High Blood Pressure (Toxaemia, Pre-Eclampsia or Hypertension)

High blood pressure during pregnancy poses a risk for pregnancy and is dangerous for the baby. Find here general queries regarding hyper tension and pregnancy answered.Now that your doctor has asked you to keep down your stress level it has become an additional cause of concern for you, right? You need a special care routine, if you get high blood pressure before or after conceiving. Here we have attempted to answer some of your queries regarding hyper tension and pregnancy. In this articleMy blood pressure has suddenly shot upWhen should I be concerned about my blood pressure?What are the harmful effects of high blood pressure? Dr. MansukhaniTypes of High Blood Pressure during Pregnancy Gestational Hypertension Chronic Hypertension Hypertension with Pre-Eclampsia Pre-EclamsiaHigh Blood Pressure and PregnancyPreterm BirthPlacental AbruptionBlood Pressure Medication in PregnancySafety Precautions for High Blood Pressure during PregnancyMy blood pressure has suddenly shot upAbout 1% - 2% women develop what is commonly called transient high blood pressure during pregnancy. This type of hypertension is harmless and lasts only for the duration of your pregnancy.When should I be concerned about my blood pressure?Generally, blood pressure drops in the 1st and 2nd trimester and rises only in the 7th month. So if your systolic reading rises by 30mm Hg or the diastolic pressure rises by 15mm Hg, and stays up for 2 consecutive readings taken 6 hours apart, treatment is necessary. If it rises even higher in the 3rd trimester, and is accompanied by sudden weight gain, swelling and water retention, you could be suffering from pre-eclampsia (pregnancy induced hypertension). So report it to your doctor immediately.What are the harmful effects of high blood pressure? Dr. MansukhaniHigh blood pressure can cause stroke in the mother, growth retardation of the baby. It can also result in premature delivery, which can be serious enough to cause loss of baby.Types of High Blood Pressure during PregnancyIn some cases high blood pressures are there before you were pregnant, in other cases hypertension develops with pregnancy.1. Gestational Hypertension: This generally develops in the 20th week of your pregnancy. This may eventually develop into pre-eclampsia.2. Chronic HypertensionThis means you have been suffering from high blood pressure even before pregnancy. However, since it is not associated with any acute symptom, probably you never knew when it started.3. Hypertension with Pre-EclampsiaThis refers to women with chronic hypertension before pregnancy that is worsening to develop pre-eclampsia. This might give rise to plenty of health problems at this stage.4. Pre-Eclamsia: As mentioned earlier, gestational hypertension may at times result in pre-eclamsia. This condition results in damaging vital organs when left untreated. In serious cases it might also endanger life of the foetus. Earlier, this condition was diagnosed when a mother suffered from high blood pressure and had traces of protein in urine. However, now it is believed that you need not have protein in your urine to have pre-eclampsia.High Blood Pressure and PregnancyWhile high blood pressure need not increase risk factors always, here are some probable risk factors that you cannot afford to overlook:Preterm BirthReduced flow of blood to the placenta means reduced oxygen and fewer nutrients to your little one. This can retard his growth and chances of preterm birth may increase as well. Premature babies are reported to suffer from breathing problems later as well.Placental AbruptionThe risk of placental abruption increases in case of pre-eclampsia. It is a condition in which the placenta may separate from the uterus walls before you have delivered your child. It might lead to excessive bleeding and your placenta may incur severe damages as well. Sometimes it can threaten life of the mother and the child as well.Premature delivery often becomes the last choice to save life of the newborn.Chances of cardiovascular diseases increasing in the future cannot be ruled out in these cases. It is thus essential you maintain a healthy weight even after delivery. Exercise under the supervision of certified trainer, good food and a healthy lifestyle is what you should be abiding by.Blood Pressure Medication in PregnancyMedications of any sorts should be considered carefully in pregnancy. Whether you need medicines or not shall be determined by your doctor. If necessary, he or she shall prescribe you the safest possible option. If you have any discomforts taking them, report to your doctor immediately. Do not stop taking the medicines altogether without his or her advice.Safety Precautions for High Blood Pressure during PregnancyWhen you have a high blood pressure in pregnancy, you must be careful of the following:See your doctor regularly.Take the medicines prescribed by doctor regularly.Be sure to be active and perform activities that your doctor specifies.Rely on a low sodium diet.You must say complete no to smoking and alcohol.Never take any over-the-counter medicines as self medication can be harmful. If you are coping with high blood pressure during pregnancy, it is very necessary for you to strictly follow your doctor’s advice for its right management along with following a healthy lifestyle.How to prevent high blood pressure in pregnancy? Which medicines can be taken for high blood pressure in pregnancy? What precautions can pregnant women take for high blood pressure? Discuss here.