What is high blood pressure during pregnancy?
A small percentage of pregnant women in the United States have high blood pressure at some point in their pregnancy. Some cases are mild; Other cases are serious. Treatments vary depending on the type you have and how long you’re pregnant.
There are three main types of high blood pressure during pregnancy:
- Chronic hypertension. This is the high blood pressure you had before you got pregnant. It can also refer to high blood pressure you get before the 20th week of pregnancy. Sometimes you can have high blood pressure for a long time before you get pregnant but don’t know it until your first prenatal visit with your doctor. Chronic high blood pressure can lead to serious problems, including preeclampsia. This type of high blood pressure continues after you give birth.
- Gestational hypertension. This is the high blood pressure you get after the 20th week of pregnancy. Most of the time, this high blood pressure is not harmful to you or your baby. You may not even have other symptoms. However, sometimes this type of hypertension is severe. It can cause your baby to be born smaller than usual (with a low birth weight). Your baby may even be born prematurely because of it. It can lead to preeclampsia. And although it usually goes away within three months of giving birth, it can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure in the future.
- preeclampsia. This is a sudden increase in your blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy, usually during the third trimester. It can also cause damage to your liver, kidneys, or brain. You may have a seizure. You may experience significant swelling in your legs and sometimes in your arms and face. This situation is serious. It can hurt both you and your baby, and even be life-threatening. Some women develop preeclampsia after giving birth. This is called postpartum preeclampsia.
In some cases, high blood pressure during pregnancy can harm you and your baby.
- You can develop gestational diabetes.
- You may have problems with your heart or kidneys. You also have a higher risk of having a stroke.
- High blood pressure can prevent the placenta from receiving enough blood. (The placenta provides oxygen and food to your baby.) If the placenta doesn’t get enough blood, your baby won’t get enough oxygen and food. This can cause low birth weight and premature birth.
- High blood pressure can lead to placental abruption. This is when the placenta doesn’t stick to the uterus. This can be a life-threatening situation for both you and your baby.
Symptoms of high blood pressure during pregnancy
Watch for these symptoms. However, keep in mind that some of these symptoms are common in pregnant women and don’t necessarily mean you have a problem. Talk to your doctor about all of your symptoms.
- Constant headaches.
- Change your vision.
- Stomachache.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Shortness of breath.
- Swelling of your hands and face.
- Little or no urine.
What causes high blood pressure during pregnancy?
Some women are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy. These include women who:
- Having her first child.
- Having a mother or sister with high blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Carrying multiple babies (twins, triplets).
- Over 40 years old.
- Are African-American.
- Being overweight during pregnancy.
- Had high blood pressure before pregnancy.
How is high blood pressure during pregnancy diagnosed?
There is no single test that diagnoses high blood pressure during pregnancy. Instead, your doctor will measure your blood pressure at each prenatal appointment. He or she will monitor your blood pressure readings throughout your pregnancy and may be able to spot any changes that could indicate an overall problem. He or she will also use urine and blood tests to monitor for possible problems.
Can high blood pressure during pregnancy be prevented?
It cannot be prevented. However, you can reduce your chances of getting it by making the necessary adjustments before you get pregnant. These include achieving or maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy, and exercising regularly.
If you had chronic high blood pressure before becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor. He or she will review how well your hypertension is being managed and let you know if you need to make any changes before you get pregnant.
Treatment of high blood pressure during pregnancy
If you have chronic high blood pressure, you may have taken medication for it before you became pregnant. Tell your doctor what medicines you are taking. He or she may say it’s okay to keep taking the medication. But if that medicine is not safe for your baby, you may need to switch to another drug during pregnancy. Like all pregnancies, your doctor will check your blood pressure and urine at regular appointments.
If you have gestational hypertension, your doctor will monitor your blood pressure and urine more closely. He or she will do this to watch for signs of preeclampsia. Your doctor may also monitor your baby. One way to do that is with ultrasound. This is a painless test that allows your doctor to see your baby inside your body.
If you have preeclampsia, treatment depends on where you are relative to your due date. That’s because preeclampsia usually goes away after you give birth. If you’re 37 weeks or more pregnant, your doctor may recommend delivering your baby as soon as possible. However, if you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant, your doctor may choose to monitor you more closely first. Along with routine blood and urine tests, you may need medication to regulate your blood pressure. You may also need medication to help prevent seizures, which can happen with preeclampsia. You may be asked to stay in bed until the baby is born. You may be given an injection of a steroid medicine to help your baby’s lungs grow faster in case your baby needs to be born early. Your baby will continue to be monitored with ultrasound. Your doctor can also monitor your baby’s health through a heart rate monitor. If your pre-eclampsia is extremely severe, your doctor may ask you to deliver your baby right away, no matter how close you are to your due date.
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 measure your blood pressure at home. He or she can offer advice on how to do that. Your doctor will test your urine at each visit. High levels of protein in the urine can be a symptom of preeclampsia.
Discuss all of your medications with your doctor. Also, don’t start or stop taking any medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, without talking to your doctor. Some of these can affect your blood pressure.