Do You Know About Hypertension in Pregnancy?
According to reports, 10% of women experience gestational hypertension during their pregnancy. The onset of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women is often classified into four categories, depending on the severity of the condition, that includes pre-existing conditions of hypertension or gestational hypertension that women struggle with during their pregnancy.
While hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are worrisome, they aren’t fatal and close monitoring of the same can ensure a successful pregnancy without life-altering complications.
In this article, we will be discussing everything one should know about hypertension in pregnancy and the proper management of the same.
Table of Content
Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:
- Hypertension in Pregnancy
- Common Signs of Hypertension in Pregnancy
- How does it Affect Pregnancy?
- Diagnosis of Hypertension in Pregnancy
- The Management of Hypertension in Pregnancy
1. Hypertension in Pregnancy
Blood pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by the flowing blood against the artery walls while the heart pumps blood.
While the normal blood pressure in a healthy individual is measured as 120/80 mmHg, anything that crosses that mark with an excess margin is regarded as high blood pressure or hypertension. In some cases of pregnancy, the patient already has diagnosed symptoms of hypertension. While, in other cases, hypertension develops as the pregnancy progresses.
In general, there are four major types of hypertension that are witnessed during pregnancy:
Gestational Hypertension – Pregnant women with gestational hypertension are diagnosed with the same following the 20 weeks of their pregnancy term. A few individuals diagnosed with gestational hypertension are at risk of developing preeclampsia.
Chronic Hypertension – As mentioned, there are a few pregnant women who are pre-diagnosed with hypertension before their pregnancy. The signs of chronic hypertension are diagnosed before the 20 weeks mark in some women. However, the majority of pregnant women tend to have undiagnosed symptoms of hypertension.
Chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia – This condition is characterized by the worsening symptoms of chronic hypertension in pregnant women, leading to the presence of protein in the urine or other complications that are relayed by any of these hypertensive disorders.
Preeclampsia –This is the most severe type of hypertension in pregnancy. The condition often develops after the 20th week of pregnancy and impacts the other organ systems in the body, including the brain, liver, kidney, and even the general blood circulation in the body. If left untreated, the condition can become fatal for the mother and the baby or cause developmental issues in the baby.
| Also Read: Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes in Pregnancy |
2. Common Signs of Hypertension in Pregnancy
Although it is extremely hard to diagnose hypertension in the early stages of pregnancy, the condition often gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. Some of the most common symptoms of hypertension in pregnancy include:
- High blood pressure (way over 120/80 mmHg)
- Proteinuria (presence of excess protein in the urine)
- Sudden swelling around the face, hands, and feet
- Persistent headache
- Blurred or spotty vision
- Chronic pain in the upper abdominal region
- Trouble breathing
- Anxiousness and clammy hands
- Decreased urine output
- Nausea and vomiting
- Impaired liver function
3. How does it Affect Pregnancy?
While hypertensive disorders can be treated generally in other conditions, things do take a riskier turn when it is diagnosed during pregnancy. Chronic hypertension in pregnancy can lead to a range of complications and risks that affects both the mother and the baby.
Some of the most alarming risks include:
Inhibited blood flow to the placenta – One of the most common issues with hypertension in pregnancy is marked by the decreased blood flow to the placenta. This leads to the fetus receiving less oxygen and nutrients during the term of pregnancy. The lack of proper nutrition can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, and a range of birth-related conditions.
Placental abruption – This is the most alarming complication of hypertension in pregnancy. In this, the placenta separates itself from the inner wall of the uterus before the delivery. Any kind of severe abruption can lead to uncontrolled bleeding with higher risks of death for both the mother and the child.
Intrauterine growth restriction –Persistent high blood pressure during pregnancy leads to decreased and delayed growth of the baby in the womb of the mother.
Premature delivery –Since hypertension during pregnancy leads to a range of complications, several babies are pre-induced before their full term to ensure safe delivery without harming either the mother or the baby.
Future cardiovascular risks –Preeclampsia in pregnant women often leads to heightened risks of cardiovascular problems in the mother at a later date.
Eclampsia -This is a severe and fatal condition that is caused by high blood pressure in pregnant women, causing one or more convulsions in them, followed by coma. Lack of immediate treatment can be a threat to the health and life of both the baby and the mother.
4. Diagnosis of Hypertension in Pregnancy
The diagnosis of the type of hypertension in pregnancy is often marked via two methods –
Normal blood pressure monitoring –If a pregnant woman has risks of hypertension or high blood pressure, it is crucial for them to get regular monitoring of the blood pressure to keep the levels in check. You can consult the top gynecologist doctor in Delhi.
Tests for Proteinuria –Since one of the pivotal symptoms of hypertension during pregnancy is the presence of excess protein in the urine, getting urine tests are often considered ideal for diagnosing the condition.
Complications can include:
In the mother – The mother can experience risks of placental abruption, stroke, preeclampsia, need for labor induction, etc. to name a few.
In the baby –Preterm delivery, low birth weight, developmental issues.
5. The Management of Hypertension in Pregnancy
The management of hypertension in pregnancy should be done before, during, and after the pregnancy. This is to ensure that both the mother and the baby are safe and unharmed during and after the delivery of the baby.
Here’s what hypertension in pregnancy treatment should look like:
Before the pregnancy:
- It is crucial that you make a proper plan for your pregnancy and discuss the same with your doctor and get all the needed tests done to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
- Focus on eating well and getting regular checkups with updated medication, especially if you are a hypertension patient.
During the pregnancy:
- The majority of the signs of chronic or acute hypertension in pregnancy are diagnosed during the 20th week of pregnancy. So, make sure that you get timely prenatal check-ups and attend every appointment.
- Do not stop taking the prescribed medications, be it the vitamins or even the medication for hypertension.
- Keep track of your blood pressure regularly, either using a home blood pressure monitor or from a professional.
- Continue to lead an active lifestyle and consume a proper and nutritious diet.
After the pregnancy:
- The risks of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are often relayed down after the pregnancy too.
- Mothers tend to develop higher cardiovascular risks after the delivery, so make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of the complications you’ve sustained during the pregnancy term.
Take Away
Hypertension during pregnancy is not a condition that should be taken lightly. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms or complications, it is crucial that you consult the best gynecologist in Delhi immediately and get yourself diagnosed without any delay. Getting timely and correct treatment for hypertension is important for the safer delivery of the baby and the ideal health of the mother.
At Dr. Puja’s Clinic, you will get the best treatment for such complications during pregnancy with utmost care at an affordable cost.
