Contents:
- Medical Video: Hypertension during pregnancy
- What is the size of chronic hypertension in pregnancy?
- What affects the occurrence of chronic hypertension during pregnancy?
- What signs should I watch out for?
- What will happen after giving birth?
Medical Video: Hypertension during pregnancy
If you experience high blood pressure (hypertension) before you become pregnant or you are diagnosed with hypertension before you reach a 20-week pregnancy, then you have a condition of chronic hypertension. At least 5 percent of women experience chronic hypertension during pregnancy.
Blood pressure measurement shows how strong blood pushes the artery wall. The measurement has two numbers: the top number (systolic) is the pressure when the heart pumps blood, and the lower number (diastolic) is when the heart relaxes and is filled with blood. To find out more, let's look at the explanation below.
What is the size of chronic hypertension in pregnancy?
High blood pressure during pregnancy is defined when the pressure reaches 140/90 or higher, even if only one number is higher. Chronic hypertension during pregnancy occurs when the pressure reaches 160/110 or higher.Because your blood pressure may be different, your doctor may use the reading at different times and use the average reading.
Chronic hypertension is not the only condition that involves high blood pressure during pregnancy. If you experience high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy, you will be diagnosed with gestational hypertension. If your blood pressure does not return to normal within 12 weeks of giving birth, you may have chronic hypertension at all times.
If you experience chronic hypertension during pregnancy, after 20 weeks of pregnancy, have protein in your urine, liver or kidney abnormalities, headaches, or changes in vision, you may be affected by preeclampsia.
What affects the occurrence of chronic hypertension during pregnancy?
Having chronic hypertension indirectly increases your risk of getting preeclampsia. Preeclampsia that develops when you already have chronic hypertension is called "superimposed preeclampsia." About 1 in 4 women with chronic hypertension and as many as half of women with chronic hypertension are severely affected by preeclampsia during pregnancy.
High blood pressure during pregnancy can also cause a lack of blood flowing through the placenta, providing little oxygen and little nutrition for your baby's growth. Chronic hypertension increases the risk for a number of pregnancy complications, including a failed fetus in the uterus, premature birth, abrupt placenta, and the baby dies at birth.
If your chronic hypertension is mild, your risk of experiencing this complication during pregnancy is not much higher if you have normal blood pressure. As long as you don't have other medical problems, hypertension won't get worse and you won't get preeclampsia.
However, the more severe your hypertension is, the higher your risk of developing chronic hypertension, and the risk of getting preeclampsia is even higher. Your risk will also be higher if you have hypertension for a long time and have damaged the cardiovascular system, kidneys or other organs, or if your hypertension is a result of diabetes, kidney disease, or lupus.
What signs should I watch out for?
After your baby starts moving regularly, the doctor may ask you to count the fetal kick to track your baby's movements (this is a good way to monitor your baby's health when he is not at the doctor.) Tell your doctor right away if you feel your baby is less active than usual.
Doctors can also check and track your blood pressure at home. He will tell you how often you have to do this and the results will be seen at the clinic. The doctor will also direct you when you need to contact your doctor or go to the hospital if your pressure is above a certain level.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Headaches, especially severe or persistent headaches
- Your chest or heart is pounding
- Dizzy
- Swelling of the face or around the eyes, slight swelling of the hands, excessive or sudden swelling of the legs or ankles (swelling of the legs and ankles is usually normal during pregnancy), or swelling of your calves
- Weight increases by more than 2.5 kg a week
- Changes in vision, including double vision, blurring, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitive to light, or temporary vision loss
- Pain or pain in the upper abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting (other than morning sickness early in pregnancy)
What will happen after giving birth?
When you experience chronic hypertension during pregnancy, you are at risk of cardiovascular complications because your body's system adapts to all changes in your body after you give birth. So after giving birth, you will be monitored closely for at least 48 hours.
Because preeclampsia can occur after delivery, immediately notify your doctor if you experience symptoms of this condition, even after you have been allowed to go home. You will start taking blood pressure medication again or dose as needed. Tell your doctor if you plan to breastfeed, because this will affect your choice of blood pressure medication for you.
In addition to taking the appropriate medication prescribed and consulting with a doctor regularly, you need to take care of yourself to reduce the risk of long-term complications of hypertension, such as heart or kidney disease and stroke. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, pay special attention to the diet and weight, avoid tobacco, and limit the alcohol you drink.
When your postpartum period is over and the doctor allows you to start exercising, ask the doctor what type of routine exercise is best for your personal situation and stick to it.
