Does pregnancy contract high blood pressure

High blood pressure during pregnancy is alarming. But what is it that contributes to high blood pressure? How can developing it be avoided or controlled? Below are the answers

Pregnancy is a long journey and during this journey, the mother undergoes several changes in the body. Some good, some bad. One of the bad changes could be the mother-to- be suffering from high blood pressure. The condition is termed as ‘gestational hypertension’.  

So what really happens in gestational hypertension?

A real-life case study should explain this phenomenon better. A woman in her 32nd week of pregnancy experienced a sudden raise in her blood pressure level. She had three convulsions within a few hours. The doctors feared that the condition would damage her liver, kidney, and eyes. As predicted, the mother-to- be did lose her vision post-surgery. The doctors suggested that it was because of the spasms in the arteries in the brain.

While gestational hypertension is a reality, not every mother-to- be will be affected by it. Those who are more likely to develop high blood pressure during pregnancy would be:

ï‚· Women who suffer from high blood pressure even before becoming pregnant

ï‚· Women who developed high blood pressure during a previous pregnancy

ï‚· Obese women

ï‚· Those pregnant with more than one baby

ï‚· Women suffering from diabetes, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma

Why is high blood pressure alarming during pregnancy?

ï‚· There is decrease in the amount of blood that flows to the placenta. If the placenta doesn’t receive sufficient blood, the baby may not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Which eventually will lead to low birth weight or slow growth of the baby

ï‚· There may be an increased risk of placental abruption, which means that the placenta gets separated from the uterus’ inner wall before delivery. It can be life-threatening for the mother and the baby

ï‚· It could be a premature delivery

ï‚· There could be a risk of future cardiovascular disease

Here’s how one can manage high blood pressure during pregnancy:

ï‚· Get all your prenatal care checkups

ï‚· Take medicine if you require it to control your blood pressure. The doctor may prescribe a safe one for the mother and the baby

ï‚· Do not eat food with high salt content

Do not smoke, consume alcohol or abuse prescription drugs