to suffer from major migraine headaches. I would wear sunglasses most of the time and they did help with bright lights and the sun.

I’m sure my Dr will find that amusing!

Surely though there must be some trick – like eating something before you go in?
Some acupressure point?

There is no reason to be concerned with this. Seriously.

If your doctor becomes concerned, you will be required to stay in the office for an hour or two hooked up to an automated BP monitor in a quiet room.

Try centering your mind… use a Buddist meditation technique: sit relaxed, feel the air move in and out of your nose as you breathe, meditate on the word “Om,” or just recall a lovely place where you’ve been, or a situation where you were deeply loved. But keep the meditation the same, if you use “Om,” continue to do so. Same thing with the memories… use the same one every time. Always works for me. : )

there is an excellent book written by Herbert Benson, Md. called The Relaxation Response which has very specific techniques and exercises which you practice.

it was written primarily to combat high blood pressure its been around for quite a while and has stood the test of time in terms of results

you can find it on Amazon for cheap