Elevated high pressure is called “the silent killer” and not without a reason. Here you will find everything you need to know about high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Besides checking the weight and urine at regular gynecologist checks, measure the blood pressure also. Although it may seem that your blood pressure is not something that you should be worry, you should know that during pregnancy, high blood pressure can be very dangerous.
What changes can cause high blood pressure in pregnancy?
The high blood pressure in pregnant women can be manifested in three different ways.
- The Chronic hypertension. All pregnant women who previously had high blood pressure, it is more likely that during pregnancy will have it too.
- The Gestational hypertension. It is manifest of diabetes in pregnant women, and a change that passes without major complications. There is no particular reason what is caused by, it occurs by itself and then disappears.
- The Preeclampsia. This is the most severe form of high blood pressure in pregnancy and it is characterized by high blood pressure, swelling and proteins in the urine. It can lead to a multitude of complications, and even death.
The dangers of high blood pressure in pregnancy
The biggest problem with high blood pressure is that it is appearing almost without symptoms, until they are quite serious. Fortunately, women who regularly attend to go to the examinations, have often measured the blood pressure, and if there are any changes, the control and precautionary measures will be increased.
Sometimes the high blood pressure can’t be noticed. When the situation is very serious the symptoms are these: headaches, changes in vision and obesity.
The pressure can be dangerous, because in some way it can affected almost any organ in the body, and also the baby. The high blood pressure in pregnancy may arise some complications such as:
- Decreased blood flow in the placenta
- Separation of the placenta
- Premature birth
- Heart problems and pressure after pregnancy
- Damage to organs
- Bleeding
- Attacks
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a disorder, or condition of elevated blood pressure with increased protein in the urine, and sometimes directs and kidney damage. It appears in the second half of the pregnancy. Represented between 5 and 8%, it is one of the leading causes of death among infants and pregnant women. Usually occurs during the 37th week of pregnancy and in that case there is no cure except to cause childbirth. It is a condition that can endanger the lives of pregnant women and their babies.
All women that had high blood pressure before pregnancy or developed during pregnancy does not have to be subjected to pre – eclampsia, but are at greater risk, and women with high – risk pregnancies, multiple pregnancy or women who are older than 35 years.
How it can be prevented?
Although in conditions such as preeclampsia there is nothing that can be done in terms of prevention, there are several things you can do for yourself and your baby’s protection from complications caused by blood pressure.
- Control the blood pressure. If you are planning a pregnancy, control your blood pressure before becoming pregnant.
- Learn to recognize the signs. If you experience dizziness, pain in the upper abdomen, sudden swelling, headaches and changes in vision, go see a doctor, as this may be complications due to high blood pressure and early signs of preeclampsia.
- If you were suffering from preeclampsia in previous pregnancies, talk to your doctor to prescribe aspirin, which can be effective prevention when it comes to preeclampsia.