Risk Of Recurrence Of Hypertensive Disorders In A Subsequent Pregnancy
Women who experience hypertension in a first pregnancy are at increased risk in a subsequent pregnancy. Certain factors influence this risk. The earlier the onset of hypertension in the first pregnancy, the greater the risk of recurrencew35 and the type of hypertensive disorder influences recurrence. One study reported a recurrence risk of 19% for gestational hypertension, 32% for pre-eclampsia, and 46% for pre-eclampsia superimposed on pre-existing chronic hypertension. In addition, severe isolated IUGR is also a risk factor for developing hypertension in a subsequent pregnancy.w36
How May High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Affect My Baby
It is possible to have chronic hypertension and go on to have a healthy baby. However, chronic hypertension has the possibility of a number of adverse effects on your developing baby.These possible concerns include:
- Impairment of the babys growth
- Higher risk of breathing problems before or during labor
- Higher risk of placental abruption
- Possible side effects of the medications you are taking.
What Risks Are There To A Pregnancy With Chronic Hypertension
Unmanaged chronic high blood pressure can put your pregnancy at higher risk of certain complications. Some may include a small-for-gestational-age baby , premature birth, breathing problems before or during labor, placental abruption and preeclampsia.
If your condition is well-managed, these risks can be minimized or even eliminated.
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Living With High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Go to each of your prenatal visits with your doctor. This will allow him or her to monitor your blood pressure. Your doctor may ask you to record your blood pressure at home. He or she can give advice on how to do that. Your doctor will check your urine at each visit. High levels of protein in urine can be a symptom of preeclampsia.
Discuss all your medicines with your doctor. Also, dont start or stop taking any medicines, including over-the-counter medicines, without talking to your doctor. Some of these may affect your blood pressure.
Tips To Control Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Blood pressure is a serious issue in itself. The seriousness of blood pressure gets augmented when you are pregnant. But in order to understand the adverse impact of blood pressure during pregnancy, it is first necessary to understand what blood pressure is. The blood gushing through your vessels exerts pressure on the walls. This pressure is necessary to ensure the regular flow of blood through them. Without this pressure, the distant areas and micro circulation units tend to lose nutrients. But when this pressure increases, it damages the vessel walls, releasing certain substances called clotting factors. These clotting factors initiate the clotting of blood, that leads to the blockage of micro vessels in circulation. This is what causes heart attacks and strokes. There are some things that determine the pressure, the pace of blood flow, etc. In a normal person, the pressure is regulated by various factors. But when it is altered, it becomes a silent killer.
What is blood pressure during pregnancy?If you have understood the above mechanism, the blood pressure during pregnancy is simply the elevation of the pressure of blood in a pregnant woman who otherwise has a normal blood pressure.
How to control blood pressure during pregnancy?Now that you know what happens if you have high blood pressure, it becomes essential to control blood pressure during pregnancy. Here are few simple ways you can achieve that:
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Here Are 7 Natural Ways You Can Lower Your Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
1. Ditch the salt. Although your body requires sodium in small amounts, consuming too much sodium can lead to hypertension. So try to substitute salt for other spices, like cumin fresh herbs and lemon pepper. You can also rinse canned food to rid them of any extra sodium, and try your best to avoid processed foods and fast foods. If you buy processed foods, try to choose low-sodium options.
2. Eat a healthy more whole grains and potassium-rich foods. Go bananas on, well, bananas, but not just. Sweet potatoes, prunes, raisins, kidney beans, tomatoes and more are all high on potassium and can thus help you lower your blood pressure. Studies have shown that whole grains, which are rich in dietary fibers, can also help reduce hypertension. So fuel up on legumes, vegetables, protein and whole grains. For example, for breakfast you could have a mixed veggie omelet paired with whole grain toast and a side of fruit.
3. Destress. Whether you are pregnant or not, being stressed can actually cause your blood pressure to hike. So try eliminating the things that trigger anxiety, and do what you can to promote relaxation whether its meditation, yoga or breathing techniques. All these can eventually help you manage labor pain, so its good practice for the big day, too.
How To Lower High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy
Gestational hypertension is a condition that may develop during pregnancy, particularly in women with high blood pressure, a personal or family history of preeclampsia, obesity, multiple pregnancies or certain conditions such as diabetes or arthritis. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure you should take some steps to stay healthy during pregnancy. At OneHowTo.com we have some tips for you to discover how to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy.
The first thing to know is that even if you do not feel ill, high blood pressure during pregnancy is a condition that requires care and attention otherwise it could lead you to a case of preeclampsia or eclampsia that would jeopardize your health and the baby’s. Therefore, it is advisable to take into account some suggestions to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy and maintain good health.
The first thing you should do in order to lower high blood pressure during pregnancy is to lower your salt intake. This is one of the main triggers of high blood pressure, so we recommend that:
Keep a healthy diet during your pregnancy rich in fruits, vegetables, minimising the consumption of pastries, processed sugars, fast food, fried food and you will greatly help to lower high blood pressure and keep yourself in good condition.
Attend all scheduled reviews and follow the instructions of your specialist for lowering high blood pressure during pregnancy and stay healthy.
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Is There Anything You Can Do To Deal With Low Blood Pressure When Youre Pregnant
Although medication is not normally needed when this happens, there are some simple changes you can make that may reduce the likelihood of its happening.
Take it easy. Try to slow down, avoid making sudden movements, and dont stand up too quickly. If you do feel faint or dizzy, lie down on your left side, which may help to increase the blood flow to your heart.
Drink lots of water. As well as preventing dehydration, this increases your blood volume, and thus your blood pressure.
Eat a healthy diet. Your doctor may also recommend that you increase your salt intake, though its important not to overdo this.
References:
High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy
5-minute read
High blood pressure in pregnancy is a common medical problem that usually disappears once the baby is born. In some cases, it can signal a serious condition called pre-eclampsia.
Your blood pressure is a measure of how strongly your blood pushes against the walls of the blood vessels. Its normally recorded in 2 numbers: the top one is the pressure when the heart is pumping, and the bottom one is the pressure in between each beat.
When you are pregnant, you are considered to have high blood pressure when the top number is 140 or more or the bottom number is 90 or more . High blood pressure is sometimes called hypertension.
Seek medical attention urgently if you have high blood pressure in pregnancy along with:
- a severe headache
- sudden swelling of the face, hands and feet
- a pain in your upper abdomen
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How High Is Too High
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists estimates that 1.5 percent of patients enter pregnancy with chronic hypertension a number that increased 67 percent from 2000 to 2009 due in part to the obesity epidemic and increased maternal age.
Having high blood pressure in pregnancy or postpartum puts you at greater risk for stroke, preterm birth, seizures, and death. Chronic hypertension increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and death. Keeping your blood pressure in check dramatically reduces your risks.
Follow these parameters when monitoring your blood pressure:
- Normal: A normal, healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80. Once we creep over that, the brain’s ability to regulate blood flow is impacted at varying levels, depending on the patient.
- High: During pregnancy and the few weeks after, your blood pressure may be 140/90. This is considered high, but not severe. You and your doctor should keep an eye on your blood pressure to make sure it goes no higher.
- Emergency: Having a blood pressure reading of 160/110 or higher is a medical emergency.
Women who had preeclampsia may still be at risk up to six weeks after delivery. Women who had high blood pressure before and during pregnancy continue to be at risk as long as their blood pressure remains high.
Why Is High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy A Problem
The main risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy is developing pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition and it can affect both you and your baby. Read more about pre-eclampsia.
If your blood pressure remains mildly to moderately raised and you dont develop pre-eclampsia, the risk of pregnancy complications is low. However, it is important that your blood pressure and urine are checked regularly throughout your pregnancy to check for signs of pre-eclampsia.
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Are Medications Safe In Pregnancy
Deepti was unsure if she could continue taking her BP medication during pregnancy.
Certain medications like your antihypertensive medication taken even before pregnancy started may have to be changed or stopped to something which is more pregnancy-friendly, said Dr. Priti.
Because Deepti had chronic hypertension, she needed more frequent check-ups during pregnancy as well.
Deepti was encouraged to reveal her medical history at the time of check-up and consult a doctor before starting any new medication during pregnancy.
When To Seek Medical Treatment
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What Pregnancy Complications Can High Blood Pressure Cause
High blood pressure can cause problems for you and your baby during pregnancy, including:
Problems for moms include:
If you have high blood pressure during pregnancy, youre also more likely have a cesarean birth . This is surgery in which your baby is born through a cut that your doctor makes in your belly and uterus.
Problems for babies include:
- Premature birth. This is birth that happens too early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Even with treatment, a pregnant woman with severe high blood pressure or preeclampsia may need to give birth early to avoid serious health problems for her and her baby.
- Fetal growth restriction. High blood pressure can narrow blood vessels in the umbilical cord. This is the cord that connects the baby to the placenta. It carries food and oxygen from the placenta to the baby. If you have high blood pressure, your baby may not get enough oxygen and nutrients, causing him to grow slowly.
- Low birthweight. This is when a baby is born weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces.
- Fetal death. When a baby dies spontaneously in the womb at any time during pregnancy.
- Neonatal death. This is when a baby dies in the first 28 days of life.
How Will I Know If I Develop High Bp During Pregnancy
Anu was informed of warning signs she needed to keep an eye out for to immediately report to the hospital.
Symptoms such as giddiness, headaches, blurred visions, decreased urine production, or a pain in their upper abdomen may be a mark of sudden rise in BP.
In such situations women should immediately get in touch with their doctor to implement definitive measures to control BP and other complications.
Anus labour had to be induced at 38 weeks because her BP stayed around 150/100 despite medication.
Time and mode of delivery is usually decided if BP stays uncontrolled despite definitive measures, or monitoring of the mother or baby shows unfavourable signs, says Dr Priti.
Even after her delivery, Anus BP remained high for a week and gradually her medicines were tapered.
We kept monitoring her blood pressure until it returned to normal says Dr. Priti.
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Can Low Blood Pressure Harm Your Baby
We know a lot less about the effects of low blood pressure on babies than the effects of high pressure. Some research suggests that it may lead to stillbirth and low birth weight, but this correlation is difficult to establish because there are so many other variables and risk factors involved during pregnancy. In the vast majority of cases, low blood pressure at this time is nothing to worry about.
Can High Blood Pressure Harm Me And My Baby
If high blood pressure isnt treated, theres a higher chance of you having a stroke, where the brain cant get enough oxygen and nutrients. Your baby is more likely to be smaller than usual at birth or need to stay in neonatal intensive care.
High blood pressure together with protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. Most cases of pre-eclampsia are mild but if severe pre-eclampsia is left untreated, it can be dangerous for the mother and baby.
Be aware of the following symptoms and contact your doctor or midwife straight away if they happen to you:
- a very bad headache
- sight problems, such as blurring or flashing lights
- severe pain just below your ribs
- vomiting
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What If I Develop Severe High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
If you have severe high blood pressure you may need to go into hospital, where health professionals will monitor you and your baby. They will give you medication to lower your blood pressure.
If your blood pressure stays high and you are more than 37 weeks pregnant, your doctor or midwife will talk to you about whether it would be safer to deliver your baby early. They will explain the advantages and disadvantages of this so you can decide what is best for you and your baby.
Severe Hypertension Or If Pre
If your blood pressure becomes severely high or you develop pre-eclampsia, you may be referred to an obstetrician or a specialist for treatment or monitoring and may need admission to hospital. You will need much closer supervision and will probably need to have your baby early.
The treatment and monitoring aim to keep you and your baby safe while your baby grows and develops as much as possible. If your baby does need to be delivered early there are treatments available to decrease the complications of being born prematurely.Read more about pre-eclampsia.
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Can High Blood Pressure Affect The Baby
High blood pressure in pregnancy can prevent blood from flowing to the placenta. Because the baby doesnt get enough nutrients or oxygen, they are at higher risk of being low birth weight or being born prematurely.
For this reason, its very important that high blood pressure is picked up early and treated.
Different Types Of Blood Pressure In Pregnancy
Women can suffer from various types of high blood pressure in pregnancy, some of them being:
- Preeclampsia: A complication in pregnancy that is characterized with very high blood pressure. This can also damage other organs in your body.
- Chronic hypertension: Present before conception or during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia: This condition occurs in pregnant women who are already suffering from chronic blood pressure.
- Gestational hypertension: This is a condition that develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
High blood pressure in pregnancy adds stress to the kidneys and heart which in turn increases risks of heart diseases, and kidney disorders. Additionally, it can also cause complication to the fetus such as preterm delivery, placental abruption, and fetal growth restriction.
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