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High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
If you are pregnant you should have regular blood pressure checks. Most women will not develop
any problems with their blood pressure during pregnancy. However, in some women, high blood
pressure (hypertension) can develop. It is often mild and not serious. But in some cases, high blood pressure can become severe and can be harmful to both the mother and baby.
If you are pregnant you should have regular blood pressure checks. Most women will not develop
any problems with their blood pressure during pregnancy. However, in some women, high blood
pressure (hypertension) can develop. It is often mild and not serious. But in some cases, high blood pressure can become severe and can be harmful to both the mother and baby.
Some women with high blood pressure during pregnancy develop pre-eclampsia which is a more serious condition.
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure (hypertension) means that the pressure of the blood in your blood vessels (arteries) is too high. Blood pressure is recorded as two figures. For example, 140/85 mm/Hg. This is said as 140 over 85 or 140 on 85.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm/Hg). The first (or top) number is your systolic blood pressure. This is the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts. The second (or bottom) number is your diastolic blood pressure. This is the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between each heartbeat.
Normal blood pressure is generally is below 140/90 mm Hg.
During pregnancy:
It is important to know than a raised blood pressure in any category requires close monitoring and or treatment, and that one should never be complacent.
Contact Dr. Petrina if you have any questions or concerns.
Our blood pressure goes up when we are anxious or stressed, such as when we have to rush. Some people find it stressful seeing a doctor or midwife. It is important to give yourself enough time for your antenatal appointments so that you can relax and your blood pressure is not higher than it normally would be.
What are the different types of high blood pressure in pregnancy?
Pre-existing high blood pressure (hypertension)
Some women already have high blood pressure before they become pregnant and they may be on treatment for this. Some women are found to have high blood pressure before they are 20 weeks pregnant. (If high blood pressure is first discovered before you are 20 weeks pregnant, this usually means that you had previously undetected high blood pressure before you were pregnant.)
So, high blood pressure before 20 weeks of pregnancy is not caused by pregnancy but is pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure.
Up to 1 in 20 women have pre-existing high blood pressure when they become pregnant.
There are various causes.
If you have pre-existing high blood pressure, you have an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy .
if you are taking medicines to treat high blood pressure then, ideally, you should have this reviewed before you become pregnant. Some medicines that are used to treat high blood pressure should not be taken during pregnancy - for example, medicines called:
This is because these medicines may harm a developing baby. If you are taking one of these medicines then it is very likely that your medicine will be changed to another medicine that is not known to harm a developing baby.
Gestational high blood pressure/ Pregnancy Induced Hypertension.
Some women can develop new high blood pressure during their pregnancy. This is called gestational high blood pressure (or hypertension) or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure (or hypertension). Gestational high blood pressure is high blood pressure that develops for the first time after the 20th week of pregnancy. This is sometimes also called pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Doctors can confirm this type of high blood pressure if you do not go on to develop pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy (see below) and if your blood pressure has returned to normal within six weeks of giving birth. If you have gestational high blood pressure, you
do not have protein in your urine when it is tested by your Petrina or midwife during your pregnancy.
Note: some women may be found to have new high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy. At first, they may not have any protein in their urine on testing. However, they may later develop protein in their urine and so be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia (see below).
You are only said to have gestational hypertension if you do not go on to develop pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy.
Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that can affect some women who develop new high blood pressure after the 20th week of their pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia can also sometimes develop in women who have high blood pressure before they are pregnant (pre-existing high blood pressure) or in women who have protein in their urine before they are pregnant (for example, due to kidney problems).
Pre-eclampsia not only causes high blood pressure; it also affects other parts of your body such as your kidneys, liver, brain and blood clotting system. Pre-eclampsia causes protein to leak from your kidneys into your urine. If you have pre-eclampsia, you will have high blood pressure and protein will be found in your urine when it is tested. Pre-eclampsia gets better within six weeks of you giving birth. See Information page called Pre-eclampsia for more details.
Eclampsia can be a complication of pre-eclampsia. In eclampsia, a woman with pre-eclampsia has one or more fits (seizures or convulsions). This is a serious condition. The aim is to detect and treat pre-eclampsia successfully to try to prevent eclampsia from developing.
What causes new high blood pressure during pregnancy?
The reason why pregnancy may cause high blood pressure (hypertension) or pre-eclampsia is not fully understood. In women who develop pre-eclampsia, it seems to have something to do with a problem with the afterbirth (placenta). This is the attachment between your baby and your womb (uterus). It is thought that there
are problems with the development of the blood vessels of the placenta in pre-eclampsia and also damage to the placenta in some way. This may affect the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to your baby. There are also certain women who seem to be at increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia.
How common is high blood pressure during pregnancy?
High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy is quite a common problem.
Problems with new high blood pressure are more common during your first pregnancy.
What are the possible problems with high blood pressure during pregnancy?
As a rule, the higher your blood pressure, the greater the risk for you and your baby.
Mild-to-moderate high blood pressure (hypertension)
If your blood pressure remains mildly to moderately raised and you do not develop pre-eclampsia then the risk is low. Most women with high blood pressure during pregnancy just have mildly or moderately raised blood pressure. However, it is important that your blood pressure and urine should be checked regularly throughout your pregnancy and that you look out for any signs of possible pre-eclampsia (see below).
Severe high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia
Severe high blood pressure, especially with pre-eclampsia, is serious.
The risks to you as the mother include:
How do I know if I have high blood pressure whilst I am pregnant?
Many women with high blood pressure (hypertension) during their pregnancy do not have any symptoms. This is why your blood pressure is checked regularly by your Dr. Petrina and/or midwife during your pregnancy. Your urine is also tested regularly for protein, to look for possible pre-eclampsia.
However, there are some symptoms that you should look out for that could be signs of pre-eclampsia. If you develop any of these, you should Petrina, another doctor or midwife urgently so that they can check your blood pressure and test your urine for protein. They include:
IF IN DOUBT CALL!
Note: swelling or puffiness of your feet, face, or hands (Oedema) is common in normal pregnancy. Most women with this symptom do not have pre-eclampsia but it can become worse in pre-eclampsia. Therefore, report any sudden worsening of swelling of the hands, face or feet promptly to your doctor or midwife.
Note: Spots in front of the eyes are not uncommon, when rising from a reclined position quickly, this is often a drop in blood pressure but because of a position change. If however you get the same or similar sensations whilst at rest then this would be a symptom
What is the treatment for high blood pressure in pregnancy?
If your Petrina or your midwife finds that your blood pressure is high during your pregnancy, they will usually check to see if you have any protein in your urine and ask you if you have any symptoms of pre-eclampsia. If your midwife finds you hypertensive she will arrange for you to be seen by Dr. Petrina or other doctor. Dr Petrina or the doctor has to take into account such things as:
Checks may include blood tests assessing liver and renal function and an ultrasound
scan to look at how your baby is growing and to check the blood flow from the afterbirth (placenta) to the baby. You may need medication to control your blood pressure during
your pregnancy.
If high blood pressure remains mild and pre-eclampsia does not develop
There is usually little risk. Regular checks of your blood pressure and your urine for protein, as well as checks to see how your pregnancy is progressing, may be all that is needed until the natural time of birth. Checks may include blood tests and an ultra sound scan to look at how your baby is growing and to check the blood flow from the afterbirth (placenta) to the baby. You may be followed up by an obstetrician. You may need medicines to control your blood pressure during your pregnancy.
If high blood pressure becomes severe, or if pre-eclampsia develops
There are risks to both you, as the mother, and your baby if high blood pressure becomes more severe, especially if you develop pre-eclampsia. You will usually be seen urgently and you may be admitted to hospital. Blood tests may be suggested to check to see how much your blood pressure or pre- eclampsia is affecting you. The well-being of your baby may also be checked using ultrasound scanning. A recording of your baby's heart rate will be recommended.
For severe high blood pressure, especially if pre-eclampsia develops, there is often a dilemma. If the high blood pressure is caused by the pregnancy, the only cure is to birth your baby. This may be fine if your pregnancy is near to the end. The birth can be induced, or your baby can be born by caesarean section if necessary.
However, a difficult decision may have to be made if high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia becomes severe earlier in your pregnancy. Medicine to lower the blood pressure may be prescribed for a while. This may allow your pregnancy to progress further before delivering your baby. The best time to induce the birth (or deliver by caesarean section) varies depending on the factors mentioned above.
If you have severe pre-eclampsia, the medicine magnesium sulfate may be given via a drip around the time that your baby is delivered. This may reduce your chance of developing eclampsia.
There is some evidence to suggest that regular low-dose aspirin and calcium supplements may help to prevent pre-eclampsia in some women who may be at increased risk of developing it. Dr Petrina may recommend you take one or both of these. They will be able to discuss this with you in more detail.
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure (hypertension) means that the pressure of the blood in your blood vessels (arteries) is too high. Blood pressure is recorded as two figures. For example, 140/85 mm/Hg. This is said as 140 over 85 or 140 on 85.
Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mm/Hg). The first (or top) number is your systolic blood pressure. This is the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts. The second (or bottom) number is your diastolic blood pressure. This is the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between each heartbeat.
Normal blood pressure is generally is below 140/90 mm Hg.
During pregnancy:
- Mildly high blood pressure is blood pressure between 140/90 and 149/99 mm Hg.
- Moderately high blood pressure is blood pressure between 150/100 and 159/109 mm Hg.
- Severely high blood pressure is blood pressure of 160/110 mm Hg or higher.
It is important to know than a raised blood pressure in any category requires close monitoring and or treatment, and that one should never be complacent.
Contact Dr. Petrina if you have any questions or concerns.
Our blood pressure goes up when we are anxious or stressed, such as when we have to rush. Some people find it stressful seeing a doctor or midwife. It is important to give yourself enough time for your antenatal appointments so that you can relax and your blood pressure is not higher than it normally would be.
What are the different types of high blood pressure in pregnancy?
Pre-existing high blood pressure (hypertension)
Some women already have high blood pressure before they become pregnant and they may be on treatment for this. Some women are found to have high blood pressure before they are 20 weeks pregnant. (If high blood pressure is first discovered before you are 20 weeks pregnant, this usually means that you had previously undetected high blood pressure before you were pregnant.)
So, high blood pressure before 20 weeks of pregnancy is not caused by pregnancy but is pre-existing, or chronic, high blood pressure.
Up to 1 in 20 women have pre-existing high blood pressure when they become pregnant.
There are various causes.
If you have pre-existing high blood pressure, you have an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy .
if you are taking medicines to treat high blood pressure then, ideally, you should have this reviewed before you become pregnant. Some medicines that are used to treat high blood pressure should not be taken during pregnancy - for example, medicines called:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
- Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (AIIRAs) - sometimes called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
- 'Water' tablets (diuretics).
This is because these medicines may harm a developing baby. If you are taking one of these medicines then it is very likely that your medicine will be changed to another medicine that is not known to harm a developing baby.
Gestational high blood pressure/ Pregnancy Induced Hypertension.
Some women can develop new high blood pressure during their pregnancy. This is called gestational high blood pressure (or hypertension) or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure (or hypertension). Gestational high blood pressure is high blood pressure that develops for the first time after the 20th week of pregnancy. This is sometimes also called pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Doctors can confirm this type of high blood pressure if you do not go on to develop pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy (see below) and if your blood pressure has returned to normal within six weeks of giving birth. If you have gestational high blood pressure, you
do not have protein in your urine when it is tested by your Petrina or midwife during your pregnancy.
Note: some women may be found to have new high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy. At first, they may not have any protein in their urine on testing. However, they may later develop protein in their urine and so be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia (see below).
You are only said to have gestational hypertension if you do not go on to develop pre-eclampsia during your pregnancy.
Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a condition that can affect some women who develop new high blood pressure after the 20th week of their pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia can also sometimes develop in women who have high blood pressure before they are pregnant (pre-existing high blood pressure) or in women who have protein in their urine before they are pregnant (for example, due to kidney problems).
Pre-eclampsia not only causes high blood pressure; it also affects other parts of your body such as your kidneys, liver, brain and blood clotting system. Pre-eclampsia causes protein to leak from your kidneys into your urine. If you have pre-eclampsia, you will have high blood pressure and protein will be found in your urine when it is tested. Pre-eclampsia gets better within six weeks of you giving birth. See Information page called Pre-eclampsia for more details.
Eclampsia can be a complication of pre-eclampsia. In eclampsia, a woman with pre-eclampsia has one or more fits (seizures or convulsions). This is a serious condition. The aim is to detect and treat pre-eclampsia successfully to try to prevent eclampsia from developing.
What causes new high blood pressure during pregnancy?
The reason why pregnancy may cause high blood pressure (hypertension) or pre-eclampsia is not fully understood. In women who develop pre-eclampsia, it seems to have something to do with a problem with the afterbirth (placenta). This is the attachment between your baby and your womb (uterus). It is thought that there
are problems with the development of the blood vessels of the placenta in pre-eclampsia and also damage to the placenta in some way. This may affect the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to your baby. There are also certain women who seem to be at increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia.
How common is high blood pressure during pregnancy?
High blood pressure (hypertension) during pregnancy is quite a common problem.
- About 1 in 10 pregnant women have problems with high blood pressure. About 1 in 20 pregnant women have pre-existing high blood pressure.
- About 1 in 20 pregnant women have gestational high blood pressure and do not go on to develop pre- eclampsia.
- Somewhere between 2 and 8 in 100 pregnant women develop pre-eclampsia.
- Eclampsia develops in around 1 in 200 women with pre-eclampsia
Problems with new high blood pressure are more common during your first pregnancy.
What are the possible problems with high blood pressure during pregnancy?
As a rule, the higher your blood pressure, the greater the risk for you and your baby.
Mild-to-moderate high blood pressure (hypertension)
If your blood pressure remains mildly to moderately raised and you do not develop pre-eclampsia then the risk is low. Most women with high blood pressure during pregnancy just have mildly or moderately raised blood pressure. However, it is important that your blood pressure and urine should be checked regularly throughout your pregnancy and that you look out for any signs of possible pre-eclampsia (see below).
Severe high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia
Severe high blood pressure, especially with pre-eclampsia, is serious.
The risks to you as the mother include:
- An increased chance of having a stroke.
- Damage to your kidneys and liver.
- An increased risk of blood clotting problems.
- An increased risk of severe bleeding from your placenta.
- If you develop pre-eclampsia, a risk of eclampsia.
- Potential death
- An increased chance of poor growth.
- An increased chance of premature birth.
- An increased chance of stillbirth.
How do I know if I have high blood pressure whilst I am pregnant?
Many women with high blood pressure (hypertension) during their pregnancy do not have any symptoms. This is why your blood pressure is checked regularly by your Dr. Petrina and/or midwife during your pregnancy. Your urine is also tested regularly for protein, to look for possible pre-eclampsia.
However, there are some symptoms that you should look out for that could be signs of pre-eclampsia. If you develop any of these, you should Petrina, another doctor or midwife urgently so that they can check your blood pressure and test your urine for protein. They include:
- Severe headaches that do not go away. Especially if atypical for you and/ or frontal.
- Problems with your vision, such as blurred vision, flashing lights or spots in front of your eyes. Like the disturbances you get when getting up to quick but obviously without doing so.
- Tummy (abdominal) pain. The pain that occurs with pre-eclampsia tends to be mainly in the upper part of the abdomen, just below your ribs, especially on your right side. This corresponds to the liver.
- Vomiting later in your pregnancy (not the morning sickness of early pregnancy).
- Sudden swelling or puffiness of your hands, face or feet.
- Not being able to feel your baby move as much.
- Just not feeling right in general.
IF IN DOUBT CALL!
Note: swelling or puffiness of your feet, face, or hands (Oedema) is common in normal pregnancy. Most women with this symptom do not have pre-eclampsia but it can become worse in pre-eclampsia. Therefore, report any sudden worsening of swelling of the hands, face or feet promptly to your doctor or midwife.
Note: Spots in front of the eyes are not uncommon, when rising from a reclined position quickly, this is often a drop in blood pressure but because of a position change. If however you get the same or similar sensations whilst at rest then this would be a symptom
What is the treatment for high blood pressure in pregnancy?
If your Petrina or your midwife finds that your blood pressure is high during your pregnancy, they will usually check to see if you have any protein in your urine and ask you if you have any symptoms of pre-eclampsia. If your midwife finds you hypertensive she will arrange for you to be seen by Dr. Petrina or other doctor. Dr Petrina or the doctor has to take into account such things as:
- How severe is your high blood pressure (hypertension)? Is there pre-eclampsia and, if so, how severe is it?
- How far on is your pregnancy?
- What are the risks to you, the mother, and your baby? This will depend on the severity of your high blood pressure and whether or not pre-eclampsia is present.
Checks may include blood tests assessing liver and renal function and an ultrasound
scan to look at how your baby is growing and to check the blood flow from the afterbirth (placenta) to the baby. You may need medication to control your blood pressure during
your pregnancy.
If high blood pressure remains mild and pre-eclampsia does not develop
There is usually little risk. Regular checks of your blood pressure and your urine for protein, as well as checks to see how your pregnancy is progressing, may be all that is needed until the natural time of birth. Checks may include blood tests and an ultra sound scan to look at how your baby is growing and to check the blood flow from the afterbirth (placenta) to the baby. You may be followed up by an obstetrician. You may need medicines to control your blood pressure during your pregnancy.
If high blood pressure becomes severe, or if pre-eclampsia develops
There are risks to both you, as the mother, and your baby if high blood pressure becomes more severe, especially if you develop pre-eclampsia. You will usually be seen urgently and you may be admitted to hospital. Blood tests may be suggested to check to see how much your blood pressure or pre- eclampsia is affecting you. The well-being of your baby may also be checked using ultrasound scanning. A recording of your baby's heart rate will be recommended.
For severe high blood pressure, especially if pre-eclampsia develops, there is often a dilemma. If the high blood pressure is caused by the pregnancy, the only cure is to birth your baby. This may be fine if your pregnancy is near to the end. The birth can be induced, or your baby can be born by caesarean section if necessary.
However, a difficult decision may have to be made if high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia becomes severe earlier in your pregnancy. Medicine to lower the blood pressure may be prescribed for a while. This may allow your pregnancy to progress further before delivering your baby. The best time to induce the birth (or deliver by caesarean section) varies depending on the factors mentioned above.
If you have severe pre-eclampsia, the medicine magnesium sulfate may be given via a drip around the time that your baby is delivered. This may reduce your chance of developing eclampsia.
There is some evidence to suggest that regular low-dose aspirin and calcium supplements may help to prevent pre-eclampsia in some women who may be at increased risk of developing it. Dr Petrina may recommend you take one or both of these. They will be able to discuss this with you in more detail.
