Depending upon the specific health condition of the pregnant woman, hypertension may occur before or during pregnancy. Moreover, the type of high blood pressure in pregnancy may also vary from one woman to another. Typically, there are three types of hypertension conditions in this regard - preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and chronic hypertension.
Gestational hypertension develops after twenty weeks of pregnancy and lasts till delivery. If the condition of high blood pressure stays even after delivery, it is termed as chronic hypertension. Chronic hypertension can develop before twenty weeks of pregnancy. The third type, Preeclampsia is a very serious condition characterized by protein in the urine and very high blood pressure after twenty weeks of pregnancy. It can prove to be fatal if not treated on time.
Get Informed About Preeclampsia
Though it is very common to have high blood pressure in pregnancy, but since Preeclampsia can be a dangerous situation, you must closely watch out for certain warning signs that include the following:
• Sudden weight gain. For example, if you have gained more than two pounds within a week, it can be a serious indication for Preeclampsia.
• Decreased urine output
• Vomiting or nausea
• Abdominal pain under the ribs, typically on the right side
• Light sensitivity, blurred vision, temporary loss of vision, and other changes in vision
• Severe headache
Who Are More Likely To Develop Preeclampsia?
Following women are more likely to develop Preeclampsia high blood pressure in pregnancy.
• Women with scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, or diabetes
• Women with twins or triplets
• Pregnant women over the age of forty or under the age of twenty
• Women suffering from obesity or high blood pressure before getting pregnant
• Women who’ve already suffered from preeclampsia during their previous pregnancy
Prevention Tips
When it comes to preventing high blood pressure during pregnancy, there are several ways to do that. If you are planning to have a baby, the first thing that you should do is to consult your doctor. Your health care provider will tell you whether your health is good enough to become pregnant. You can follow these suggestions to prevent the risk of hypertension before becoming pregnant:
• Take only prescribed medications. Do not take over-the-counter medicines on your own. Follow your doctor’s suggestions religiously.
• Consult your doctor. Get educated on how high blood pressure in pregnancy can be harmful for you and your baby. Also, ask for suggestions on how you can prevent or control the same. The more informed you are, the better you will be able to protect yourself.
• Adopt simple lifestyle changes - lose weight if you are overweight, participate in regular physical activity, and limit your salt intake. Salt and high blood pressure are linked to each other.
While you are pregnant, you should completely avoid alcohol and tobacco. Regular prenatal medical care is also very important to minimize the risks of how high blood pressure in pregnancy.