About fifteen percent of pregnant women suffer from high blood pressure. The medical name for this is hypertension. Compared to low blood pressure during pregnancy, high blood pressure is less common. In general, high blood pressure occurs in women who are expecting their first child. It is less common in a second or third pregnancy.
Control of blood pressure
Pregnant women’s blood pressure is measured by the midwife at every check-up. The negative pressure and the upper pressure are measured. It’s mainly about the pressure. On average, the negative pressure is around 70 and 80. We speak of high blood pressure if the negative pressure is 90 or higher. With high blood pressure there is a high risk of complications.
When does high blood pressure occur?
High blood pressure can be dangerous during pregnancy. The risk of complications is not increased if the blood pressure in a pregnant woman is less than 90. With a blood pressure between 90 and 95, a pregnant woman is closely monitored and the number of checks is increased. If the blood pressure in a pregnant woman is 95 or higher, it is considered high and the gynecologist is called.
Consequences of high blood pressure
High blood pressure is not only dangerous for the future mother but also for the unborn baby. Various complications can occur, such as poor liver and kidney function. The child’s condition may deteriorate. High blood pressure can also adversely affect the blood supply to the placenta. The baby may suffer from growth retardation.
Risk of complications
The risk of complications increases as blood pressure increases. Pregnant women with high blood pressure have their urine tested regularly. If there is protein in the urine , it may mean that the kidneys are not working properly. The unborn baby is also regularly examined to determine whether it is growing properly.
Complaints of high blood pressure
The higher your blood pressure, the greater the chance of complaints. Some complaints that often occur with high blood pressure are: headache, fluid retention, nausea, abdominal pain, tingling feeling in the fingers and seeing stars or flashes of light. But not everyone has symptoms of high blood pressure. Some people have no complaints even though their blood pressure is high.
Cause of high blood pressure during pregnancy
In principle, any pregnant woman can develop high blood pressure. Often you cannot really pinpoint the cause. It is true that certain women have a greater risk of high blood pressure. For example, women who are pregnant with twins or triplets are at greater risk. Women who have kidney disease, vascular disease or diabetes are also more likely to develop high blood pressure during pregnancy. Furthermore, high blood pressure during pregnancy can also be hereditary. Even if you already had high blood pressure before your pregnancy, you will suffer from it during pregnancy.
Solutions for high blood pressure during pregnancy
There are various solutions possible for high blood pressure in pregnant women. Which solution you will choose depends on the complaints and the level of blood pressure. If the blood pressure is around 95 and there are no complaints, the woman is monitored closely. Rest is prescribed if blood pressure is higher than 95 or if there are complaints. Women whose protein is found in the urine or who have complaints and whose blood pressure remains high are admitted to hospital. The health of mother and baby can then be better monitored. Furthermore, medications may also be prescribed if blood pressure is dangerously high. But this only happens in extreme cases. The reason why medication is not given quickly is to prevent mother and baby from experiencing side effects.
