Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition affecting many women during pregnancy. While some women with high blood pressure may not suffer from any associated symptoms, hypertension during pregnancy can be serious if left untreated.
If hypertension is associated with protein in the urine and/or swelling due to fluid retention, it could be a sign of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH), also called Toxemia or Preeclampsia which can be a serious condition, and requires careful monitoring and treatment.

Risks of complications due to high blood pressure during pregnancy include:

1.    Increased risk of low birth weight due to decreased blood flow to the placenta.

2.    Placental abruption caused by the placenta separating from the uterus. This can result in heavy bleeding in the mother as well as causing the baby to be deprived of oxygen and nutrients.

3.    If the risk of serious complications due to high blood pressure is high, a premature delivery may be required.

4.    In some cases, even if a women’s blood pressure returns to normal after her pregnancy, she may be at risk of developing hypertension later in life.

What you can do to prevent complications:

1.    Make sure not to miss any prenatal appointments. These are your opportunities to regularly monitor your blood pressure and discuss any changes with your doctor.

2.    Taking medication to reduce your blood pressure—you can buy Benicar or Cardizem to help—can reduce the risk of complications. Speak to your doctor about medicines that will treat high blood pressure.

3.    Get plenty of rest and a healthy amount of exercise.

4.    Keep to a healthy, low sodium diet. Make sure to take your prenatal vitamins.

5.    While weight gain is important in supporting your baby’s development, too much weight gain can cause additional stress on your heart. So be sure to regularly monitor your weight.

6.    Avoid smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs.