High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

High blood pressure or hypertension has three forms during pregnancy.

Chronic hypertension is a condition diagnosed before pregnancy or before 20 weeks of pregnancy. This condition continues even after pregnancy.
Gestational or pregnancy-induced hypertension is diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy and goes away after birth.
Preeclampsia is a condition that involves high blood pressure and protein in the urine (a sign of kidney problems). It usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and goes away after birth. The other two forms of hypertension can lead to preeclampsia.
Hypertension makes the blood vessels smaller affecting the normal flow of blood in the mother. This decreases the oxygen and nutrients carried to the baby by the blood. As a result the baby may experience slow fetal growth, low birthweight and premature delivery.
For the mother hypertension can lead to placenta abruption, which is the separating of the placenta from the wall of the uterus before delivery. This complication can be life threatening to the mom and baby.
Severe preeclampsia can cause damage of the mother's heart, liver, eyes and brain. It can also progress to a more severe condition known as eclampsia, causing seizures and in rare cases coma.

What can you do to prevent complications from high blood pressure during pregnancy?

Start before you are pregnant: Know your preconception health status. Visit your health care provider when you are thinking about getting pregnant. Your doctor will address your personal and family health history and examine you to determine any potential health risks for pregnancy.

When you are thinking about getting pregnancy: If you know you have chronic hypertension inform your medical provider so that your condition can be monitored and managed correctly. Under your doctor’s care you can try to lower your blood pressure before becoming pregnant.

When you are pregnant: Once you are or suspect you are pregnant, begin prenatal care and attend all scheduled visits. Prenatal care is important for monitoring the pregnancy, managing pre-existing conditions that could affect the pregnancy and diagnosing and treating new conditions. Your blood pressure and urine are evaluated at each visit.

Remember A Healthy Baby Begins With You so Help Give Babies a Healthy Start!