Hypertension, in other words high blood pressure, can be briefly explained as the pressure of blood on the artery wall. A normal person’s blood pressure may vary depending on the activities he does during the day. However, if the blood pressure is high in the majority of measurements taken more than once and at different times, the doctor can diagnose high blood pressure. Hypertension, which also increases the risk of heart diseases, can be seen in people of all ages and genders. Nowadays, high blood pressure during pregnancy has become an increasingly common condition. High blood pressure during pregnancy poses some risks for both the baby and the mother. You can read the rest of the article for what you are wondering about gestational hypertension.
What is Hypertension during Pregnancy?
The organ responsible for pumping blood throughout the body is the heart. Every time the heart beats (every time the heart pumps blood), blood fills the veins and is carried to the body. During this transportation process, there is a pressure exerted by the blood on the artery walls. This pressure is called blood pressure and blood pressure is measured by a device. There are two types of blood pressure: systolic (high blood pressure) and diastolic blood pressure (low blood pressure). Systolic blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries after each pump. Diastolic blood pressure measures the arterial pressure between two heartbeats, that is, at rest. Blood pressure value; On average, systolic blood pressure should not exceed 120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure should not exceed 80 mmHg. Otherwise, it is necessary for your health to get checked by a doctor. A healthy
pregnancy is important for both mother and baby. For this reason, the health of both of them is checked regularly from the beginning of pregnancy. During this control process, existing or possible diseases of the mother are also taken into account. Hypertension is one of them, and your blood pressure will usually be measured at each appointment for control purposes. If you have a history of hypertension or if hypertension develops for the first time during pregnancy, you should definitely see a gynecologist. During this process, you will be provided with treatment and support by a healthcare professional trained in pregnancy blood pressure. In addition to being alarming, blood pressure during pregnancy may pose some risks that will negatively affect the health of both the mother and the baby. People who are currently using blood pressure medication and considering pregnancy should definitely discuss the situation with their doctor beforehand. Because some blood pressure medications may not be safe during pregnancy, your doctor may recommend a medication change. If you are already taking medication and have just learned that you are pregnant, you should inform your doctor as soon as possible.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Symptoms of high blood pressure during pregnancy are the same as in non-pregnant people. However, even when hypertension reaches dangerous levels during pregnancy, it may often not show any symptoms. As a symptom in some people;
- headache
- blurred vision and
- Nose bleeding may be mentioned.
However, hypertension may also be present in a person who does not show these symptoms. Therefore, measuring blood pressure is the safest way to understand whether hypertension is present.
Hypertension Risk Factors During Pregnancy
High blood pressure during pregnancy may have some complications for the mother and baby. Some of these complications may be as follows: For the mother:
- Preeclampsia (You can get more detailed information from the pregnancy poisoning article)
- stroke ,
- Need to give medication to induce labor
- Separation of the placenta from the uterus, where it is located before birth
For baby:
- Birth occurring before the 37th week of pregnancy
- Low birth weight (babies with a birth weight less than 2500 g).
Preeclampsia, also known as pregnancy poisoning, is one of the conditions that can be life-threatening for those who experience high blood pressure during pregnancy. Common early symptoms are high blood pressure and protein in the urine. The presence of these symptoms can be noticed through check-ups during pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to go for your check-ups regularly, without skipping. Apart from this, some of the conditions that may be risk factors for preeclampsia are:
- Being diagnosed with chronic high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease before pregnancy
- Having high blood pressure or preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy
- Obesity
- Pregnancy over the age of 40
- Multiple pregnancy (being pregnant with more than one baby)
- Having a family history of preeclampsia
Hypertension Treatment During Pregnancy
Increased blood pressure during pregnancy; It usually has a treatment process that includes medication, lifestyle changes and follow-up with regular check-ups. In some people, blood pressure may return to normal or continue after pregnancy. What needs to be done at this stage may vary depending on when hypertension occurs. The procedure followed in the treatment is as follows:
- If you had hypertension before getting pregnant: You can start using the appropriate medication for you by talking to your doctor. You can maintain a weight that is healthy for you with a healthy diet and adequate physical activity.
- If you have high blood pressure during pregnancy: You can learn the treatment you need to apply by consulting your doctor as soon as possible. Monitoring your blood pressure by purchasing a blood pressure monitor at home, questioning your symptoms in terms of preeclampsia, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help you go through this process with less risk.
- During the post-pregnancy period: Those who experience high blood pressure during pregnancy may be at risk for stroke, heart problems and other problems in the future. Therefore, paying attention to how you feel and having regular check-ups may be the best option for your health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypertension During Pregnancy
Possible risks during pregnancy are a source of concern for every mother. To ease your concerns, you can take a look at frequently asked questions about pregnancy hypertension.
Why Does Blood Pressure Increase During Pregnancy?
It is difficult to give a definitive reason why blood pressure increases during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body needs to nourish not only itself but also your baby. This situation causes some changes to occur in the body; such as increasing blood production so that the baby can feed, and increasing heart rate as a result of increased blood production. Factors like these, when combined with other factors such as genetic predisposition, can cause high blood pressure in some pregnancies.
What is Blood Pressure during Pregnancy? Is It Dangerous?
There are three degrees of hypertension for pregnancy and other times.
- Mild hypertension: Blood pressure between 140/90 and 149/99 mmHg. It should be checked regularly; but usually does not need treatment
- Moderate Hypertension: Blood pressure between 150/100 and 159/109 mmHg.
- Severe Hypertension: Blood pressure of 160/110 mmHg or higher
Since the diagnosis of hypertension is made at 140/90 mmHg and above, if you witness that your blood pressure is at or above these values, you should definitely consult a doctor. As your blood pressure rises, it can create a more dangerous situation for your health.
Does High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Harm the Baby?
High blood pressure during pregnancy can make life difficult for the baby. In order for the baby to grow and develop in the womb, it needs to receive adequate amounts of oxygen and nutrients. However, high blood pressure can cause problems in this regard and even cause premature birth. Apart from this, some blood pressure medications may cause problems by causing a decrease in blood flow to the placenta, that is, your baby, or by other effects. For this reason, you should spend your pregnancy under the supervision of a doctor and by following your doctor’s treatment and recommendations.
What is Good for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy blood pressure is a concern for many mothers and expectant mothers; However, some changes in lifestyle can improve blood pressure. For example:
- Doing 150 minutes of physical activity every week: It is recommended to walk or do other activities for about 30 minutes 5 days a week (9).
- Reducing salt: If you have the habit of adding salt directly to the food without tasting it during this process, you can question this.
- Not smoking or drinking alcohol: Even if you are having a healthy pregnancy, you should definitely stay away from smoking and alcohol.
- Implementing a healthy nutrition plan: In case of hypertension, you can follow a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and healthy oils such as olive oil and nuts, known as the Mediterranean Diet. You can consult a dietitian for more detailed and accurate information on the subject.
- stay away from stress
- Medication
Despite all this, if you have uncontrolled hypertension, be sure to contact your doctor. High blood pressure during pregnancy is a potentially dangerous condition; but treatment is possible. The best thing you can do for both your baby and your health is to talk to your doctor before getting pregnant, learn the most appropriate treatment for you, start applying it early, and keep in constant communication with your healthcare team to inform them during the pregnancy.
