Hypertension, another name for high blood pressure, is fairly typical. Women between the ages of 20 and 44 in the United States experience high blood pressure in 1 in every 12 to 17 pregnancies.

Pregnancy-related high blood pressure has become more widespread. You and your child are more likely to remain healthy if your blood pressure is well-controlled, though.

The most crucial step is to discuss any blood pressure issues with your medical team so you can get the proper care and manage your blood pressure before becoming pregnant. In this article, we will talk about the causes, symptoms and ways to prevent blood pressure during pregnancy. Stay with us!

Table of Content

● What is high- blood pressure?
● High- pressure during Pregnancy
● Symptoms of Hypertension
● Risks and prevention of Pregnancy-related hypertension

High blood pressure: what is it?

Two numbers are used to record blood pressure. The force with which your heart pumps blood throughout your body is known as the systolic pressure. The resistance to blood flow in the blood vessels between heartbeats, as blood is pumped around your heart, is known as the diastolic pressure.

Both of them are expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

● A reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered to be high blood pressure.
If your reading was obtained in a GP office or clinic and you are over 80, high blood pressure is defined as being at least 150/90mmHg.

● The typical range for ideal blood pressure is 90/60mmHg to 120/80mmHg, with a target of less than 150/90mmHg for those over the age of 80.

What does pregnancy-related hypertension mean?

High blood pressure that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and disappears soon after your baby is born is known as pregnancy-related hypertension. In between 6% and 8% of pregnancies, it occurs. Your healthcare professional may also use the terms gestational hypertension or pregnancy-induced hypertension to describe high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Unlike other forms of hypertension, gestational hypertension begins in the second part of pregnancy and disappears after delivery.

It’s crucial that you show up to all of your prenatal sessions so your pregnancy care provider can take your blood pressure because high blood pressure may not present any obvious signs. Complications from high blood pressure during pregnancy are possible.

What are the different Types of High- blood pressure scenarios in Pregnancy?

Pregnancy-related elevated blood pressure can take several different forms:

1. Gestational hypertension: Gestational hypertension is elevated blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy. Once you are 20 weeks pregnant, it begins. Usually, you don’t exhibit any other symptoms. Frequently, HPV has no negative effects on you or your unborn kid and disappears within 12 weeks after giving birth.

However, it does increase your chance of developing high blood pressure later on. It can occasionally be severe, which could result in low birth weight or preterm delivery. Preeclampsia does eventually develop in some pregnant women with gestational hypertension.

2. Chronic Hypertension: High blood pressure that developed chronically before the 20th week of pregnancy or before you became pregnant. Some women might have had it for a long time before becoming pregnant but weren’t aware of it until their blood pressure was tested during their prenatal appointment. Preeclampsia can occasionally develop as a result of persistent hypertension.

3. Preeclampsia: An abrupt rise in blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy is known as preeclampsia. Typically, it occurs in the third trimester. Rarely, symptoms can not appear until after childbirth.

This condition is known as postpartum preeclampsia. Additionally, preeclampsia manifests as symptoms of liver or kidney impairment. Urine containing protein and extremely high blood pressure are two possible symptoms.

What are the warning symptoms of pregnancy-related high blood pressure?

Because the majority of individuals don’t realize they have high blood pressure, it is commonly referred to as “the silent killer”. Other indications of high blood pressure outside a doctor telling you so include:

● Edema, the swelling.
● Headaches.
● Unexpected weight increase.
● alterations to vision.
● vomiting or nauseous.
● urinating very little at a time.
● discomfort in the gut.

If I have high blood pressure before, during, or after pregnancy, what should I do?

Ahead of Pregnancy

Make a pregnancy plan and discuss the following with your doctor or medical staff:

● any medical conditions you have or have had, as well as any medications you take.

● Consult your doctor if you want to become pregnant.You can identify medications that are safe to use while pregnant with the assistance of your doctor or medical staff.

● How to maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise.

While Pregnant

● Receive regular and early prenatal care. Attend each visit you have with a physician or other healthcare provider.
● Discuss any medications you take with your doctor, including which ones are secure. Without first seeing your doctor, never stop or start taking any medication, including over-the-counter medications.

● Use a home blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure at home. If your blood pressure is higher than usual or if you exhibit preeclampsia symptoms, call your doctor right once.

● Consult your physician or insurance provider about purchasing a home monitor.

● Continue making good food choices and maintaining a healthy weight.

After Pregnancy

● Take note of how you are feeling after giving birth.
● After giving birth, you are more likely to experience a stroke and other complications if you had high blood pressure during your pregnancy.

What problems might high blood pressure during pregnancy cause?

The following are examples of complications from high blood pressure for both the mother and the child:

1. Preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke, the requirement for labor induction (the administration of medication to induce labor) and placental abruption (the placenta detaching from the uterine wall) are all risks for the mother.

2. Preterm birth (when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and low birth weight (when a baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces) are risks for the newborn.1,6 The baby may need to be delivered early because the mother’s high blood pressure makes it more challenging for the child to receive enough oxygen and nutrients to thrive.

Where to Seek Emergency Help

Based in Sugar Land, Texas, Primary Care (PCP) Clinic provides dependable and thorough care for well-sick visits, managing chronic long-term illnesses, allergy testing, women’s health care, and pursuing overall wellness checks.

At LifeTime Primary Care Sugar Land, the foundation of your health is your relationship with your primary care doctor. In order to better understand your needs and work together to address more than just relieving your health problems, our staff and providers build a partnership with you.

Reference

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4497-gestational-hypertension
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20046098
https://medlineplus.gov/highbloodpressureinpregnancy.html