Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure

Pregnancy with high blood pressure commonly develops during pregnancy. It means that the pressure of blood in the women’s arteries is very high. About eight per cent of women have problems with high blood pressure during pregnancy. The risks of high blood pressure in pregnancy are usually not a very serious problem. However, in most women, it becomes rather severe, which can be harmful to both the mother and the baby. A blood pressure usually becomes high after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Some of the pregnant women diagnosed with high blood pressure during pregnancy tend to develop pre-eclampsia which is a very serious problem. A pre-eclampsia not only leads to high blood pressure but it also affects various other parts of women’s body such as blood vessels, kidney, liver, etc. A chronic high blood pressure pregnancy symptoms accompanied by preeclampsia can lead to many complications such as premature delivery, low birthweight, placental abruption, etc. The symptoms of pre-eclampsia includes vision problems, severe headache, sudden weight gain, pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, vomiting and decreased urine output

However, it is still not known as why some of the women get pre-eclampsia, but it is known that the women are diagnosed with pre-eclampsia are at a higher risk than others. The risk of developing pre-eclampsia is largely increased in those women’s who:
· Gain a lot of weight than recommended.
· Have certain immune disorders such as blood diseases.
· Are 35 years or older.
· Develop high blood pressure during early pregnancy.
· Are pregnant for the first time.
· Have other diseases such as kidney disease or diabetes.
· Have a history of chronic hypertension.

It is very much necessary to prevent high blood pressure in pregnancy. When a blood pressure increases then a pregnant women is advised bed rest and if the pregnancy with high blood pressure does not happen to increase at the dangerous levels, then the pregnancy may be allowed to continue until the labor begins naturally. If in case pre-eclampsia develops then the only real cure of this condition is to have a baby. However, the decision on the delivery of a baby completely depends on the recommendation of the doctor who may wait to see if your condition improves.

It is advised and recommended by many experts that a pregnant women must have regular blood pressure checks. The doctor will track your blood pressure and check the level of protein in the pregnant women’s which is very much necessary during the stage of pregnancy. A pregnant women must try to adhere to the recommendations of doctor and follow the medications prescribed by him. A pregnant women must also try to limit her intake of salt and try out some regular physical activity.