This article discusses high blood pressure during pregnancy. Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is considered high when the readings are greater than 140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic. Hypertension as we all know is a serious problem that we must address especially during the times of pregnancy. While most pregnant women who have, or develop high blood pressure during pregnancy go on to complete a natural birth with no serious problems, the condition can still be dangerous. Several women with no history of high blood pressure will spontaneously develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. This condition is referred to as gestational hypertension. Any woman can develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, but certain groups of women are at higher risk. Higher risk groups include women who are significantly overweight before becoming pregnant, are either younger than 20 or older than 40 years old, have developed high blood pressure during a previous pregnancy, are pregnant with twins and those who have existing diabetes or kidney problems.
The high blood pressure can damage the kidneys of the pregnant women or affect blood supply to the baby. In serious cases, it can cause seizures and a degree of danger to the baby so serious that delivery must be induced. Because of these dangers, the doctor must monitor the progress of the pregnancy very closely to ensure that more serious situations are not developing. There is no single way to guarantee that high blood pressure will not develop during pregnancy. There are, however, sensible tips that will allow you to minimize potential risks. Before becoming pregnant, it is important to lose weight. If you are obese, ensure your blood pressure is under control and engage in regular physical activity. Although many pregnant women with high blood pressure have healthy babies without serious problems, high blood pressure can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus. Women with pre existing, or chronic high blood pressure are more likely to have certain complications during pregnancy than those with normal blood pressure.
The effects of high blood pressure range from mild to severe. High blood pressure can harm the kidneys of the mother and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery. In the most serious cases, the mother develops preeclampsia or sometimes called toxemia of pregnancy which can threaten the lives of both the mother and the fetus. Hypertension may narrow or tighten the blood vessels in the uterus that supply the baby with oxygen and nutrients. Hypertension during pregnancy can create severe risks for both mother and baby, including health problems for the mother, such as heart attack and stroke, slow fetal growth and low birth weight, increased risk of preterm delivery, placental abruption or separation of the placenta from the uterine wall during delivery which can cause heavy bleeding and shock, placing both mother and baby in danger.
The single most important thing you can do to ensure your blood pressure health during pregnancy is to have regular prenatal care. Because blood pressure monitoring and other related tests are a standard part of prenatal care, simply going to the doctor as directed during pregnancy is very effective at minimizing problems and at catching any potential issues early. Moreover, you should avoid any alcohol or tobacco and should always tell your doctor about any medications including over the counter medicines that you are taking.
