Am I Predisposed To Develop Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is high blood pressure that occurs exclusively in pregnancy. Therefore, even if your chronic high blood pressure is under control before you are pregnant, you may later develop preeclampsia, as well. If you have chronic hypertension, you are more likely to develop preeclampsia, but it does not necessarily mean you will. Also, should you develop preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend inducing labor before your due date to prevent further pregnancy complications. If the preeclampsia is severe, your doctor may recommend a cesarean birth.
Cmo Puede La Hipertensin Arterial Durante El Embarazo Afectar A Mi Beb
Es posible tener hipertensión crónica y pasar a tener un bebé sano. Sin embargo, la hipertensión crónica tiene la posibilidad de una serie de efectos adversos en el bebé en desarrollo.Estas posibles preocupaciones incluyen:
- Daño al crecimiento del bebé
- Mayor riesgo de problemas respiratorios antes o durante
- Mayor riesgo de desprendimiento prematuro de la placenta
- Los posibles efectos secundarios de los medicamentos que está tomando
How Is High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy Diagnosed
High blood pressure usually doesnt cause symptoms until your blood pressure is very high, so it is usually found during an antenatal visit when you have your blood pressure checked.
At each antenatal visit, your midwife or LMC will check your blood pressure and test your urine for protein. An increase in these are warning signs of pre-eclampsia.High blood pressure in pregnancy can be diagnosed if your blood pressure is consistently high on 2 occasions. A sudden increase in blood pressure is often the first sign of a problem. Your midwife will also check if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
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Excessive Thirst During Pregnancy
Dehydration: During pregnancy, most women notice an increase in the frequency of their urination. You will most likely feel thirstier in the early stages of pregnancy since your body is encouraging you to drink extra fluids for you and your baby. Your body requires extra fluids to assist in the elimination of waste generated by natural functions as well as waste generated by your baby. Some women, particularly those who live in hotter regions, may experience thirst as a result of increased sweating.
Low blood pressure: Low blood pressure can make you feel thirsty and dehydrated during your pregnancy and if you miss drinking sufficient water, you might also feel faint, have a hazy vision, dizziness, nausea, and irregular breathing
Certain food and drinks: Eating salty or spicy food can make you feel thirsty. If you feel thirsty after taking junk food then try to avoid it. Consuming caffeinated beverages can also make you feel dehydrated and thirsty.
Issues with sleeping: Pregnancy can cause disrupted sleep patterns, sleep apnea as well as snoring. Snoring can be problematic if it leads to feeling tired the whole day.
Oral thrush: Overgrowth of Candida albicans can make you feel thirsty because it causes a dry, cottony texture and soreness in your mouth.
Frequent urination: The fetus grows, and the uterus begins to expand from the second trimester leading to pressure on the bladder that makes you want to urinate, leaving you thirsty.
What Steps Can I Take To Have A Safe Delivery With High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Steps that patients with high blood pressure during pregnancy can take to help the chances of having a safe and healthy delivery include:
- Taking any blood pressure medication as prescribed
- Going to all of your prenatal visits
- Having an early delivery if it is needed
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Following your healthcare providers instructions regarding activity and exercise
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Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
The Symptoms of high blood pressure may vary from person to person depending upon previous health history, age of the women and the stage of pregnancy however there are certain symptoms that are common.
The blood pressure of the pregnant women is recorded equal to or greater than 180/30 mm Hg. The pregnant women are advised to constantly measure their blood pressure and keep track of it.
The second symptom of high blood pressure in pregnancy is excessive amount of protein in the urine also called as proteinuria. According to a research made by national institute of health, the amount of protein present in the urine must be 188mg/ 24 hours. Pregnant women are advised to get themselves tested on regular basis.
Swelling of feet and hands is another side of high blood pressure during pregnancy however swelling does not necessarily indicate high blood pressure. There were some cases in which the women had swelling of their feet but did not have high blood pressure. So, if you feel unusual swelling you must not panic about it you may consult your doctor and hell assist you the best.
If you are facing unusual headache that has sustained for a longer period of time, it might also be a sign that you are facing high blood pressure issue.
During the high blood pressure problem, a woman is expected to face vision problems such as blurred vision. She might also have breathing problem and pain in her upper abdomen.
What Is High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
High blood pressure during pregnancy is a condition in which your blood pressure is above the recommended level 140/90. Hypertension during pregnancy can be caused because of hypertensive issues that one may have even before becoming pregnant, or it can be caused by the changes your body undergoes during pregnancy.
For women who are experiencing high blood pressure during pregnancy, the normal dangers of hypertension apply, as well as an increased risk of complications during delivery and the health of your infant. While blood pressure in non-pregnant individuals is often thought of as a long-term, chronic condition, in pregnant women, hypertension should be immediately addressed and properly treated.
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What Kinds Of High Blood Pressure Can Affect Pregnancy
Two kinds of high blood pressure that can happen during pregnancy:
When To See A Doctor
Any pregnant woman who has any concerns over their health or the developing fetus should talk to or see their doctor or midwife.
People who have high blood pressure or are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure might want to monitor their blood pressure at home.
A healthcare provider can likely recommend the best blood pressure cuffs to use.
If home monitoring indicates that blood pressure is too high or too low, contact a healthcare provider.
Any pregnant woman who experiences signs or symptoms of preeclampsia must seek immediate medical assistance.
There are several ways for a pregnant woman to manage blood pressure safely.
According to March of Dimes, a person can take the following steps:
- take approved blood pressure medication daily
- monitor blood pressure at home
- eat foods rich in nutrients and avoid salt, processed foods, and added sugars
- go to all medical checkups
- avoid drinking, smoking, and recreational drug use
- stay active through walking or other exercises unless otherwise instructed
Women who have high blood pressure during pregnancy should follow all instructions from their healthcare provider. They should notify their doctor or midwife if they have any changes in their blood pressure or feelings.
It is not always possible to prevent high blood pressure, but a person can take steps to keep their blood pressure at normal levels before and during pregnancy.
The recommend a person take the following measures to prevent high blood pressure:
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Types Of Hypertension During Pregnancy
There are three types of hypertension during pregnancy chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, or preeclampsia, and women can experience one of these three.
A person may have chronic hypertension before pregnancy, whereas gestational hypertension only occurs during pregnancy.
However, gestational hypertension may sometimes persist after pregnancy to become chronic hypertension.
Risk Factors For High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy
There are many factors that can put you at risk for developing high blood pressure during pregnancy. Knowing these risk factors ahead of time can help you and your provider develop a treatment plan or prevention plan for high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Some risk factors for high blood pressure in pregnancy include:
- Being overweight
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Age
- Diabetes or kidney disease
- A sedentary lifestyle
These risk factors put you at greater risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy, which can lead to pregnancy complications.
Some complications that can result from high blood pressure during pregnancy include:
- Placenta abruption
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Risks Of High Blood Pressure In Pregnancy
For mom
High blood pressure during pregnancy puts you at risk of:
-
Stroke
-
Heart attacks
-
Breathing problems
-
Fluid in other parts of your body It can also put you at risk of a serious complication called placental abruption and complications when giving birth.
For baby
High blood pressure can also affect your unborn babys growth and health. When the moms blood pressure runs high, this affects how much oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the growing baby. Unborn babies affected by high maternal blood pressure are more likely to be born preterm and underweight.
For the birth
Pregnancy-induced hypertension raises your risk of having an early delivery or a C-section.
Complications Of Hypertension During Pregnancy
Preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke all are the result of hypertension in pregnant mothers. If the baby is weak, the mother may need to deliver early. There may be a need for labor induction which means giving medicine to induce labor. And in some cases, a cesarean section may be needed as well.Women may face problems after delivery also.
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How Is High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Treated
High blood pressure during pregnancy can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the severity, cause and time of onset. Mothers with all forms of hypertension will need to be monitored closely. This could include more prenatal visits, ultrasounds, and other tests to ensure the babys well-being .
Can High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Be Prevented Or Avoided
It cant be prevented. However, you can lower your chances of getting it by making necessary adjustments before getting pregnant. These include getting or maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
If you have chronic hypertension before you get pregnant, talk with your doctor. He or she will look at how well your hypertension is being managed and let you know if you need to make any changes before getting pregnant.
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At Associates In Womens Healthcare We Will Monitor You Throughout Your Pregnancy
The best way to prevent any complications from high or low blood pressure during pregnancy is to work together as members of your health care team and partners in your care. We care about your overall well-being, and we encourage you to have regular checkups so we can monitor you carefully to ensure the healthiest start possible for both mother and baby. We also recommend purchasing an automatic blood pressure cuff for home so that you can monitor your blood pressure between visits or for telehealth visits.
We are women who have cared for generations of women throughout the Triangle and Raleigh areas. See why we have been the trusted provider of choice for decades. Contact us for an appointment today.
Does Blood Pressure Remain High After The Birth
High blood pressure in pregnancy usually disappears once the baby is born. However, there may still be some complications during the first few days after the birth and you will need to be monitored carefully for several weeks.
Women who had high blood pressure due to another condition will need to see their doctor to make sure their blood pressure returns to safe levels.
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What Are The Treatments For Preeclampsia
Delivering the baby can often cure preeclampsia. When making a decision about treatment, your provider take into account several factors. They include how severe it is, how many weeks pregnant you are, and what the potential risks to you and your baby are:
- If you are more than 37 weeks pregnant, your provider will likely want to deliver the baby.
- If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, your health care provider will closely monitor you and your baby. This includes blood and urine tests for you. Monitoring for the baby often involves ultrasound, heart rate monitoring, and checking on the baby’s growth. You may need to take medicines, to control your blood pressure and to prevent seizures. Some women also get steroid injections, to help the baby’s lungs mature faster. If the preeclampsia is severe, you provider may want you to deliver the baby early.
The symptoms usually go away within 6 weeks of delivery. In rare cases, symptoms may not go away, or they may not start until after delivery . This can be very serious, and it needs to be treated right away.
Decreased Blood Flow To Placenta
It is often seen that severe hypertension results in less blood flow to the placenta. As a result, the baby gets less oxygen and nutrients. It can lead to slow or restricted growth of the foetus . This may even cause premature birth, wherein the child is born prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy, or low birth weight. It can also cause other complications, such as stillbirth in extreme cases.
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Medication For High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Anti-hypertensive drugs are used for curing the high blood pressure during pregnancy. The goal of using these drugs is to lower the blood pressure whilst ensuring the safety of mother and child. This can be a complicated thing because a sudden drop in blood pressure might result in dizziness and fata de stress.
According to a published research, there is no certain anti-hypertensive drug which can be stated as the cure for high blood pressure during pregnancy. Each case has different complication therefore different medication is being provided. By far the most efficient medicines for high blood pressure during pregnancy are methyldopa and labetalol. Both these medicines do not only lower the blood pressure but also ensure the safety of the mother and child.
It is important to note that the medicine which we consume in our daily routine for lowering the blood pressure must not be consumed by a pregnant woman. These medicines will pass through bloodstream and will harm the health of developing baby.
Other High Blood Pressure Disorders In Pregnancy
Preeclampsia is one of four blood pressure disorders in pregnant women. The other three are:
- Gestational hypertension. This is high blood pressure that starts after the 20th week of pregnancy but doesnt cause high amounts of protein in a womans urine. It usually goes away after delivery.
- Chronic hypertension. This is high blood pressure that starts before a woman gets pregnant or before the 20th week of pregnancy.
- Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia. This is chronic high blood pressure that gets worse as pregnancy goes on, causing more protein in urine and other complications.
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What Are The Complications Of Gestational Hypertension
High blood pressure can affect your blood vessels. This may decrease blood flow in your liver, kidneys, brain, uterus, and placenta.
This condition can get worse. It can lead to preeclampsia and eclampsia. These are serious blood pressure problems. These issues can cause the following problems:
- Placental abruption. This is when the placenta pulls away from the uterus too early.
- Poor fetal growth
- Stillbirth
- Seizures
- Death of the mother and baby
Because of these risks, your healthcare provider may decide that you need to have your baby early. This may happen before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Even if your blood pressure goes back to normal after childbirth, you have a higher chance of having high blood pressure in the future.
What Should I Do If I Have High Blood Pressure Before During Or After Pregnancy
Before Pregnancy
- Make a plan for pregnancy and talk with your doctor or health care team about the following:
- Any health problems you have or had and any medicines you are taking. If you are planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor.7 Your doctor or health care team can help you find medicines that are safe to take during pregnancy.
- Ways to keep a healthy weight through healthy eating and regular physical activity.1,7
During Pregnancy
- Get early and regular prenatal careexternal icon. Go to every appointment with your doctor or health care professional.
- Talk to your doctor about any medicines you take and which ones are safe. Do not stop or start taking any type of medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, without first talking with your doctor.7
- Keep track of your blood pressure at home with a home blood pressure monitorexternal icon. Contact your doctor if your blood pressure is higher than usual or if you have symptoms of preeclampsia. Talk to your doctor or insurance company about getting a home monitor.
- Continue to choose healthy foods and keep a healthy weight.8
After Pregnancy
- Pay attention to how you feel after you give birth. If you had high blood pressure during pregnancy, you have a higher risk for stroke and other problems after delivery. Tell your doctor or call 9-1-1 right away if you have symptoms of preeclampsia after delivery. You might need emergency medical care.9,10
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